Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF review: Otherworldly e-sports performance

Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF: Two-minute review

Samsung’s Odyssey line of OLED gaming monitors provides some of the best displays in gaming, from the 32-inch G8 to the ultrawide monster that is the G9. For the Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF, the South Korean electronics manufacturer delivers on its first 27-inch 4K OLED display by doing exactly what it does best when it comes to both image quality and sheer performance.

This begins with the overwhelmingly gorgeous display that offers an industry-leading 166 pixels per inch. On top of that, there’s HDR10+, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 and a panel with glare-free technology. This monitor can handle any tasks users will throw at it. From visually arresting single-player games to creative content making and everything else in between, the Odyssey OLED G81SF is something beautiful to look at. Having 1 billion max color support and 99% DCI coverage also makes this a fine choice for creatives as well.

Performance holds up just as impressively as image quality. The blistering 240Hz refresh rate delivers buttery smooth gameplay that’s ideal for competitive players, while the ultra-low 0.03ms response time ensures every action feels instantaneous. With support for FreeSync Premium Pro, the Odyssey OLED G81SF doesn’t just look incredible – it plays flawlessly too.

Together, these features set a new benchmark for what a high-end gaming monitor should be. Potential buyers with a suitable rig to play games like Marvel Rivals or Call of Duty Warzone at 4K/240 frames-per-second are going to find much to appreciate.

One of the main concerns for OLED gaming monitor owners is proper upkeep to preserve display longevity. That often means enduring long pixel refresh cycles or dealing with noisy fans meant to protect image quality. Thankfully, the Odyssey OLED G81SF takes a smarter approach with its Safeguard+ Dynamic Cooling System, which uses Pulsating Heat Pipe, which is said to cool five times faster than graphite.

Thermal Modulation also helps prevent overheating too. During my extended time with the monitor, I was impressed by how quiet it stayed and how I never had to interrupt gameplay for maintenance. When it comes to hassle-free upkeep, this is easily one of the best OLED gaming displays available.

Samsung’s cooling technology is packed into a fairly thin metal monitor that’s also good to look at when not in use. Bezels are small around the display while the back is fairly impressive. There are a nice amount of ports despite the lack of a USB-C port. That Odyssey’s classic light ring featuring CoreSync and CoreLighting+ in the back still looks nice. It’s also easy to set up.

All of that comes at a sizable $1,299 (£1,149 and AU $1,799) price point. That’s a fairly steep cost of entry compared to similar gaming monitors in its class. Though there are some features like crosshair overlays, don’t expect more standard extras like KVM capability or speakers. Interestingly enough, unlike other displays in Samsung’s Odyssey line, it lacks Samsung Smart TV.

Despite those issues, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF stands out as one of the most impressive 27-inch gaming monitors to be released this year. It delivers a stunning visual experience with ultra-crisp 4K resolution, incredible color accuracy, and fluid motion that enhances everything from fast paced shooters to creative workflows. Add in near-silent operation, efficient thermal management, and a sleek design and it’s clear Samsung is looking to take the crown for this gaming monitor segment. Whether you’re a competitive gamer or a visual creator, this monitor exceeds expectations in the ways that matter most.

Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $1,299 (£1,149 and AU $1,799)
• When is it available? April 28th
• Where can you get it? US, UK, and Australia

The Samsung Odyssey will be available April 28th for $1,299 (£1,149 and AU $1,799) in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. Available through Samsung’s online store or other retailers like Newegg, this gaming monitor is definitely the upper crest of purchases when it comes to 27-inch 4K OLED displays. If a competitive advantage is of the upmost importance to you, then the high price makes this the best money can buy in its class. Anyone expecting a more robust feature set (more on that later), may leave disappointed.

Gamers who want a competitive edge while also dabbling in streaming may want to check out the MSI MPG 271QRX if they don’t mind having a 1440p resolution. Meanwhile, the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM 4K is nearly the same price as the Odyssey G81SF but offers KVM capabilities besides FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility. Though on the surface, it may sound better than Samsung’s offering, it lacks the forward design and level of maintenance options.

Value: 4 / 5

Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF: Specs

Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF: Design

• Overall design is rightfully in line with Samsung’s Odyssey line of gaming monitors
• Easy to set-up and adjustability is high
• Lacks USB-C

Those familiar with Samsung’s Odyssey series of gaming monitors will immediately recognize the premium build quality and sleek design language the OLED G81SF gives. Crafted with a sturdy metal finish from the base to the neck and display, it delivers a clean, modern aesthetic.

The panel itself is impressively thin, with minimal bezels that enhance its futuristic look. At the back, Samsung’s signature RGB ring—powered by CoreSync and CoreLighting+ which adds a dynamic visual flair that fits perfectly with its top-tier price tag.

Assembly is quick and straightforward, with just a few screws to connect the base, neck, and display. Once set up, the monitor offers smooth height, swivel, and tilt adjustments to help you dial in the perfect viewing angle.

Power is delivered through a jack that connects an adapter while sitting next to two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, one USB-B for upstreaming, two USB-A and one 3.5mm headphone jack. That’s good enough for multi-console gamers who want to play full screen or utlize the display’s picture-in-picture capabilities.

Unfortunately, there’s no USB-C port, which is fairly disappointing considering it’s a fairly standard connection now. A thumbstick sits along those ports for various controls for in-display gaming and features. During our time, the thumbstick felt great and the UI felt pretty snappy as well.

Design: 4.5 / 5

Samsung Odyssey OLED G81S: Features

• Safeguard+ Dynamic Cooling System is a wonderful way of maintaining pixel quality without being intrusive
• Light gaming related features including a crosshair overlay
• Nothing much feature-wise outside of that

OLED gaming monitors often require periodic pixel refreshes to prevent burn-in, which can interrupt gameplay. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF sidesteps that issue with its advanced Safeguard+ Dynamic Cooling System. At the core is a pulsating heat pipe that actively releases coolant, offering more effective thermal management than traditional graphite sheets. This keeps internal temperatures in check while extending the life of the display.

Complementing the hardware is an intelligent Thermal Modulation System powered by algorithms that fine-tune brightness and heat levels in real-time. Features like Logo & Taskbar Detection also help minimize static image retention by subtly adjusting luminance in frequently displayed areas—all working together to maintain screen health without disrupting your experience. During my time with the Odyssey OLED G81S, I didn’t face one prompt to turn off my monitor – not once – during two weeks of usage.

There are some in-display options including the ability to choose a nice variety of crosshair overlays which are definitely helpful when playing shooters. Another highlight is the ability to do picture-in-picture with various other video inputs. Of course, users can change color options and the likes as well. Outside of that, don’t expect much in the feature set. Considering the price of the monitor, one would think KVM capabilities would be included but unfortunately, no. Then there’s the lack of other features like Samsung SmartTV which has been featured on other Odyssey monitors before. Just understand that the Odyssey OLED G81SF sticks to three important things; image quality, performance and maintaining both of them.

Features: 3.5 / 5

Samsung Odyssey OLED G81S: Performance

• Image quality is exceptional in SDR and HDR
• Magnificent performance with 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time

Just by image quality and performance alone, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF is one of the best gaming monitors available at the moment, at least where 27-inch 4K options are concerned.

It starts by having the highest pixel density available in a display with 166 PPI. This goes an incredibly long way by making sure every detail is noticed when gaming, making graphics or video or typing documents. Colors are bold and gorgeous thanks to having one billion max color support at 1,000,000:1 contrast outside of 99% DCI coverage. There are various sliders for brightness, contrast, colors and the likes for those who want to fine tune their experience. Further than that, there are some pre-sets as well.

This means that it doesn’t matter if users are playing Assassin’s Creed: Shadows or creating social media graphics in Adobe Photoshop, color accuracy is tremendous. HDR+10 capabilities makes image quality even better with more defined lights and shadows. Thanks to VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400, blacks are deep and rich as well. Pulling that all together is an anti-reflection film that goes a long way in making sure images look great regardless of lighting conditions.

This is a gaming monitor for competitive gamers who want a premium experience and the performance is top notch too. 240Hz and 0.03ms response time mean that gameplay is smoother than velvet. Fans of Marvel Rivals, Call of Duty and Fortnite are going to have a nice experience on the Odyssey OLED G81SF. To make sure screen tears aren’t an issue, the display has variable refresh rate and supports AMD FreeSync Premium. Gameplay is superb in motion which is enhanced by the overall image quality.

Performance 5 / 5

Should I buy the Samsung Odyssey OLED G81S?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also Consider

How I tested the Samsung Odyssey OLED G81S

• Tested over two weeks
• Games played included Marvel Rivals, Call of Duty Black Ops 6, Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Street Fighter 6
• Creative software used includes Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro

Over the course of two weeks with the Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF, I put the monitor through a wide range of real-world use cases—from immersive gaming sessions to demanding creative workflows and everyday productivity.

To assess its performance with visually intense AAA titles, I started with Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Cyberpunk 2077, which helped me evaluate the display’s color accuracy, contrast, and overall image quality. I then shifted to faster-paced, competitive titles like Marvel Rivals, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and Fortnite to test responsiveness and input latency.

During work hours, I leaned on the G81 for creative tasks like designing graphics and editing video content using Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro. In between, I relied on it for general computing—browsing with Chrome, managing tasks in Asana, and streaming music via Tidal—giving me a full picture of the monitor’s versatility in day-to-day scenarios.

First reviewed April 2025