Samsung Odyssey SAMSUNG Odyssey G5 LC34G55TWWNXZA Curved Gaming Review
The Samsung Odyssey G5 packs a 165Hz refresh rate and an immersive 1000R curve into a surprisingly affordable 34-inch ultrawide. But is the budget price too good to be true?
The 30-Second Version
The Samsung Odyssey G5 is a budget-friendly ultrawide that nails the core gaming experience with a 165Hz refresh rate and an aggressively curved 34-inch screen. It scores in the 93rd percentile for performance in our tests. It's absolutely worth buying if you want maximum immersion without spending a fortune.
Overview
The Samsung Odyssey G5 is a 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor that wants to give you a lot for not a lot of cash. It packs a 165Hz refresh rate, a sharp 3440x1440 resolution, and a seriously aggressive 1000R curve into a package that usually sits around $300-$400.
That's a lot of screen for the money. It's built for gamers who want immersion without breaking the bank, and our data shows it's a crowd-pleaser, scoring in the 90th percentile for social proof. Just know you're getting a focused tool, not a Swiss Army knife.
Performance
For gaming, this thing delivers. The 165Hz refresh rate is buttery smooth, and the 1ms MPRT response time keeps motion blur in check. Our benchmarks put its overall performance in the 93rd percentile, which is excellent for this price range. The VA panel gives you deep blacks thanks to that 2500:1 contrast ratio, but the 250-nit brightness is just okay—HDR10 support is there, but don't expect a mind-blowing HDR experience. The aggressive curve really does make games feel more immersive.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The 1000R curve is fantastic for pulling you into games. 93th
- 165Hz refresh rate feels incredibly smooth for fast-paced titles. 91th
- You get a lot of screen (34-inch ultrawide) for your money. 86th
- Deep black levels from the VA panel make dark scenes look great. 84th
Cons
- The stand only tilts, which feels cheap for a monitor this size. 8th
- Peak brightness is just average at 250 nits.
- Only one DisplayPort and one HDMI port.
- Some units have had flickering issues, according to user reports.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 34" |
| Resolution | 3440 x 1440 |
| Panel Type | VA |
| Aspect Ratio | 21:9 |
| Curved | No |
| Curvature | 1000 |
Performance
| Refresh Rate | 165 Hz |
| Response Time | 1 |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium |
Color & HDR
| Brightness | 250 nits |
| Color Gamut | 16.7 Million Colors (8-Bit) |
| HDR | HDR10 |
| HDR Support | HDR10 |
Connectivity
| HDMI Ports | 1 |
| DisplayPort | 1 |
| Speakers | No |
Ergonomics
| Height Adjustable | No |
| Tilt | Yes |
| Swivel | No |
| Pivot | No |
| VESA Mount | 75x75 |
Features
| Touchscreen | No |
| Power | 50 |
| Weight | 5.6 kg / 12.3 lbs |
Value & Pricing
At around $300 to $400, the value here is hard to beat if you want an immersive ultrawide for gaming. You're getting high-refresh-rate, high-resolution performance that usually costs more. You do make some sacrifices for that price, like the basic stand and limited connectivity, but for the core gaming experience, it's a solid deal.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to other budget ultrawides, the G5's 1000R curve is its biggest differentiator—it's more intense than the typical 1500R or 1800R curves. Against something like a flat 32-inch 1440p monitor, you're trading some desk space and easier multi-monitor setup for that wraparound feel. If you step up to the pricier Odyssey G7 or an IPS panel monitor, you'll get better color accuracy and a better stand, but you'll pay a lot more for it.
| Spec | Samsung Odyssey SAMSUNG Odyssey G5 LC34G55TWWNXZA Curved Gaming | Samsung Odyssey Samsung 57" Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Computer | MSI MPG MSI 32" UHD 4K 240Hz with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro | ASUS ProArt ASUS ProArt Display OLED PA32UCDM 31.5" 4K HDR 240 | LG UltraGear LG UltraGear 45" WUHD DUAL MODE 4K 165Hz FHD 330Hz | Dell UltraSharp Dell UltraSharp 27" 4K HDR 120 Hz Monitor with |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 34 | 57 | 32 | 31.5 | 45 | 27 |
| Resolution | 3440 x 1440 | 7680 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 5120 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Panel Type | VA | VA | OLED | OLED | OLED | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 165 | 240 | 240 | 240 | 165 | 120 |
| Response Time Ms | 1 | 1 | — | 0.10000000149011612 | — | 5 |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium | FreeSync Premium Pro | G-Sync Compatible | Adaptive-Sync | G-Sync Compatible | — |
| Hdr | HDR10 | HDR10+ | HDR | Dolby Vision | HDR10 | HDR |
Common Questions
Q: Is this monitor G-Sync compatible?
It's officially an AMD FreeSync Premium monitor. While some FreeSync monitors work with Nvidia cards, it's not certified for G-Sync, so compatibility can be hit or miss.
Q: How big is the box it ships in?
It's a sizable package. Based on user reports, the box is roughly 35 inches long, 20 inches wide, 10 inches tall, and weighs about 30 pounds.
Q: Can the height or orientation be adjusted?
No, the included stand only allows for tilt adjustment. For height, swivel, or pivot, you'll need to mount it using the 75x75 VESA pattern on the back.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you need a productivity workhorse with perfect color accuracy or lots of adjustability. The stand is basic, the brightness is modest, and the curve can make straight lines in design apps look weird. Also, if you're tight on desk space, this deep curve and wide footprint might not be the best fit.
Verdict
Buy this if you're a gamer on a budget who wants an immersive, fast ultrawide and doesn't care about a fancy stand or tons of ports. It's a one-trick pony, but that trick—big, curved, smooth gaming—is a really good one.