2022 has been a terrific yr for screens. We’ve already gotten the world’s first QD-OLED monitor from Alienware with one other on the best way from MSI. And earlier this summer time, Sony joined the fray with its new Inzone model of gaming {hardware}. But now, Samsung is taking issues to a complete new degree with the Odyssey Ark.

Boasting an enormous quantum mini LED panel with a 1000R curve, the Ark delivers an immersive expertise with nice visuals and surprisingly good sound. Not solely does Samsung declare that the Ark is the world’s first 55-inch monitor with a 4K decision, 165 Hz refresh charge and a 1ms response time, you additionally get help for HDR 10+ and Dolby Atmos audio. And whereas the sound on many screens is commonly an afterthought (assuming they’ll even output something in any respect), the Ark incorporates a complete of six audio system: one in every nook and two woofers in again. And when mixed Samsung says the Ark’s audio system had been designed to create a dome of sound.

And now, after getting the possibility to verify this factor out in particular person, I can say this monitor is not like anything available on the market. Even in comparison with different ultrawide shows, the Ark’s dimensions enable it to wrap round you want some kind of high-tech cocoon. Colors are wealthy and, due to its matte end, you don’t have to fret about reflections ruining your graphics. The monitor additionally helps AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for VRR, so you will get one of the best efficiency regardless for those who’re gaming on a console or a PC. And when you gained’t see pure blacks such as you would with an OLED show, Samsung says the Ark’s distinction is 4 occasions higher than its previous-gen screens.

Meanwhile, to make controlling the Ark straightforward, Samsung consists of not one however two remotes, each of which have built-in photo voltaic panels so that you don’t have to fret about protecting them charged. The first distant is much like what you’d get with a TV, however the one which feels a bit extra particular is the wi-fi Ark Dial. It enables you to shortly change video settings, alter quantity and swap between the monitor’s particular show modes. It’s tremendous straightforward to make use of, and better of all, it means you don’t have to achieve round again and fumble with hidden buttons or a joystick such as you do with lots of rival screens.

The smartest thing in regards to the Ark is all of the modes and options Samsung included that will help you get essentially the most out of this large panel. First, there’s Flex Move Screen, which lets you alter the scale of your content material and transfer it round, you already know, in case you don’t want the Ark’s full 55 inches. There’s additionally Samsung’s Gaming Hub which helps recreation streaming platforms like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming and Google Stadia natively. You even get RGB lighting on the again, not which you could actually see it with so muchscreen between you and the rear of the show.

But my favourite factor is the Multi View mode, which helps you to have as much as three totally different apps open without delay, together with the power to maneuver and resize home windows nevertheless you want. That means you’ll be able to recreation whereas having a film and social media on the aspect, or you’ll be able to double up by having two video games open plus YouTube, or mainly something in between. And if there’s a structure you significantly like, it can save you that association so subsequent time, you’ll be able to open all the pieces up with a single press. The one caveat is that on account of a limitation of HDMI, you’ll be able to solely show content material from the Ark’s built-in apps and one exterior gadget on the similar time. So when you can have a console and a PC plugged in on the similar time due to help for 4 HDMI ports (all of that are HDMI 2.1), you’ll be able to’t output content material from each concurrently.

Finally, there’s the Ark’s particular transfer, which is having the ability to rotate into portrait orientation, or as Samsung calls it, Cockpit mode. You nonetheless get help for all the monitor’s options like Multi View and Flex Move, however now on a show that curves up and over your head. And you already know what, it actually does really feel such as you’re sitting within the pilot’s seat on a airplane. My solely remorse is that I want I may have put in a shoot ‘em up like Ikaruga, so I could really take advantage of the Ark’s verticality in Cockpit mode. And in order for you an enormous new show however don’t have a ton of desk area, Samsung even features a VESA wall mount within the field.

That mentioned, beginning at $3,500, the Odyssey Ark is a giant monetary dedication for anybody. But if not one of the different screens launched this yr are sufficiently big for you, Samsung’s new flagship gaming monitor may very well be the huge centerpiece your own home battle station wants.

Pre-orders for the Odyssey Ark begin right now, and when mixed with reservation reductions, potential clients can save as much as $300 earlier than gross sales formally go reside someday in early September.