Samsung's first glasses-free 3D display will not come cheap, launching at €2250 / £1900 / $2000. The company's first 27-inch 4K 240Hz QD-OLED monitor will cost €1300 / £1150 / $1300.
FlatpanelsHD got a first look at the two new PC monitors at CES in January. The 3D display is the first monitor with glasses-free 3D that actually works in our experience — and where we could actually see ourselves using the feature.
The technology relies on lenticular lenses to split the image in two — one for each eye — and cameras to track your eye position relative to the LCD panel. The 3D effect is not flawless but it will get even better in the future when combined with OLED.
Samsung's first glasses-free 3D display
It is Samsung's first glasses-free 3D monitor and an expansion of the Odyssey line of gaming monitors. Known as the Odyssey 3D G9 (G90XF), it uses an IPS LCD panel refreshing at 165Hz at 4K resolution (half resolution in 3D). It can also show standard 2D content.
With a launch price of €2250 / £1900 / $2000, it is not a cheap monitor, but it marks the beginning of an initiative that could reignite interest in 3D amongst PC gamers. Odyssey 3D can be pre-ordered now and will begin shipping later in April. It will also be available in the US.
Samsung's first Odyssey 3D monitor. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
The last 3D TVs were launched in 2016, but they required either passive or active glasses, which consumers rejected.
The first games made in 3D for the monitor are The First Berserker: Khazan, which is out now, and Lies of P, which will get an update this summer. Samsung says it is working with more game studios to release titles.
The monitor can also convert video content from 2D to 3D. However, this requires at least an Nvidia RTX 3080 and does not work with copy-protected video, i.e. content from streaming services or discs. It does not work with HDR video either.
Samsung's first 27-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
First 4K 240Hz QD-OLED
In addition, Samsung is launching the first 27-inch QD-OLED monitor with 4K resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate – no 3D. It is the Odyssey G8 (G81SF) which will begin shipping later this month for €1300 / £1150 / $1300.
The monitor is designed for gaming and unlike traditional gaming monitors based on LCD panels it can reproducing games in HDR with an expanded range of color and luminance. The game must support HDR.
Also read: All the new OLED monitors launching in 2025
Asus, Dell Alienware, Gigabyte and MSI will also launch monitors built on the same QD-OLED panel later this year.
