Comparison · Monitors
Samsung Smart Monitor M9 vs M8 vs M7: which one should you buy?
Same smart TV software, three very different screens. The M7 is a $400 TV replacement, the M8 is a home-office monitor with a camera, and the M9 is a QD-OLED that costs four times as much.
Our pick: M8 for most home offices; M7 if you mainly want a TV that doubles as a monitor; M9 only if you want OLED picture quality
Samsung
Smart Monitor M8 (32-inch)
8.1$699.99
The balanced pick: a bright 4K VA panel, a built-in camera for calls, and enough USB-C power for most laptops.
Pros
- • 400-nit typical brightness, the brightest of the three
- • Built-in camera with a far-field microphone
- • 65W USB-C charges an ultrabook over one cable
Cons
- • 60Hz only
- • VA panel has narrower viewing angles than IPS or OLED
Samsung
Smart Monitor M7 (32 or 43-inch)
7.6$399.99 (32-inch)
The cheapest way to get Samsung's smart TV apps on a desk, and the only one offered in a 43-inch size.
Pros
- • 4K at $399.99 for 32 inches
- • 43-inch option for a small room
- • 65W USB-C
Cons
- • No webcam
- • 300-nit typical brightness
- • 60Hz only
Samsung
Smart Monitor M9 (32-inch)
7.9$1,599.99 list
A 32-inch QD-OLED smart TV for your desk. Gorgeous contrast and 165Hz, but expensive and dim in HDR.
Pros
- • 4K QD-OLED with 165Hz in Game Mode
- • 4K webcam with dual microphones
- • 90W USB-C and an HDMI 2.1 port
Cons
- • List price is more than double the M8
- • Only about 250 nits typical brightness; weak HDR
- • Stand does not swivel and menus are confusing (PCWorld)
Samsung's Smart Monitors run the same Tizen software as its TVs, so each one can stream Netflix, open Microsoft 365, and control SmartThings devices without a computer attached. Where the 2025 lineup differs is the screen: the M7 and M8 use 4K VA panels, while the M9 is Samsung's first M-series monitor with a QD-OLED panel.
This comparison uses Samsung's published specs and US prices, plus PCWorld's review of the M9. We have not tested these monitors ourselves.
M9 vs M8 vs M7: specs side by side
| Spec | M9 (LS32FM902SNXZA) | M8 (LS32FM803UNXZA) | M7 (LS32FM702UNXZA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 32-inch | 32-inch | 32-inch (43-inch also offered) |
| Panel | 4K QD-OLED | 4K VA | 4K VA |
| Refresh rate | 165Hz (Game Mode) | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Typical brightness | 250 nits | 400 nits | 300 nits |
| Webcam | 4K, dual mics | Built-in, far-field mic | None |
| USB-C power | 90W | 65W | 65W |
| SmartThings (Samsung listing) | SmartThings | SmartThings Hub | SmartThings Hub |
| Price | $1,599.99 | $699.99 | $399.99 (43-inch: $499) |
Samsung Smart Monitor M8: the one most people should buy
The M8 is the brightest of the three at 400 nits typical, which matters more than contrast in a sunny home office. It adds a built-in camera with a far-field microphone, so video calls work without a USB webcam, and its 65W USB-C port charges most 13 and 14-inch laptops while carrying video. Samsung also lists Click to Search and its ScreenVitals features on the M8.
The trade-offs are a 60Hz refresh rate and a VA panel, whose colors and contrast shift more when you look from an angle than an IPS or OLED panel's do. That is fine for one person at a desk and less good for a couch.
Samsung Smart Monitor M7: the cheapest smart TV for a desk
The 32-inch M7 costs $399.99 and the 43-inch version $499, which makes it the cheapest way into Samsung's smart monitor software. It drops the webcam and is dimmer than the M8 at 300 nits typical. Speakers are 10W on the 32-inch and 20W on the 43-inch. Buy it for a dorm, guest room, or kitchen where streaming matters more than video calls.
Samsung Smart Monitor M9: OLED picture, OLED price
The M9's 31.5-inch QD-OLED panel delivers per-pixel contrast, wide color, and up to 165Hz with FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatible support. PCWorld measured near-complete sRGB and 98% DCI-P3 coverage but only about 252 nits sustained in SDR, and HDR peaks around 450 nits. It is unusual among OLEDs in having a matte finish.
The extras are generous: a 4K webcam with dual microphones (no physical privacy shutter), 90W USB-C, HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPort 1.4. PCWorld's complaints were a stand with no swivel, a confusing menu system, and only two USB-A 2.0 ports. List price is $1,599.99, though PCWorld found it at $1,249.99 to $1,324.99 at retailers when it reviewed the monitor in August 2025.
Which Samsung Smart Monitor should you buy?
- Home office with video calls: M8.
- Streaming in a small room, or a 43-inch screen on a budget: M7.
- Picture quality and gaming at 165Hz, and the budget to match: M9.
- Mac user who wants sharp text: none of these. A 27-inch 5K monitor is a better fit at 32-inch 4K pricing.
Questions we get
What is the difference between the Samsung M7, M8, and M9?
Panel and extras. The M7 and M8 use 4K VA panels at 60Hz; the M9 uses a 4K QD-OLED panel that reaches 165Hz. The M8 and M9 have built-in webcams, the M7 does not. USB-C power is 65W on the M7 and M8 and 90W on the M9. All three run Samsung's Tizen smart TV software with streaming apps and a remote.
Can a Samsung Smart Monitor replace a TV?
For streaming, yes: the apps run on the monitor itself, with no computer attached, and it ships with a remote. It has no TV tuner, so over-the-air broadcast channels need a separate tuner box. The 43-inch M7 is the closest thing to a small TV in the lineup.
Do Samsung Smart Monitors work as a SmartThings hub?
Samsung's spec listing for the 2025 lineup shows a built-in SmartThings Hub on the M8 and M7, and SmartThings control on the M9. Hub support decides whether Zigbee, Thread, or Matter devices can pair to the monitor directly, so check the exact model's spec page before relying on it as your only hub.
Is the M9 worth it over the M8?
Only if you care most about picture quality or want a faster refresh rate for games. The M9's QD-OLED panel has true blacks and 165Hz, but at $1,599.99 list it costs more than twice the M8, and reviewers found its HDR brightness weak. For video calls and office work, the M8 is the better value.