Simply over a 12 months and a half after Apple launched its Studio Show, Samsung launched a direct competitor with its ViewFinity S9 5K monitor. With lots of the similar options as Studio Show plus some past, it’s an fascinating different. Observe alongside for the way Studio Show vs. Samsung ViewFinity S9 stack up.
12/28/23: On the finish of December, the Samsung ViewFinity S9 is at the moment 44% off, priced at $891. That makes the monitor fairly tempting at roughly half the worth of Apple’s Studio Show.
In the meantime, the bottom Studio Show is 6% off with vacation pricing.
Background
After the Apple Thunderbolt show was canceled in 2016, the Apple-endorsed show turned the LG UltraFine 27-inch 5K (full evaluate) and 21.5-inch 4K – later changed by the 24-inch 4K mannequin.
These checked quite a lot of packing containers like Thunderbolt single-cable connectivity, 4 and 5K resolutions, P3 large coloration, and extra. However many disliked the plastic design of LG’s UltraFine shows with chunky bezels (significantly on the 27-inch model) and an general construct under Apple’s requirements.
Apple began making its personal show once more with the Professional Show XDR in late 2019, which drummed up plenty of pleasure. However its price ticket of $5,000+ has stored it restricted to skilled use and those that aren’t worth delicate.
In March of 2022, Apple’s Studio Show launched with a formidable checklist of options and a fantastic aluminum construct within the fashion of the Professional Show XDR – at a worth extra customers, creators, and companies can afford.
But it surely was solely a matter of time earlier than opponents like Samsung rolled out a monitor with comparable key specs and design – enter the ViewFinity S9 5K Monitor.
For reference, we’ve additionally included the LG UltraFine 5K within the charts under.
Apple Studio Show vs Samsung ViewFinity S9
Value
Apple’s Studio Show begins at $1,599 and runs as much as $2,299 relying on upgrades. The Samsung ViewFinity S9 is priced at $1,599 and comes with a number of options that Apple prices further for.
Ranging from a $300 distinction, you get much more on your cash with each the Apple Studio Show and Samsung ViewFinity S9 in comparison with the LG UltraFine.
Show panels
The panels of those three screens are nearly an identical. Each the Studio Show and the ViewFinity S9 characteristic as much as 600 nits brightness – the LG UltraFine sits just under at 500 nits.
In any other case, you’re 27-inch LCD panels with 5120 x 2880 5K resolutions.
| Studio Show | Samsung ViewFinity S9 | LG UltraFine 5K | |
| Measurement | 27-inch | 27-inch | 27-inch |
| Panel kind | LCD with IPS | LCD with IPS | LCD with IPS |
| Decision | 5120 x 2880 (5K) | 5120 x 2880 (5K) | 5120 x 2880 (5K) |
| Facet ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| PPI | 218 | 218 | 218 |
| Refresh charge(s) | 60Hz | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness | 600 nits | 600 nits | 500 nits |
| P3 large coloration | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| End | Anti-reflective/optionally available nano-texture | Anti-glare matte end | Anti-glare |
Regardless that the LG UltraFine is kind of outdated, the panel isn’t too far behind the specs of the Studio Show and ViewFinity S9.
Connectivity
All of those shows characteristic Thunderbolt ports for single-cable connectivity with three extra USB-C ports for peripherals. Nevertheless, Studio Show stands out with as much as 10 Gbps velocity for its USB-C ports that use USB 3.1 Gen 2.
| Studio Show | Samsung ViewFinity S9 | LG UltraFine 5K | |
| Thunderbolt | 1 upstream | 1 upstream | 1 upstream |
| USB-C | x3 (3.1 Gen 2) | x3 (probably 3.0) | x3 (3.0) |
| Energy supply | 96W | 90W | 94W |
| VESA appropriate | ✅ (determine at time of buy) | ✅ | ✅ |
| AirPlay | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Good Hub TV characteristic with distant | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Samsung doesn’t specify what kind of USB-C ports are included on the ViewFinity S9, so it’s most likely 5Gbps with the three.0 customary just like the LG UltraFine, not 10Gbps just like the Studio Show.
Nevertheless, Samsung does embrace one further port than the opposite two screens, a mini DisplayPort.
Digicam and audio
The Studio Show is the primary piece of {hardware} Apple has put its 12 MP ultrawide digital camera exterior of the iPad Professional/Air. That permits the precious Middle Stage characteristic for video calls and presents a 122-degree discipline of view.
Humorous sufficient, Apple doesn’t point out 1080p on its Studio Show tech spec sheet in any respect; nevertheless, it did say on the “Peek efficiency” occasion that it’s the identical digital camera as within the iPad Professional – and that specs web page does say 1080p.
However regardless of having high-definition 1080p high quality, the Studio Show has acquired a good bit of criticism. Samsung’s 4K SlimFit digital camera that’s included with the ViewFinity S9 could also be a greater performer.
| Studio Show | Samsung ViewFinity S9 | LG UltraFine 5K | |
| Constructed-in webcam | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Lens specs | 12 MP ultrawide, f/2.4 aperture, 122-degree view, helps 1080p | 4K | 1080p |
| Middle Stage | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Audio system | 6-speaker system with Spatial Audio | 2 x 5W | 2 x 5W |
| Mic | Studio-quality 3-mic array | Far-field mic | ✅ |
With regards to audio system, although, Studio Show could win with its six-speaker audio system (4 force-canceling woofers and two tweeters) that may play Spatial Audio and Apple’s studio-quality three-mic array.
That’s up towards twin 5W audio system in each the Samsung and LG screens.
Design
The design and construct high quality alone are sufficient for a lot of to decide on Apple’s Studio Show over the LG UltraFine.
However now the Samsung ViewFinity S9 has arrived with comparable, smooth styling. It additionally comes customary with tilt, top, and pivot adjustment. For the Studio Show, you need to pay $400 further to get the height-adjustable stand.
Nevertheless, Samsung’s ViewFinity makes use of a steel stand however a silver-colored plastic again panel, whereas Apple makes use of aluminum for the whole construct.
| Studio Show | Samsung ViewFinity S9 | LG UltraFine 5K | |
| Stand included | ✅ (tilt solely incl., $400 for top + tilt stand) | ✅ (tilt, top, and pivot adj) | ✅ (tilt and top adj) |
| Black plastic construct | – | – | ✅ |
| Aluminum construct | ✅ (full aluminum) | ✅ (aluminum stand, plastic again) | ❌ |
| Apple Sprucing Fabric included? | ✅ (with nano-texture model) | ❌ | ❌ |
| Weight with stand | 13.9 or 16.9 kilos | 16.3 kilos | 18.7 kilos |
Some critiques have talked about that with a full steel construct, the Apple Studio Show feels sturdier than the ViewFinity S9.
Reference modes
Apple’s Professional Show XDR excels for professionals with 11 completely different reference modes (plus customized ones). In the meantime, the Studio Show options assist for 9 of these 11.
Samsung’s ViewFinity S9 doesn’t characteristic all the similar reference modes however does embrace assist for:
- DCI-P3
- sRBG
- BT.709
- Customized
- Graphic
- Eco
- Entertain
Plus, ViewFinity comes with the Good Calibration coloration administration software program. Right here’s what reference modes can be found with Apple Studio Show:
| Studio Show | |
| Apple Show (P3-600 nits) | ✅ |
| Professional Show XDR (P3-1600 nits) | ❌ |
| HDR Video (P3-ST 2084) | ❌ |
| HDTV Video (BT.709-BT.1886) | ✅ |
| NTSC Video (BT.601 SMPTE-C) | ✅ |
| PAL and SECAM (BT.601 EBU) | ✅ |
| Digital Cinema (P3-DCI) | ✅ |
| Digital Cinema (P3-D65) | ✅ |
| Design and Print (P3-D50) | ✅ |
| Pictures (P3-D65) | ✅ |
| Web and Internet (sRGB) | ✅ |
Apple Studio Show vs Samsung ViewFinity S9 wrap-up
Professionals for ViewFinity S9
It would look like there’s not a lot to tug Apple customers away from selecting the Studio Show, as each 5K screens begin at $1,599. Nevertheless, Samsung is together with some options that you need to pay fairly a bit extra for with Apple’s Studio Show.
First, to get the peak and tilt adjustable stand with Apple, that bumps the worth as much as $1,999.
And should you’d additionally just like the less-reflective nano-texture glass end, the Apple Studio show is $2,299 – nearly 50% costlier than the Samsung ViewFinity S9.
And with the limited-time vacation pricing, you may seize the ViewFinity S9 at an much more affordable sub-$900 worth level.
Samsung’s show comes customary with VESA mount assist, and the 4K webcam might find yourself being higher than Apple’s 12MP webcam within the Studio Show.
Plus, with the ViewFinity S9, you get the Good Hub/TV performance. All of that makes the S9 ViewFinity really feel like a compelling bundle.
Nevertheless, whereas ViewFinity makes use of a steel stand, it incorporates a silver-colored plastic again panel.
Professionals for Studio Show
Studio Show does have some options the ViewFinity S9 doesn’t like Hey Siri assist, Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos assist, studio high quality mics, the choice of a shiny or matte display screen end, and 96W of passthrough energy (vs 90W with the ViewFinity).
And, in fact, the pull of Studio Show being an official Apple monitor to match a MacBook or a desktop Mac could also be sufficient to tip the scales for a lot of. Add that to the truth that Studio Show makes use of a full aluminum construct, whereas Samsung makes use of a hybrid steel/plastic design.
Additionally, generally the Apple Studio Show might be discovered for much less than the $1,599 MSRP, which makes it extra interesting.
What do you concentrate on the ViewFinity S9 vs Apple Studio Show? Does the brand new monitor steal the highlight from Studio Show? Share your ideas within the feedback!
Inquisitive about extra inexpensive however succesful 4K screens? We’ve received a full roundup of stable selections in our information:
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