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To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.
Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level
In SDR mode, with local dimming turned off, I measured a peak of 341 nits. That’s plenty bright for such a large panel, but if you need even more output, the top four screens have a little extra. For indoor use, you’ll never need to max the brightness slider unless you wear sunglasses while playing. In the black level and contrast test, the Odyssey G7 is solid for a VA screen but has a little less dynamic range than the others. However, it’s still visibly better than any IPS monitor.
After Calibration to 200 nits
The Odyssey G7 maintains consistent contrast throughout its brightness range with a solid 2,516.9:1 score after calibration. Don’t let the last-place finish concern you; it’s still a dramatic screen with more depth than any IPS display can boast. In the ANSI test, I observed consistent results with a ratio of 2,300.9:1. This indicates Samsung has made sound component selections and is maintaining excellent quality control.
Test Takeaway: The Odyssey G7 shows average brightness and contrast performance for its category. It doesn’t quite reach the 3,000:1 average I’ve observed for VA panels, but it comes close at around 2,600:1, more than IPS by almost 3x. It’s the closest you’ll get to an OLED for under $1,000.
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