If you‘re looking to upgrade to an ultra-wide monitor for your desktop, you‘re likely eyeing options from industry leaders LG and Samsung. Both companies make high-performing displays perfect for multitasking and entertainment.
But you might be wondering – which brand makes the better ultra-wide monitor? That‘s exactly what we‘ll explore today!
I‘m going to compare LG UltraWide monitors and Samsung Ultrawides across various screen sizes. You‘ll see how they stack up in areas like resolution, refresh rate, response time, ports, and pricing. My goal is to help you determine which brand fits your needs and budget best!
Here‘s what I‘ll cover:
- Overview of UltraWide Monitor Technology
- Side-by-Side Brand Comparison
- Monitor Face-Off in Different Size Classes
- Key Similarities Between the Companies
- Notable Facts About Samsung and LG
- Which Brand Comes Out on Top?
Let‘s dive in!
What Exactly Are UltraWide Monitors?
In the display world, "ultra-wide" refers to computer monitors with an aspect ratio of 21:9. That means for every 21 units of width, you get 9 units of height.
This gives you a lot more horizontal space than traditional 16:9 widescreen monitors. You‘re getting over 30% more screen real estate to work with!
Image showing aspect ratio differences (Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET)
With this expanded view, ultra-wide displays are multi-tasking powerhouses. You can comfortably have multiple full-size windows open side-by-side.
Plus, the immersive 21:9 ratio makes gaming, movies, and video editing more engrossing compared to 16:9 screens.
Now that you know what these bezel-busting monitors are all about, let‘s examine LG and Samsung‘s offerings…
LG vs. Samsung: Brand Comparison
LG and Samsung both hail from South Korea and have been technology leaders for decades. As mega global brands, they make far more than just monitors. But they‘ve proven to be top contenders in the display space.
Here‘s a quick look at some background on each company before we delve into their ultra-wide lineup comparison:
| Brand | LG | Samsung |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | January 5, 1947 | March 1, 1938 |
| Headquarters | Seoul, South Korea | Samsung Town, Seoul |
| Key Monitor Facts | – World‘s #1 monitor OEM/ODM – Supplies panels to Apple, Dell, HP, etc. |
– Produced the world‘s first 21.3" UXGA LCD monitor – Invented 1 ms QHD gaming monitor |
As you can see, both companies are titans in the monitor industry. LG is actually the world‘s #1 original equipment and design manufacturer. Big names like Apple use LG panels in their monitors and laptops!
Now let‘s explore how LG and Samsung ultra-wide models across various sizes…
Comparing Ultrawide Monitor Sizes
LG and Samsung make everything from massive 49-inch ultra-wide displays down to compact 29-inch models. Let‘s examine some standout picks across different size classes.
I‘ll be looking at key factors like resolution, refresh rate, response time, adaptive sync technology, and price. By the end, you‘ll have a clear idea of which company excels at each monitor size bracket.
Let‘s start big!
40 to 50-Inch Monitors: Giant Screens for Gaming & Immersion
If you have ample surface area and budget, these plus-sized displays from LG and Samsung are extremely enticing. We‘re talking fully immersive gaming and enough pixels to have 6 full-size browser windows on one screen!
Here are the largest monitor offerings from each brand:
| Size | Model | Price | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Response Time | Adaptive Sync |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49" | LG 49WQ95C-W | $1,699 | DQHD 5120 x 1440 | 144Hz | 5ms (GtG) | G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro |
| 49" | Samsung Odyssey G9 | $1,335 | DQHD 5120 x 1440 | 240Hz | 1ms (GtG) | G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro |
LG‘s newest 49-inch model is the 49WQ95C-W. It sports a gorgeous 5K2K resolution powered by a speedy 144Hz refresh rate. This makes it ideal for creative professionals who need screen space and color performance.
It‘s no slouch for gaming either with extremely low input lag and support for either G-Sync or FreeSync Premium Pro.
Samsung‘s monster Odyssey G9 gaming monitor boasts an insane 1000R curve paired with a blistering 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response – one of the fastest panels ever made.
It‘s a full $400 cheaper than LG‘s option too. So for maximum immersion and esports-level speeds, the Samsung Odyssey G9 reigns supreme.
Winner: Samsung
30 to 40-Inch Monitors: The Ideal Middle Ground
Stepping down to 30-40 inches gives you smaller footprint without sacrificing functionality or visual punch. LG and Samsung battle it out with these feature-packed monitors in the 3x-inch realm:
| Size | Model | Price | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Response Time | Adaptive Sync |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34" | LG 34WP65C-B | $549 | QHD 3440×1440 | 75Hz | 5ms (GtG) | FreeSync Premium |
| 32" | Samsung Odyssey G7 | $764 | QHD 2560×1440 | 240Hz | 1ms (GtG) | G-Sync & FreeSync Premium Pro |
LG‘s 34-inch ultrawide IPS panel gives you gorgeous QHD resolution real estate for getting work done. It covers 99% of the sRGB color gamut for great photo editing capability too.
Gamers will appreciate LG‘s Black Stabilizer and Dynamic Action Sync features. And anyone can benefit from the flicker-free, blue light reducing Eye Comfort modes.
But for pure speed, Samsung‘s Odyssey G7 blows away the competition. Its rapid 1ms response time and 240Hz refresh rate give it unparalleled fluidity in fast-paced games.
It also utilizes Samsung‘s deep contrast QLED tech to make colors really stand out. It‘s great for watching movies or shows after you‘ve finished pwning n00bs!
Samsung takes the win in the 32-40" category by catering flawlessly to gamers needing both size and speed.
Winner: Samsung
Under 30-Inch Monitors: Small Package, Big Value
If desk space is tight, LG and Samsung have you covered with more compact ultra-wide monitors packing impressive specs. Here are some favorites that won‘t eat up your entire workspace:
| Size | Model | Price | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Response Time | Adaptive Sync |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29" | LG 29WK500-P | $199 | FHD 2560×1080 | 75Hz | 5ms | FreeSync |
| 27" | Samsung Odyssey G50A | $289 | QHD 2560×1440 | 165Hz | 1ms (MPRT) | G-Sync |
LG‘s 29-inch 29WK500-P monitor gives you extra horizontal space through its 21:9 FHD resolution. The IPS panel delivers great colors too with over 99% sRGB coverage. AMD FreeSync ensures smooth frames when gaming. And it costs just $199!
Samsung‘s Odyssey G50A gaming monitor is even faster though – its 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time give you an edge in FPS titles. The vibrant QLED colors enabled by HDR10 bring out every little detail. And gamers will appreciate G-Sync eliminating screen tearing.
Overall, LG wins on value but Samsung takes the performance crown once more.
Winner: Tie
Similarities Between LG & Samsung UltraWides
Despite slightly different technology focuses, there are a lot of similarities between LG and Samsung‘s ultra-wide monitor lineups:
Sizes Available – Both companies make ultra-wide displays ranging from massive 49-inch models down to compact 25-inch monitors. So no matter your space constraints, you can find a size that fits.
Resolution Options – You‘ll find everything from standard FHD (2560×1080) models great for productivity up through super crisp DQHD (5120×1440) gaming panels. Again, lots of variety based on budget and needs.
Curved vs Flat – Both LG and Samsung offer curved screen ultra-wide monitors to increase immersion along with more traditional flat models. It comes down to user preference here.
Use Cases – With similar specs and features available, LG and Samsung monitors work equally well for gaming, creative work, business productivity, and entertainment.
So if you‘re not locked into a specific size class or panel type, you‘ve got plenty of options with both brands. Now for some key distinguisher between the two…
4 Must-Know Facts About the Companies
While the monitors themselves share common specs and pricing across the board, there are some inherent differences between LG and Samsung:
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LG stands for "Lucky Goldstar" – the result of a Korean corporate merger in 1983 combining household appliance makers Lucky and Goldstar. So next time someone asks if you‘d prefer an LG or Samsung display, tell them you pick Lucky over whatever "Samsung" means!
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Samsung produced the world‘s first 21.3" UXGA resolution TFT-LCD monitor in 1998 – the SyncMaster 210T. This breakthrough consumer display had a resolution of 1600 x 1200! They also invented the first 27-inch QHD curved gaming monitor with a lighting fast 1ms response time in 2020.
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LG now makes IPS panels for many top monitor brands including Apple, Dell and ASUS. So there‘s a good chance your existing monitor contains an LG built screen!
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Both companies have dedicated gaming monitor brands – LG UltraGear and Samsung Odyssey. But Samsung tends to focus more on maxing out refresh rate and response time for competitive gamers rather than color performance.
Verdict: LG UltraWides vs Samsung Ultrawides
So when comparing both product lineups, who comes out on top – LG or Samsung?
If we‘re strictly talking gaming monitors, then Samsung wins out through their Odyssey brand. These curved displays prioritize lighting fast refresh rates, response times, and adaptive sync technology catered towards enthusiasts and esports pros.
But for general use across productivity, creative workflows, and entertainment, LG takes the crown. Their lineup features more size and resolution options focused on maximizing screen real estate rather than chasing every last FPS.
And IPS panel technology with superior viewing angles and color reproduction is more prevalent across LG‘s catalog – favored by photographers, video editors, and graphics designers.
However, both companies make exceptional ultra-wide displays. So you really can‘t go wrong picking LG vs Samsung screens unless you have very specific gaming/professional needs.
I hope this side-by-side comparison of specs and features gives you a better sense of their ultra-wide monitor strengths and limitations! Let me know if you still have any other questions.
