Samsung is allegedly prepping to launch the world’s first 500Hz OLED gaming monitor. If this rumor is true, the new screen would past the boundaries of competitors such as LG, which makes monitors that currently hover around 480Hz.
While the best gaming monitor designs aren’t always OLED, the desire for that best-in-class look to pair with games can’t be denied. Samsung and LG are currently two of the top companies in the world that make the technology, and the pair of Korea-based manufacturers are in an arms race to outdo each other.
Now it appears that Samsung might be one step ahead in the gaming space as this 500Hz panel reportedly enters the final production stages. The 500Hz monitor is reported to use Samsung’s QD-OLED panel tech, which in our tests we’ve found can offer sharper text in general Windows desktop use than LG’s competing WOLED tech.
Outside of a niche set of esports players, this massive refresh rate might be lost on a majority of players, though. It’s not the first time a 500Hz or above monitor has launched, but it will be the first to make use of OLED technology.
With CES on the horizon, we’ll likely get the first glimpses of Samsung’s 500Hz QD-OLED panel in January 2025. The ET News report claims that Samsung is also in discussions with manufacturers to get the panel distributed in the first half of 2025.
Most monitor manufacturers don’t actually make their own panels, instead often using LG or Samsung panels if they’re building an OLED device. If this 500Hz OLED screen does launch in 2025, you can expect to see a slew of new monitors hit the market with the same specifications.
With its reported 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, this 27-inch OLED panel is also ahead of most LCD panels, as most super high refresh rate monitors available right now are still stuck at 1080p. For example, Acer’s 540Hz gaming monitor is capped at full HD, unlike Samsung’s reportedly upcoming QD-OLED panel.
There’s no pricing in this rumor, but those anticipating the upgrade should take a look at the best graphics card options, as well as our best gaming CPU guide if they want to make the most out of the hardware.