[ UPDATE 17/04/2023 10:03 ] Samsung Malaysia linked to the wrong page on its Twitter post. The actual promo page, which you can get to from the official website, lists the 32-inch model at RM1,288. The article below has been edited to suit.
Samsung Malaysia has announced that its Smart Monitor M5 is now available with a free size upgrade from the base 27-inch model to the larger 32-inch unit. The promotion is valid until 20 April.
The device is priced at RM1,288, which the company claims is a RM200 saving over the retail price of RM1,488. Now, the eagle-eyed amongst you will already have noticed that this is actually only RM11 cheaper than what the 32-inch M5 was priced at back in 2021, so is Samsung playing dirty tricks?
Well, not exactly, because the SKU on this model (LS32CM501EEXXS) actually refers to the updated 2023 model, introduced just this month. This adds several features, namely the ability to use a connected keyboard and mouse to navigate the Smart Hub (which grants access to services like Netflix and YouTube, hence the “Smart” part of the name).
Also, the Multi View split-screen function—which previously showed two displays at a 16:9 aspect ratio—can now take up the full display, while the Workspaces menu for accessing work-related features has been redesigned, grouping functions into categories.
Bluetooth connectivity has also been updated from Bluetooth 4.2 to 5.2, enabling a My Contents feature that displays customised information such as the date, time and photos when a user approaches with a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connected phone. Otherwise the 2023 M5 is identical to the previous version, running on the Tizen OS and featuring a Full HD VA display with a 16:9 aspect ratio, a 60Hz refresh rate, a 3,000:1 contrast ratio, up to 250 nits of brightness and HDR10 compatibility.
Also included is WiFi 5 connectivity, enabling a Remote Access feature for running Microsoft Office 365 apps like Word, Excel and Powerpoint without having to connect a PC. There’s also support for wireless DeX connectivity and screen mirroring (only with Android Oreo 8.1 or later) with compatible Samsung smartphones, along with AirPlay 2 for Apple devices.
If you prefer a wired connection, you can plug up your devices through several ports, including two HDMI 2.0 ports and two USB-A 2.0 ports. As expected, you can mount the Smart Monitor to a wall or prop it up on a monitor arm using a 100×100 VESA mount. Interested? You can watch our review of the Smart Monitor M5—and the 4K M7 version—in the video below.
