Gaming displays hit new extremes

Samsung turned CES 2026 into a showcase of just how far gaming monitors can go. The company launched the industry's first 6K gaming monitor and showed off glasses-free 3D and near-1,000Hz panels, staking a claim at the bleeding edge of display technology. For enthusiasts, it was one of the most eye-catching hardware reveals of the year.

The lineup spans resolution-focused flagships and refresh-rate monsters, giving different kinds of gamers something to covet.

The Odyssey lineup

The confirmed models cover a wide range:

The 32-inch Odyssey G8, the first 6K gaming monitor, runs a 6,144 by 3,456 IPS panel at 165Hz native and a dual-mode 330Hz at 3K, priced at $1,599.99.
A 27-inch 5K sibling hits 180Hz native and 360Hz in dual mode at 1440p, at $949.99.
Refreshed QD-OLED models include a 4K 240Hz Odyssey OLED G8 with 1,000-nit peak brightness.
Showcase pieces included a 32-inch glasses-free 3D 6K monitor with eye tracking, and a G6 panel running 1440p at 600Hz that nearly doubles to around 1,040Hz at 720p.

The 6K and 5K G8 models and the OLED prices are official, while the 3D and 1,000Hz-class panels were shown as showcase or prototype-stage without firm pricing.

Why it matters

Samsung's push reflects a display market splitting into two races. On one side, resolution climbs toward 6K for players who want maximum sharpness on a large panel. On the other, refresh rates rocket past 500Hz toward four figures for competitive players chasing every millisecond of advantage. The dual-mode panels cleverly let one monitor serve both goals, trading resolution for speed on demand.

The glasses-free 3D monitor is the most futuristic entry. Using eye tracking to deliver stereoscopic depth without glasses has been a long-teased dream, and reviewers noted a wider sweet spot than earlier attempts, suggesting the technology is maturing even if it remains niche.

For most gamers, the takeaway is aspirational rather than immediate, since flagship prices sit well above the mainstream. But the trickle-down effect is real: features that debut on halo products tend to reach affordable panels within a generation or two. Samsung's 2026 Odyssey range sets the ceiling, and it is a high one.