It’s official. And you read it here first. Sony has expanded its Inzone gaming monitor lineup by launching the new 27-inch Inzone M10S globally yesterday. While gamers and PlayStation enthusiasts are still celebrating, we’ve already secured one before its global launch to become perhaps the first publication in the world to review this latest monitor from Sony. So, is it worth it? Should you spend your hard-earned money on this Dh4,699 monitor? Read on to find out.
Unboxing the pre-production test piece Inzone M10S from Sony, the first impression was a blend of sleekness and sturdiness. Lifting the new M10S out of its box, it was immediately clear that this new monitor from Sony was a masterpiece of design and finishing. Finished in matte all-black, it is a stylish addition to any desk or gaming setup. The screen itself is wafer-thin, with a thicker center stack behind it where all the connecting ports and the power connection are housed. This is also where the single-stalk support stand joins, clicking into place reassuringly, proving good build quality.
Assembling the components and setting up the monitor was effortless and took just a few minutes. In contrast to some competing monitors we’ve tested recently, which required complex assembly, Sony’s setup was refreshingly simple. The single arm that supports the screen attaches to a small circular swivel base, which takes up minimal space on your table while providing a sturdy foundation for the monitor, allowing it to rotate a full 360 degrees. Best of all, the power cable does not need to be threaded through any metal tubes on the supporting arm, enabling hassle-free connection to the nearest plug point.
The screen itself is sleek, silky, and smooth, with a wafer-thin bezel that makes the screen appear borderless. This gives an edge-to-edge visual experience, making the screen look larger than its actual size. Sony’s Inzone monitors are designed with gaming in mind, and with the M10S, Sony has outdone itself. Not only is the M10S the sleekest Sony monitor yet, but it also boasts specs that any gamer would drool over. With a super-high 480Hz refresh rate and an incredibly low response time of only 0.03 milliseconds, it’s also a QHD monitor, offering a native resolution of 1440p.
If you’re a gamer, you’ll be pleased to know that Sony developed the M10S in collaboration with renowned esports team Fnatic. Given Fnatic’s expertise, it’s no surprise to see features like FPS Pro settings for first-person shooter games and a specialized 24.5-inch gaming mode. When this mode is activated, games are displayed at a native resolution of 1332p, with support for even lower resolutions like 1080p. This ensures a comfortable familiarity for gamers accustomed to traditional 24.5-inch monitors.
The monitor also introduces two tailored picture modes specifically for FPS games. The FPS Pro+ mode, developed with Fnatic’s VALORANT team, optimizes image clarity and enhances performance during intense battles. Meanwhile, the FPS Pro mode simulates the visual characteristics of TN panel LCD monitors commonly used in professional tournaments, ensuring familiarity for competitive players. According to Sony, its partnership with Fnatic began in 2023 and has evolved to create the INZONE M10S, a monitor tailored for both professional and aspiring gamers.
The visual performance of this monitor is stunning. Even as a non-avid gamer, the vibrancy, clarity, and immersive quality of the visuals were mesmerizing when playing games like Valorant, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. The colors were bright, and the blacks were deep and saturated, while the impressive peak brightness of 1300 nits made details stand out, allowing easy spotting of agents lurking in the shadows and frame edges to prevent ambushes. Sony has incorporated advanced Micro Lens Array+ technology and DisplayHDR True Black 400 in the M10S, bringing scenes in games to life with stunning detail and realism.
The self-illuminated OLED pixels respond more rapidly than traditional LCD panels, providing a blur-free experience that enhanced gameplay. The QHD resolution offers approximately 1.8 times the pixel density of a standard Full HD, making for more realistic and saturated visuals. If you’re an eco-warrior, you’ll be happy to know that Sony has also tried to reduce the environmental impact of the new M10S by avoiding the use of molded foam cushions and including a low power consumption mode.
However, there are a few drawbacks. The lack of a supplied HDMI cable is a frustration, especially considering the premium price of Dh4,699. Additionally, the visuals are so tuned to gaming that when consuming normal content like YouTube videos, the default picture is too bright and washed out, requiring adjustments to get it just right. But, nitpicking aside, this is a stunning gaming monitor from Sony that should be at the top of your must-have list if you live and breathe gaming or own a PlayStation.
Sony Inzone M10S Gaming Monitor Hits: Stunning visuals, Sleek design, Developed with gaming modes Misses: A tad overpriced, Not enough cables included Price: Dh4,699 Rating: 4.5 stars
