Skip to main content

Samsung’s first flat mini-LED gaming monitor doesn’t come cheap

After announcing 2023’s Odyssey Neo G7 earlier this year, Samsung finally revealed the price for the display. The 43-inch mini-LED monitor runs $1,000, and listings are live now. Unfortunately, it has some stiff competition from the best gaming monitors.

It’s a significant size increase over last year’s version, jumping from 32 inches to 43 inches while maintaining a 16:9 aspect ratio. Samsung says the panel has a 144Hz refresh rate and 1 millisecond response time, as well as DisplayHDR 600 certification from VESA and Samsung’s own HDR10+ certification.

Samsung's 2023 Odyssey Neo G7 sitting on a table.

This class of large gaming monitor has become increasingly popular over the last few years, particularly as TVs like the 42-inch LG C2 have come down in price and size. Unlike most displays in this camp, Samsung isn’t using OLED. It’s using mini-LED.

Mini-LED monitors like the Cooler Master GP27Q have proved that this panel technology can provide a fantastic HDR experience at a reasonable price. The main problem for the Odyssey Neo G7 is its price, though. A 42-inch LG C2 is the same price, and anywhere from $200 to $300 less when on sale.

Still, the Odyssey Neo G7 has some features to justify its price. At the center is Samsung Gaming Hub, which is a platform built into the display that allows you to stream games on Xbox Game Pass and GeForce Now. It also comes with Samsung’s TV operating system, allowing you to use apps like Netflix and YouTube to stream content.

The display also sports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to use a controller for cloud games, as well as stream games from your phone to the display. For connectivity, Samsung includes a single DisplayPort 1.4 connection and two HDMI 2.1 ports. There’s also a pair of 20-watt speakers built into the display.

Although the mini-LED panel should mean the Odyssey Neo G7 has impressive HDR, there are still some critical details missing about the display. Samsung hasn’t shared the number of local dimming zones it has, nor the contrast ratio, and the spec sheet lists a brightness of only 400 nits.

We shouldn’t have to wait long to see the display in action, though. It’s available to purchase now directly through Samsung, as well as select retailers throughout the U.S.

Editors' Recommendations

8K gaming monitors: here’s why you shouldn’t expect them in 2023
A side view of Samsung's Odyssey Neo G9 2023.

At long last, 8K is making its way to gaming monitors -- or at least, that's what Samsung's new Odyssey Neo G9 2023 is pushing toward as it ushers in a new generation of gaming displays. But 8K isn't new in itself -- it's been in the mainstream gaming conscience for nearly three years with GPUs and consoles -- so why haven't we seen more 8K gaming monitors?

As an era of next-gen displays starts to emerge, 8K feels like it should become the next big gaming destination. But don't buy the hype. It'll be a long time before 8K gaming truly catches on, and there are a few big reasons why.
What we have now

Read more
The best VR and metaverse tech of CES 2023
A woman using Sony PlayStation VR 2 while friends watch on the TV.

Whether it's VR headsets, mixed reality, or wacky gadgets, CES 2023 was full of fresh interest in the world of metaverse technology.

This year's event was particularly exciting, boasting plenty of interesting ideas and different approaches. Here are our picks for the best of the new VR headsets, AR glasses, and more unveiled at the show.
HTC Vive XR Elite

Read more
I streamlined my PC VR setup, and now I use it more than ever
HTC Vive Pro review

One of the biggest hurdles of using VR regularly is the setup time. Every time I wanted to use my VR headset, I would have to go through some infuriating setup steps, which included clearing playing space in my office, covering the glass cabinet to avoid Lighthouse tracker reflections, starting up SteamVR, and running any necessary updates for the game I wanted to play. Of course, when I was finished, I had to put it all away again. It became a chore, and resulted in me diving into the virtual worlds of SteamVR less than I wanted.

In an effort to change that, I went on a campaign of streamlining my VR setup to make it easier to get into and faster to get out of. The idea was to make virtual reality as easy to use as flopping down in my gaming chair for standard desktop gaming. After a few weeks of upgrades and adjustments, I'm happy to report that I've almost managed it.

Read more