Samsung's Studio Display rival finally coming in August

Samsung ViewFinity S9

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K has already been released in South Korea, but US buyers have been waiting for it since the display was previewed at CES in 2023. Now Samsung has officially announced a US date — although it is only saying August 2023, nothing more specific.

"The ViewFinity S9 will be available for purchase in August on Samsung.com and at select retailers nationwide for $1,599.99," says the company.

That $1,599.99 price would appear to be 99c more expensive than the Apple Studio Display. However, Samsung's model comes as standard with a height-adjustable stand, and the equivalent option raises the Studio Display to $1,999.

The two rival displays are both 27-inch 5K models, with Thunderbolt 4 connectors, and internal speakers. Samsung's ViewFinity S9 has a better specification camera with a 4K webcam instead of what Apple describes as a 12MP Ultra Wide camera.

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 also comes with matte glass where Apple's is reflective, unless you buy a nanotexture option. That then raises Apple's price to $2,299.00.

Apple's nanotexture and Samsung's matte finish are not the same, but they do both aim to reduce reflection and glare on their monitors. They are also intended to help preserve color accuracy.

Calibration via smartphone

In what Samsung says is an industry first, the Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K's color accuracy can be calibrated using a smartphone. Users can start the process just by pointing a phone's camera at the screen, and using Samsung's SmartThings app.

Naturally that SmartThings app and this calibration feature work with Samsung's Galaxy phones. But the company also says that it will work with Apple's iPhone 11 or later, and with the second generation iPhone SE or later.