LG’s new curved OLED gaming monitor may outclass Samsung’s Odyssey line

LG is preparing to launch its new curved UltraGear gaming monitor, taking on Samsung in a proverbial clash of display titans.

And “titan” is a good descriptor because LG’s new monitor is huge. You’re looking at a 45-inch ultrawide monitor with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 1440p resolution (3,440 x 1,440 pixels). This is essentially LG’s direct response to the Odyssey line, but it’s lacking in certain areas when compared to Samsung’s offering. The Odyssey G9, for example, is a bit bigger at 49 inches with a 32:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 5,120 x 1440 pixels. However looking at the specs sheet (opens in new tab) , the new UltraGear monitor has certain things going for it that may make it the better choice.

Features

For starters, it’s an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display whereas the G9 is QLED (Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode). The main difference is OLED screens usually have better image quality, which is seen as darker blacks https://jiji.ng/ and brighter whites. They also sport “reduced power consumption [and] faster response times” which is very important to have for high-level gaming. It can mean the difference between victory or defeat in certain titles. LG’s latest offering takes it one step further by being one of the first OLED monitors to have a 240Hz refresh rate and promises to have a .03ms response time.

The new UltraGear also has a curvature of 800R making it rounder than the G9, which has a curvature of 1000R. This results in greater immersion for gamers as the monitor will cover more of your peripheral vision while also reducing eye strain, according to ViewSonic. (opens in new tab)

Other notable features include anti-glare protection, compatibility with Nvidia G-Sync for added performance, and support for HDR10 to ensure vivid colors. If you’re hoping to get the new UltraGear in time for Christmas, you’ll, unfortunately, be disappointed. Pre-orders start on December 12, but the display won’t begin shipping out until December 28th. And because OLED screens are typically more expensive, you’re looking at a $1,700 price tag.

LG has a sign-up page (opens in new tab) for the curved UltraGear so you can be notified when pre-orders start.

Is it worth it?

There’s one question that remains: is an ultrawide monitor like this worth it? Assuming you can afford it, we say yes. Having a 45-inch curved monitor can be pretty helpful. If you play RPGs like Final Fantasy XIV or World of Warcraft, you’ll find yourself having way more room for various UI elements so it’s not all a jumbled mess. And if you have work to do, you essentially have two, maybe three, regular-sized monitors rolled into one. Ultrawide monitors are certainly pricey, but the added utility makes them a worthwhile investment.

Be sure to check out TechRadar’s best gaming monitors list for the end of 2022. We cover a wide variety from massive 49-inch monitors to low-cost 4K options.

Three of the best accessibly-priced smartphones of 2022 – TCL 30 5G, TCL 30 SE and TCL Stylus

The gifting season is upon us, and whether you’re looking to treat yourself to an upgrade or buy a new handset for a loved one, TCL’s incredible Android smartphones combine a suite of mighty features with compelling prices.

Does your loved one want a stunning display for streaming movies and shows? If so, the TCL 30 5G is a great option with its vivid AMOLED display. And if you have any budding photographer on your list, they could be looking for a high-resolution camera phone with ample storage, the TCL 30 SE will check your boxes. What about a wallet-friendly mobile phone for the content creator in your life – do they even exist? Sure, they do – the TCL Stylus 5G packs a digital pen for precise note-taking, sketching, and more.

At the end of the day, whichever TCL smartphone you opt for, these three phones hit home the fact: there’s no need to overspend if you want a great smartphone experience.

TCL 30 5G

If a vibrant, vivid display with powerful cameras at an affordable price sounds like a recipe for success when picking your next smartphone – the TCL 30 5G is the stuff movie-makers and viewers are dreaming of.

With a crisp, FHD+ AMOLED display, its screen is both sharp and cinematic, and with its ample 6.7-inch screen from the display experts at TCL, the TCL 30 5G offers one of the most immersive viewing experiences you can fit in your pocket.

With TCL’s NXTVISION screen technology, expect class-leading eye care and precision-tuned visuals that level up what’s on-screen. And with the display covering 100% of the DCI-P3 color space, color accuracy is on point too.

Flip the phone around, and the 50MP AI Triple camera is a winner in bright and challenging scenes thanks to HDR capture. That means this phone can eke detail out of shadows and highlights, which works both when taking pictures or shooting video – impressive given the TCL 30 5G’s price. TCL also upgrades the experience with features like Steady Snap and One Shot, so even when you’re taking a quick-fire photo, you’ll have a winning image.

Other highlights include the TCL 30 5G’s ultra-thin 7.74mm profile and its lightweight design. And available in two colors: Dreamy Blue and Tech Black, with a fingerprint-resistant finish, it doesn’t compromise on style or in-hand feel.

Beautiful and smart, with a fingerprint scanner that’s embedded into the power key, the 30 5G delivers biometric security, and thanks to its huge, fast-charging 5010mAh battery, it lasts all day, even when downloading over lighting-fast 5G data speeds.

TCL 30 SE

A sharp-shooting camera phone with loads of space for files, photos, and apps at a wallet-friendly price. The TCL 30 SE combines a 50MP AI Triple camera with up to 128GB internal storage, and it’s expandable by up to 512GB with a microSD memory card. That means it can hit flagship-grade storage capacities at a fraction of the price.

A great way to fill up some of that storage space is with the TCL 30 SE’s mighty camera mix. Like the TCL 30 5G, its ultra-high resolution 50MP primary camera includes a depth sensor and a macro camera, and on the front, there’s an HDR selfie camera too.

The TCL 30 SE’s camera is quick to lock-onto subjects with super PDAF, and also features smart AI scene detection. It knows when the lights are bright or if you’re shooting in a dimly-lit scene, and can automatically identify a subject, fine-tune white balance, and exposure. Its latest-generation Samsung ISOCELL 2.0 sensor can also take in even more light than the previous generation. This improves image fidelity significantly, capturing vivid colors even in challenging scenes.

While TCL’s 30 SE may have the smallest of the three screens covered today, its 6.52 inches is large enough to wow friends with the high-quality snaps you capture. And TCL’s NXTVISION tech returns, enhancing the experience with a sunlight mode for easy outdoor viewing, as well as a reading mode that boosts eye care.

Thanks to its huge 5000mAh battery, the TCL 30 SE should last over two days of octo-core performance which is helped along by TCL’s advanced Smart Manager, optimizing battery life based on your use.

TCL Stylus 5G

Digital styluses are a welcome addition and often loved by user, but these smartphone pens tend to be paired with pricey handsets. However, fret no more as the TCL Stylus 5G is the remedy – delivering high performance and accuracy into an accessibly-prices stylus-packing smartphones.

Its canvas is an expansive 6.81-inch, FHD+ screen. Like the TCL 30 5G, this display is powered by NXTVISION, for improved eye protection and SDR to HDR upscaling elevating the screen performance. And with the integrated stylus, TCL Stylus 5G, lets users draw, take notes, create custom GIFs, and edit documents with ease.

Bundled with the phone is complimentary access to Nebo for TCL. This note taking app is a global sensation, featuring the world’s most powerful AI handwriting recognition. It also supports MyScript Calculator 2 – so handwritten equations are solved in seconds.

Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G chipset, the TCL 30 5G has octa-core power matched with 4GB RAM and very fast download speeds. Its large 128GB internal storage can be bumped up by an incredible 2TB via a MicroSD card. That means there’s a good chance you’ll never run out of space for your files, movies, music, and more.

Flex your creativity creating unique memes, with its high-resolution 50MP camera, which is matched with a 2MP depth sensor for artistic background blur effects. The TCL Stylus 5G also features an ultra-wide 5MP camera, as well as a 2MP macro lens for impactful, close-up photography.

It isn’t just the rear camera mix that shoots and scores – the 13MP selfie camera captures Full HD video and crisp, clear photos. This makes the TCL Stylus 5G a stellar social media smartphone for TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and everything in between.

So, whether you pick up a TCL 30 5G, TCL 30 SE, or a TCL Stylus 5G, you can bank all of the must-have features at a value price, just in time for the holiday season.