Samsung Odyssey G4 G40B 24-inch Gaming Monitor

Samsung Odyssey G4 G40B 24-inch Gaming Monitor (LS25BG402EMXUE)

Samsung Odyssey G4 G40B 24-inch Gaming Monitor is priced at Kes 34,100  here at Novelty Tech Solution in Nairobi, Kenya

Key Specifications at a Glance

Detailed Information Breakdown

1. Gaming Performance & Responsiveness

• Refresh Rate: The 165Hz refresh rate is the core feature. It provides extremely smooth motion, making fast-moving action easier to track and aim at compared to standard 60Hz monitors. This is essential for competitive gaming.

• Response Time: The 1ms GTG (Gray-to-Gray) response time is a significant advantage of the IPS panel in this monitor. It helps to minimize ghosting and motion blur, ensuring a clear image during rapid movements. This is more reliable than the MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time) metric often used in budget monitors.

• Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync Premium eliminates screen tearing and stuttering by synchronizing the monitor’s refresh rate with your AMD (or NVIDIA, as it’s often G-SYNC Compatible) graphics card’s frame rate. The “Premium” tier also requires low framerate compensation (LFC) for a smooth experience even when fps drops.

• Flat IPS Panel: For competitive gaming, a flat IPS panel is often preferred over a curved VA panel (like the Odyssey G5) because it offers faster pixel response, better consistency in color and brightness across the screen, and no distortion for precise aiming.

2. Display Quality

• Resolution & Pixel Density: The Full HD (1080p) resolution on a 24-inch screen is the standard for competitive esports. It’s less demanding on your GPU, allowing you to achieve very high frame rates to fully utilize the 165Hz refresh rate. The pixel density is sharp enough for gaming at this size.

• Panel & Colors: The IPS panel provides excellent viewing angles and consistent colors. The 99% sRGB coverage ensures accurate and vibrant colors right out of the box, which is great for gaming and general use.

• Contrast & HDR: The contrast ratio is a standard 1000:1 for IPS, meaning blacks will appear grayish in a dark room. The HDR10 support is very basic and does not provide a noticeable HDR experience due to the lack of high brightness and local dimming. It’s best to leave HDR off.

3. Design & Connectivity

• Design: The G4 has a sleek, aggressive design with a sharp stand and red accents, fitting the “Odyssey” gaming aesthetic. The bezels are relatively thin, especially on three sides.

• Ergonomics (The Main Limitation): Similar to the G5, the G4’s stand only offers tilt adjustment. It lacks height, swivel, and pivot adjustments, which is a significant drawback for achieving a proper ergonomic setup. Using the 75x75mm VESA mount is highly recommended.

• Ports: It includes the necessary ports for gaming: two HDMI and one DisplayPort, ensuring compatibility with PCs and modern game consoles. The headphone jack allows for easy audio connection.

4. Who Is This Monitor For?

• Competitive Gamers: The primary audience. Gamers who play FPS titles like Valorant, CS:GO, Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and need high refresh rates and low response times.

• Budget-Conscious Gamers: Players looking for a performance-oriented monitor without a high price tag.

• Console Gamers: The 1080p @ 120Hz/144Hz+ support is great for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in performance modes.

• Users with Mid-Range GPUs: A 1080p resolution is easier to drive at high frame rates, making it a perfect match for graphics cards like the NVIDIA RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600 and below.

5. Who Is It NOT For?

• Gamers Needing High Resolution: Those who prioritize visual fidelity and sharpness for immersive single-player games should look at 1440p or 4K monitors.

• Users Requiring Ergonomics: Anyone who cannot use a VESA arm and needs height adjustment should consider monitors with fully adjustable stands.

• Content Creators: While color accuracy is good, the 1080p resolution and sRGB gamut are limiting for professional photo/video editing.

Pros and Cons Summary

Verdict

The Samsung Odyssey G4 G40B is a highly focused and effective tool for competitive gaming. Its strengths lie in its smooth 165Hz refresh rate, genuine 1ms GTG response time, and reliable IPS panel, all at an accessible price point.

Recommendation: If you are a competitive gamer on a budget who values performance above all else and you are willing to use a VESA mount to overcome the poor stand, the Odyssey G4 is an excellent choice. It delivers where it matters most for fast-paced gameplay. If you need a sharper image or better out-of-the-box ergonomics, you may need to spend more.