The Samsung M9 M90SF represents the brand’s top of the line in its segment of smart monitors for mixed use. This model now has an OLED panel that should go well with its improved gaming prowess and built-in smart TV features. The M90SF is a very desirable product for consumers who want more for their money, but let’s see if it’s worth it.
Samsung M9 M90SF Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution:3840 x 2160 UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: OLED
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 0.03ms
- Contrast Ratio:?
- Brightness: 250 cd/m2 (450 cd/m2 Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 1, USB-C x 1, USB-C Upstream x 1, USB-A x 2, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 28.2″ x 23.6″ x 7.9″
- Weight: 18.5 lbs
Design and Features
The Samsung M9 M90SF dons a simpler yet elegant aesthetic, which could make some think that it’s an Apple monitor. The matte silver aesthetic is very easy on the eyes, but it also won’t overpower your themed build if that’s the case. The screen has a bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like most modern displays.
This model is also a 32-inch variant, like many of the attractive OLED models in the current market. However, the stand’s design consumes less space, so the whole thing only needs 7.9 inches of depth. The device is slightly heavier than other OLEDs at 18.5 pounds, but it’s still manageable.
The monitor’s build quality matches its aesthetic and, of course, its price point. The materials used are attractive yet sturdy, plus we didn’t see any cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The included stand is capable of holding the large display up, but it can still allow some wobble if you nudge it with enough force.
The Samsung M9 M90SF has an OSD joystick at the bottom of the chassis, but it still has a full-featured remote similar to the ones included with Samsung TVs. This makes it easier to manipulate its convoluted OSD. The only minor issue with it is that it will need batteries at some point, but that should be far off from becoming an issue.
The included stand offers tilt, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. It will require assembly out of the box, but that’s a minor inconvenience. This model is also compatible with VESA mounts, but there’s very little need for it.
The Samsung M9 M90SF’s I/O layout is almost identical to the Apple Display’s port configuration. The slots are all horizontal instead of down-firing, so it should be easier to plug cables in. It includes DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.1, USB-C, 3.5mm audio, and a trio of USB ports for data.
You also get a 4K camera with this monitor, making video conferencing a breeze. It is crisp and clear if your room is well-lit, but it can get grainy when the room is a bit dark.
You also get more powerful speakers with 5 watts of power since this model is also intended to be used like a TV. They are not full-range like an external setup, but they sound better than most built-ins. A dedicated setup or headphones would be a world of difference, but it’s nice to have a usable option considering the price of this monitor.
Display and Performance
The Samsung M9 M90SF sports a 32-inch OLED panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms response time. The panel has a 250 cd/m2 output and a 450 cd/m2 peak, while its contrast is unlisted. This model is fully capable of HDR 400 True Black, so it’s significantly better at producing HDR effects for compatible content.
4K is much more comfortable at 32 inches simply because the pixels are not too tight. It’s easier to read and write, but its sharp and crisp for games and movies. You will need a powerful system to feed it, but more and more cards are now becoming capable of 144Hz+ 4K graphics, so that’s doable.
The Samsung M9 M90SF covered 100% of sRGB and 95% of DCI-P3 for stunning color in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 2.18, so it’s decently accurate out of the box thanks to factory calibration. Most users won’t need to do anything to it apart from adjusting the brightness level to a comfortable setting.
Calibrating the monitor reduced the dE average to 1.07, making it more suitable for editing. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve the same results, and those can be expensive. We can only recommend the purchase if you will use this for color-critical work.
The Samsung M9 M90SF’s brightness reached 261 cd/m2 at 100% and it peaked at 455 cd/m2 in HDR. That’s dim by today’s standards, but it’s still enough to press this model’s advantage in creating HDR effects. Its contrast is immeasurable, indicating that the panel can give us that desirable inky dark black in night scenes.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was great since there were no leaks or clouding issues. OLEDs do not have backlights, so there is virtually no chance of this happening on them. Note that OLEDs are susceptible to burn-in, and this aspect can still vary with every monitor made due to tolerances.
The Samsung M9 M90SF’s pixel response time is fantastic since it doesn’t have to wait for a backlight for transitions. It’s slightly less smooth than the 240Hz options, but the difference isn’t entirely a deal-breaker. This model is just as great for fast-paced games as most OLED monitors out there.
The Samsung M9 M90SF is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for stuttering and tearing-free gaming. Dual compatibility is a must-have for expensive monitors, so you don’t have to rebuy a monitor if you switch to the other GPU brand. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 165Hz, so it’s as fast as the best gaming monitors out there.
Thoughts on the Samsung M9 M90SF
The Samsung M9 M90SF is a fantastic option based on what it has to offer. It’s a beautiful OLED gaming monitor initially, but it’s also a capable entertainment platform because of its built-in smart TV OS. It’s designed very well and is robust, plus it has the desirable features most would want to see on a high-end display.
However, the biggest drawback of the Samsung M9 M90SF is its massive price tag. It also has a clunky OS, which can prove to be difficult to use, but we don’t think it’s a deal-breaker. This monitor is very nice to have, but we’d wait for a radical discount since it’s overpriced in our opinion.
Pros:
- Great Imaging Performance
- Gaming Plus Smart TV Features
- Excellent Design
Cons:
- Very Expensive
- Clunky OSD
About the Author: 
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations, and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom-explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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