Samsung’s 27-inch Odyssey G8 (G80HF) 5K gaming monitor is $549.99 on Amazon, down from a $949.99 list price. That’s $400 off, or 42%. If you want Studio Display resolution on a Mac mini or MacBook desk but can’t face Apple’s $1,599 price, this is the deal to look at first.
We checked the price, seller and stock on Amazon on November 14, 2026. Amazon.com sells and ships it, not a third-party seller. The listing showed only about 2 left in stock, so this one may not last until Amazon’s Black Friday Week, which runs November 19 to 30.
The Odyssey G8 matches the Studio Display’s 5K resolution for $1,049 less
Apple’s Studio Display tech specs list a 27-inch panel at 5120 x 2880. Samsung’s G80HF spec page lists the same 27-inch size and the same 5120 x 2880 resolution, on an IPS panel. Same pixel count, same size, and $1,049 apart.
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You do give things up for that $1,049. Studio Display has 600 nits of brightness, a camera, speakers, Thunderbolt 5 and 96W charging for your MacBook. Samsung lists 350 nits typical and 400 nits peak, no speakers and no USB-C port. The G8’s video inputs are one DisplayPort 2.1 and two HDMI 2.1 ports. Its two USB-A ports work as a hub over a USB-B upstream cable, and Samsung says that cable isn’t in the box.
Where the Samsung pulls ahead is speed. Studio Display runs at 60Hz. The G8 runs 5K at up to 180Hz, or drops to QHD at up to 360Hz in what Samsung calls Dual Mode. It also supports HDR10 and covers 99% of sRGB, per Samsung.
| Spec | Odyssey G8 (G80HF) | Apple Studio Display |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.99 on Amazon (list $949.99) | $1,599 |
| Size and resolution | 27 inches, 5120 x 2880 | 27 inches, 5120 x 2880 |
| Refresh rate | Up to 180Hz at 5K, 360Hz at QHD | 60Hz |
| Brightness | 350 nits typical, 400 nits peak | 600 nits |
| Laptop charging | None | 96W |
| Camera and speakers | No | Yes |
| Video inputs | 1 DisplayPort 2.1, 2 HDMI 2.1 | Thunderbolt 5 |
What refresh rate your Mac can drive on a 5K monitor, according to Apple
Samsung’s page doesn’t mention macOS at all, so Apple’s own limits are the guide. Apple’s support pages list one external display at up to 5K at 120Hz for the M5 MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and the Mac mini with M6. That’s double Studio Display’s 60Hz, but it isn’t the G8’s 180Hz. Treat 120Hz at 5K as Apple’s ceiling, not a promise for this exact monitor and cable.
Plugging in takes one extra purchase on a MacBook Air. It only has Thunderbolt 4 ports, and the G8 has no USB-C input, so you need a USB-C to DisplayPort cable. Samsung includes HDMI and DisplayPort cables, not that one. You’ll also keep your MacBook on its own charger, since the G8 can’t power a laptop.
MacBook Neo owners should skip it. Apple says MacBook Neo supports one external display at up to 4K at 60Hz, through the USB-C port on its left side. The G8’s native 5K is beyond that, so you’d pay for pixels your Mac can’t drive at native resolution.
Who should buy the Odyssey G8 for a Mac desk, and who should pass
Buy it if you want a 5K screen for a Mac mini, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, you also game on a PC or console, and you don’t need a webcam or speakers built in. An M6 Mac mini at $899 plus this G8 comes to $1,448.99, which is still less than Studio Display on its own. Our M6 iMac vs Mac mini plus Studio Display breakdown shows how fast the all-Apple setup adds up.
The stand is better than you’d expect at this price. Samsung lists 120mm of height adjustment, tilt from -2 to 25 degrees, 30 degrees of swivel each way and pivot to portrait. There’s a 100 x 100 VESA mount if you’d rather use an arm.
Pass if you want one cable to your MacBook that also charges it, or if you own a MacBook Neo. Pass too if you need Studio Display’s brightness for bright rooms, since 350 nits is a big step down from 600.
At $549.99, the Samsung Odyssey G8 on Amazon is the 5K pick for Mac owners who’d rather keep $1,049 than pay for Apple’s camera, speakers and charging. With about 2 left, don’t wait long.
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