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The newly released Samsung M8 monitor has triggered a lot of interest among buyers.
Many of my viewers are waiting for this video, and I understand why. The successor to the affordable
M7 Swiss Army Knife monitor looks exceptionally stylish and retains some of the best features
from the older model while offering some improvements - at least on paper. The question
is - are those suitable improvements, and are they worth the 300-plus increase in the price?
Is it possible that the M8 is just an M7 wearing a fancier dress? Let's take a look.
The M8 is a 32-inch 4K 16:9 monitor in a class of its own. As I mentioned in my last desk setup
video, which I'll link at the end of this one, its only real competitor would be the predecessor,
the M7. The reason for that is the panel type and the unique set of features.
Many people have compared the M8 with IPS competitors such as the Apple Studio display,
which might make sense on paper. However, I disagree with this comparison since the M8
is not IPS. It's a VA panel - not necessarily a bad thing. In my monitor guide, I explain
the difference between the panel types and I show that the VA panel stands between the inferior TN
technology and the gold standard IPS. For the most part, VA lacks the excellent viewing angles of IPS
and is slightly slower in response times but catches up when it comes to contrast levels and,
in the case of the M8 - price. Also, regarding productivity, response time is not essential,
and viewing angles may be annoying to look at only at an angle. When you sit
in front of the M8, things are just fine. Now that we understand the fundamentals,
let's see what separates it from the 32-inch 4K monitor pack. The M8 is as much of a monitor
as it is a TV-like its older brother, the M7. Even if you don't connect it to a laptop or desktop,
you can use it as a Smart TV on its own and also proclaim it computer-like. It runs the
Samsung Tizen platform, which gives you access to all the typical Samsung Smart features and apps,
but that's not all. The built-in tools like Microsoft 365 and remote connectivity, alongside
the ability to connect Bluetooth peripherals, turn into a standalone productivity tool. To top it all
off, Samsung has added a slim-fit removable camera in the package - which I have some thoughts about
which I’ll share in a moment. In the meantime, suppose you don't want to use the monitor as
a monitor but as a TV. In that case, you can just detach the camera and keep the display as
aesthetically pleasing as possible. Also, Samsung wants us to use the Smart things app
and ecosystem with the M8, essentially turning it into an intelligent hub. AirPlay is supported as
usual, although 4K is not something to hold your breath for - it's 1080P.
The famous Bixby is here again, but I imagine it felt lonely
and needed a friend in the form of Amazon Alexa. As you can see, this monitor is unlike any other.
The most appealing M8 thing, however, is its looks. It's thin, stylish, and exquisite looking.
It comes in various colors, all of which will brighten up every room and make it stand
out. It is my first white monitor, which made me appreciate white bezels. However,
all of these incredible looks are the M8's Achilles heel. I'll use this opportunity to
lift up this product's beautiful curtains and reveal the hidden dark secrets.
Throughout the years, people have learned that thinness is always at something else's expense.
I'll warm up with the fact that the monitor does not have a VESA mount on the back.
The lower mounting point and the thin profile make it possible to exist only on the stand that
it comes with. At least it's a beautiful stand which is not $400 🙂 That's not something that
bothers me, to be honest. It has a gorgeous appearance and stance. What drives me crazy,
however, is the following. In Samsung's marketing materials, one can read: "With 2.2Ch built-in
speakers, the M8 provides richer, more realistic sounds for an immersive overall experience."
Ah…how can I put this mildly - EMOTIONAL DAMAGE! This is the worst-sounding
monitor I have used so far. The sound is so inadequate that it would insult
my smartphone if I compared it with it. Don't take my word for it - take a listen.
To throw gasoline in the fire that I've started, the thin design of the M8 doesn't leave room for
a stereo jack on the back - where the ports are. The only way you can connect speakers to it is
via Bluetooth (which is laggy for any productive work) or via a hub. I would've preferred to have
no speakers (which could reduce the price) and have a stereo jack on the back, even if that meant
adding a few extra millimeters of thickness. Its design is classy enough to accommodate a thicker
body while still looking minimal and modern. The detachable camera is the next problem of
the M8. If you are someone who doesn't need a detachable webcam (for example,
you are not a meeting person), tough luck! It is there whether you like it or not.
It is part of the extra $300. Let's hope at least it's decent - EMOTIONAL DAMAGE!
The camera is as bad as the speakers. Some have compared it with the Studio Display. Still,
I would take this as premature excitement of getting a review sample. The camera might look
good in very particular scenarios, but if you have some daylight in the loose,
good luck bringing out a decent picture. You might be better off in the dark.
As with the M7, despite being proclaimed a monitor, the M8 doesn't allow you to cycle
and choose monitor formats like the advertised 99% sRGB. Instead, I can choose between
something called XXX and XXX, which are just marketing lingo. None of these settings will
deliver the promised 99% sRGB calibrated colors. I know because I calibrated it, and the difference
is staggering, but few people have that option. The thin design stirs the port situation on
the back too. Unlike the M7, the M8 has fewer ports. We don't have a display port;
there's no headphones jack, and we have a mini HDMI - thankfully,
there is a mini HDMI to HDMI cable in the box. I'll give the M8 some rest, and I won't be going
over the software bugs I encountered because I know Samsung can clear them via a software update.
At this point, the most important question is STILL not answered - is the M8 worth the 300+
dollars on top of the M7? Let's see what sets it apart. BTW, as I was preparing and researching
this video topic, I found that the M7 now comes in a 43-inch size, which is impressive. Second,
BTW, if you end up enjoying this video - subscribe - because WHY NOT?!?
So, the M8 is brighter than the M7 - about 40% brighter, which is a substantial difference.
Samsung advertises it supporting HDR10+ which is just marketing again in terms
of brightness levels. Still, it handles HDR10+ in terms of metadata and how it
addresses each frame - making the picture more realistic. What's more important to me, however,
is that the M8 is a 10-bit display, whereas the M7 is 8-bit. That's over 1 billion colors
compared to 17 million in the M7. The response time is also very competitive on the M8 - now 4ms,
compared to 8ms on the M7. This makes it more suitable for a console experience. While both
monitors provide 65W of power via USB-C, the M8 is not as picky as the M7 and works every time - no
matter the laptop or the cable used. Is everything I said helping you justify the price difference?
Before giving you my 2 cents, I'd like to point something out. In my previous Samsung M7 review,
few people rushed to conclusions. They took my initial negative remarks about
the M7 as a direct insult by not watching the entire episode. I'd like to be precise!
As I am trying to be objective here, pointing out the shortcomings of the M8 which DOES NOT MEAN
IT'S A BAD PRODUCT. Quite the opposite. At $700, the M8 is half the price of some IPS competitors
that don't even have a remote control, let alone any of the clever features. In a world
of black and ugly plastic monitors, the built quality and design of the M8 are worlds apart.
It is very well put together, and its looks compete with monitors in the caliber of the Apple
displays. Features like the auto-brightness I mentioned are typical for top-tier competitors,
and I am not even factoring in the Smart features here. The 10-bit panel alone
is worth the price upgrade Samsung is asking for. Any negative connotations I have are usually
triggered by misleading marketing materials. Sure it has speakers, but they are tiny.
That's OK - just don't call them immersive. What's not misleading about the M8 is the fact
that it's a great product. One that has unmatched versatility - especially in this latest M8 model.
From a home TV to a workstation horse, it's a Swiss Army Knife with remote control.
If you are still wondering if it's the right choice, however, my 2022 monitor guide video
might just be what you are looking for. Click here and learn more about panel types,
display size choices, aspect ratio, and more. If you enjoyed this video, subscribe to the
channel and click on the bell icon. If you are looking for a minimal-looking and stylish mouse
pad to elevate your desk setup, look at the ENOUGH mouse pad, which is my own creation. This large,
genuinely black, 4mm thick eco-friendly felt desk pad is more than ENOUGH for any desk. Click on the
first link in the description below to grab yours. As always, it's been an absolute pleasure,
This is E Over and out