Samsung M8 vs. Samsung M5: Which Monitor Is the Better Buy?

Key Points

• The Samsung M8 is a 4K monitor with a sharper image and higher resolution than the Samsung M5.
• The M8 has a peak brightness of 400 nits, while the M5 has a lower brightness of 250 nits.
• The M8 offers a micro HDMI or USB Type-C connection, while the M5 has full-sized HDMI ports.
• Both the M8 and M5 are compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac computers, but the M8 has the edge when used as a Mac display.
• The Samsung M8 can function as a TV in addition to a monitor, but the Tizen operating system is sluggish and often unresponsive.
• The M8 is a more capable monitor with a clearer picture, higher peak brightness, and better HDR support.

Samsung M8 vs. Samsung M5: which is the better monitor? Picking the right PC monitor boils down to many different factors. You’ve got your intended usage to worry about, like whether you’re aiming for something better for media consumption or work. Resolution and refresh rate are also important considerations to keep in mind.

Samsung has been one of the biggest names in computer displays for a number of years. Both the M5 and M8 series of monitors have some enticing features for users, but there can only really be one winner in this comparison. If you’re on the hunt for a new display, you’re in the right place.

Samsung M8 vs. Samsung M5: Side-by-Side Comparison

There are commonalities you can see between both displays. However, there are also some notable differences, beyond the price, that need to be discussed when considering both monitors.

Samsung M8 vs. Samsung M5: What’s the Difference?

Resolution and Refresh Rate

The Samsung M8, or M80B if going by the specified model, is a 4K monitor. As you’ll see with most of Samsung’s monitors in the M series, the refresh rate is stuck at 60 Hz. This is fine for most uses, but you’ll definitely experience screen tearing and the like if you aren’t utilizing vertical sync while gaming.

The Samsung M5 shares the same refresh rate, coming in at 60 Hz. However, it is only a Full HD, or 1080p, display. The M8 has twice the effective resolution of the M5, despite only being 5 inches longer on the diagonal.

Great for Gaming

SAMSUNG M8

$346.89

• 32-inch screen
• AirPlay integration
• 60 Hz refresh rate
• Response time: 4.0 milliseconds
• 178-degree viewing angle

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When considering image clarity, the M8 has a definite edge. While both displays utilize VA panels, the M8 is decidedly sharper. The higher resolution also helps keep everything crisp. This is especially noticeable when watching movies and shows, where the M8’s HDR10+ support and resolution really let colors pop during playback.

Brightness

The M8 is a bright display; peak brightness with SDR content measures 400 nits. When coupled with the 4K resolution, this helps give a brilliant picture whether you’re working, gaming, or just lounging around browsing the web. This brightness also works in close concert with the HDR10+ support, though there aren’t any local dimming zones on the display itself.

The M5’s brightness is considerably lower, coming in at only 250 nits. This is fine for a working monitor or something for 1080p gaming. It does have HDR10 support, but, like the M8, it lacks local dimming zones. Like its bigger sibling, it does just fine for gaming, working, and browsing the web. The dimmer display and lower resolution do leave the monitor feeling a bit lacking compared to the 4K M8.

Connectivity

One thing that is common across the whole of Samsung’s smart monitor line is the somewhat bare selection of ports on offer. The M8 has the option of micro HDMI or USB Type-C as the primary display connection. It is version 2.0 of the HDMI standard, so you’ll get the benefits of less compression and higher bandwidth.

That said, it would be great to see a full-sized HDMI or DisplayPort connection on the back of the monitor. The Type-C does work and allows users to connect both Macs and PCs with zero issues. The M5 loses out on the Type-C connection but does have full-sized HDMI ports.

Like its bigger sibling, you won’t find DisplayPort connections on the back. The HDMI ports only offer support for 1.4 of the standard, which, in all honesty, is fine for 1080p. Both monitors feature a USB hub on the back of the display, which is great if you find yourself needing to hook up a keyboard or mouse without making a mess of cabling.

Device Compatibility

The M5 and M8 come with full support for Windows, Linux, and Mac computers. What sets them apart from other monitors is their support for smartphones. Granted, this support is only extended to Samsung’s own devices, but still.

Great for Streaming

SAMSUNG M5

$309.00

• 27-inch screen
• 60 Hz refresh rate
• 2K DCI 1080p resolution
• Wireless DeX unlocks a full PC experience
• AirPlay integration

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On compatible Samsung smartphones and tablets, you can utilize DeX natively with the M5 and M8 monitors. This gives you access to a full desktop environment powered by your smart device. It isn’t a complete replacement for a work laptop, but works great nonetheless.

Both monitors function quite well with Windows computers. You’ve got great image quality regardless of whether you’re still on Windows 10 or 11. Mac compatibility is a bit more interesting. The latest Macs, namely those running the Apple Silicon processors, can run images at reduced contrast through HDMI.

However, the M8 does have the edge when in use as a Mac display. The Type-C connection allows for the full image quality to be used when connecting to a Mac. This is more of a drawback of the previous M1 MacBooks, with the M2s not suffering from the same issue. Still, if you’re on an older M1 Mac, the M8 is a solid choice that is on par with Apple’s own Studio Display for a fraction of the price.

Additional Features

One of the more notable features afforded to all smart monitors from Samsung is their ability to function without a computer. Like the Samsung line of smart TVs, the M series of monitors operate using Tizen. You can effectively use it as a TV in addition to a monitor if you desire.

This also comes with some nifty additional features, like the ability to work on Microsoft 365 documents without having to boot into your native desktop environment. Tizen does have some issues, however, even with the latest revision of monitors.

While it is handy to have these additional features present, they’re a little undercooked. Tizen itself is sluggish and somewhat unresponsive, which is a sharp contrast if you’re coming from a high-powered laptop or desktop.

The monitors also feature five-watt speakers built into the displays themselves. However, you likely won’t want to lean on these too much. The sound quality is rather tinny, but they do the job if you just want to watch something and don’t want to hook up a soundbar or speakers.

Samsung M8 vs. Samsung M5: 6 Must-Know Facts

1. The M8 is only available in a 32-inch 4K configuration.
2. The M8 only features micro HDMI and USB Type-C connections for the display.
3. The M8 has HDR10+ support.
4. The M5 is only available in a 27-inch 1080p configuration.
5. The M5 lacks Type-C connectivity but has a pair of full-sized HDMI outputs.
6. The M5 has HDR10 support.

Samsung M8 vs. Samsung M5: Which One Wins? Which One Should You Choose?

So, which of these monitors is the clear winner? Despite being double the cost of the M5, there is certainly quite a bit to like about the M8. It is a more capable monitor with a clearer picture, higher peak brightness, and better HDR support. Both monitors suffer from a lack of higher refresh rates, no local dimming zones, and a sluggish UI when using the native operating system.

That said, if you’re looking for a monitor that can function both as a television and a computer display, the Samsung M8 is a solid choice. It doesn’t particularly excel as a TV, but for a home office, it is more than enough.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Qcon/Shutterstock.com.