Samsung Odyssey Ark 55" 2nd Gen Review

The Samsung Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen is a stunning, massive 55-inch monitor built for multitasking, not just gaming. Its killer feature is showing four different inputs at once, but that mode caps performance. Buy it if you need a command center. Look elsewhere for pure gaming speed.

The Samsung Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen is a 55-inch statement piece that's less a monitor and more a command center for your desk. It's a 4K, 165Hz curved beast with a trick up its sleeve: you can rotate it into a tall 'Cockpit Mode' and split the screen between up to four different inputs at once.

Think of it as a monitor for people who want to do everything at the same time. Game on your PC, keep a stream open on your console, have Discord up, and watch a video, all on one massive, immersive screen. It's a wild concept, and the execution is mostly there, but it comes with some very specific caveats.

For raw specs, this thing lands in the 70th percentile for performance in our database, which is solid but not class-leading. The 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time are great for fast-paced gaming, and FreeSync Premium Pro keeps things smooth. The HDR10+ and Quantum Mini-LED backlight deliver punchy contrast and vibrant colors, scoring in the 84th percentile for color quality. Where it stumbles a bit is in the fine print: when you use that killer Multi-View feature to run multiple inputs, the refresh rate drops to 120Hz and you lose VRR support. So, you're trading peak gaming performance for that multi-tasking flexibility.

We don't have the exact price, but given its predecessor and the specs, this is a premium luxury item. You're not paying for raw value-per-inch. You're paying for the unique Multi-View functionality and the sheer spectacle of it. If you absolutely need to see four different feeds on one seamless screen, this is one of the only games in town. If you just want a big, fast 4K monitor, you can get 90% of the core experience for significantly less money.

Stacked against its rivals, the Ark is in a category of its own. The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 (57-inch) offers an even wider aspect ratio for pure gaming immersion but lacks the multi-input view and rotation. The MSI MPG 321URX and ASUS ProArt OLEDs will smoke it in pure pixel response and HDR contrast for hardcore competitive play or color-critical work, but they're just normal (albeit excellent) flat screens. The LG UltraGear 45 offers a super-fast 240Hz mode in a curved format. The Ark's real competition is your own desk space and whether you value its unique multi-tasking prowess over pure, unadulterated gaming performance.

If you're a competitive esports player chasing every frame, skip this. The 165Hz is good, but not elite, and the Multi-View mode neuters your refresh rate and VRR. Also, if your desk is under 6 feet wide or you like having anything else on it besides this monitor, look at a 34-inch or 38-inch ultrawide instead.

Buy the Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen if you're a streamer, content creator, or hardcore multitasker who needs to monitor several systems at once and wants an all-in-one command center that doubles as a stunning media display. It's for the person whose desk is their mission control. For everyone else, especially dedicated competitive gamers or those with modest-sized desks, a high-end traditional ultrawide or a large 4K TV will be a more practical and higher-performing choice.