Samsung Debuts New $1,599 ViewFinity S9 5K Display to Compete with Apple's Studio Display

[MacRumors]

Samsung today announced the upcoming U.S. launch of its ViewFinity S9 display, which is designed to compete with the Studio Display from Apple. The ViewFinity S9 previously launched in South Korea in June, but next month it will be expanding to the United States.

The 27-inch ViewFinity S9 features a 5K display with a resolution of 5120 x 2800 and 218 pixels per inch. It offers 600 nits typical brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and 99 percent DCI-P3 for vivid, realistic colors, and it is has a 60Hz refresh rate with a 5ms response time. According to Samsung, there is also an Intelligent Eye Care feature built into the display to cut down on eye strain.

Priced at $1,599, the ViewFinity S9 has the same price tag as the Studio Display from Apple, but Apple charges an additional $300 for Nano-texture matte glass and $400 extra for a tilt and height adjustable stand. Samsung's ViewFinity S9 has a matte display and built-in height and tilt adjustment at its base price, along with a Pivot function that allows the screen to be rotated 90 degrees to a portrait orientation. VESA mounting is also an option.

The display includes one Thunderbolt 4 port, three USB-C ports, a Mini DisplayPort, and a DC 20V port for a power supply. It can connect to both PCs and Macs, and offers 90W power transfer and data speeds of up to 40Gb/s for machines connected through the Thunderbolt 4 port.

At the top of the display, there is a 4K SlimFit camera that can tilt to fit the angle of the monitor, with an Auto Framing feature keeping the user visible and in the shot, similar to Apple's Center Stage feature. Built-in speakers are included, and an Adaptive Sound+ option allows noise levels to automatically adjust.

Samsung created a Smart Calibration feature for the ViewFinity S9, which uses an iPhone 11 or later or a modern Galaxy smartphone to quickly customize the screen. Through the SmartThings app, display users can adjust white balance and gamma settings using the Basic mode, or tweak color temperature, luminance, color space, and more with the Professional mode. Calibration works by pointing the smartphone's camera at the ViewFinity S9, and after the process is complete, the app provides a report of the adjustments made and the Delta E color accuracy.

The ViewFinity S9 includes Smart TV apps that allow the display to function as a TV independent of a connected computer. It supports popular streaming apps and the Samsung Gaming Hub for playing cloud-based games from Xbox and NVIDIA. There is a remote control for using the TV features.

Samsung's ViewFinity S9 is priced at $1,599 and it will be available for purchase from the Samsung website and from other retailers in August.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Article Link: Samsung Debuts New $1,599 ViewFinity S9 5K Display to Compete with Apple's Studio Display

 

[Realityck]

Priced at $1,599, the ViewFinity S9 has the same price tag as the Studio Display from Apple, but Apple charges an additional $300 for Nano-texture matte glass and $400 extra for a tilt and height adjustable stand. Samsung's ViewFinity S9 has a matte display and built-in height and tilt adjustment at its base price, along with a Pivot function that allows the screen to be rotated 90 degrees to a portrait orientation. VESA mounting is also an option.

Well there goes the expectations that Samsung would sell more of a bargain with the Viewfinity S9 then the Studio Display. It is quite probable that Samsung might discount it more though then Apple does theirs.

Now comes the comparisons to which actually is a better buy?

 

[andrewxgx]

is it really that hard to make a display with symmetrical borders on all 4 edges?

 

[stevebatter]

Oh, I was hoping this would come in at a significantly lower price. If I was in the market for a 27" 5K display for my Mac I would likely choose the Apple version if the alternative 3rd party display is the same price... (I appreciate the matte finish and stand options might make be a deciding factor).

 

[MayaUser]

So not so much cheaper when you build a more quality display closer to the Apple Display

 

[MayaUser]

is it really that hard to make a display with symmetrical borders on all 4 edges?

if you want speakers build in...yes

 

[contacos]

Shame that it has a matt display. I must be the only person on the planet who prefers a glossy display. Looking at my Dell from work almost makes me depressed (exaggerating) compared to my MacBook display. Colors just don't "pop" the same way (in my opinion)

 

[Stiksi]

So not so much cheaper when you build a more quality display closer to the Apple Display

Unlike Apple’s display, this may well get a price drop in a few months. The high starting price is likely just to see how much they can move the product at that price.

 

[MayaUser]

is it really that hard to make a display with symmetrical borders on all 4 edges?

If they build symmetrical borders like the bottom one...why the borders are so thick for 2023...if they make them this way...why are not symmetrical...if they build very slim and symmetrical...why no built in speakers.....jesus christ

 

[MayaUser]

Unlike Apple’s display, this may well get a price drop in a few months. The high starting price is just to see how much they can move the product at that price.

yes, but still..people complain the 5k Apple is too much when the plastic 4k Samsung display was $1200..now at 5k..not so much
I bet if you search for Apple display im sure you can find somewhere under $1599
Bottom line is at same quality...the price difference vanished

 

[LiE_]

It's good to finally have a proper option for a 27" 5K monitor that can be used with Windows.

 

[n-evo]

So not so much cheaper when you build a more quality display closer to the Apple Display

What are you talking about? It’s $700 cheaper compared to buying Apple’s screen with the same additional options. How is that “not so much” on a $1599 price tag?

 

[Stiksi]

yes, but still..people complain the 5k Apple is too much when the plastic 4k Samsung display was $1200..now at 5k..not so much
I bet if you search for Apple display im sure you can find somewhere under $1599
Bottom line is at same quality...the price difference vanished

Ok, so is your point that this proves you have to charge this amount for a display of this quality or that people complained about Apple’s price hiking but not Samsung’s?

Because to me, this only proves Samsung is directly attacking Apple’s product and is now testing how much they can make off it – how much they have to top Apple’s offer to get buyers to pick their product instead. This is the minimum – they give Apple’s extras free.

 

[amt2002]

I thought they might have made this 32” which would have differentiated it from the apple display. Then at this price point it would have been more appealing.

 

[iZac]

The industry pricing used to be a 'race-to-the-bottom'

now it's a 'race-to-apple'

VR enthusiasts clench tight while Apple normalises a $3500 headset for everyone else!

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

What are you talking about? It’s $700 cheaper than the same thing at Apple. How is that “not so much” on a $1599 price tag?

They both cost $1599.

 

[FrozenDarkness]

Yt reviewers are saying you cant adjust brightness through mac. You have to adjust it with the monitor itself. Thats the kind of protectionism that youd expect from apple and breaks a purchase imo.

 

[andrewxgx]

if you want speakers build in...yes

ah, thats why the Studio Display doesnt have them. oh, wait.

 

[DMG35]

They both cost $1599.

Samsung gives the tilt and height adjustment stand at $1599. You have to pay an additional $400 to Apple to get that.

 

[TechRunner]

Wait a few months, and it will be $1299 during Cyber Week.

 

[schneeland]

5K display with a resolution of 5120 x 2800

Minor thing, but I believe this should be 5120 x 2880.

 

[zoom25]

The matte display could absolutely be an issue and a dealbreaker for some.

I've compared Apple's regular glossy with nano finish and the difference in (text) sharpness was immediately noticeable along with colours. I'd do everything in my power to make the regular glossy work in the environment before defaulting to the matte screen. Matte/nano is a good solution if you absolutely cannot fix your room for whatever reason, like a window behind you that you don't want to close with a curtain.

 

[laptech]

is it really that hard to make a display with symmetrical borders on all 4 edges?

not unless you want a thick border around the whole display because the bottom of the display is traditionally where the led's for the back light go therefore the bottom of the screen tends to have a thicker border than the rest of the screen.

 

[klky]

I haven’t checked but I bet it has a detachable cable too. Man, Apple must be kicking themselves.

 

[Harvey Zoltan]

No thanks.