Smart-looking display with a handy wireless-charging feature

The Samsung S27E370D's wireless- charging feature works with devices that support the Qi wireless standard, which includes Samsung's latest Galaxy S6, S6 edge and Note 5 smartphones. Users of other devices will need a wireless- charging battery cover
The Samsung S27E370D's wireless- charging feature works with devices that support the Qi wireless standard, which includes Samsung's latest Galaxy S6, S6 edge and Note 5 smartphones. Users of other devices will need a wireless- charging battery cover. PHOTO: SAMSUNG

The Samsung S27E370D, with its glossy white facade, would not look out of place on the set of a sci-fi movie. I can easily imagine a row of these in a futuristic medical facility.

It also has a cool wireless-charging feature that, not too long ago, would seem like something from the future. You just have to place a compatible device on the monitor stand to charge it, no cables required.

This wireless-charging feature works with devices that support the Qi wireless standard. Compatible devices, not surprisingly, include Samsung's latest Galaxy S6, S6 edge and Note 5 smartphones.

  • TECH SPECS

  • PRICE: $548

    RESOLUTION: 1,920 x 1,080 pixels

    ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

    BRIGHTNESS: 300 cd/m2

    RESPONSE TIME: 4ms

    PANEL TYPE: plane-to-line switching (PLS)

    CONNECTIVITY: HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, headphone jack


    RATING

    FEATURES: 4/5

    DESIGN: 4/5

    PERFORMANCE: 4/5

    VALUE: 3/5

    OVERALL: 4/5

For devices that do not have built-in wireless charging, such as the Apple iPhone, you can get the feature by using a wireless-charging battery cover.

When I placed my Qi-compatible Google Nexus 5 on the monitor stand, a red light appeared to indicate that my phone was being charged.

Since the wireless-charging feature is integrated in the monitor, there is no additional cable, unlike with a wireless-charging pad. It is also more convenient than plugging in a charging cable.

At 14mm, the bezel on the Samsung is relatively thin. I found the transparent turquoise finish around the bezel rather eye-catching. But it cannot swivel and there is no height adjustment although you can tilt it by around 20 degrees. There is an audio jack for headphones, but no USB ports or built-in speakers.

My other complaint is its 1,920 x 1,080-pixel screen resolution, which is relatively low for a 27-inch display. Many of its competitors offer at least 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. As a result, screen real estate is relatively paltry on a monitor of this size.

However, the monitor has very good viewing angles of around 178 degrees because it uses Samsung's plane-to-line switching technology, which is as good as in-plane switching (IPS) displays. Like IPS screens, colour accuracy on the Samsung was very good - it scored 4.5 out of 5 in my test using a Spyder colourimeter.

Navigating the monitor's on-screen display settings is done using a tiny joystick located behind the monitor at the right corner.

The monitor has several useful display features. They include the Eye Saver Mode, which reduces eye fatigue by reducing the amount of blue light emitted. Another is the Magic Upscale feature, which sharpens text and increases the contrast for more vivid and clearer images.

Gamers with compatible AMD graphics cards may appreciate the monitor's support for AMD FreeSync, a technology that reduces stutter and screen tearing in games.

Vincent Chang

• Verdict: A futuristic-looking monitor with a cool wireless-charging feature.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 07, 2015, with the headline Smart-looking display with a handy wireless-charging feature. Subscribe