Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K: Challenging the Apple Studio Display

Samsung ViewFinity S9

A couple of years ago, Apple introduced the Studio Display, aiming to provide a cost-effective choice for Mac users seeking a high-quality external Retina display.

Following that, Samsung entered the scene with its contender, the ViewFinity S9, just a year later.

Sporting a screen size, 5K resolution, and price tag similar to Apple's, many wonder if the Samsung ViewFinity S9 holds up against the Studio Display.

In this review, I'll share my hands-on experience with Samsung's 5K monitor to help you decide.

Samsung ViewFinity S9 vs. Apple Studio Display: The Choice Conundrum

Selecting an external monitor for a Mac can be complicated, especially when seeking high-resolution clarity and accurate color reproduction.

The Retina display on MacBooks sets a high standard, and finding a comparable external monitor has proven challenging.

For instance, LG's 27-inch 4K monitor currently serves my needs.

While the 4K resolution offers noticeable improvements over 1080p, the display doesn't quite match the sharpness of a Mac's Retina display, particularly at optimal settings.

This difference arises because Apple's Retina displays utilize HiDPI (High Dots Per Inch) technology to double the interface's scale, producing exceptionally sharp visuals.

With a 5K display, macOS can show its interface at 2560×1440 but double up, using the full 5120×2880 resolution, which means you get super sharp visuals at 218 pixels per inch.

On the 27-inch 4K monitor, you can scale things up to see bigger elements (which eats up window space) or stick with a lower HiDPI setting and sacrifice sharpness.

Finding a 27-inch 5K display isn’t easy, so Apple made the Studio Display with a 5K resolution. Even though the Studio Display seems like the top choice for Mac users, having competition is good.

Apple’s Studio Display and the Samsung ViewFinity S9 are priced at $1,599 in the US.

While they have some similarities, each has advantages and drawbacks.

Samsung ViewFinity S9  Set Up

When setting up the Samsung ViewFinity S9, you’ll quickly realize that Apple's unboxing and setup experience is smoother.

I had to secure screws, attach the screen to its stand, and then spend a few minutes configuring the ViewFinity S9 to use it with my Mac.

In contrast, the Studio Display from Apple is ready to use right out of the box.

One noticeable compromise with Samsung's ViewFinity S9 is its materials.

The stand is metal, but the rest of the display is plastic, which feels disappointing given its high price.

However, considering you'll mainly be looking at the screen, it may not affect your experience too much.

Samsung ViewFinity S9's design is elegant, resembling the Studio Display.

Its thin bezels surpass Apple's, though the bottom one is thicker.

Silver-painted plastic parts enhance its premium look.

Both displays offer Thunderbolt 4 and three additional USB-C ports at the rear, which is a plus.

Almost Identical Image Quality

The ViewFinity S9's screen matches the Studio Display in image quality.

They share the same size and resolution and offer excellent color accuracy.

While not identical to Apple's calibration, the difference is minor and doesn't significantly affect the viewing experience, especially compared to my Mac's built-in display.

The ViewFinity S9 offers various color and contrast adjustments, allowing manual recalibration.

It matches the Studio Display with 600 nits of brightness, suitable for bright environments.

Samsung claims HDR support, but 600 nits may not deliver optimal HDR viewing.

Nonetheless, the brightness exceeds the LG display's, which is a definite plus.

Here are some technical details about the ViewFinity S9: it uses an LCD panel, so achieving perfect blacks isn't its strongest suit, much like the Studio Display.

Both also share a 60Hz refresh rate. The ViewFinity S9 supports the DCI-P3 color space, enhancing color vibrancy for more vivid visuals.

After using it for a few days, the ViewFinity S9 gives a similar experience to using an Apple screen.

Samsung ViewFinity S9 Advantages over Apple’s Studio Display

Wondering how the ViewFinity S9 stacks up against the Studio Display?

Despite their equal price tags, Samsung offers some hardware advantages that set it apart.

For starters, the ViewFinity S9 comes with a matte display as standard.

On the other hand, Apple charges an extra $300 for the nano-texture glass option.

While I prefer glossy screens, Samsung argues that matte screens are ideal for professionals in studios with bright backlighting.

Choosing Samsung saves you $300 on this feature alone.

Samsung ViewFinity S9 comes with standard height and tilt adjustments.

Apple's Studio Display offers a similar stand, but its height adjustment increases its price to $1,999.

For the adjustable stand and nano-texture glass, the Studio Display costs $2,299.

The Samsung ViewFinity S9's stand is rotatable, allowing you to use the display in portrait mode—a feature included in Samsung's $1,599 price tag.

However, Apple’s Studio Display excels over the ViewFinity S9 in several ways. As mentioned, its aluminum build is unquestionably more premium than plastic.

Beyond build quality, there are other aspects where the Studio Display may outshine the ViewFinity S9 for certain users.

Both displays feature built-in speakers. Apple offers six speakers with spatial audio, whereas Samsung includes only two stereo speakers criticized for their sound quality.

Unlike many monitors without speakers, the ViewFinity S9's speakers are quiet and lack bass.

Both displays include webcams with microphones. Apple's Studio Display initially faced criticism for its low-quality 1080p webcam.

Meanwhile, the ViewFinity S9 boasts a 4K webcam, but its image quality disappoints, particularly in low-light conditions. The microphones also receive poor reviews.

A unique feature of the ViewFinity S9 is its magnetically attachable webcam, allowing users to remove it if they prefer using a different webcam or do not need one at all.