Skip to main content

Samsung looks to woo gamers with Thunderbolt 3-equipped curved QLED monitor

IFA 2024
This story is part of our coverage of IFA Berlin 2024

Samsung is bringing its quantum dot screen technology to gamers. At IFA 2018, the company unveiled the Samsung CJ79, a 34-inch curved monitor with a QLED panel, which should help it display more precise colors in a wider color space than traditional LED screens. Though Samsung is primarily marketing the high-end CJ79 at premium PC users — the company claims compatibility with both Macs and Windows devices — gamers who use AMD’s Radeon graphics card will also benefit from the CJ79’s adoption of FreeSync screen technology.

Recommended Videos

One of the hallmark features Samsung is trumpeting is that this display is the first to come with Thunderbolt 3 support. Although Thunderbolt 3 provides similar benefits to a standard USB-C connector — a single cable can be used to connect the monitor to a computer for power, data, and video — the Thunderbolt provides more power and faster data throughput than a standard USB-C connection. Older computers lacking a Thunderbolt 3 port can connect to the CJ79 through either HDMI or DisplayPort.

“The CJ79 is our latest endeavor in taking curved monitors to the next level that highlights our commitment to innovation,” said Seog-gi Kim, Samsung Electronics executive vice president of visual display, in a statement. “The addition of Thunderbolt 3 connectivity aligns to that vision and connects customers to infinite possibilities.”

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The 34-inch VA (vertical alignment) panel supports an ultrawide QHD resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 pixels and comes with a 21:9 aspect ratio. The ultrawide aspect ratio allows you to multitask — or play immersive games — without having to connect two or more displays together for a multi-monitor setup. Multitaskers will also benefit from the picture-in-picture mode. And because the display is so wide, the 1,500R curvature helps to make sure you can see all your content. Samsung claims that the curvature follows the natural curve of the eyes for a comfortable experience.

The CJ79’s QLED panel supports 125 percent of the sRGB color spectrum and a 3000:1 contrast ratio, and Samsung claims that the screen produces deeper blacks and brighter whites. Gamers will benefit from reduction in screen tearing and stutter thanks to the FreeSync tech.

If the standard 34-inch panel is too small for you, Samsung has an even larger 43-inch super ultrawide curved panel called the CJ89. That one comes with a 3,840 x 1,200 resolution and 32:10 aspect ratio along with an integrated KVM switch to connect multiple computers to the same display. There’s also a built-in USB hub and stereo speakers on the larger CJ89.

Chuong Nguyen
Silicon Valley-based technology reporter and Giants baseball fan who splits his time between Northern California and Southern…
iPhone 13 and Z Flip 3 keep Apple and Samsung sales strong in U.S. and Europe
Galaxy Z Flip 3 closed with Cover Screen active.

The smartphone markets in the U.S. and Europe are still suffering from a chip shortage, according to a report from Counterpoint Research, with overall sales being slightly lower in Europe and slightly higher in the U.S. than they were last year. In Europe, Samsung, Xiaomi, and Apple led the European smartphone market in Q3 (July, August, and September). Even though Samsung saw a decline from the immediately preceding quarter, the newly launched Galaxy Z Flip 3 helped its fortunes. The U.S. market remains dominated by Apple and Samsung, with Motorola continuing slow and steady growth.

Zooming out to look at the bigger picture, aside from Apple, the usual suspects who make the best Android phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo) lead the pack in the European market. This was likely with phones like the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and OnePlus 9, along with lower-priced A-Series models, while there are some surprise entrants from the likes of Vivo and Realme. Huawei continues to decline, with the lack of Google services and the limited launch of the P50 continuing to take their toll, while former sub-brand Honor is on the rise. The company just launched the Honor 50 and Honor 50 Pro as its first phones with Google services in years, and it'll be interesting to see how these affect future sales.

Read more
Samsung shows off Fold 3 and Flip 3 durability in series of torture tests
The Samsung Galazy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3.

If you're thinking about getting a Galaxy Z Fold 3, one of your biggest concerns is probably durability due to problems with previous generations of the folding phone. We addressed that issue in our review, but a new video from Samsung demonstrates some of the testing procedures its Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 phones undergo.

“Our high-tech, innovative tests include environmental chamber, water resistance, S Pen usability, and folding test,” says a press release accompanying the video.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the most durable foldable phone ever
The Samsung Galazy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3.

The results are in. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the strongest foldable phone based on testing by Allstate Protection Plans. The durability testing process included folding and unfolding the phone repeatedly with the Foldbot, open and closed facedown drop tests, and a dunk test. Results for the fold test are still pending, as is testing for the Z Flip 3, but Allstate believes the phones should have no problem lasting up to 200,000 folds.

On the open drop test, the Z Fold 3 was dropped six feet onto a sidewalk and had minor corner scuffing and minimal pixel damage. This is the first smartphone that hasn't shattered since Allstate begin breakability testing in 2013. The phone also sustained no damage after a 30-minute dunk in five feet of water. Allstate's Dropbot did manage to take down the Z Fold 3 during the closed facedown drop test. The phone was deemed unusable when the exterior screen shattered on the first test.

Read more