By The Inzone M9, Sony’s first gaming display, was released in 2022 to mixed reviews despite some fanfare. Despite superb visual quality, the monitor’s design was divisive and its high price tag was unjustified. With the M10S, Sony has returned with a second generation of gaming monitors. The Sony Inzone M10S is an OLED display that gains knowledge from its predecessor in several important ways.
Sony Inzone M10S specs and features
When it comes to the M10S, Sony is not holding back. The monitor features an LG OLED panel with a refresh rate of up to 480 Hz and a display resolution of 2560 x 1440. Despite not being the first monitor to employ this OLED screen, it is at the very top of the range of OLED refresh rates. It does not get much better than this, at least not regarding motion clarity.
- Size of display: 27-inch widescreen 16:9
- Original Resolution: 2560 x 1440
- Type of panel: LG WOLED
- Maximum refresh rate: 480 Hz
- Adaptive Sync: Nvidia G-Sync, VRR, and VESA Adaptive Sync
- Indeed, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 supports HDR. Among the certified ports, one DisplayPort 2.1, two HDMI 2.1, one USB-B upstream, two USB-A downstream, one 3.5mm headphone port, and one USB Type-A for software updates.
- Mounting VESA: 100×100 mm
- Presenters: None
- The MSRP is $1,099.99.
Aside from the striking display screen, the monitor’s feature set is standard for a high-end OLED gaming monitor. It has two HDMI 2.1 connections in addition to one DisplayPort 2.1 (this is the first DP2.1 monitor I have tried).
The monitor has a USB upstream port that connects to two USB ports, but sadly, USB-C is not provided. Additionally, it supports VRR and VESA Adaptive Sync, meaning that it will function generally with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync (although only the former is specified officially).
Design
The design of the Sony Inzone M10S is a topic of much discussion. The contentious design of Sony’s first gaming display, the Inzone M9, was meant to blend in with the appearance and feel of the PlayStation 5 system and other Sony PlayStation devices. The monitor featured an oddly wide stand that was difficult to set up and operate, even though it made sense from a branding or marketing standpoint.
Thankfully, Sony has reconsidered its strategy with the M10S, but it has not just copied its rivals. Instead, the M10S features a distinctive disk-shaped stand that reduces the amount of space it takes up on a desk. Additionally, it has 180 degrees of swivel, which is significantly more than the usual 25 to 35 degrees that most gaming monitor stands to give. The stand appeals to me because it emphasizes the usefulness that is frequently lacking from the big, tripod-style stands that companies like Asus ROG and, occasionally, Alienware use.
The stand has a 180-degree swivel as well as tilt and height adjustments. However, the M10S cannot rotate into portrait mode, which somewhat reduces its usefulness as a second monitor. Additionally, the monitor can be used with third-party monitor arms or stands because it is compatible with a 100x100mm VESA mount.
Sony INZONE M10S 27” OLED QHD (2560×1440) 480Hz 0.03ms GTG NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible Gaming Monitor DisplayHDR 400, Anti-Glare, DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR10)
Although I like Sony’s design’s practicality, I am still not sure it fully comprehends the PC market. M10S feels a little too basic currently, despite being unquestionably a positive move (especially for a monitor with a premium price tag). The polymers used are fine but unimpressive, and they do not have the intriguing textures that are present in Alienware and Asus monitors. With the all-metal back panel of its latest Samsung Odyssey OLED monitors, Samsung provides a more opulent feel. Additionally, Sony chooses not to use RGB-LED lighting.
Sony probably would contend that M10S, which was developed based on input from the esports group Fnatic, has a minimalist aesthetic that moves out of the way of players. That makes sense, but because the M10S is the most expensive model on the market, it must be worth the extra money. The M10S design does have advantages, though, if functionality is more important to you than appearance.
Performance
Motion clarity is the primary reason to purchase the Sony Inzone M10S, even though it boasts a great SDR and HDR image. It is among the few monitors with an LG WOLED panel that can achieve 480 Hz at 1440p resolution. The monitor can update the image up to 480 times per second, which is eight times faster than a 60Hz panel, to put it simply. As a result, the M10S can provide your eyes with additional visual information. Additionally, OLED’s slow pixel reaction time helps to minimize blur from slow pixels, which is a typical issue with low-cost IPS and VA panel monitors. These elements work together to produce an exceptionally sharp image.
The first 480Hz OLED to arrive on my desk, the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP, with motion clarity that I described as “nearly perfect” in my review. The Sony Inzone M10S is no different. You have to see it to believe it. After seeing it, you may become irritated when you return to a 60Hz, 144Hz, or 240Hz monitor since it will appear slow and hazy in contrast. The Sony Inzone M10S lacks a black frame insertion (BFI) capability while having excellent motion clarity. BFI reduces perceived motion blur by throwing a black frame in between actual frames. The PG27AQDP from Asus offers it at a refresh rate of 240 Hz or less (Asus refers to it as ELMB), but many other OLED monitors omit it. This is beneficial if you enjoy playing graphically demanding games that have trouble achieving high frame rates because it can make the motion in those games clearer.
The M10S is compatible with Nvidia G-Sync, VRR, and VESA Adaptive Sync. This implies that AMD FreeSync will also be supported, which I was able to verify by utilizing the display with an AMD Radeon 7800 XT video card. As a result, the M10S can work with any contemporary video card to deliver steady, fluid frame pacing. Although I did not have a PlayStation 5 to test, Sony claims that VRR will also function with one. Although I have nothing but love for the M10S’s motion performance, it has the same minor issue with image quality: The competition is also quite good. It is difficult to top the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP, which took home the bestcomputerfinder Editors’ Choice award.
Conclusion
Compared to its predecessor, the Sony Inzone M9, the Inzone M10S is a significant advance. Technically speaking, the Inzone M9 was a computer display, but it felt and looked more like a PlayStation 5 add-on. On the other hand, the M10S is a legitimate PC gaming monitor that offers the features, design, motion performance, and image quality that PC gamers anticipate from a state-of-the-art display.
But the M10S has the same issue as its predecessor: it is pricey. The M10S costs $1,099.99, which is $100 more than the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP, although it is unclear what that money gets you. Additionally, the Sony is limited to a one-year guarantee, but the less costly Asus has a three-year one. This places the Asus slightly ahead of the Sony Inzone M10S. Nevertheless, the M10S is a premium gaming monitor that is well worth your consideration, particularly if it is later reduced in price, as frequently occurs.
