The Sony InZone M10S marks Sony’s foray into OLED gaming monitors, boasting a stunning 480Hz refresh rate and record-breaking brightness. This monitor demands attention with its impressive specifications, but its high price and limited warranty raise concerns. Is the InZone M10S worth the investment, or are there better alternatives?
A Refined Design
Stand on the Sony InZone M10S.The compact stand of the Sony InZone M10S.
Sony has abandoned the divisive design of the InZone M9 in favor of a more conventional aesthetic. The M10S resembles other gaming monitors at first glance, but closer inspection reveals a thoughtful design. Developed in collaboration with esports team Fnatic, the compact stand maximizes desk space and allows for optimal keyboard and mouse placement.
Cable management channel on the InZone M10S.Integrated cable management channel on the InZone M10S.
A welcome addition is the integrated cable routing channel, minimizing cable clutter. While effective for the power adapter, accommodating DisplayPort cables with ferrite beads proved challenging. A slightly larger channel would address this minor inconvenience. The M10S offers excellent adjustability, including 180 degrees of swivel, 30 degrees of tilt, and 4.7 inches of height adjustment. Alternatively, users can utilize the 100mm x 100mm VESA mount for monitor arm compatibility.
Competitive Edge Features
Doom Eternal on the InZone M10S.Doom Eternal displayed on the InZone M10S showcasing its vibrant colors.
Targeting competitive gamers, the M10S boasts a feature set tailored for esports. Notably, a 24.5-inch mode crops the display while maintaining native resolution, replicating tournament setups. Two dedicated picture profiles, FPS Pro and FPS Pro+, enhance visuals for competitive play. FPS Pro+ boosts saturation for improved character outlines, while FPS Pro emulates the look of traditional LCD displays for training purposes.
PS5-specific features are also included. When connected to a PlayStation 5, the monitor automatically adjusts picture profiles based on content, optimizing the viewing experience for games and movies. Curiously, the M10S lacks auto HDR tone mapping, a feature present in the InZone M9 and M9 II.
DisplayPort 2.1 and More
The OSD on the Sony InZone M10S.The intuitive OSD of the Sony InZone M10S.
Sony’s on-screen display (OSD) is intuitive and easily navigated via the four-way joystick. The InZone Hub software provides complete monitor control using a keyboard and mouse. Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 2.1 connection, and an integrated USB hub. While the DisplayPort 2.1 inclusion is forward-thinking, the absence of USB-C, power delivery, and a KVM switch is disappointing, especially considering the M10S’s premium price.
Unmatched Brightness
An OLED monitor demo on the Sony InZone M10S.A vibrant OLED demo on the InZone M10S.
The InZone M10S boasts exceptional color performance and brightness. Achieving 100% sRGB, 98% DCI-P3, and 89% AdobeRGB coverage, the M10S slightly surpasses competing OLED monitors. While color accuracy out-of-the-box requires improvement, calibration significantly enhances performance.
Reaching over 1,200 nits of peak brightness in HDR, the M10S sets a new standard. However, brightness diminishes notably with larger window sizes. SDR brightness, although meeting Sony’s specifications, remains relatively dim.
480Hz: Necessary or Excessive?
Cyberpunk 2077 on the Sony InZone M10S.Cyberpunk 2077 showcased on the Sony InZone M10S.
The M10S excels in gaming, delivering stunning visuals, especially in cinematic titles. The 480Hz refresh rate, combined with OLED’s rapid pixel response times, results in unparalleled motion clarity. However, this level of performance comes at a steep price. Less expensive, last-generation OLED monitors with 240Hz refresh rates offer a compelling alternative for most gamers.
Warranty Concerns
An OLED demo on the Sony InZone M10S.An OLED demo highlighting the deep blacks of the InZone M10S.
While Sony’s warranty covers burn-in, the one-year coverage period is concerning, especially compared to the three-year warranties offered by competitors. This limited warranty undermines confidence in the M10S’s long-term performance. Burn-in mitigation features, such as an automatic screensaver and pixel shifting, are included but do not fully alleviate the warranty concerns.
The Verdict
Forza Horizon 5 on the Sony InZone M10S.Forza Horizon 5 displayed on the InZone M10S, showcasing its impressive visual capabilities.
The Sony InZone M10S is a remarkable OLED gaming monitor with exceptional brightness and a blazing-fast refresh rate. However, the high price and short warranty make it difficult to recommend wholeheartedly. Unless a significant price drop occurs or the 480Hz refresh rate is absolutely essential, less expensive alternatives offer a better value proposition. Competing monitors provide comparable performance with longer warranty coverage, making them a more compelling choice for most gamers.
