William Gallagher
Samsung has announced US shipping for its ViewFinity S9 5K monitor, aimed at being a rival to the more costly Apple Studio Display.
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.
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11 Comments
I really thought it would be less expensive than that. I doubt it will succeed at that price point. Hopefully it ends up discounted by about $400.
I’ll be getting a Studio Display (regular stand, regular screen finish) later this year, I think. I don’t find anything compelling on this Samsung monitor (or any other 5K monitors on the market) that can beat the build quality, longevity, image/colour quality and support (if required) of the Studio Display.
My Thunderbolt Display lasted more than 10 years before I replaced the LCD panel, it’ll go another 10 though I actually need the 5K now as my editing workflow finally moves to 4K. (Also still using a couple of 23” Cinema Displays in our household that must be pushing 16-18 years of use, still excellent image quality).
Apple Display with a VESA mount, best investment ever, it will last for years and picture is solid. a Samsung for the price of apple, WHY?!
Everything Samsung I've ever bought simply hasn't lasted. The TV needed repair within a year, luckily under warranty. The washer and dryer are long gone. While we loved our fridge, when it needed a new circuit board after 9 years the part wasn't available for purchase. A refrigerator should last longer than that. Their products often look enticing, but they just don't hold up.
On the other hand, my PowerMac 7100 from the 90's still boots with all original parts! Same with the PowerBook G4 -- still going strong. I just bought a Mac Mini with Studio Display and don't regret it one bit.
Microphones, Spatial Audio, audio quality? At the price stated here, I am not sure the Samsung display is compelling.