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Samsung’s first-generation 55-inch Odyssey Ark gaming monitor went on general sale in the United States on September 12, 2022, for $3,499.99. The launch model is LS55BG970NNXGO. Samsung announced it on August 15, opened preorders on August 22, and sold it through Samsung.com, Amazon and Best Buy. This is a historical launch story—not a new 2026 product announcement.
The Ark combined a 4K, 165Hz gaming display with a motorized rotating stand, smart-TV software, built-in speakers and Samsung Gaming Hub. Its unusual size and features can be compelling, but the price, desk requirements, lack of DisplayPort and limits on simultaneous video sources matter as much as the headline specifications.
What went on sale?
The product was Samsung’s original Odyssey Ark, a 55-inch 16:9 curved gaming monitor with model number LS55BG970NNXGO. Samsung described it as a giant gaming screen, but its Tizen-based software also gives it substantial smart-TV behavior: streaming applications, Samsung TV Plus, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, remote controls and Gaming Hub.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Its 55-inch diagonal is large even by television standards. Unlike a 49-inch ultrawide, however, it keeps a conventional 16:9 frame, so games and consoles use familiar aspect ratios rather than an extra-wide desktop canvas.
#1 Best Overall
- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 14.1" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy ergonomic support with the integrated cushioned wrist rest.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a sleek black carbon color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.8 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
Launch dates, retailers and price
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 15, 2022 | Samsung announced the U.S. and global launch. |
| August 15–22, 2022 | U.S. reservation period; Samsung advertised a $100 instant rebate on qualifying purchases. |
| August 22, 2022 | Preorders opened. |
| September 12, 2022 | General U.S. availability began at Samsung.com, Amazon and Best Buy. |
The launch price was $3,499.99 in the United States. Samsung’s announcement and availability notices document the dates and retail launch: launch announcement, preorder announcement and availability announcement.
Core specifications
| Specification | First-generation Odyssey Ark |
|---|---|
| Screen | 55-inch, 16:9 VA panel |
| Resolution | 3,840 × 2,160 (4K UHD) |
| Curvature | 1000R |
| Backlight | Quantum Matrix Mini-LED |
| Refresh rate | Up to 165Hz |
| Response time | 1ms gray-to-gray, Samsung-rated |
| Variable refresh | AMD FreeSync Premium Pro; review testing also found support for common VRR formats |
| Video inputs | Four HDMI 2.1 ports through the One Connect box |
| DisplayPort | Not included |
| Audio | Built-in multi-channel speakers with Dolby Atmos-related surround features |
| Smart features | Samsung Gaming Hub, streaming apps, Samsung TV Plus, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Ethernet |
| Controls | Ark Dial and conventional remote |
| Stand | Motorized height, tilt, swivel and rotation into portrait orientation |
Samsung’s feature claims and connectivity details are listed in its launch announcement and specification brochure. Independent measurements and observations are available in the RTINGS review.
What Cockpit Mode actually does
Cockpit Mode rotates the whole curved display and its motorized stand into portrait orientation. The tall view can suit flight and driving simulations, vertically scrolling games and first-person titles that benefit from a more enclosing image.
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Rank #2
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
It does not turn the Ark into a conventional flat portrait monitor. The 1000R curve remains, and the screen needs considerable clearance while rotating. At this size and weight, installation and repositioning are awkward; a deep, sturdy desk or a room arranged around the display is essential.
Portrait mode is therefore a specialized gaming feature, not an automatic productivity upgrade. RTINGS found that the 55-inch 4K panel’s relatively low pixel density can make text less crisp than on a smaller 4K monitor, while the strong curve and VA viewing behavior can make content less consistent across the width.
Multi View: useful multitasking, not four HDMI monitors
The Ark can place several panes on screen, including stacked layouts in portrait mode. Panes may combine a game or other external source with supported smart apps, mirrored devices and compatible services.
Rank #3
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- Four HDMI 2.1 ports are physical inputs on the One Connect box.
- Multi View panes are the onscreen layout, not four guaranteed independent HDMI feeds.
- First-generation documentation and reviews indicate that Multi View could show only one external HDMI source at a time; other panes came from supported apps, mirrored devices or compatible sources.
- Game Mode, VRR and cloud gaming can be unavailable or changed in some Multi View configurations.
- App support and restrictions vary by application, firmware, orientation and connection method.
That means the Ark is not a four-console video wall and not a replacement for four independently driven monitors. Tom’s Guide, Stuff and the available Ark manual describe the source and gaming-feature limitations; The Verge-hosted review copy provides additional first-generation Multi View detail.
Monitor or television?
The most accurate description is a gaming monitor with substantial smart-TV behavior. Its 165Hz operation, low input-lag design, HDMI 2.1 connectivity and VRR target gaming hardware. Its Tizen platform, apps, speakers, remote controls and Gaming Hub make it usable like a television without a separate streaming box.
That hybrid design is valuable for a single-screen gaming and media center, but it complicates comparisons. A premium 55-inch OLED television may offer stronger per-pixel contrast and better value for movie and console use. Smaller monitors generally deliver sharper text and easier desk ergonomics.
Rank #4
- Anti-Slip Surface - Transform your laptop into a mobile workstation with the AboveTEK portable laptop lap desk. The anti-slip surface provides a strong grip for laptops up to 15.6 inches(Diagonal), while the double rubber strip on the bottom ensures a stable display or typing experience on your lap, couch, or bed.
- Retractable Mouse Pad - Retractable laptop mouse pad extends on both directions for the left/right handed with elevation along the edges for stopping mouse from falling off. The size of laptop tray is 14" X 9.7" and the size of mouse pad is 7.4" X 6.1".
- Effective Heat Shield - The effective heat shield made of sturdy and thick material protects your laptop from overheating. Prioritizes your comfort and safety, an ideal lap pad or board for working anywhere.
- EASY to Carry and Store - With an ergonomic and simplistic design, the lap desk is portable to store in a backpack. Only 15" in size, 2.2 lb of weight and with slim 0.6 inch thickness, it is ready to be easily carried around.
- Widely Applicable - The smooth platform accommodates laptops and tablets up to 15.6 inches(Diagonal), making it a versatile accessory and one of the best gifts for mom, dad, students and professionals. Perfect for use as a laptop bed tray or tablet holder anywhere at home, library, or park.
What the $3,499.99 launch price bought
Reasons to consider the Ark
- A huge curved image can feel immersive for games and cinematic content.
- 4K at up to 165Hz is useful for a powerful PC with HDMI 2.1 output.
- Mini-LED backlighting delivers high brightness and strong contrast; RTINGS measured effective HDR performance and low input lag.
- Cockpit Mode is genuinely unusual and may be valuable for simulation enthusiasts.
- Speakers, apps, Gaming Hub and remotes reduce the number of separate living-room devices.
- Multi View can combine a game, stream, browser or mirrored device when its source rules fit your setup.
Reasons to avoid it
- The launch price was far above many OLED TVs, conventional gaming monitors and multi-monitor combinations.
- No DisplayPort means PC buyers must plan around HDMI bandwidth or a suitable active conversion solution; an ordinary passive cable is not guaranteed to deliver maximum modes.
- At 55 inches and 4K, desktop text is less dense than on a 27- or 32-inch 4K monitor.
- The 1000R curve can be distracting for office work and less comfortable for people viewing from the side.
- Four HDMI sockets do not provide four simultaneous external HDMI windows.
- The stand and screen demand substantial space and are difficult to move.
- Competitive players may prefer a smaller display, while PC users seeking horizontal workspace may prefer an ultrawide.
These trade-offs are reflected in independent reviews from RTINGS, Tom’s Guide, Engadget and The Verge-hosted review copy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Compatibility checks before buying
PCs
For 4K at 165Hz, verify that the graphics card has HDMI 2.1 output and sufficient bandwidth. DisplayPort-only cards need an appropriate active conversion path, and laptops or Macs may be limited by USB-C adapter bandwidth. The One Connect box simplifies connections at the panel but adds another component and cable to manage.
Consoles
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles can use HDMI 2.1 features, but they generally target up to 120Hz, not 165Hz. Check each console’s HDR, VRR and HDMI settings independently; the monitor’s maximum specification does not guarantee every console mode.
Best Value
- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 12" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a blush pink color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.14 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
Desktop work
Sit farther back than you would from a 27- or 32-inch monitor and expect to adjust operating-system scaling. Compare the Ark with two smaller high-density displays if your work is mainly coding, spreadsheets, writing or design.
Which buyers make sense?
Good fit
- Simulation and cockpit-game enthusiasts.
- Users wanting one giant gaming, streaming and media screen.
- Buyers with enough room for a heavy, rotating 55-inch display.
- PC owners with HDMI 2.1-capable graphics hardware.
Poor fit
- Competitive esports players who favor compact screens.
- Text-heavy office users prioritizing pixel density.
- Anyone requiring several independent external video feeds at once.
- People with shallow desks, tight rooms or difficult delivery access.
Do not confuse it with the current second-generation model
Samsung’s current U.S. product page lists a different monitor, the second-generation Odyssey Ark LS55CG970NNXGO, at a displayed price of $2,699.99. During the August 2026 observation, that page showed “Delivery: Not Available” and “In-Store Pickup: Not Available.” The listing is evidence of a current product-page price and availability signal, not proof of a sale or nationwide stock: Samsung Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen product page.
The headline “goes on sale” refers to the first-generation model’s September 12, 2022 retail launch. Buyers evaluating one now should confirm the generation, model number, retailer stock, return terms and whether their hardware can use the desired refresh rate and Multi View configuration.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
