LG's new curved OLED gaming monitor could outperform Samsung's Odyssey lineup

LG's new curved OLED gaming monitor could outperform Samsung's Odyssey lineup

LG is gearing up to launch its new UltraGear curved gaming monitor, taking on Samsung in a proverbial showdown of display titans.

And "titan" is a good description because LG's new monitor is huge. You're looking at a 45-inch ultrawide monitor with a 21:9 aspect ratio and 1440p resolution (3440 x 1440 pixels). It's essentially LG's direct answer to the Odyssey range, but it lacks in a few areas compared to Samsung's offering. The Odyssey G9, for example, is slightly larger at 49 inches with a 32:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 5120 x 1440 pixels. However, looking at the spec sheet (opens in a new tab), the new UltraGear monitor has a few things that might make it the better choice.

Features

For starters, it's an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display while the G9 is QLED (Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode). The main difference is that OLED displays generally have better image quality, which translates to darker blacks and brighter whites. They also sport "reduced power consumption, faster response times", which is very important for high-end gaming. This can be the difference between winning or losing in some titles. LG's latest offering goes a step further. being one of the first OLED monitors to have a 240Hz refresh rate and promises a 0,03ms response time.

The new UltraGear also has an 800R camber, making it rounder than the G9, which has a 1000R camber. This translates to greater immersion for gamers, as the monitor will cover more of their peripheral vision and reduce eye strain, according to ViewSonic. (opens in a new tab)

Other notable features include anti-glare protection, Nvidia G-Sync support for increased performance, and HDR10 support to ensure vivid colors. If you're hoping to get the new UltraGear in time for Christmas, you're going to be sorely disappointed. Pre-orders start on December 12, but the screen won't start shipping until December 28. And because OLED screens are generally more expensive, the price is €1,700.

LG has a registration page (opens in a new tab) for the curved UltraGear so you can be notified when pre-orders begin.

Worth it?

One question remains: is an ultra-wide monitor like this worth it? Assuming you can afford it, we say yes. Having a 45-inch curved monitor can be very useful. If you play RPGs like Final Fantasy XIV or World of Warcraft, you'll have a lot more space for various UI elements, so it's not all a disaster. And if you have work to do, you basically have two, maybe three full-size monitors in one. Ultrawide monitors are certainly expensive, but their added utility makes them a worthwhile investment.

Be sure to check out TechRadar's list of the best gaming monitors for late 2022. We've covered a wide variety of screens, from huge 49-inches to low-cost 4K options.