The Samsung Odyssey G5/G51C S27CG51 is an entry-level gaming monitor. It has a 1440p resolution and 27-inch screen size, and it's also available in a 32-inch model in various regions. As a part of Samsung's Odyssey gaming lineup, it's an updated model of the Samsung Odyssey G5/G55A S27AG55, with the main difference being that it has a flat screen. It's designed with gaming in mind, as it has a 165Hz refresh rate with FreeSync VRR and G-SYNC compatibility, and it supports HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2 bandwidth. Besides that, it's limited in extra features, but it supports HDR and has some gaming perks, like a virtual crosshair and a Black Equalizer feature.
Our Verdict
The Samsung Odyssey G51C is okay for PC gaming. It has a 165Hz refresh rate with VRR support to reduce screen tearing and low input lag for a responsive feel. However, fast-moving objects are blurry due to the slow response time. It also has a good native contrast ratio to display deep blacks against bright objects, but it lacks a local dimming feature to further improve it. It also fails to make highlights pop in HDR, and colors look muted.
- FreeSync VRR and G-SYNC compatibility.
- Low input lag.
- High native contrast ratio.
- Blurry motion due to slow response time.
- Highlights don't pop in HDR.
- No local dimming feature.
The Samsung Odyssey G51C is mediocre for console gaming. It can't take full advantage of gaming consoles due to the lack of HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, but it doesn't have any compatibility issues with the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. It also has low input lag for a responsive feel, but it has a slow response time that results in blurry motion. In terms of picture quality, it has a good native contrast ratio, making blacks look fairly deep, but it lacks a local dimming feature to further improve it, and highlights don't pop in HDR.
- Low input lag.
- High native contrast ratio.
- Blurry motion due to slow response time.
- Limited to HDMI 2.0 bandwidth.
- Highlights don't pop in HDR.
The Samsung Odyssey G51C is good for office use. It has good text clarity, and the 27-inch screen is big enough to open two windows side by side. It also handles reflections well enough to reduce glare from a few lights around your workspace, but it doesn't get bright enough to fight intense glare, like if you place it opposite a bright window. While it has fantastic ergonomics and is easy to adjust, its narrow viewing angles are disappointing if you need to often share your screen with someone else, as they'll see a washed-out image from the sides.
- Sharp text clarity.
- Fantastic ergonomics.
- Good reflection handling.
- Not bright enough to fight intense glare.
- Limited in extra features.
The Samsung Odyssey G51C is decent for content creation. Its accuracy before calibration is just okay, as there are issues with the white balance, so it needs a full calibration for the most accurate image. Unfortunately, though, it has limited picture quality as it has a low contrast ratio, and it fails to display a wide range of colors in HDR. On the plus side, the fantastic ergonomics make it easy to adjust the screen to your liking, but with narrow viewing angles, it's difficult to share your screen with a coworker or client, as they'll see a washed-out image from the sides.
- Sharp text clarity.
- Fantastic ergonomics.
- Good reflection handling.
- High native contrast ratio.
- Not bright enough to fight intense glare.
- Limited in extra features.
- Highlights don't pop in HDR.
- Needs calibration for most accurate colors.
The Samsung Odyssey G51C has unremarkable brightness. It's fine if you want to use it in a room with a few lights around, but it doesn't get bright enough to fight intense glare or for highlights to pop in HDR.
- Still bright enough for moderately lit rooms.
- Not bright enough to fight intense glare.
- Highlights don't pop in HDR.
The Samsung Odyssey G51C has a mediocre response time. Fast-moving objects look blurry, and there's noticeable smearing.
- Blurry motion due to slow response time.
The Samsung Odyssey G51C has disappointing HDR picture quality. While it has a good native contrast ratio, it lacks a local dimming feature to further improve it. It also fails to make colors look vivid in HDR.
- High native contrast ratio.
- No local dimming feature.
- Colors are muted in HDR.
The Samsung Odyssey G51C has great SDR picture quality. It displays a wide range of colors, and it has a good native contrast ratio to display fairly deep blacks in dark rooms.
- High native contrast ratio.
- Displays a wide range of colors.
The Samsung Odyssey G51C has good color accuracy, but you need to calibrate it for the best accuracy. This is because it lacks a dedicated sRGB mode, and colors aren't accurate before calibration.
- Excellent gray uniformity.
- Needs calibration for most accurate colors.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- Updated Jan 23, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.1.1. We removed the Vertical Viewing Angle test.
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Updated Jul 31, 2025:
We updated text throughout to match the new and updated tests with Test Bench 2.1, including in the Verdict section.
- Updated Jul 24, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.1. This includes new tests for Direct Reflections, Ambient Black Level Raise, and Total Reflected Light. You can see all the changes in the changelog.
- Updated Feb 21, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.0.1. This includes a new test result for DisplayPort 2.1 Transmission Bandwidth.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G51C, which is also available in a 32-inch size and performs the same. Released in 2023, it's an updated version of past Odyssey G5 models, like the Samsung Odyssey G5/G55A S27AG55, but the results are only valid for this monitor.
| Model | Full Code | Size(s) | Panel Type | Max Refresh Rate | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S27CG51 | LS27CG512ENXZA | 27" | VA | 165Hz | 1440p |
| S32CG51 | LS32CG512ENXZA | 32" | VA | 165Hz | 1440p |
Our unit was manufactured in March 2023; you can see the label here.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The Samsung Odyssey G51C is an okay entry-level PC gaming monitor that competes against other 1440p gaming displays, but it doesn't offer anything special. Although its good native contrast ratio is useful for dark room gaming, it lacks a local dimming feature to further improve it. However, it has blurry motion, and you can get other budget-friendly displays with better motion handling, like the Samsung Odyssey G5 S27AG50 or the AOC Q27G3XMN, which has better picture quality.
See our recommendations for the best budget and cheap gaming monitors, the best 1440p gaming monitors, and the best gaming monitors under $300.
The Samsung Odyssey G51C S27CG51 and the Samsung Odyssey G50D S27DG50 are 27-inch 1440p gaming monitors. The G51C is a better option if you're gaming in a dark room, as deep blacks look darker. The G50D is a better option in a bright environment as it's much better at overcoming glare.
The AOC CQ27G2 and the Samsung Odyssey G51C S27CG51 are both entry-level 1440p gaming monitors with a few similarities. The Samsung has a slightly higher refresh rate, but motion handling is similar between each. The Samsung has better reflection handling and gets a bit brighter, making it a slightly better choice for use in well-lit rooms. The Samsung also supports HDR, which the AOC doesn't, and it has swivel adjustment, making it easier to place in an ideal position.
The Samsung Odyssey G51C S27CG51 and the Samsung Odyssey G55C S27CG55 are both 27-inch gaming monitors. Despite the G51C being marketed as a lower-end monitor, it has better gaming performance. The G51C has a substantially better response time, so fast-moving objects look crisper, and the monitor has considerably lower latency. The G51C also has better ergonomics, so placing it in your preferred position for a long gaming session is easier. However, the G55C gets considerably brighter, and you may prefer it if you're regularly gaming in a brighter room.
The Acer Nitro XV272U KVbmiiprzx is a better 1440p gaming monitor than the Samsung Odyssey G51C S27CG51. The Acer uses a different panel type with better motion handling, and it has a few extra features like a USB hub. The Acer also gets brighter, making it a better choice to use in a well-lit room, and it has wider viewing angles that are ideal if you need to share the screen with someone else. On the other hand, the Samsung is better for use in dark rooms thanks to its superior contrast ratio for deeper blacks.
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.
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