55-inch Odyssey Ark from Samsung: Bringing gaming monitors to a whole new level

Monitors had a fantastic year in 2022. The first QD-OLED monitor in the world has already arrived from Alienware, and another one from MSI is on the way. Sony also entered the race earlier this summer with its brand-new Inzone line of gaming devices. With the Odyssey Ark, Samsung is now elevating the situation to a completely new level.

With its enormous quantum tiny LED panel and 1000R curve, the Ark creates an immersive environment with stunning graphics and surprisingly good audio. In addition to being the first 55-inch monitor in the world with a 4K resolution, 165 Hz refresh rate, and a 1 ms response time, Samsung claims that the Ark also supports HDR 10+ and Dolby Atmos audio. The Ark has six speakers in total, including two woofers in the back and speakers in each corner, whereas sound is sometimes an afterthought on monitors (provided they can even output anything at all). The Ark's speakers, according to Samsung, were created to produce a dome of sound when merged.

The Ark's dimensions allow it to wrap around you like some kind of high-tech cocoon, even when compared to other ultrawide screens. Rich colors are used, and you don't have to be concerned about reflections destroying your images because of the matte finish. With the optimum performance whether you're playing on a PC or a console, the monitor now supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for VRR. Samsung claims that the Ark's contrast is four times better than that of its earlier monitors, despite the fact that you won't see perfect blacks as you would with an OLED panel.

Samsung offers not one, but two remote controls for the Ark, and each of them has a built-in solar panel, so you don't have to worry about keeping them charged. The first remote is comparable to what you would receive with a TV, but the wireless Ark Dial has a somewhat more unique feel. It enables easy adjustments to video settings, audio control, and changing between the monitor's unique display modes. It's quite simple to use, and best of all, unlike many competing monitors, you won't need to reach around the back and fiddle with hidden buttons or a joystick.

The modes and functions Samsung placed in the Ark to help you make the most of this enormous panel are its finest feature. First, there is Flex Move Screen, which enables you to change the size and location of your material in case you don't require the entire 55 inches of the Ark. Additionally, Samsung's Gaming Hub offers native compatibility for game streaming services like Google Stadia, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and NVIDIA GeForce Now. Even the back of the display has RGB lighting, however you can't really see it because there is so much screen in your way.

The Multi View mode, however, is a nice feature that enables you to launch up to three distinct apps simultaneously and move and resize windows wherever you desire. Thus, you may game while watching a movie and using social media on the side, or you can play two games simultaneously while also using YouTube, or pretty much anything in between. Additionally, if there is a layout you like in particular, you may save it so that the next time, you can open everything with a single click. The sole restriction is that you can only simultaneously show content from one external device and the built-in apps of the Ark owing to a limitation of HDMI. So, even if four HDMI ports (all of which are HDMI 2.1) are supported, you cannot concurrently broadcast content from both a console and a PC when they are both hooked in.

The Ark can swivel into portrait position, or as Samsung refers to it, "Cockpit mode," which is one of its distinctive abilities. You still have access to all of the monitor's functions, such as Flex Move and Multi View, but the screen now curves up and over your head. And guess what? You actually do have the impression that you are in the pilot's seat of an aircraft. 

Samsung also provides a VESA wall mount in the box if you want a big new monitor but don't have much work space.

The Odyssey Ark is a significant financial commitment for anyone, starting at $3,500. But if none of the other displays this year are big enough for you, Samsung's newest gaming monitor might be the colossal focal point your home battle station requires.