The Sony Inzone M10S comes in as the most expensive QD-OLED monitor we’ve seen to date, but it does have its merits. It’s a lightning-fast QD-OLED gaming monitor that’s designed for E-Sports gaming instead of a display that’s tailored for the PS5 which doesn’t support 1440p. It has impressive specs, but let’s check what kind of advantage that extra premium presents versus cheaper alternative likes the MSI MPG 271QRX.
Sony Inzone M10S Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: OLED
- Refresh Rate: 480Hz
- Response Time: 0.03ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1500000:1
- Brightness: 275 cd/m2 (1300 cd/m2 Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 2.1 x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 2, USB 3.0 x 4, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 23.78” x 15.1” x 7.76”
- Weight: 13.67 lbs
Design and Features
The Sony Inzone M10S had a major redesign compared to the M3 and M9, making it look simpler and more sophisticated. The monitor has a matte black finish, so it looks cleaner and less polarizing to some than its predecessors. The screen has very thin borders, so the screen looks ultra-modern compared to its alternatives.
We like that this new model has a smaller footprint since it allows you to utilize more of your desk space. Its intended audience will need all the room that’s possible from the desk to execute wide swipes to achieve that 360-degree-no-scope shot. Its also very light and portable, so you can bring this to LAN parties without breaking a sweat.
Sony has a long-standing reputation to uphold in the display market, and their monitors are not exceptions. The build quality is excellent, and the plastic panels are sturdy and free from defects or signs of manufacturing flaws. The included stand is firm and stable even if its more compact, so the screen won’t sag or shake.
The Sony Inzone M10S has an OSD joystick for easy access to its settings and peripherals. It’s located at the back near the right-hand side, so it’s very easy to access even if you don’t see it. Other high-end models have remotes, but those are not essential for daily gaming.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. Pivoting wasn’t included, but that’s okay since this model was not intended to be used as a secondary portrait display. You can use VESA mounts, but there is very little extra to spend since the stand already saves a ton of space.
The Sony Inzone M10S has DisplayPort 2.1 and two HDMI 2.1 ports, but it lacks the flexibility USB-C adds to monitors. That leaves out laptops like MacBooks, so the monitor for work or school excuse might not fly for some. You also get four USB 3.0 ports and a 3.5mm jack for peripherals and headphones, so you can at least route your cables through it.
The Sony Inzone M10S doesn’t have speakers, but that’s okay since it deserves something better. Gaming headsets are better because they are tuned for this monitor’s primary purpose. They are easier to focus on and better for immersion compared to the tinny built-ins most monitors have.
Display and Performance
The Sony Inzone M10S sports a 27-inch OLED panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 480Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms response time. Its brightness has a 275 cd/m2 typical output and a 1300 cd/m2 peak, while its contrast is listed at 1500000:1. This model is HDR 400 True Black certified, but the biggest kicker here is its lightning-fast 480Hz advantage over other OLED options.
1440p is perfect for gaming and productivity, and it is slated to replace 1080p as the primary E-Sports standard. This noting gave way to super high refresh rate QHD monitors, with the limits ever increasing every time a new model comes out. It’s easy on the eyes and manageable enough so most can achieve the maximum output with most GPU tiers.
The Sony Inzone M10S covered more than 100% of sRGB and 95% of DCI-P3 for stunning color in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.87, so it was decently accurate despite the high saturation levels. Most users won’t need to calibrate it since it’s already decently balanced and out of the box.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.91, making it usable for color-critical work and content creation. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve the same results since each panel is different. It’s only worth it if you are doing color-critical work, but it’s unnecessary otherwise.
The Sony Inzone M10S’s panel puts out 301 cd/m2 in SDR, but it only peaked at 701 cd/m2 in HDR. Its contrast is near infinite, allowing it to produce the best HDR output when compared to mini-LED offerings. It’s capable of rich colors and deep blacks, so scenes look more realistic than they would on other panel types.
The M10S did not suffer from uniformity issues since it doesn’t have a backlight like its predecessor. The screen doesn’t suffer from leaks or clouding, making it considerably better at presenting clean images. Its only weakness is it can have burn-in if you’re not careful, but it is 100% preventable.
Its pixel response time is also excellent, thanks to the brutally high refresh rate and its lack of reliance on a backlight. There is no delay between transitions because of that, so there is no persistence or trailing. This monitor is one of your best options for E-Sports because of these qualities.
The Sony Inzone M10S is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for tearing and stutter-free gaming. This is an expensive monitor, so dual compatibility is a must have for future proofing. Its input lag sits at 2ms at 480Hz, making it one of the fastest monitor in the market.
Thoughts on the Sony Inzone M10S
The Sony Inzone M10S is an excellent choice for E-Sports gamers who want the best gaming display the market has to offer. Its crazy 480Hz 1440p output cannot be easily matched, making it a must-have for the hardcore. It is designed quite well, so upgrading won’t be necessary for a long time.
The biggest hindrance of the M10S is its sky-high price which is $200 to $300 higher than a 360Hz model. We expect it to have every tiny bit like USB-C at its price, so there is definitely some room for improvement. However, it’s a fantastic investment if you want one of the fastest in the market.
Pros:
- Brilliant HDR and Colors
- Lightning Fast
- Improved Design and Build Quality
- Made for E-Sports
Cons:
- Very Expensive
- No USB-C
About the Author: Paolo has been 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; he believes that 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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