Review of the Sony Inzone M10S.

Cons

• Relatively high input lag
• Expensive

Sony Inzone M10S Specs

Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)	27 inches
Native Resolution	2560 by 1440
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Screen Technology	QD-OLED
Rated Screen Luminance	275 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio	1,500,000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate	480 Hz
Adaptive Sync	Nvidia G-Sync Compatible
Video Inputs	HDMI, DisplayPort
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)	3
VESA DisplayHDR Level	DisplayHDR 400
Height-Adjustable Stand?
Tilting Stand?
Swiveling Stand?
Landscape/Portrait Pivot

It has been two years since Sony introduced its Inzone gaming brand, which includes headsets and gaming monitors designed for both console gaming, particularly the PlayStation 5, and PC gaming. The initial range of monitors received mixed reviews, featuring the outstanding 4K Sony Inzone M9 alongside the less impressive Inzone M3. Recently, the company has launched updated and redesigned Inzone monitors, including the M10S, which is a 27-inch QHD OLED display boasting an impressive 480Hz refresh rate. These specifications are noteworthy, and while Sony may be entering the market slightly later in a year filled with new 27- and 32-inch OLED options, the M10S still possesses sufficient allure to attract competitive gamers seeking exceptional visual quality to complement their high-performance gaming. However, for mainstream gamers, we recommend considering the Editors’ Choice award-winning Corsair Xeneon 34WQHD240-C.

The design trend of white and black has become outdated.

The Inzone M10S immediately captivates attention with its striking design elements. Unlike its predecessors, which featured a white and black color palette reminiscent of the PlayStation 5, the M10S adopts a completely black aesthetic, aligning more closely with the appearance of numerous other gaming monitors. While I find this shift somewhat disappointing, as I appreciated the distinctive design of the earlier models, it appears that these modifications were implemented with a specific intention in mind.

The M10S, designed specifically for esports, features a compact circular base with an angled stand, in contrast to the bulky tripod stands of the M3 and M9, which are not suitable for competitive gaming. This design allows the monitor to be positioned slightly further back while providing a full 180 degrees of swivel. Such flexibility caters to esports gamers who adopt various play styles, including positioning their keyboard, mouse, and occasionally their faces close to the screen. This distinctive design sets the Inzone M10S apart from other esports monitors, such as the Alienware 500Hz Gaming Monitor, which employs a similar stand concept but in a more traditional, larger hexagonal form.]

Reversing the Inzone reveals the monitor’s remarkably slim bezels, which are only 0.23 inches at their narrowest point. The oval-shaped rear accommodates the various ports and the cooling mechanism of the monitor. In terms of input and output options, the device is equipped with two HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB-A ports, a USB-B port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an additional USB-A port specifically intended for software updates for the monitor.

The Inzone M10S features an additional I/O port that is not commonly found in many monitors: DisplayPort 2.1. The last instance of this connector being used was in the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9, an impressive ultrawide monitor with a resolution of 7,680 by 2,160 pixels. DisplayPort 2.1 offers more than double the bandwidth of its predecessor, version 1.4, with capabilities of 80Gbps compared to 32.4Gbps. However, this may be excessive for the M10S. In contrast to the Neo G9, which requires the extra bandwidth to fully utilize its resolution and refresh rates, the M10S does not need 80Gbps to achieve 480Hz at a resolution of 2,560 by 1,440 pixels. Additionally, as of this writing, the only graphics processing units that support DisplayPort 2.1 are the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT and RX 7900 XTX.

A significant distinction between the latest Inzone model and its first generation lies in the display panel. The Sony Inzone M10S features a QHD (1440p) OLED display, whereas the M9 is equipped with a 4K (2160p) IPS panel. The OLED technology offers substantial enhancements in color range and energy efficiency when compared to IPS. Furthermore, it is the sole display technology capable of producing true blacks, as it turns off black pixels to achieve complete darkness and optimal contrast.

This year, numerous OLED monitors have been introduced, primarily in 27- or 32-inch dimensions; however, it is relatively rare to encounter OLED technology combined with such high refresh rates. A notable comparison can be made with the LG 32-inch UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor, which features modes of 4K at 240Hz and 1080p at 480Hz. Although the M10S may be arriving later in the OLED market, its specifications are at the forefront of esports monitor technology.

Evaluating the Inzone M10S: A Benchmark in Esports Performance

To evaluate its performance, we conducted a comparison of Sony’s results from our benchmark tests against those of four competing models. In our analysis, we included the Alienware AW2725DF 360Hz QD-OLED, the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG, the 32-Inch LG UltraGear, and the MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED. Our benchmarks assess color gamut, brightness, color accuracy, and contrast ratio, utilizing Calman monitor calibration software, a Murideo Six-G signal generator, and a Klein K-10A colorimeter. Additionally, we subjected the monitor to a series of gaming tests to evaluate input lag and assess its performance in practical scenarios.

Initially, we evaluated the monitor’s standard picture mode utilizing an SDR signal. In this scenario, it achieved an average brightness of 296 nits (candelas per square meter), making it the second brightest option available, just behind the Asus. When switched to HDR mode, this figure significantly increased to 439 nits of brightness while employing the Standard preset profile.

The peak HDR brightness reached an impressive 669 nits at a 2% sample size. While we typically assess sustained HDR brightness using a 10% window size, peak brightness is evaluated with a reduced test size of 2%. This level of brightness significantly exceeds our expectations, especially considering the monitor’s VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification.

The color-gamut performance of the monitor was outstanding. Our evaluations revealed that it covered 136% of the sRGB color gamut, 93% of Adobe RGB, and 95% of DCI-P3. It is worth noting that we have observed sRGB results exceeding 100% in other OLED monitors; while this is not inherently problematic, such elevated sRGB figures may lead to oversaturation of colors in applications lacking color management. However, such scenarios are rare, as OLED monitors are capable of presenting more vibrant and saturated colors without adverse consequences.

In terms of color accuracy straight from the factory, the M10S achieved a Delta E measurement of 1.9 during our evaluations. A higher Delta E indicates a greater deviation of colors from their intended shades. Ideally, a value below 1 is preferred; however, very few gaming monitors achieve this benchmark, particularly in their default settings. While adjustments can be made to improve this figure, it is important to note that the primary purpose of the monitor is to facilitate gaming at high refresh rates, making a Delta E of 1.9 a commendable outcome right out of the box.

The Inzone M10S boasts a specified contrast ratio of 1,500,000:1, comparable to the MSI 321URX QD-OLED and the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM. OLED panels are known for providing significantly superior contrast compared to other display technologies. In OLED displays, the individual pixels in areas designated as black emit no light, effectively eliminating any backlight leakage that could compromise the depth of the black levels.

Media and Gaming Performance

The Inzone M10S demonstrates its capability to provide a high-quality HDR image and an extensive color spectrum. However, an essential consideration for professional gamers is its response time. To evaluate this aspect, we utilized an HDFury Diva HDMI matrix to assess the monitor’s input lag and engaged in several games from our collection to identify any potential issues, such as screen tearing. Our measurements indicated a lag of 5.1ms, making the Inzone the slowest monitor in our testing group, although this lag is nearly undetectable to all but the most dedicated esports professionals. During gameplay, I encountered some difficulties with the monitor accurately tracking my movements at a 480Hz refresh rate while playing Counter-Strike 2. Nevertheless, I experienced no problems running Cyberpunk 2077 or Returnal at lower frame rates.

In addition to providing elevated refresh rates, the top esports monitors also present players with options regarding screen size. Numerous competitors prefer smaller displays, as well as higher refresh rates and lower resolutions, to enhance their gaming performance. The M10S has a physical size of 27 inches but can be effectively reduced to 24.5 inches through the on-screen display (OSD) menu.

An FPS Pro+ visual mode is available, which can be activated through the OSD to emphasize enemies with a distinct outline color. This feature immediately captured my attention. During my experience in Valorant, I observed that enemy units were marked in a vivid, contrasting red, even when obscured by smoke and other obstacles. It remains uncertain whether this will be permissible in tournament settings, as it could potentially provide users of the Inzone M10S with a significant advantage. Razer’s Snap Tap mode, introduced with the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL, encountered criticism from professional players as the gaming community debated the merits and drawbacks of utilizing technology that enhances gameplay. The FPS Pro+ mode is likely to face similar scrutiny.

Verdict: A Strong Second Act for Inzone

The Sony Inzone M10S enters the OLED market somewhat belatedly; however, it distinguishes itself from other esports monitors. For professional gamers or dedicated enthusiasts who are weary of compromising visual fidelity for elevated refresh rates, the M10S effectively strikes a balance between the two.

At a comparable price, the 32-inch LG UltraGear OLED stands out slightly more than the M10S due to its dual refresh rate and resolution modes, as well as its adjustable screen size. However, for noncompetitive gamers, neither of these monitors matches the quality of the Corsair Xeneon 34WQHD240-C, which is currently our Editors’ Choice for premium gaming displays. Nevertheless, the M10S offers several appealing features, such as an elegant design, an abundance of I/O ports, and, notably, a stunning OLED screen.