Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics squared off on the same day, each unveiling next-generation products aimed at the global gaming hardware market. Samsung Electronics introduced its Portable SSD P-series at Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany, boasting performance more than twice as fast as its predecessor, while LG Electronics launched the world’s first gaming monitor to achieve a 1000Hz ultra-high refresh rate at FHD resolution.
The P-series, unveiled on the 26th (local time), is optimized for an environment where data volumes are surging—from ultra-high-resolution video and AI content to large-scale games. The flagship P9 model delivers sequential read speeds of 4,000 MB/s and sequential write speeds of 3,800 MB/s, representing a more than twofold performance improvement over the previous-generation T-series.
SSDs, which dramatically reduce game loading times and eliminate stuttering, have become essential components for gamers. The P-series offers broad compatibility with a wide range of devices including desktops, laptops, smartphones, game consoles, and cameras. It has also passed 2-meter drop impact testing and vibration durability verification, ensuring data protection even in frequently mobile environments.
Kwon Hyung-suk, Senior Vice President of the Brand Product Biz Team at Samsung Electronics’ Memory Business, said, “The Portable SSD P-series supports fast file storage and backup, delivering an optimal working environment for professionals as well as everyday users.”
On the same day, LG Electronics launched the ‘LG UltraGear 25G590B’ in South Korea—the world’s first monitor to natively support a 1000Hz refresh rate at FHD (1920×1080) resolution. Refresh rate refers to how many times a display redraws the screen per second; 1000Hz means up to 1,000 frames are displayed every second. Higher figures translate to smoother screen transitions and reduced motion blur.
Until now, achieving ultra-high refresh rates required lowering resolution to HD levels or forcibly reducing the display output area—a technical limitation. With this new product, LG Electronics has achieved 1000Hz while maintaining full FHD resolution, enabling rapid screen transitions without any degradation in picture quality.
First-person shooter (FPS) games like PUBG demand high-refresh-rate gaming monitors, as the subtle movements of characters, backgrounds, and objects determine victory or defeat. The new model features an IPS panel known for its wide viewing angles and color reproduction, along with ‘Motion Blur Reduction Pro (MBR Pro)’ technology that minimizes on-screen ghosting for sharper tracking of fast-moving objects.
AI-powered features have also been enhanced. ‘AI Picture Customization’ detects the attributes of content being displayed and automatically adjusts display settings, while ‘AI Sound’ delivers virtual spatial audio that reproduces the direction of in-game footsteps when using headphones. Considering gamers who make large mouse movements, the stand base area has been reduced by up to 49% compared to the previous 25G550B model. The launch price is 1.49 million won (approximately $1,100) on LG Electronics’ official online store.
Lee Choong-hwan, Vice President and Head of the Display Business Unit at LG Electronics’ MS Business Division, said, “This new product captures both of the core elements gamers demand: refresh rate and picture quality. It will set a new standard for gaming displays.”
The reason both companies are competing fiercely in the gaming hardware market lies in its growth potential. Driven by the expansion of high-performance gaming and esports, the global gaming hardware market is growing at an average annual rate of around 8%, projected to expand from approximately $46 billion (about 63.7 trillion won) this year to more than $80 billion (about 110.8 trillion won) by 2030. According to market research firm IDC, the global gaming monitor market alone is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.4% through 2030.
Samsung Electronics is applying high-spec gaming technology across its product lineup, including its SSD storage portfolio, the high-end Odyssey gaming monitor series, and its flagship Galaxy smartphones. LG Electronics, leveraging its UltraGear gaming monitor lineup, holds the No. 1 position in the South Korean gaming monitor market and is moving to capture the global market by strengthening its monitor lineup, including gaming-specific TVs.