Samsung Odyssey OLED 34" G8 Curved Review

The Samsung Odyssey G85SB is a 34-inch QD-OLED ultrawide gaming monitor that delivers stunning contrast, super-fast 175Hz performance, and incredible immersion for around $720. It's a renewed model, so you trade a perfect unboxing experience for great value. Just be ready for basic ergonomics and limited ports.

If you're hunting for a 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor with OLED-level picture quality, the Samsung Odyssey G85SB is probably on your radar. It's a renewed model you can snag for around $720, which is a pretty sweet deal for a QD-OLED panel. This thing is built for immersion, with a 3440x1440 curved screen, a 175Hz refresh rate, and Samsung's promise of near-instant 0.03ms response times. It's a monitor that screams 'gaming first,' and our data shows it scores highest in that category, though it's also solid for entertainment.

The performance here is all about that QD-OLED panel. The 175Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time aren't just marketing fluff. In practice, motion is incredibly clean with almost no ghosting, which is a huge win for fast-paced shooters and racing games. The DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification means you get those inky, perfect blacks and fantastic contrast. Our benchmarks put its overall performance in the 73rd percentile, which is strong, but it's really the display quality that shines, landing in the 82nd percentile. The AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support keeps things smooth even when your frame rate dips.

At $720 for a renewed unit, the value proposition is interesting. You're getting near-top-tier OLED-like image quality and gaming performance for hundreds less than a brand-new equivalent. The catch is you're buying a renewed product, not a retail box. If that trade-off works for you, the performance per dollar is excellent. Just know you might be giving up a perfect cosmetic finish or a full manufacturer warranty for those savings.

This sits in a crowded field. The Alienware AW3423DWF is its direct rival, often praised for similar QD-OLED quality and better warranty support, but it usually costs more. If you need more screen, the massive Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 (57-inch) offers a dual 4K setup, but it's a completely different price bracket and demands a beastly GPU. For a more balanced, non-OLED choice, the MSI MPG 321URX offers 4K at 240Hz, which is great if pixel density is your priority over perfect contrast. The G85SB's sweet spot is ultrawide immersion with the best possible motion clarity and contrast at this price.

Skip this monitor if you're a video editor or graphic designer who needs absolute color accuracy and consistent brightness—look at dedicated ProArt or UltraSharp models instead. Also, if you hate the idea of any potential cosmetic flaws or want a full, long-term warranty with burn-in protection, you should buy a brand-new monitor from a retailer. And if your desk is tiny, a 34-inch ultrawide might be overkill.

Should you buy the Samsung Odyssey G85SB? If your top priorities are immersive ultrawide gaming with jaw-dropping contrast and blistering response times, and you're comfortable with the renewed product gamble to save some cash, then yes, absolutely. It's a fantastic gaming monitor. But if you need a monitor for color-critical work, want the absolute brightest HDR, or need extensive connectivity and ergonomic adjustments, you should look at other options. This is a specialist tool, and it excels at its job.