Despite their similarities, one is a working machine and the other can double as a smart TV

Author: Alistair Charlton Last updated: March 21st 17

Here, we have a pair of top monitors from T3's best 4K monitor buying guide, both of which offer 4K resolution and a 32-inch screen (Philips is actually 31.5 inches). Their slim bezels and simple square feet look very similar, but there are many differences inside.

With pop-up webcam and Windows Hello support, Phillips is a work monitor for home offices. At the same time, due to its Wi-Fi connection and Tizen operating system full of streaming media applications, Samsung’s unique goal is to be used as both a computer monitor and a smart TV. It even comes with a remote control that supports Bixby voice, SmartThings integration and Apple AirPlay 2.

However, the question is, which is best? In T3's Philips 329P1H and Samsung M70A smart display comparison function, we revealed everything.

In terms of design, the two displays are hardly separated. Both 32-inch 4K monitors have slim bezels and are mounted on square, center-mounted and compact feet. Both can be connected to a 100x100mm VESA bracket for wall-mounting or mounting on the monitor arm.

The latter may be useful for owners of Samsung smart displays, because its own stand does not have any left-right or height adjustment functions, which is a bit unusual for desktop displays, which means you are stuck at a height. In this regard, Samsung’s design is closer to a TV than a desktop monitor. Useful is that the screen can be tilted vertically between -2 and +22 degrees.

At the same time, Philips provides a more traditional design, 180mm height adjustment, plus or minus 90 degrees of pivot, 180 degrees of rotation and -5 to +25 degrees of tilt to help you find the ideal position for comfortable work.

Another major difference-another example of how Philips is better for the work environment than the entertainment-friendly Samsung-is Philips' pop-up webcam. It is located in the center of the top of the screen, ready for your next Zoom call, and can also be used in conjunction with Windows Hello to allow you to log in to your Windows 10 machine through facial recognition.

Turn Philips, you will find a DisplayPort 1.4 interface, as well as a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports and a USB-C socket. These are compatible with HDCP 2.2.

There is also an audio output connection for plugging in headphones or external speakers with a 3.5 mm audio cable, and an RJ45 Ethernet connection. The USB-C port can be used to send video and audio from a connected laptop, and it can also power the laptop itself.

Philips also has four USB-A ports, one of which is equipped with a fast charging function that can quickly charge devices such as smartphones and tablets.

The sound is processed by a pair of 5W speakers. Desktop monitors are generally not known for their sound quality, so if buyers also want to use this screen for entertainment, they may want to invest in a speaker system that they can connect to their computer or the monitor itself.

The aforementioned pop-up webcam has a resolution of 2.0 megapixels and is capable of recording in full HD 1080p quality. It has an integrated microphone and an LED light to let you know when it is recording and use it with Windows Hello.

As for the Samsung M70A smart display, there is a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports, one of which supports ARC. Commonly found on TVs and sound bars, the ARC HDMI connection represents the audio return channel, allowing you to send audio from the screen back to the sound bar or amplifier. This way, you can plug the monitor into the sound bar, and the audio from any other device you connect to the screen (such as a computer via USB-C) will send its audio to the sound bar instead of the monitor’s own speakers.

Speaking of USB-C, the Samsung screen has a 65W interface that can be plugged into a computer or laptop while charging the latter. There are also two USB-A 2.0 ports, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to pay homage to the display’s smart credentials. Related to this is that Samsung is equipped with a remote control for controlling its smart functions; anyone who has used a Samsung TV or soundbar in the past few years will immediately recognize this remote.

There is also Samsung's DeX system for wirelessly connecting Galaxy smartphones and using it as a simple computer, and Apple AirPlay 2 for wirelessly connecting to MacBooks and Samsung as a second display.

The aspect ratio of both displays is 16:9; Samsung’s display is 32 inches, and Philips is 31.5 inches. They all have a 4K resolution of 3580 x 2160 at 60Hz. Philips has a contrast ratio of 1000:1, while Samsung's contrast ratio is 3000:1. Samsung’s brightness is 250 cd/㎡, while Philips’s brightness is 350 cd/㎡. Philips also wins in terms of response time, with a response time of 4 milliseconds and Samsung's 8 milliseconds.

All this means that the two displays have many common technical specifications, only Samsung's improved contrast ratio and Philips' faster response time distinguish the two. This means that the former should be more suitable for precise image and video editing, while the latter may be more suitable for games. In other words, there is almost nothing to separate ordinary computer work and occasional entertainment.

So far, the biggest difference between the two displays is how Samsung partially doubles as a smart TV. It can't connect to the antenna, but with its Wi-Fi connection and Tizen operating system, it works very similar to Samsung's smart TV, and can access streaming applications such as Netflix and iPlayer after you have done enough work.

Since many of us currently work from home, a computer monitor that doubles as a smart TV can be very valuable to some users, especially those who have a small table in the bedroom and want a monitor that doubles as a TV. Watching people out of bed. Samsung also has a Bixby voice assistant that can be accessed through the microphone in the remote control and is integrated with the company's smart home system SmartThings.

Philips 329P1H is priced at £519. The company also offers the 326P1H, which has the same design and dimensions of 31.5 inches, but with QHD resolution (2560 x 1440), and is priced at £399. Samsung is cheaper, priced at 399 pounds, the company also offers a full HD version, the 32-inch model is priced at 279 pounds, and the 27-inch model is priced at 229 pounds.

When looking at the 32-inch 4K model, the decision between these two monitors depends on your screen needs.

If this is purchased for a dedicated work space in your home or office, Philips, which has an integrated webcam and faster response speed, will be attractive. But if you want a computer monitor that can also double as a smart TV, perhaps in a temporary home office in the bedroom, then Samsung and its Tizen operating system are a good choice.

Alistair is a freelance automobile and technology journalist. He is signed on well-known websites such as BBC, Forbes, TechRadar, and most importantly T3, and covers topics ranging from classic cars and men’s lifestyle to smart home technology, telephones, electric cars, autonomous driving, Swiss watches, and more . He is an experienced reporter who writes news, features, interviews and product reviews. If this is not enough to keep him busy, he is also the co-host of the AutoChat podcast.

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