Samsung's New 32-Inch 'M8' Display vs. Apple's Studio Display

[MacRumors]

Samsung recently introduced the M8, a new 32-inch 4K display that's priced at $700, making it less than half as expensive as the Studio Display from Apple. We picked up one of the displays and thought we'd compare it to the Studio Display in our latest YouTube video to see how it performs and whether you can save some money by going with a cheaper option.

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In addition to serving as a display, the M8 also doubles as a 4K TV, featuring Tizen OS, built-in apps and an app store, a remote control, built-in Apple AirPlay support, and a 1080p webcam, all of which sounds great.

With a 4K resolution, the display looks great, but unsurprisingly, it's not quite as good as the 5K Studio Display, which definitely has the better screen. The Studio Display is sharper, more vibrant, and offers more accurate color, so it's definitely a better choice for those who are doing professional work.

As for design, the M8 looks to be inspired by the Studio Display and the 24-inch iMac, with Samsung offering it in white, blue, pink, and green aluminum. It looks good, and it's going to match your Apple devices because it's clearly an Apple-like aesthetic. The Samsung display is larger than the Studio Display at 32 inches instead of 27 inches, and out of the box, it's tilt and height adjustable, a feature that requires an upgrade on the Studio Display. There is no VESA mount option, though.

The Studio Display wins out when it comes to the speakers and microphone, and it features 4 USB-C ports, while the Samsung monitor has a couple USB-C ports and a micro HDMI port. The add-on camera attaches magnetically on the M8, and though the Studio Display offers Center Stage for FaceTime and other video apps, the M8 has a similar feature.

All in all, if you're looking for affordability and versatility, the M8 is worth the $700 because it also doubles as a TV, but if you want premium quality for professional work, the Studio Display is the better choice.

Article Link: Samsung's New 32-Inch 'M8' Display vs. Apple's Studio Display

 

[adamw]

Should be a nice display alternative to save Mac users some bucks. It is not Retina quality though.

 

[Billrey]

The Samsung is a non-starter for Mac users, because it’s only 4k @ 32 inches, which means it’s not a retina display. Basically useless for the Mac then.

 

[Fraserh02]

This is a very lazy article. More information please.. some pros and cons, what each has that the other doesn’t. I don’t really see the point in this?

 

[GeoStructural]

Samsung's monitor to be the better value here.

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Edited to share Max Tech's review of the M8 Monitor, they are notoriously biased fanboys and still were largely impressed with the monitor. They do sound and display comparison with the Studio Display, I recommend watching.

 

[AngerDanger]

I like how the webcam is like the logical inverse of the notch.

 

[everlast3434]

This is awesome. I feel like a fool for buying the Studio Display ?

 

[macsplusmacs]

4K < 5K

I need 5K. Or 6K.

Or 7K.

Let's hope this WWDC.

 

[michaelprescott]

What is so difficult about making a small bezel with equal dimensions all around?

 

[BWhaler]

Samsung. Just once it would be great for them to have an original thought in their own heads.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

My favorite: 1080p webcam. It's a nice throwback Samsung put on this display.

 

[Billrey]

4K < 5K

I need 5K.

At 32 inches you would actually need 6k to be a retina display. The Studio Display, which is 27”, is 5k, which results in the correct PPI for Mac.

 

[vagos]

I own a samsung 32" 4K display and it's amazing. It's got lots of real estate which makes it perfect for coding. In the distance I'm sitting I can't tell the difference between a real retina display. It's got the same real estate as the 6K apple display only with less pixels. And I only bought it for 400€ !!!

 

[macsplusmacs]

At 32 inches you would actually need 6k to be a retina display. The Studio Display, which is 27”, is 5k, which results in the correct PPI for Mac.

This is why I am very interested in the size of the rumored 7K display.

Would it be 36" then do you think?

 

[macsplusmacs]

"It's got the same real estate as the 6K apple display only"


Same physical size.

not the same pixel real estate.

Huge. Difference.

 

[rpmurray]

I own a samsung 32" 4K display and it's amazing. It's got lots of real estate which makes it perfect for coding. In the distance I'm sitting I can't tell the difference between a real retina display. It's got the same real estate as the 6K apple display only with less pixels. And I only bought it for 400€ !!!

View attachment 1994672

What model is that? Looks great.

 

[erikkfi]

What I really wanted was for Apple to make a competitor with this display - maybe $1100 for something a smidge better than this. Apple keeps their fat profit margin and I don't have to feel that awful feeling that the Studio Display is truly just a bit too expensive for what you get.

Also I really don't need a 32-inch desk monitor and having it be so large lowers the PPI quite a bit.

 

[mattb19us]

I'd love to learn more about Samsung's version of Center Stage/auto-tracking on their webcam. I'm ready to pull the trigger on this

 

[vagos]

What model is that? Looks great.

LS32AM700

 

[Moonlight]

This is not perfect, but it is very nice

 

[W2u7Yw4HaD]

I'm still wondering why you buy the studio display vs a whole iMac which is nearly or similarly priced..? Ok, so that's only a 4k display.. But other than that? Either the display is too expensive or the iMac is too cheap..

 

[Billrey]

I own a samsung 32" 4K display and it's amazing. It's got lots of real estate which makes it perfect for coding. In the distance I'm sitting I can't tell the difference between a real retina display. It's got the same real estate as the 6K apple display only with less pixels. And I only bought it for 400€ !!!

Sure, of course you can buy any non-retina display and save money. For those of us that care, that just doesn’t cut it. There is a world of difference between running native retina 2x 1:1 resolution on a proper 220PPI display vs some blurry scaled UI on a low-PPI display.

 

[BornAgainMac]

I wish it had the M8 in it. That would be a huge upgrade.

 

[StudioMacs]

This is awesome. I feel like a fool for buying the Studio Display ?

The Samsung is 4K 32”, so resolution on the Samsung is only 138 PPI, compared to 218 PPI for the Apple Studio Display. If you want the smooth text, you’ll go from a 1440p workspace on the Studio Display to a comically large 1080p workspace on the Samsung.

 

[kalafalas]

I had the M7. The built in features were nice, the VA panel was dark and terrible. I returned it. The LG UP850 I replaced it with is much more worth the money, and I don’t really miss the smart features.