Samsung Joins the Glasses-Free 3D Monitor Game

At Gamescon, Samsung launched the Odyssey 3D gaming monitor that is meant to be a glasses-free 3D display. In practical terms, the 3D effect is achieved through a combination of a lenticular lens, built-in eye-tracking camera, and view mapping technology. Eye tracking is done using a built-in stereo camera that monitors both eyes’ movements and the Odyssey 3D should switch between 2D and 3D modes easily.

The display itself is 4K with a refresh rate of 165Hz and a 1ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time, available in 27-inch and 37-inch models. It has a height adjustment stand (HAS) with tilt capabilities, includes one DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 ports and is compatible with FreeSync Premium.

Samsung has not yet announced the release date or pricing information for the Odyssey 3D but the product is expected to be premium-priced based on historical pricing trends in the Odyssey lineup. It is a pricey option for a display that may be more suited to professional applications but if you are a single player with money to burn – the technology allows only one person to experience the 3D effect at a time – you can go ahead and burn it on whatever monitor you want. Now, there may be concerns about potential side effects such as nausea, eye strain, and headaches, as there always is with these types of 3D displays, but we won’t know much about that until someone starts using one for long periods of time.

On a more positive note, Samsung is expanding its Odyssey OLED series with new models, including the Odyssey OLED G95SD, G93SD, and G85SD. These monitors cater to a range of preferences, from the ultra-wide dual QHD resolution of the G9 models to the more compact and equally powerful G8.