Samsung's 27-inch Odyssey G80HF 5K monitor is being offered at $599.99 through Amazon and B&H Photo, a $100 reduction from its previous best price. The price applies to a display that pairs a high-resolution panel with refresh rates typically associated with dedicated gaming screens.
The G80HF uses a Fast IPS panel with two operating modes. It can run at 5K resolution at up to 180Hz, or at 1440p resolution at up to 360Hz. Samsung lists Nvidia G-Sync compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium support, which are intended to keep the monitor's refresh rate synchronized with the frame rate output of a graphics card.
Connectivity includes one DisplayPort 2.1 port, two HDMI 2.1 ports, and a USB hub that can charge devices or connect two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 accessories. Samsung does not advertise the bandwidth of the DisplayPort connection. The monitor also carries a one-millisecond response time, a specification common among gaming monitors but less common among 5K displays at this price.
The 5K monitor market has largely catered to Mac users seeking lower-cost alternatives to Apple's Studio Display while retaining a pixel-dense 218ppi screen. The G80HF is positioned as an option for buyers who want gaming capability in a 5K display rather than productivity alone. The Verge's Cameron Faulkner wrote that the faster response time was among his favorite features on the monitor and noted that a sub-$500 5K model he tested last year, from KTC, delivered a poor gaming experience despite claiming gaming-ready capabilities.
LG offers a competing 27-inch 5K display, the UltraGear evo 5K Mini LED, at $799.99, $200 more than the Samsung's current price. According to the report, the LG model has more dimming zones for a more accurate picture, reaches higher brightness, and supports USB-C video input with 90W power delivery for charging a connected device. Its dual-mode refresh rates are 165Hz and 330Hz, lower than the Samsung's, a difference Faulkner wrote he does not view as much of a downside.
The discount was reported alongside other promotions, including savings on gaming bundles that include GTA VI and a five-port USB wall charger offered at an affordable price. The monitor pricing reflects US listings at Amazon and B&H Photo.
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