LG Ultragear 27GR83Q-B
LG Ultragear 27GR83Q-B is a highly responsive gaming display with a 240Hz refresh rate and excellent specifications without being too costly. The monitor boasts a resolution of 2560x1440 on a quick IPS display with 1ms GtG response time. The color gamut is impressive and with HDR support, users are going to see vibrant colors and vivid details.
Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G50D Series Gaming Monitor
If you’re looking for an affordable monitor with exciting gaming features, then the Samsung Odyssey G50D is a terrific choice. It ships with a 180 Hz refresh rate which improves motion handling, and DisplayHDR400 which delivers increased contrast, among other features. The monitor’s 1 ms response time is also good news to competitive gamers as it means they’ll get to react quicker than opponents in crucial moments.
Gaming monitorsare far superior to TVs, making them a popular choice for players who want to run demanding games without worrying about hardware compatibility. Additionally, many monitors come with ergonomic stands from the factory, which allow you to adjust the display’s height without needing to buy amonitor arm.
Among the players, LG and Samsung are two behemoths that have managed to stay on top thanks to their innovative technologies, making it hard for buyers to resist. It’s worth mentioning that both manufacturers havebudget gaming monitorsand high-end ones, each more or less appealing depending on one’s budget and needs. Due to the large number of options in the market, it can be tricky for a shopper to make an informed decision. To help you decide, we’ve compared them to determine who makes the better monitors between LG and Samsung.
Both LG and Samsung are major players in the monitor and TV market. Over the years, both companies have churned out several monitors that have gotten better with each release. As such, knowing the right one to choose can be difficult, especially as both manufacturers have many good options. The table below will compare the specs of two monitors, one from LG and Samsung respectively, to help you decide which is the better option.
Display Panels
Both LG and Samsung leverage different approaches to making display panels for their gaming monitors. Regarding panel types, LG typically equips its monitors with IPS panels, which are known for delivering wide viewing angles, and quicker response times, among other things. This makes monitors with IPS panels a popular choice for competitive gamers who desire the quick response times offered by the display. Aside from giving them a superior edge over opponents, a highly responsive monitor means enjoyable gameplay. Beyond gaming, IPS panels are excellent for content creators, graphic designers, and virtually anyone whose job demands high color accuracy.
Unlike LG, Samsung prefers VA panels, which is evident in many of its best monitors for gaming, such as the 32-inch Odyssey Neo G8, which packs a 4K display along with a 240Hz refresh rate to ensure ultra-smooth gameplay, spiced up with crisp visuals. Although IPS offers a slightly better experience, VA panels are not exactly slackers. Its selling point is the fact that it can achieve a contrast ratio of between 3000:1 and 5000:1, which enables the screen to render deep blacks. It’s worth mentioning that while a VA panel’s viewing angles aren’t as wide as those of an IPS panel, you can still game with them and have a good time doing so. They’re not a competitive gamer’s first choice due to their inability to match IPS panels in terms of response time, though.
Display Technology and Resolution
Although both manufacturers have gaming monitors that use LED technology, they’re pretty affordable too. It’s worth mentioning that Samsung opts for Mini-LED technology, which offers significant improvements like enhanced brightness and better contrast over regular LED displays. Interestingly, both LG and Samsung lead the charge forOLED monitors, with each manufacturer trying to outdo the other with the performance of their OLED displays. Among the display technologies available on TVs and monitors, OLED stands out for its ability to produce superior image quality alongside significantly higher refresh rates.
Playing games on an OLED screen is a hugely enjoyable experience as players tend to see hidden details in the in-game world that would be tough to see on an LED screen. Its impressive credentials don’t make the OLED display invisible to flaws. Despite its tendency towards being expensive, there’s always the risk of screen burn-in, though manufacturers are working to tackle this issue.
Regarding resolution, LG monitors for gaming typically come between 1440p and 4K. However, a handful of models like the 27GN600-B offer a 1080p display that is a competitive gamer’s paradise due to its fast response times. Similarly, you will find Samsung monitors in different resolution options, such as 1080p, 1440p, and the almighty 4K.
Refresh Rate
Refresh rate is a key aspect of every gaming monitor as it plays a significant role in determining how well the display can handle fast-paced moments in games and movies. Unless you’re a lover of casual titles such asMinecraftandStardew Valley, you’ll want to opt formonitors with high refresh ratesthat can handle their daily performance needs with ease. This is even more true for gamers who may want to do visually-intensive work like video editing and graphic design with their monitors.
LG understands this and provides monitor models with refresh rates that range from 144Hz to as high as 240Hz. While a handful of monitors offer more than that, with the Alienware AW2524H going all the way to 500Hz, 240Hz seems like a great spot for one to experience stutter-free gaming. Samsung follows a similar path, offering models that come with different refresh rates. You can find some with 240Hz, 165Hz, 180Hz, and even 100Hz refresh rates, though the latter is hardly ideal for competitive gaming.
Advanced Gaming Features
Unlike traditional monitors, gaming monitors stand out primarily because of their increased performance and advanced features. It’s not surprising to find the likes of Nvidia G-Sync compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro inside a gaming monitor. Monitors with the aforementioned features tend to offer tear-free gaming, making them a must-have for many gamers.
Many LG monitors for gaming are G-Sync compatible and feature FreeSync Premium Pro along with HDMI 2.1. HDMI 2.1 allows you to unleash the full potential of your current-gengaming consoleslike the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. As such, monitors and TVs with HDMI 2.1 are fast becoming a target for shoppers who want an improved gaming experience. You can also find Samsung monitors that ship with Nvidia G-Sync compatibility and FreeSync Premium, though it’s worth mentioning that G-Sync can be found mainly on Samsung’s higher-end models. Both LG and Samsung monitors also have ergonomics in mind, as players can tilt, swivel, and even adjust their height to match their preferred position.
Pricing
Pricing is a key consideration for settling the score between two products in the same category, and it’s no different this time. It’s worth stating that the pricing for both LG and Samsung monitors depends on a handful of factors including the resolution, display technology, screen size, and gaming features. For instance, OLED monitors will cost more than those with Mini-LED or traditional LED displays. You can get a decent LG Ultragear monitor for under $300 with an IPS display that can achieve a 1 ms response time. Interestingly, it also ships with a premium suite of features such as G-Sync and FreeSync. You can also get an LG OLED monitor (27GS95QE) for under $700, featuring a 0.03 ms response time and a high 240Hz refresh rate to reduce ghosting.
At the same time, you can find Samsung monitors available in various price ranges, including budget-friendly types. The G5 costs $330, and has a 1 ms response time along with FreeSync Premium. However, there’s no G-Sync support. As expected, Samsung OLED monitors are costly, with the 49-inch G9 currently priced at $1,200. Its entry-level 27-inch Odyssey G6 costs $800, which seems fair until you realize that it’s $150 higher than the LG 27GS95QE. Regarding pricing, LG monitors seem to deliver more value for money than Samsung. If you’re looking for a new monitor, but don’t have close to $1,000 to spend, it’s worth checking out an LG monitor.
The Verdict
Although the gaming monitor market is filled with lots of players, LG and Samsung have managed to stay on top thanks to their innovative technologies, variety of models, and brand popularity. Any buyer torn between both options should rest assured that either of them will turn out to be a fantastic performer. Deciding on which brand to go for should ultimately be determined by one’s needs.
However, for most users, LG is the best gaming monitor option. If you’re a competitive gamer with a decent budget who wants to react quickly to opponents, an LG monitor will offer IPS panels that are far more responsive than the VA panels found on many Samsung monitors.
If you’re interested in a vibrant display that will make every image rendered on the screen look crisp, you should go for an OLED monitor, which again is best done by LG. Though LG and Samsung both make good OLED monitors and offer advanced gaming features, you’re better off with an LG monitor, as it costs less to acquire one than to pick out a comparable Samsung option.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between an LCD and an OLED gaming monitor?
OLED gaming monitors deliver impressive picture quality along with swift response times which overwhelm their LCD counterparts. However, OLED monitors are pricey, making many players gravitate to alternatives like LCD.
Q: Do pro gamers use 1080p or 1440p?
Many competitive gamers prefer 1080p monitors over 1440p due to the former’s ability to deliver high frame rates. Since frame rates are a crucial aspect of competitive gaming, players are willing to sacrifice crisp visuals for high frame rates.
Q: Is a curved or flat monitor better for gaming?
Although players' preferences will come into play here, it’s worth mentioning that curved monitors can deliver a more immersive gaming experience due to their curvature.
