The Samsung Smart Monitor wants to be a TV for your desk *updated*
The Samsung Smart Monitor wants to be a TV for your desk *updated*
Note: This article was first published on 27th November 2020, and is now re-published with new models and price points.
Samsung has announced the Smart Monitor, which it claims is the world’s first monitor to combine over-the-top (OTT) media service, mobile connectivity and remote PC capabilities. Put another way, other than the smaller size and lack of a tuner, the Smart Monitor bears a closer relation to a smart TV than a traditional desktop monitor.
Available in two series — FHD M5 and 4K M7 — the Smart Monitor has built-in Wi-Fi and you can connect it directly to the internet (no computer required!) to access your Office 365 documents stored in the cloud.
It also features a remote access function, which means you can get to the files on the computer it’s connected to, even when you’re out of office or home, as long as there’s an internet connection.
The Smart Monitor supports Bluetooth and has USB and HDMI ports so it’s easy to hook it up to PCs, set-top boxes and other peripherals. If you’ve a compatible Galaxy device, you can also cast the DeX desktop wirelessly to the bigger display.
Like Samsung’s smart TVs, the Smart Monitor runs Tizen and has an embedded app store that's home to popular streaming apps such as Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Hulu and YouTube. The self-sufficient monitor, which can pump out sound through its built-in two-channel 5W speakers, even supports Apple’s AirPlay 2 wireless media streaming and control standard.
To blur the TV-or-monitor line even further, you’re given a remote control for navigating the interface, which looks just like the one found on Samsung TVs. And like the remote that comes with the TVs, you can hold down the microphone button on this remote and ask Bixby for help.
In the U.S., the 27-inch and 32-inch M5 (both FHD resolution) are priced at US$229.99 and US$279.99 respectively. The 32-inch M7 (4K) is going for US$399.99. Size and resolution differences aside, the M7 packs an additional USB 2.0 port and is the only one that has a USB-C port that supports 65W charging.
Samsung has informed us that the 27-inch M5 will go on sale in Singapore in the first week of December 2020, followed by the 32-inch M5 and M7 in the third week. Here are their prices:
- M5 27-inch — S$548
- M5 32-inch — S$698
- M7 32-inch — S$898
*Update: 11 Jun 2021 with new models and pricing*
The M5 line of monitors now has a new 24-inch (black) model in addition to the 27-inch and 32-inch models announced in November last year. Also new to the list are the white editions of the M5 series for both sizes. However, the M5 32-inch model will only be available in Singapore in August 2021.
In addition to the earlier launched M7 32-inch model, there is also a new 43-inch M7 monitor in black. In terms of specifications, it is largely the same as the previous M7, but supports Samsung’s solar cell-powered remote control first introduced with Samsung's new 2021 TVs.
Here are the price points for the new entries:-
- M5 24-inch — S$448
- M5 27-inch (white) — S$548
- M5 32-inch (white) — S$698
- M7 43-inch — S$1,088
Local Availability and Pricing
The new Smart Monitor line-up is available on the Samsung Online Store and major consumer electronics and IT stores from 14 June 2021. Pre-orders are open for the M5 24-inch here. The M7 32-inch model is already on sale in Singapore for S$728 (U.P. $898) at the Samsung Online store.
Consumers will receive a complimentary Samsung Bundle gift consisting of:
- Logitech wireless Touch keyboard K400 worth S$69,
- EZ-Link card value worth S$10,
- Smart Monitor 3-ply reusable mask worth S$5
Model | M5 | M7 | |
---|---|---|---|
Display | Screen Size (Inch) | 24”, 27”, 32” | 32", 43” |
Flat / Curved | Flat | Flat | |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 | |
Viewing Angle | 178° (Horizontal)/178° (Vertical) | 178° (Horizontal)/178° (Vertical) | |
Brightness (Typical) | 250cd/m2 (Typical) | 250cd/m2 (Typical) | |
Resolution (Pixels) | 1,920 x 1,080 (FHD) | 3,840 x 2,160 (UHD) | |
HDR | HDR10 | HDR10 | |
Interface | HDMI 2.0 | 2 ports | 2 ports |
USB-C | N/A | 1 port (65W Charging) | |
Wi-Fi 5 | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth 4.2 | Yes | Yes | |
Speaker | 5W x 2 | 5W x 2 | |
USB 2.0 | 2 ports | 3 ports | |
Smart Feature / Service | OS | Tizen 5.5 | Tizen 5.5 |
Voice Assistant (Bixby 2.0) | Yes | Yes | |
VOD (Netflix, YouTube, etc.) | Yes | Yes | |
Mobile Casting/Mirroring | Yes | Yes | |
Remote Access | Yes | Yes |
Source: Samsung.