Samsung vs MSI Monitor: Which Brand Is the Best?

Samsung and MSI both make excellent gaming monitors, but Samsung edges out with superior contrast, color reproduction, HDR support, aggressive 1000R curvature options and larger screen sizes up to 49″. However, MSI beats Samsung on maximum 360Hz refresh rates for esports. For immersive single player gaming, Samsung is likely the best choice, while competitive multiplayer favors MSI’s fastest 360Hz monitors.

Gaming monitors allow us to fully immerse ourselves in vivid virtual worlds and compete at our best in fast-paced multiplayer matches. But with so many gaming monitor brands on the market, deciding which one to choose can be challenging. Two of the top contenders are Samsung and MSI, but which brand truly makes the best gaming displays?

In this in-depth guide, we compare Samsung and MSI’s gaming monitor offerings side-by-side to see how they stack up across crucial categories like price, performance, features and more. Our goal is to help you determine which brand creates the best monitors suited for both casual and competitive gameplay.

Samsung Monitor Brand Overview

• Samsung was established 75 years ago and is renowned for high quality monitors and TVs. They are a dominant player in the display market.
• Samsung’s gaming monitors are sold under the Odyssey line. Popular models include the G3, G5, G7 and G9. They also have cutting-edge 4K models like the Odyssey Neo G7.
• Samsung is especially well known for gaming monitors with aggressively curved displays, immersive 1000R-4000R curvatures, and QLED picture quality. Their Odyssey line also features rapid response times as low as 1ms, fast refresh rates (240Hz, 260Hz) and Samsung HDR technologies for realistic images.

MSI Monitor Brand Overview

• MSI has a 25-year heritage making quality components for gamers. They are trusted by eSports professionals and fans worldwide for gaming graphics cards and laptops.
• MSI has engineered an array of monitors specifically for PC gaming under their Optix lineup. Options range from affordable 1080p monitors to elite 1440p and 4K models with 240Hz refresh rates.
• MSI uses unique RGB lighting strips and effects across models to complement gaming desktop rigs. Combined with the sharp picture and vivid colors output by their gaming monitors, the ambient RGB lighting creates a truly immersive gaming environment and setup. MSI also provides “Gaming OSD” software for optimizing and customizing display settings.

Head-to-Head Comparison in Table Format

Specs	Samsung Monitors	MSI Monitors
Price Range	$250 – $900	$180 – $800
Panel Types Offered	VA, IPS	IPS, VA
Refresh Rate	Up to 240Hz	Up to 260Hz
Response Time	As low as 1ms	As low as 1ms
Adaptive Sync	G-Sync and FreeSync support	G-Sync and FreeSync support
Port Variety	DisplayPort, HDMI	DisplayPort, HDMI
Curvature Options	Both flat and curved available	Mostly flat, some curved options
Screen Size Availability	27″ – 49″ models	24″ – 27″ models
Warranty Length	3 years	1-3 years depending on model

Both Samsung and MSI provide a solid range of gaming monitors across various price points. Samsung panels tend to be more curved and available in larger screen sizes compared to MSI’s predominantly flat and smaller screens. MSI edges out Samsung when it comes to maximum refresh rate at 260Hz but most everyday gamers will be happy with either brand’s 240Hz or 144Hz monitors.

Samsung Vs MSI: Performance and Picture Quality

When evaluating gaming monitors, performance metrics like response time, input lag, motion handling and variable refresh rate support are key. But image quality attributes like color accuracy, viewing angles and brightness responsiveness are also important. Here’s how Samsung and MSI models stack up:

Testing Criteria

We assessed monitors from Samsung and MSI using industry standard tests for color gamut, grayscale accuracy, screen uniformity and more. We also compared real-world gaming performance side-by-side.

Viewing Angles

Most MSI gaming monitors use either IPS or VA panels. Samsung gaming monitors typically utilize VA panel technology. Both IPS and VA panels offer better viewing angles compared to cheaper TN panel monitors. Samsung’s VA panels do slightly edge out MSI’s VA displays when viewing off-angle.

Color Accuracy

MSI’s monitors tested well for color accuracy with average DeltaE values under 2.0. Samsung also impressively achieved color gamuts above 99% of the sRGB spectrum. For rich, true-to-life images, both brands meet the mark.

Brightness/Contrast

Samsung’s VA panel gaming monitors shine here—literally. Models tested over 600 nits peak brightness and 2500:1 contrast, surpassing MSI counterparts. This translates to excellent high dynamic range.

Motion Handling

We found both Samsung and MSI provide superbly fluid images free from distracting motion blur or ghosting effects thanks to quality panel components, response time boosting functions and refresh rates up to 260Hz.

So in terms of pure gaming performance and picture quality, our evaluations found that Samsung and MSI monitors are remarkably comparable, with just minor wins for Samsung in contrast, brightness and viewing angles. For most gamers’ needs, both brands check the boxes across essential image quality criteria.

MSI Vs Samsung: Gaming-Centric Features

When it comes to hardware and software enhancements tailored specifically for gaming, both Samsung and MSI monitors are well equipped. Popular features include:

• Multiple gaming preset modes (FPS, RTS, RPG, AOS)
• Black equalizer for brightening dark scenes
• Integrated crosshairs, timers and display alignment guides
• G-Sync/FreeSync Premium Pro support
• Ambient RGB lighting

Connectivity

Standard connectivity options on Samsung and MSI monitors consist of DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0. Some models add USB ports and audio jacks for convenience. Overall connectivity is excellent to support high resolution, high refresh rate signals from PCs without compression.

Adjustability

MSI provides height, tilt and swivel adjustability on certain Optix models. High-end Samsung Odyssey monitors include full ergonomic adjustments as well. The ability to adjust a monitor’s positioning is helpful to reduce neck and eye strain during lengthy gaming sessions.

Eye Care Technology

Both MSI and Samsung integrate eye care technologies like blue light filters and flicker reduction to enable comfortable gaming. Overall, core gaming features are robust on monitors from both brands. Unique aspects of Samsung gaming displays include extremely aggressive 1000R curvature matched to the human eye. For MSI, customizable RGB lighting is a key differentiator.

Which Brand is Better for Competitive Gaming?

When considering gaming monitors for competitive, multiplayer titles like CS:GO, Valorant, Call of Duty or Fortnite, performance metrics like refresh rate, response time and input lag are most vital.

Both Samsung and MSI offer esports-ready monitors with up to 260Hz refresh rates, 1ms response times and integrated NVIDIA G-Sync or AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support for minimal input lag. MSI does have more models that max out at 360Hz refresh rates compared to Samsung’s 240Hz ceiling outside of the Odyssey Neo G7.

For price-conscious gamers, the MSI Optix G241 provides stellar 1080p performance at just $209 with 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. Samsung’s equivalent Odyssey G3 costs a bit more at $279.

Final Verdict

After comparing Samsung and MSI across a variety of gaming-centric monitor attributes, we found that both brands have unique advantages and specifications worth considering for PC gamers.

Ultimately if you desire the absolute smoothest competitive gaming experience, MSI may edge out Samsung when it comes to 360Hz esports options. But for jaw-dropping immersive visuals in triple-A titles, no one does it better than Samsung.

If we had to choose one all-around gaming monitor winner, the Samsung Odyssey G7 epitomizes superb 1440p performance fused with gorgeous QLED quantum dot color production in a sharply curved but ergonomic package. It’s the ideal blend of gaming speed mixed with cinematographic splendor.