This video was made possible by the ENOUGH mouse
pad - the only desk mouse pad you'll ever need. More on it, at the end of the video. 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
