The Samsung Smart Monitor 2021 range are not your ordinary monitors. No, they are smart and offer integrated media and productivity apps, versatile connectivity, built-in speakers and some models even have a solar-powered remote control.
GadgetGuy has a smart monitor to review, and you should wait a couple of weeks so we can see just how smart it is. Now we can only give an overview of their features.
- Samsung Dex support for Galaxy S devices – this is like an Android desktop, and there is a range of productivity apps
- AirPlay for Apple connectivity, audio and video, and Mac hookup
- Tap view (like NFC Chromecast) from a smartphone
- Screen mirroring
- Office 365 apps to work anywhere
- Remote PC access to your office or home PC
- Entertainment apps (similar to the Samsung TV interface with Netflix et al.) Internet connection required.
- It is Samsung Tizen powered (same as its TVs) and has a remote control
- Auto source switching, adaptive brightness (to the ambient light) and speaker/speakers
- Wi-Fi 5 AC, BT 4.2, HDMI 2.0
- Google Assistant and Alexa via smartphone or speaker. We assume Siri via an iPhone
- VESA mountable
From what we see, these are flat, 1920 x 1080, 16:9, 16.7 million colour, 60Hz, IPS, or VA panels meant for business, not gaming. There is an M7 32” 4K model that also has a USB-C 65W upstream hub.
As time spent working, learning and playing from home increases, homes must become multi-functional environments. Our Smart Monitor lineup provides users with even more convenient and flexible ways to accomplish everyday activities. They enable users to truly ‘do it all’ through powerful mobile and PC connectivity on the smartest monitor available on the market today.
Phil Gaut, Director of Display and Memory Solutions at Samsung Australia. “
Samsung Smart Monitor 2021 range
Website here
| Model | RRP |
| M7 – 4K, 32/43” black frame | $699/899 |
| M5 – 1080p, 24/27/32” (27/32 White or black frame) | $239/399/499 |
GadgetGuy’s take
These certainly look interesting, and the actual value will come from the apps they can run and the functions they provide. At this stage, the 4K models look to be the sweet spot.
These look like a great alternative to having both a TV and computer in your study, especially the 4K USB-C version. Integrating the basic processing for everyday use, along with speakers and full connectivity is terrific, though it remains to be seen if the Dex environment has enough power to support all the Android apps people want to use on it.
As for including Bixby, that is something the world can do with less of.
I especially like the sound of a 43″ version for $899, but it doesn’t show up on Samsung’s website. Also hoping the next version adds a pivot/height adjust stand, a few USB3 ports, a webcam and curved screen.
We will be reviewing one in the next two weeks – stay tuned as it does look great on paper.
are there any monitors that can double as TV? QUICK QUESTION
Most 1920 x 1080p (1K) to 4K – 16″9 to 21:9 monitors have at least one HDMI port (and hopefully at least one DisplayPort). You can plug a 4K Google TV https://www.gadgetguy.com.au/chromecast-with-google-tv-streamer/ into HDMI and turn it into Android TV. It has all the free-to-air digital channels (comes over the internet). Laser has an Andsroid TV box with a TV tuner that plays normal TV as well. Just make sure whatever you buy supports the streaming services you want like Netfix, Amazon Prime, Disney etc.