Samsung makes a lot of monitors, but its Smart Monitor lineup is one of its most interesting — and gorgeous. Half TV, half monitor, the 32-inch M8 can connect to your PC, stream Severance on Apple TV Plus, and even let you view both at once by going split-screen (or picture-in-picture) on its 4K display. Its original $699.99 price was a bit tough to swallow, but the M8 is now more of a budget-friendly purchase, because it’s currently selling for almost half that price. You can pick one up from Amazon, Samsung, or Best Buy for $399.99.
This version of the M8 seems to be improved over the 2022 model that I reviewed for The Verge. I came away feeling like its minimalist design, snap-on webcam, and app support were sure to attract many people, but it was far from perfect. The newer model fixes some of my biggest qualms: Instead of having a micro-HDMI port, it has a full-size one, and its adjustable stand seems far more flexible.
While it’s not a gaming monitor — it has a 60 Hz refresh rate — the M8 does offer the ability to stream games over Wi-Fi, a neat bonus. That includes Xbox games if you have a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, as well as PC games via Nvidia GeForce Now. The monitor sports Bluetooth support, letting you connect a wireless controller, and its built-in speakers mean you don’t need headphones or external speakers to be entertained (however, you might want them, as the M8’s speakers aren’t that powerful).
