Sony Inzone M10S overview: This gaming monitor is an enormous step in the correct course

Greatest Costs In the present day: Sony Inzone M10S

Sony’s first gaming monitor, the Inzone M9, was launched in 2022 to a good quantity of hype, however evaluations had been combined. The monitor’s design was polarizing and its picture high quality, although good, didn’t stay as much as its excessive price ticket. Now, Sony is again with a second era of gaming screens, which incorporates the M10S. The Sony Inzone M10S is an OLED show that learns a number of precious classes from its predecessor. 

Sony Inzone M10S specs and options 

Sony isn’t pulling any punches with the M10S. The monitor has an LG OLED panel with a show decision of 2560×1440 and a refresh price of as much as 480Hz. Whereas it’s not the primary monitor to make use of this OLED panel, it sits on the excessive higher finish of refresh charges obtainable from OLED. In the case of movement readability, no less than, it doesn’t get a lot better than this. 

• Show dimension: 27-inch 16:9 widescreen 
• Native decision: 2560×1440 
• Panel sort: LG WOLED 
• Refresh price: As much as 480Hz 
• Adaptive Sync: VESA Adaptive Sync, VRR, Nvidia G-Sync 
• HDR: Sure, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 Licensed 
• Ports: 1x DisplayPort 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-B upstream, 2x USB-A downstream, 1x 3.5mm headphone out, 1x USB Kind-A for software program replace 
• VESA mount: 100x100mm 
• Audio system: None 
• Worth: $1,099.99 MSRP 

Apart from the spectacular show panel, the monitor’s characteristic set is typical for a high-end OLED gaming monitor. It contains one DisplayPort 2.1 (the truth is, that is the primary DP2.1 monitor I’ve examined) alongside two HDMI 2.1 ports.  

Additional studying: The most effective gaming screens

Sadly, USB-C isn’t included, however the monitor does have a USB upstream port that connects to 2 USB ports. It additionally helps VESA Adaptive Sync and VRR, which implies it would work broadly with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync (although solely the previous is formally listed). 

Sony Inzone M10S design  

There’s rather a lot to debate concerning the Sony Inzone M10S’s design. 

Sony’s first gaming monitor, the Inzone M9, had a controversial design clearly supposed to enhance the feel and appear of the PlayStation 5 console and different Sony PlayStation merchandise. Whereas it made sense from a branding or advertising and marketing perspective, it additionally meant the monitor had an unusually vast stand that was awkward to arrange and use. 

Fortuitously, Sony has rethought its strategy with the M10S, although it hasn’t merely adopted the lead of its opponents.  

The M10S as an alternative has a novel, disk-shaped stand designed to reduce its footprint on a desk. It additionally swivels as much as 180 levels, far exceeding the standard 25 to 35 levels supplied by most gaming monitor stands. I just like the stand, because it highlights the practicality that’s usually lacking from the massive, tripod-style stands utilized by manufacturers like Asus ROG and, often, Alienware.  

Along with 180 levels of swivel, the stand additionally presents peak and tilt changes. It doesn’t assist rotation into portrait orientation, nevertheless, which makes the M10S barely much less appropriate as a second monitor. The monitor can also be suitable with a 100x100mm VESA mount, permitting it for use with third-party monitor arms or stands. 

However whereas I just like the performance of Sony’s design, I’m nonetheless undecided it fairly understands the PC market.  

Although undoubtedly a step in the correct course, the M10S now feels bit too plain (particularly for a monitor with a premium price ticket). The plastics used are advantageous, however unremarkable, and lack the attention-grabbing textures discovered on screens from Alienware and Asus. Samsung presents a extra luxurious really feel, as its current Samsung Odyssey OLED screens characteristic an all-metal again panel. Sony additionally opts out of RGB-LED lighting.  

I believe Sony would argue the M10S (which was made with suggestions from esports staff Fnatic) has a minimalist vibe that will get out of the participant’s manner. That’s comprehensible, however the M10S is priced on the prime of the market, so it must really feel well worth the premium. Nevertheless, in case you’re extra involved about operate than aesthetics, the M10S design has perks. 

Sony Inzone M10S connectivity and menus  

The Sony Inzone M10S has a single DisplayPort 2.1 port and two HDMI 2.1 ports for a complete of three video inputs, all of which assist the monitor’s full characteristic set together with refresh charges as much as 480Hz. That’s good. At this value, nevertheless, I’d choose to additionally see USB-C enter with DisplayPort and Energy Supply.  

In regards to the DisplayPort 2.1 port: That is the primary monitor I’ve reviewed with DisplayPort 2.1 and one of many first shows of any sort to assist it. Nevertheless, it makes use of the bottom tier of DisplayPort 2.1 (known as UHBR10). Due to that, the monitor nonetheless makes use of Show Stream Compression (DSC)—as do most high-refresh screens obtainable in the present day. DSC is nearly unimaginable to note in video games, so it’s not an enormous deal both manner, however value point out as Sony calls out DisplayPort 2.1 in its advertising and marketing.  

USB connectivity is much less spectacular. It lacks USB-C, as talked about, so it as an alternative has a single USB-B upstream port related to 2 USB-A downstream ports. The ports are all USB 3.0, although Sony in any other case doesn’t point out the small print. Whereas it’s good to see the monitor can no less than deal with a wired USB-A keyboard and mouse, most screens bought in 2024 do extra with USB. 

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The M10S’ monitor choices are managed with a joystick on its proper rear flank. The joystick is a bit too responsive and sometimes accelerated previous my supposed choice, however I feel most customers will get used to that quirk over time. The menus are logically organized and look enticing, which provides to the monitor’s premium really feel. Some menu choices will also be accessed by Sony’s Inzone Hub software program utility, which is obtainable for Home windows PCs. Inzone Hub will also be used with different Inzone peripherals just like the Sony Inzone Buds (which, I’ll add, are fairly good). 

Sony additionally supplies some helpful further options. It has a brightness stabilizer, which can be utilized to cut back brightness fluctuations when switching between brighter and darker content material (a typical quirk of OLED panels).  

It additionally has a devoted 24.5-inch monitor mode that restricts the viewable space of the show. Whereas this mode may appear odd, it’s helpful for aggressive avid gamers who wish to hold the whole show area of their sight view. Along with that, the monitor has the same old gaming options like on-screen crosshairs, an FPS counter, and a timer.  

Whereas the M10S supplies a very good vary of connectivity and choices, it’s solely common for the category. The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP has an almost an identical characteristic set, and the Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3 has USB-C.  

Audio system are absent, too: There’s no audio in-built. That, nevertheless, is typical for the class. Solely a handful of high-end screens, just like the LG Ultragear 32GS95UE-B, supply a very good audio expertise.  

Sony Inzone M10S SDR picture high quality 

The Sony Inzone M10S has an LG W-OLED panel. I’ve tried a number of screens with this kind of panel over the previous 12 months, so I’ve a good suggestion what to anticipate—and the M10S didn’t shock me. Although it may possibly’t fairly match Samsung QD-OLED screens, it nonetheless delivers glorious general picture high quality in SDR 

Matthew Smith / Foundry

I measured a most SDR brightness of about 267 nits from the M10S. That, because the graph reveals, is an anticipated outcome for an OLED monitor however effectively behind the brightness of an LCD show.  

For most individuals, the M10S will nonetheless be brilliant sufficient, and I used the monitor at 35 to 50 p.c of most brightness. Nevertheless, the monitor’s most brightness can start to really feel dim if positioned subsequent to a brilliant, sunlit window. I doubt most buyers trying on the M10S are planning to make use of it that manner, given how closely its advertising and marketing leans in direction of gaming and esports, nevertheless it’s value realizing.  

I’ve determined to ditch the distinction graph as a result of the M10S, like different OLED screens, can obtain an successfully infinite distinction ratio. The result’s a wealthy, immersive picture that pulls your eye into the show and makes LCD shows look horrible by comparability. Nevertheless, the M10S has no benefit over its direct opponents. All trendy OLED screens obtain the identical wonderful distinction. 

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Colour efficiency is a mixture bag for the M10S.  

On the plus aspect, the monitor’s coloration gamut is superb by any historic measure. It reached 96 p.c of DCI-P3 and 89 p.c of AdobeRGB. Each outcomes point out that the monitor can show a variety of colours well-suited not solely to video games but in addition content material creation. The monitor has a devoted sRGB mode, too, which is beneficial if you wish to purposefully slim the colour gamut for extra correct viewing of content material meant for sRGB. 

Nevertheless, because the graph reveals, the M10S isn’t a exceptional performer in 2024. Samsung QD-OLED screens usually have a wider coloration gamut. The identical is true of Mini-LED shows with a Quantum Dots coating, just like the Redmagic 4K Gaming Monitor. The M10S is sweet, however behind the leaders. 

Matthew Smith / Foundry

It’s an identical story in coloration accuracy. The monitor’s accuracy is actually adequate for video games or motion pictures, and advantageous for all however probably the most demanding skilled content material creation. Nonetheless, the monitor is barely behind class leaders.  

I can report comparable leads to gamma and coloration temperature.  

The monitor hit a default SDR gamma curve of two.1, which is barely off our goal of two.2 and signifies that the picture was a tad extra luminant than most well-liked (although, actually, I didn’t discover).  

Colour temperature was a much bigger drawback, because the default coloration temperature got here in manner above our goal of 6500K and as an alternative hit 7700K. Meaning the monitor’s white level has a noticeable cool, bluish hue. Fortuitously, the monitor has a Heat coloration temperature mode that units the temperature to 6600K, which is extra in step with our desire. 

Sharpness is both advantageous or good, relying in your wants. The monitor’s 2560×1440 decision works out to a pixel density of about 110 pixels per inch throughout the 26.5-inch show panel.  

It usually appears to be like sharp however, like different OLED panels, the particulars of OLED’s sub-pixel association could cause small textual content and high-contrast edges to look a bit pixelated or show odd, off-color artifacts. It’s not apparent at first look however simple to pick on shut inspection. Nevertheless, each 1440p panel suffers this to a point: You really want to go for a 32-inch 4K OLED if sharpness tops your listing of must-have options.  

OLED purists ought to know this monitor has an anti-glare coat. It is a level of some competition amongst super-fans: Some swear by the clear and vivid look of a shiny panel, whereas others choose the reflection dealing with of anti-glare. I lean in direction of the second camp and loved the anti-glare end Sony has right here. It’s efficient at combating ambient gentle but doesn’t dampen the show panel’s vibrance.  

Total, the Sony Inzone M10S delivers typical picture high quality for an LG WOLED monitor. It scores extraordinarily effectively in most areas and doesn’t undergo any vital defeats, however lags barely behind Samsung QD-OLED screens in coloration efficiency. With that stated, although, the Sony Inzone M10S has a subjectively alluring picture with vivid coloration and wealthy distinction that’s lightyears forward of cheaper LCD shows.  

Sony Inzone M10S HDR picture high quality 

The Sony Inzone M10S helps HDR and is VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 licensed. In my testing it achieved a most sustained HDR brightness of 667 nits in a ten p.c window, 381 nits in a 50 p.c window, and 213 nits in a 100% window (the place the proportion represents the quantity of the show lit to above 1,000 nits, whereas the remainder of the show is black). 

Matthew Smith / Foundry

That is typical efficiency for a contemporary OLED monitor, however higher than many fashions from 2023. It’s additionally adequate to ship convincing leads to HDR content material that depends on brilliant, however fleeting, highlights (just like the explosions of Mad Max: Fury Street and the neon-lit alleys of Cyberpunk 2077). Whereas screens just like the Samsung Odyssey G8 OLED are most likely higher for HDR general, the Sony Inzone M10S does effectively. 

It’s not a flawless efficiency, although, for 2 causes. First, the M10S doesn’t enable brightness adjustment in HDR. That is typical of HDR, because the content material usually controls the brightness. Nevertheless, on a PC monitor it’s finest to have a brightness override, as HDR content material can generally look annoyingly brilliant. The M10S additionally experiences plenty of luminance instability on the Home windows desktop in HDR. That’s annoying if, say, you’re making an attempt to edit an HDR film in a single window whereas the script is open on the opposite aspect of your show.  

Nonetheless, the Sony M10S is an efficient monitor for HDR gaming. It has the distinction and, in most conditions, the brightness wanted to offer a punchy HDR picture.  

Sony Inzone M10S movement efficiency 

Whereas the Sony Inzone M10S has a superb SDR and good HDR picture, movement readability is the actual purpose to purchase the show. It’s certainly one of a small handful of screens with an LG WOLED panel that may attain 480Hz at a decision of 1440p. Put extra merely, the monitor can replace the picture as much as 480 instances each second—that’s eight instances larger than a 60Hz monitor. 

Due to that, the M10S is actually in a position to ship extra visible data to your eyes. OLED’s low pixel response time helps, as effectively, decreasing blur brought on by sluggish pixels (a typical drawback in cheap IPS and VA panel screens). Mixed, these components make for a remarkably crisp picture.  

Once I reviewed the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP, the primary 480Hz OLED to cross my desk, I known as its movement readability “almost perfect.” The identical applies to the Sony Inzone M10S. It’s one thing that you simply actually should see to imagine. And, when you see it, you would possibly end up miffed while you return to a 60Hz, 144Hz, or 240Hz monitor which, by comparability, will look sluggish and blurry.  

Whereas the Sony Inzone M10S has nice movement readability, it lacks a black body insertion (BFI) characteristic. BFI tosses a black body between actual frames, which has the impact of decreasing perceived movement blur. Many OLED screens skip it, however Asus’ PG27AQDP makes it obtainable at a refresh price of 240Hz or beneath (Asus calls it ELMB). That’s useful in case you prefer to play visually demanding video games that may battle to succeed in excessive body charges, as it may possibly enhance movement readability in these titles.  

The M10S helps VESA Adaptive Sync, VRR, and Nvidia G-Sync. By extension, this implies it would additionally assist AMD FreeSync (which I confirmed by utilizing the monitor with an AMD Radeon 7800 XT video card). Due to this, the M10S can present clean, even body pacing alongside any trendy video card. Sony says VRR can even work with a PlayStation 5, however I didn’t have one readily available to check.  

Whereas I’ve no scarcity of reward for the M10S relating to movement efficiency, it encounters the identical small drawback it encounters in picture high quality: The competitors can also be glorious. The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP, which gained PCWorld’s Editors’ Alternative award, is a tricky act to comply with. The M10S seems to carry out simply as effectively however doesn’t have a bonus.  

Is the Sony Inzone M10S value it?

The Sony Inzone M10S is a big enchancment over its predecessor, the Inzone M9. Whereas the Inzone M9 was technically a pc monitor, it regarded and felt extra like a PlayStation 5 peripheral. The M10S, in contrast, is a correct PC gaming monitor that delivers the design, options, picture high quality, and movement efficiency that PC avid gamers count on from a cutting-edge monitor. 

Nevertheless, the M10S shares one drawback with its predecessor: It’s costly. Priced at $1,099.99, the M10S is $100 dearer than the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP—and it’s not clear what that buys you. Additionally, the cheaper Asus has a three-year guarantee, whereas the Sony is caught with a one-year guarantee. That places the Sony Inzone M10S a tad behind the Asus.  

Nonetheless, the M10S is a top-tier gaming monitor that’s effectively value your consideration, particularly if discounted sooner or later (which frequently occurs).