Samsung Odyssey G50D Series 32″ Monitor

The Samsung Odyssey G50D 32″ display monitor (LS32DG502ENXZA) is a compelling option for gamers seeking a high-performance display without breaking the bank. This 32-inch monitor boasts a 1440p QHD resolution, a speedy 180Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time, making it ideal for fast-paced games where every millisecond counts. In this review, we’ll delve into the design, features, performance, and technical specifications of the Samsung Odyssey G50D to help you decide if it fits your gaming setup.

As the Odyssey G50D 32″ LS32DG502ENXZA model was just released in March 2024, we’re excited to test this new display and deliver our thoughts as one of the first reviews. It’s a welcome refresh from previous years where several features have been upgraded for 2024.

Design and Features

First, let’s talk about the physical characteristics of this display and monitor base.

New for 2024, the Samsung Odyssey G50D LS32DG502ENXZA model sports a sleek, single-column ergonomic stand with a hexagon base. The display thankfully offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for optimal viewing comfort during marathon gaming sessions. The display can also be rotated at 90º if you intend to use this vertically instead of horizontally.

I don’t see too much use for a vertical screen rotation for gaming, but it’s a nice out-of-the-box capability since it gives the consumer choice without having to invest in a monitor display arm. The lack of a height-adjustable arm with the Samsung Odyssey G5 34″ Curved Monitor I reviewed last year was a notable design flaw. I’m pleased to see Samsung corrected course with the G50D.

Onto the display, the bezels are slim, creating a near-edgeless look that enhances immersion. For 2024, the thicker bezels of prior Odyssey G5 models have been dropped. I’ve become a big fan of edgeless or near-edgeless displays as they just visually “pop” more than thicker bezels. Thick display bezels are quickly becoming a dated design, so it’s nice to see them drop.

The G50D surprised me with its lack of 4K resolution. At the list price of $429, it’s undoubtedly on the entry-level budget tier for an HDR gaming monitor. However, since many will use this as a primary monitor, there’s no good reason it shouldn’t support 4K–even if enabling that resolution results in a lower response time.

Finally, for all the gamers and streamers out there, the G50D doesn’t boast the flashy RGB lighting found on some premium gaming monitors, but I’m good with that. Give me a better display performance than a flashy neon light.

Odyssey G50D Connections and Ports

The G50D features just one HDMI 2.0 port and one DisplayPort 1.2 port for display inputs. Both inputs support HDCP 2.2 for data content protection. Curiously, there are no USB-C or Thunderbolt connectivity options; if you need this, you’ll want to get a DisplayPort to USB-C cable or whatever suits your connectivity needs. It also features built-in speakers, although serious gamers will likely prefer an over-ears headset for superior audio quality.

You also won’t find any USB-A or ethernet ports either for device connectivity, charging or hard-wire LAN connectivity, either. A USB-A port is solely for maintenance updates.

Samsung definitely cut a couple of corners with the G50D design by including a very short power cord and no USB-C connectivity ports. You will need a close outlet or power connector with just a 59″ power cord. It might sound sufficient, but properly hiding cables or having a height-adjustable desk means the extra length is always appreciated.

Samsung’s Odyssey G5 family of monitor displays are meant to target budget-conscious buyers, so it’s understood that certain features would be missing. But the price gap quickly esclates between an Odyssey G5 to a Odyssey G8.

Performance

Where the Samsung Odyssey G50D shines is its display performance. The 1440p QHD resolution delivers crisp and detailed visuals, offering a significant upgrade over Full HD displays. The 180Hz refresh rate ensures butter-smooth gameplay, especially noticeable in fast-paced titles like Destiny 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.

The 1ms response time minimizes ghosting and blurring, which is crucial for competitive gamers where milliseconds matter. AMD FreeSync compatibility keeps the monitor’s refresh rate synchronized with your graphics card, eliminating screen tearing for a seamless visual experience.

DisplayHDR 400 Support

The monitor boasts HDR 400 certification but is an entry-level HDR experience. DisplayHDR 400 is the minimum rating of the standard. To qualify, a monitor must have at least 400 nits of peak brightness, 95% coverage of sRGB color space, 8-bit color depth, and global dimming. DisplayHDR 400-rated displays like the Odyssey G50D lack local dimming and have a peak brightness slightly higher than SDR displays.

Despite this, the display brightness with HDR enabled was far superior to the Samsung Odyssey G5 C34G55TWWN 34″ Curved Monitor I reviewed last year. HDR enabled with Modern Warfare III, Fallout 4, and F1 24 still looks impressive. But its limited brightness with HDR enabled means you’ll want a dark or dim room for these gaming sessions.

The G50D’s butter-smooth performance while gaming or watching HDR-enabled movies proved strong enough for me to almost forgive Samsung for its lack of 4K resolution support.

Technical Specifications

At under $500, this is one of the top-performing gaming displays on the market. Despite some apparent omissions, there’s a lot to love with this spec.

GENERAL

Product Name

Odyssey G50D 32″ QHD IPS 180Hz 1ms Gaming Monitor with HDR 400 (DisplayPort, HDMI)

Brand

Samsung

Operating System Compatibility

macOS, Windows 11, Linux, Android, iOS, iPadOS

Model Number

LS32DG502ENXZA

Color

Black

Color Category

Black

DISPLAY

Refresh Rate

180Hz

Maximum Resolution

2560 x 1440

Native Resolution

2560 x 1440

Contrast Ratio

1000:1

Response Time

1 milliseconds

Display Type

LED

Panel Type

IPS

Synchronization Technology

FreeSync (AMD Adaptive Sync)

Aspect Ratio

16:9

Flat screen

Brightness

350 candela per square meter (350 cd/㎡)

Screen Size

32 inches

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

Yes

High Dynamic Range Format

VESA Certified DisplayHDR 400

Horizontal Viewing Angle

178 degrees

Vertical Viewing Angle

178 degrees

Touch Screen

No

CONNECTIVITY

Number of DisplayPort Inputs (Total)

1

Number of HDMI Inputs (Total)

1

Number of VGA Ports

0

Number of DVI Inputs

0

Number of Mini DisplayPort Inputs

0

Number of Thunderbolt Ports (Total)

0

Display Connector(s)

1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x HDMI 2.0

Number of USB Ports (Total)

0

Headphone Jack

Yes FEATURES Tiltable Yes Height Adjustable Stand (HAS) Yes Eye Relief Features Flicker free, Low blue light, Anti-Glare Built-In Webcam No Integrated Speaker(s) No DIMENSIONS Product Height With Stand 22.9 inches Product Height Without Stand 16.5 inches Product Width 28.1 inches Product Depth (With Stand) 10.4 inches Product Depth Without Stand 2.8 inches Product Weight 16.3 pounds Stand Included Yes Cord Length 59.05 inches

Is the Samsung Odyssey G50D 32″ worth buying?

The Samsung Odyssey G50D carves out a niche as a budget-friendly option for competitive gamers prioritizing smooth performance over flashy features. The 1440p resolution, 180Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time deliver a super-smooth gaming experience perfect for fast-paced titles. While HDR implementation is modest, the overall image quality is excellent for the price point. If you’re a gamer seeking a high-performance display without draining your wallet, the Samsung Odyssey G50D is worth considering. If you game and work with creative applications where a 4K resolution would be useful, you’ll need to look elsewhere–or use this as a dedicated gaming-only monitor.

Review Score

Pros:	High-performing 1440p QHD resolution, HDR 400, 180 Hz refresh rate in a 32″ form factor for a competitive price
Cons:	Lack of USB-C, Thunderbolt and 4K could be a dealbreaker for some
Final Score:	4.0 / 5

Strongly Recommend