Apple Studio Display vs Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K — compared

Apple discontinued the Thunderbolt Display in 2016 and waited five years before launching a similarly-priced replacement. The Studio Display launched in March 2022, with the LG UltraFine 5K positioned as its primary competitor at the time.

Samsung launched the ViewFinity S9 5K in South Korea in July. It finally became available in the United States in late August.

The two standalone monitors share similar feature sets, as far as the base Studio Display is concerned. However, Apple charges more for some of the features present on Samsung's option.

Here's how the two displays compare:

Apple Studio Display vs Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K: Specs

Considering price points and size, the two standalone monitors look similar on the specifications sheet. This might be enough to sway some potential customers looking to only spend around $1,599.

They are nearly identical displays, when it comes to the specs sheet. However, the Studio Display does offer better microphones and speakers out of the box.

Meanwhile, Samsung offers some elements like the multi-point adjustable stand at no additional cost. Some buyers might also be enticed by the built-in 4K webcam as well.

Apple Studio Display vs Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K: Design and dimensions

The Apple Studio Display borders its 27-inch display with relatively thin bezels on every side. Samsung's ViewFinity S9 5K follows along with the same design language, keeping the monitor's overall sleek design.

The ViewFinity S9 5K comes standard with a stand that offers height, tilt, and pivot adjustment options. To get the Apple Studio Display with a similar stand, customers will need to pay $400 more.

The Studio Display relies on an aluminum build throughout, including the stand itself and the back panel. Samsung's ViewFinity S9 5K has an aluminum stand, but the back panel is plastic.

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K weighs 16.3 pounds, while the standard version of the Studio Display weighs 13.9 pounds. Adding the optional stand with tilt and height adjustments adds three pounds to the Studio Display.

Apple Studio Display vs Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K: Display

The displays in the two standalone monitors are roughly the same, as far as specs and features are concerned. They are both 27-inch LCD panels that support sRGB and DCI-P3 for color accuracy, depending on each user's needs.

They both feature 60Hz refresh rates and can reach 600 nits of peak brightness. Apple offers True Tone technology with the Studio Display, while Samsung's monitor features Intelligent Eye Care to reduce blue light, optimize brightness, and more.

The Apple Studio Display has a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, with none of the local dimming that the Pro Display XDR offers. The Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K features a contrast ratio of 1,000:1 and no local dimming.

The standard version of the Studio Display has an anti-reflective screen, which will reduce overall glare. The optional nano-texture glass is optimal for reducing glare in rooms with bright light sources, including sunlight.

Samsung's ViewFinity S9 5K features a Matte Display, which will reduce light reflections without obscuring the user's view.

The Samsung monitor also features a dedicated companion smartphone app. With the app, users can quickly calibrate their display based on their needs, including switching to modes like DCI-P3 and sRGB.

Apple Studio Display vs Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K: Connectivity

The Apple Studio Display and Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K feature three USB-C ports, while the Studio Display has a single Thunderbolt 3 port and Samsung's has a single Thunderbolt 4 port.

The Studio Display has three USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 ports, with up to 10Gbps speeds. Samsung does not specifically mention the type of USB-C ports on the back of the ViewFinity S9 5K, so it may be USB-C 3.0. If that is the case, it will top out at 5Gbps.

Studio Display owners will get 96W of power delivery, while the ViewFinity S9 5K will output 90W. In both cases, the standalone monitors can charge a notebook like a 16-inch MacBook Pro easily enough.

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K does offer some key elements the Studio Display does not, including AirPlay support and Smart Hub TV features. The ViewFinity S9 5K also has a single mini DisplayPort.

While the Studio Display does not support AirPlay directly, users could use a connected Mac or MacBook to use the feature if they need to.

Samsung also notes that only Apple Silicon-based "Mac computers" released since 2020 are supported by the ViewFinity S9 5K.

Apple Studio Display vs Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K: Camera and audio

The Apple Studio Display's webcam is built in, while Samsung's SlimFit camera is detachable. Apple's option is the same 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera that is present in the latest iPad Pro.

Apple's camera also supports a 122-degree field of view and Center Stage, with an f/2.4 aperture. Samsung does not go into great detail about the 4K SlimFit camera that ships with the ViewFinity S9 5K.

Apple's Studio Display is equipped with a six-speaker array, consisting of four force-canceling woofers and two tweeters, complete with Spatial Audio support. Apple's monitor also boasts a studio-quality three-mic array.

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K is equipped with a pair of speakers that can output 5W and a far-field microphone.

Apple Studio Display vs Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K: macOS

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K will work like any standard standalone display when connected to a Mac. While the display does technically have AirPlay 2, while the Studio Display does not, Samsung's monitor does not offer any specific macOS- or Apple-specific features.

The Apple Studio Display is equipped with an A13 processor inside, meaning it is capable of utilizing Apple-specific features. Those include Spatial Audio, a range of different reference modes built into macOS, "Hey Siri," and Center Stage.

Apple Studio Display vs Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K: Price and where to buy

Apple launched the Studio Display in March 2022, with a starting price of $1,599 with standard glass. Adding nano-texture glass bumps the starting price to $1,899.

The tilt-only adjustable stand does not add anything to the price. However, adding the tilt- and height-adjustable stand will increase the price to at least $1,999. The VESA mount adapter bumps the price to at least $1,599.

Samsung's ViewFinity S9 5K retails for $1,599.99 and ships with the tilt- and height-adjustable stand, a physical remote to control Smart Hub TV features, and a matte finish display.

Apple Studio Display vs Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K: What to buy

The Apple Studio Display and Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K share many of the same specifications right out of the box. This makes either option a worthwhile choice as far as a standalone monitor itself is concerned.

For users already in the Apple ecosystem, and for anyone who is using an Apple computer that's not equipped with Apple Silicon, the Studio Display is likely the option to consider. With the A13 processor inside unlocking features like Center Stage, Spatial Audio, reference modes, and more, it has a leg up within the Apple ecosystem.

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K does come standard with a stand that can tweak tilt, height, and pivot settings, while the Apple Studio Display does not. If the potential buyer's workstation requires more subtle positioning and they don't want to spend more money on Apple's display system, Samsung's monitor is worth considering.

Apple Studio Display vs Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K: Where to buy

The Apple-branded monitor is available at a discount at Apple Authorized Reseller Adorama when you apply coupon code APINSIDER during Step 3 of checkout. Amazon, Best Buy, and other major retailers also carry the display.

The ViewFinity S9 5K is available from Samsung's website, Amazon, Best Buy, and other third-party retailers.