Samsung LU28R55 4k Monitor resolutions defaults to HD not 4k on M1 Pro chip MBP

Hello,

I had the same issue with my MB pro, the problem was the adapter.

Using another one from Anker I got 4k@30Hz.

Probably you need to buy another adapter 4k@60Hz like me :)

It is not broken. Displays Preferences is just very confusing.

to see the ACTUAL resolution for your HiDPI display, use:

 Menu > About this Mac > (System Report) > Graphics&Displays ...

... two numbers are reported here:

ACTUAL resolution, which should be the resolution you expected. Graphics are displayed at this resolution.

User Interface Looks Like resolution: this is the simulated resolution of ONLY textual items. These items are scaled UP by a factor such as 1.2, 1.5. 1.8, 2.0, to make them large enough to read. As a side effect, text diagonals and edges are beautiful -- no stair steps.

>> If the ACTUAL resolution is not what you expected, then we can discuss that as a Separate issue.

That says it is set to "4k" real resolution. Graphics are shown at a real "4K".

With current settings, no scaling of text is being performed. User Interface looks the same, (and is likely too tiny to read).

If you change to "Scaled", then displays preferences is not clear that it does not change the fundamental resolution, but only the "Looks Like" resolution at which text will be displayed.

If you try that and refresh the system report data, you should see those 'UI looks like' changes.

Hi Nick,

I've just bought the new MBP and the same Samsung monitor as you. I'm having the same issues as you, I can't seem to get the monitor to run 4k at 60hz. My biggest issue is the colour of the monitor though! When you have the MBP open side by side with the monitor, the monitor is very yellowy. I've played around with the monitors settings and the different colour profiles but can't seem to get it anywhere near the colours of the MBP, have you noticed this?

Cheers, Dan.

Hey Nick, cheers for your reply. I think I’ve sorted the yellowness out, it was down to the dark mode on the screens settings. I’ve played around so much with the Samsungs brightness, contrast, sharpness and colour settings that I don’t know what’s best now! Could you let me know what you’ve got set as yours please? I was trying to get it as close to the MBP as possible as I’m a designer and I didn’t want my work looking different between the 2 screens!

I’ve got my Samsung set to 2560x1440.. that seems to be best for me. But no matter what setting I have it on, it only seems to run at 30fps, when the monitor is advertised as 60fps.

As for the MBP settings, I can’t seem to open up the same options as I can for the Samsung so have no idea what resolution that’s running!

I have the same issue with the same machine and same screen. It is making me 'scale' to get to the native resolution.

By default I get this:

 Resolution: 3840x2160 (2160p/4K UHD 1 - Ultra High Definition)

 UI Looks like: 1920 x 1080 @ 60.00Hz

Did you find a way to have the 'UI Looks like' display 4k without having to use a scaled resolution? Which apparently impacts the performance of the machine as per Apple warning: "Using a scaled resolution may affect performance"

Thanks

Just for reference:

Displays Preferences has always been confusing, and now it looks like the defaults are even more confusing than ever.

use the System Information display to check the details.