# Is the Samsung Smart Monitor M9 Worth It? Review Roundup > Is the Samsung Smart Monitor M9 worth it? What Tom's Hardware, WIRED, PCMag and IT Pro found, how it compares with the Dell 32 Plus, and who should skip it. - Canonical URL: https://webofmike.com/ai-life/computing/monitors/samsung-smart-monitor-m9-worth-it/ - Author: Mike Moore (https://webofmike.com/about/) - Published: 2026-11-14 - Last modified: 2026-11-14 - Tags: AI Life - Cite as: Mike Moore, "Is the Samsung Smart Monitor M9 Worth It? Review Roundup", Web of Mike (webofmike.com), 2026-11-14. https://webofmike.com/ai-life/computing/monitors/samsung-smart-monitor-m9-worth-it/ [AI Life](/ai-life/) / [Computing](/ai-life/computing/) / [AI Monitors](/ai-life/computing/monitors/) **Short answer:** the Samsung Smart Monitor M9 is worth it only if you will use the smart TV, camera and streaming features, according to IT Pro and WIRED. If you just want a QD-OLED desk monitor, the Dell 32 Plus is the cheaper route, and Mac users should read WIRED's bug notes first. *Last updated: November 14, 2026. Researched comparison from maker specs and named reviews; I have not tested these products myself. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.* ## Quick picks: Samsung M9 or something else? | If you want | Get | Check it | | --- | --- | --- | | A monitor, TV and streaming screen in one | **Samsung Smart Monitor M9** | {{< amzn samsung-m9-monitor "Check the Samsung M9 on Amazon" btn />}} | | The same kind of QD-OLED panel for less | **Dell 32 Plus S3225QC** | {{< amzn dell-32-plus-qd-oled "See the Dell 32 Plus on Amazon" btn />}} | | A pure work monitor | **Dell UltraSharp U2725QE** | {{< amzn dell-u2725qe "See the Dell U2725QE" btn />}} | Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through one, this site earns a commission at no extra cost to you. ## Is the Samsung Smart Monitor M9 worth it? Only if you will use the smart-TV side. [IT Pro's Samsung M90SF review](https://www.itpro.com/hardware/monitors/the-samsung-smart-monitor-m90sf-is-a-qd-oled-monitor-with-a-smart-tv-twist) says you really have to need the smart TV functions to justify the price. [WIRED's Samsung M9 review](https://www.wired.com/review/samsung-smart-monitor-m9-m90sf/) advised against buying at full price. [PCMag's Samsung M9 review](https://uk.pcmag.com/monitors/163399/samsung-smart-monitor-m9-m90sf) named it the most impressive smart monitor it had tested and gave it an Editors' Choice. [Tom's Hardware's Samsung M9 review](https://www.tomshardware.com/monitors/gaming-monitors/samsung-m9-m90sf-32-inch-oled-smart-monitor-review) called it a bargain only because it is three displays in one. The common thread: it is excellent at what it does, and you pay for features a plain monitor lacks. ## What does the Samsung M9 do? [Samsung's smart monitor page](https://www.samsung.com/us/monitors/new-smart-ai-monitors/) lists the M9 (M90SF) as a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED panel with smart TV apps, SmartThings, built-in speakers and a built-in 4K camera, with 4K AI Upscaling Pro, AI Picture Optimizer and Active Voice Amplifier Pro. In practice that makes it a monitor you can use without a computer: the streaming apps run on the display, and a remote controls it. WIRED says shows and movies look incredible, and that image quality is better in the streaming apps than in a browser. ## What did reviewers measure? - **Brightness.** WIRED measured about 980 nits of peak brightness in a 1 percent window and 850 in a 4 percent window, and only 233 nits in standard dynamic range. - **Color.** WIRED measured 91 percent of AdobeRGB and 98 percent of P3, and found the default color mode less accurate than other OLED monitors, with a Standard mode that improved it. - **Speed.** Tom's Hardware found gaming performance solid for a monitor that is not the fastest on the market. - **Quoted specs.** IT Pro quotes a typical brightness of 250 cd/m2, 99 percent sRGB coverage and a 0.03ms response time from Samsung. ## What are the downsides of the Samsung M9? 1. **Menus.** Tom's Hardware and IT Pro both found the menu system confusing. 2. **Account sign-up.** IT Pro found Samsung's account process frustrating. 3. **USB-A ports.** One review summary notes limited downstream ports. 4. **Mac bugs.** WIRED could not access HDR on a MacBook and saw a video fast-forward bug in macOS. 5. **SDR brightness,** typical for OLED. 6. **Price.** Every review I read calls it expensive. ## Samsung M9 vs Dell 32 Plus: which should you buy? | | Samsung M9 | Dell 32 Plus S3225QC | | --- | --- | --- | | Panel | 32-inch 4K QD-OLED, matte per IT Pro | A similar QD-OLED panel, glossy per IT Pro | | Smart TV apps | Yes | No | | Built-in camera and speakers | Yes | See Dell's page | | Price | Higher | Lower per IT Pro, who put the Dell about GBP 400 below at review time | | Best for | One screen for everything | A desk monitor | If you do not need the smart features, WIRED says the Dell 32 Plus QD-OLED is the better way to spend your money. - **Buy the Samsung M9 if** you want one screen for work, streaming and games in a small space. - **Skip it if** you want the best monitor per dollar or you use a MacBook. {{< amzn samsung-m9-monitor "See the Samsung M9 and check today's price" btn />}} - **Buy the Dell 32 Plus if** you want QD-OLED without the extras. {{< amzn dell-32-plus-qd-oled "See the Dell 32 Plus and check today's price" btn />}} ## Who is the Samsung M9 for? A person with one room for one screen: a small apartment, a dorm or a home office that doubles as a guest room. IT Pro says that if you only have room for one do-it-all display, it is a tempting, stylish solution. ## Who should skip the Samsung M9? Gamers who want the fastest refresh, Mac users who need HDR, shoppers who want the most monitor per dollar, and anyone who dislikes a smart-TV account on a work screen. ## Test plan for the return window 1. **Set up the streaming apps** and see if you actually use them. 2. **Check menu usability** for a week. 3. **Connect your laptop** and confirm the features you need. 4. **Use a gray screen** to check for uniformity and text readability. 5. **Return it** if you do not use the TV side within two weeks. ## Smart monitor, TV or plain monitor: which one fits your room? | Situation | Best fit | | --- | --- | | One room, one screen, you also stream | A smart monitor such as the Samsung M9 | | A desk where you work eight hours a day | A plain IPS Black or OLED monitor | | A living room with a sofa | A TV, since IT Pro's own verdict is that the premium is only worth it if you need the smart extras | | A dorm or studio flat | A smart monitor can replace both | | A Mac-based desk | A plain monitor, until the M9's Mac issues are fixed | Think about how many hours per week you would use each role. If streaming apps get an hour a week, you are paying for a camera, speakers and an app platform you will not use. ## What privacy and account questions come with a smart monitor? A smart monitor is a small connected device. IT Pro found Samsung's account sign-up process frustrating, and the built-in 4K camera and microphone are worth thinking about before you place it in a bedroom. Review the privacy and camera settings during setup, cover the camera if you do not use it, and decide whether you want to sign in at all. A plain monitor has none of these questions. ## Review verdicts at a glance | Source | Headline finding | | --- | --- | | Tom's Hardware | Gorgeous picture and strong all-round use, with a confusing menu system | | WIRED | Looks incredible for shows and movies, but do not buy at full price, and Mac bugs | | PCMag | Most impressive smart monitor it tested, with an Editors' Choice | | IT Pro | Excellent image, but you need the smart TV functions to justify the price | ## What do reviewers agree on? - The picture is excellent (Tom's Hardware, WIRED, IT Pro, PCMag). - It is a premium price (all four). - The menus are confusing (Tom's Hardware, IT Pro). ## What are the common complaints? - Menus and setup, Mac bugs, limited USB-A ports and price. I summarize each finding in my own words and name the source. I did not read Amazon customer reviews for this page. ## Should you buy the Samsung M9 now or wait? Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30, 2026. Those are the real dates, and nothing else on this page is a countdown or a claim that stock is running low, because I can't see Amazon's inventory. - **Buy now if:** you need one screen for the whole room and a good deal appears. - **Wait for the sale if:** you are price sensitive, since WIRED expected inevitable discounts and advised against paying full price. Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. I cannot see current Amazon pricing, so check the listing. I don't list prices here because they change by the hour. Open the Amazon listing to see today's price, and compare it with what you saw last week before you decide. ## Is the Samsung M9 a good gift? It is a high-ticket gift best for someone who has asked for a TV-style monitor. Keep the receipt. ## Where to go next - [AI Monitors hub](/ai-life/computing/monitors/): every monitor guide in one place. - [Best AI Laptops 2026](/ai-life/computing/ai-laptops/best-ai-laptop/): the laptop to plug in. - [Best AI Mouse and Keyboard Setup](/ai-life/computing/keyboards-mice/best-ai-mouse-keyboard/): finish the desk. - [Best AI Webcam With Auto-Framing](/ai-life/gadgets/ai-webcams/best-ai-webcam-auto-framing/): a monitor does not fix your camera. - [Best Smart Display](/ai-life/assistants/smart-displays/best-smart-display/): if you want a screen that is not a monitor. - [AI Gadget Gift Guide 2026](/ai-life/gadgets/gift-guides/ai-gift-guide-2026/) and [Black Friday AI deals](/ai-life/deals/black-friday/). ## FAQ ### Is the Samsung Smart Monitor M9 worth it? Only if you will use the smart TV features. IT Pro and WIRED both say the price is hard to justify otherwise. ### What is the difference between the Samsung M9 and the Dell 32 Plus? The Samsung has smart TV apps and a camera and speakers. The Dell uses a similar QD-OLED panel for less, per IT Pro. ### Does the Samsung M9 have AI features? Samsung lists 4K AI Upscaling Pro, AI Picture Optimizer and Active Voice Amplifier Pro. ### Does the Samsung M9 work with a Mac? WIRED found problems with HDR and a video playback bug on macOS.