Sony has launched a groundbreaking gaming monitor, the Inzone M10S, featuring a 27-inch W-OLED panel with a 480 Hz refresh rate, ideal for competitive gaming and immersive single-player experiences. Its minimalist design enhances aesthetics, while advanced connectivity includes HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1. The monitor delivers impressive image quality with deep blacks and high brightness levels, though SDR color accuracy needs improvement. It excels in fast-paced gaming and offers useful software features, making it suitable for both competitive and casual gamers.
Sony is once again making waves in the competitive gaming monitor arena with its innovative new Oled model. With a remarkable refresh rate of 480 Hz, this monitor is designed to excel in competitive gaming while delivering an immersive experience for single-player games, thanks to its impressive brightness and vibrant color reproduction.
Design Excellence
The design of the latest INZONE monitor showcases Sony’s commitment to aesthetics and functionality. Adopting a minimalist approach, it features an ultra-slim Oled panel paired with a subtle housing for its connectivity and cooling systems. Although the bezel is slightly thicker at the top and bottom compared to some recent models, Sony has opted to exclude its logo, giving the monitor a sleek and unobtrusive appearance.
Advanced Connectivity Options
The Sony Inzone M10S is equipped with cutting-edge connectivity options, including a DisplayPort 2.1 port (UHBR10 with a bandwidth of 40 Gbits) and two HDMI 2.1 ports. These connections support the impressive 480 Hz refresh rate, with HDMI catering to the latest gaming consoles. Additionally, the monitor includes a range of USB ports, both upstream and downstream, as well as a headphone jack.
While the absence of a USB-C port, which could facilitate device charging, might raise eyebrows—especially given the monitor’s price tag of 1300 euros—it’s important to remember that this is primarily a gaming monitor.
Stand Design and Functionality
A standout feature of the Inzone series is its circular base stand, which occupies minimal desk space. Screen rotation is seamless, although portrait mode is not supported. A cable management system is included, along with a VESA 100×100 mount for those looking to attach the monitor to an external arm.
Exceptional Image Quality
Consistent with Sony’s reputation, the latest INZONE monitor is powered by a W-OLED panel sourced from LG Display. The introduction of Micro Lens Array (MLA+) technology in 2023 enhances brightness levels, allowing for greater peak brightness compared to traditional Oled displays.
With a 27-inch screen and 1440p resolution, the Sony Inzone M10S is becoming increasingly popular among gamers, offering a pixel density that is particularly beneficial for competitive gaming scenarios.
Using our Calibrite Display Pro Plus HL probe in conjunction with Calman Ultimate software, we meticulously evaluated the monitor’s image quality, focusing on brightness and color accuracy. As expected, the Oled technology delivers deep blacks and exceptional contrast, especially in HDR settings, allowing for a level of detail in dark scenes that outshines standard LCD panels.
In terms of brightness, we recorded a peak of 1122 cd/m² on a 1% window—just shy of Sony’s promised 1300 cd/m² but still impressive. Notably, the panel employs an Automatic Brightness Limiter (ABL), causing brightness to drop to around 850 cd/m² with other light elements present, and down to 267 cd/m² in full-screen mode, which highlights a common limitation of Oled technology.
Color accuracy is a mixed bag; SDR mode is notably cold at 7500K with the Game profile, while HDR mode brings this closer to the D65 white point at 6133K, albeit slightly warm. The sRGB profile shows improvement, achieving 6213K.
Support for the DCI-P3 color space is impressive at 98%, catering well to HDR content. However, Rec. 2020 coverage sits at 66%, which is less competitive but acceptable given its target audience. SDR color accuracy does need improvement, with an average Delta-E of 4.91, whereas the sRGB mode corrects this to an average of 1.76, improving further with increased brightness.
In HDR mode, color accuracy excels, notably in Game mode with a Delta-E of 1.7, and DisplayHDR mode performs well with a value of 2.25, though some color deviations remain. It’s crucial to ensure that the monitor reproduces the intended brightness for optimal HDR performance.
Gaming Performance
As Oled technology approaches refresh rates of 500 Hz in 2024, the Sony Inzone M10S stands out with its 480 Hz refresh rate, achievable through both HDMI and DisplayPort connections.
While the monitor is marketed towards competitive gaming, it also excels in immersive AAA titles such as *Cyberpunk 2077*, *Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle*, and *Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart*. However, a larger screen may enhance the experience for these games.
The 480 Hz refresh rate offers impressive motion clarity, enhancing the visual experience in fast-paced games like *Overwatch 2* and *Apex Legends*. If you prioritize clarity and fluidity, this monitor will meet your needs, although the difference from 360 Hz may not be as pronounced as one might think.
Latency is rated at 1.5 ms, which is an improvement but might not feel significantly different from 360 Hz. Gamers should also ensure their systems can consistently output 480 FPS to truly benefit from this monitor’s capabilities.
Software Features
The monitor is equipped with a variety of software features that enhance the user experience, making it a versatile option for both competitive and casual gaming.