Samsung ViewFinity S9 first look: a modern various to Apple’s Studio Display

Samsung introduced its ViewFinity S9 monitor earlier this week. With a 5K (5120 x 2880) decision and trendy aluminum enclosure, it looks like Samsung is attempting to sq. off with Apple’s Studio Display — possible for a lower cost — and LG’s high-resolution screens. I had an opportunity to take a look at the ViewFinity S9 up shut at Samsung’s First Look occasion right here at CES 2023, and my first impressions have been fairly optimistic.

It undoubtedly seems the a part of a prosumer desk monitor. The design is premium, and having a matte end by default is sweet (despite the fact that you would possibly lose a contact of saturation and sharpness). And you get loads of I/O round again: I rely one Thunderbolt 4 port, three USB-C ports, and DisplayPort. The ViewFinity S9 can cost laptops at as much as 96 watts.

Samsung says the 27-inch show covers 99 p.c of the DCI-P3 huge shade gamut. As finest I may inform by eyeing the display screen, there’s no native dimming right here. That’s not terribly shocking because it’s not current on the Studio Display or LG’s 5K screens both, and this might probably be utilizing the identical LG Display panel. We haven’t been in a position to verify whether it is or if it’s utilizing one thing from Samsung Display, nonetheless.

The removable 4K SlimFit webcam wasn’t a part of the demo, so I can’t vouch for its readability or the way it compares to Apple’s, which, effectively, you realize. Apple’s monitor has spectacular built-in audio system for people who want them; I wasn’t in a position to get impression of those on the S9 in my time with it, sadly.

Samsung’s consultant gave me a simulated demo of the calibration course of, which makes use of an app in your cellphone to optimize the ViewFinity S9’s colours. The actual calibration software will take round quarter-hour, from what I used to be informed. When it’s finished, you’ll see a report on shade accuracy and different particulars.

The huge lacking piece of this puzzle is value. Samsung hasn’t mentioned how a lot the ViewFinity S9 will value. Apple’s Studio Display begins at $1,599. LG’s ageing UltraFine 5K is usually discounted right down to round $1,150 these days. Will Samsung go even decrease or land someplace within the center? The ViewFinity S9 is a really good monitor, however it’s not with out weak factors; an HDR600 ranking isn’t going to blow anybody away, and with out native dimming, your blacks will solely get so darkish. It’s not a lot totally different from the Studio Display in that respect, nonetheless, which additionally tops out at 600 nits of brightness and lacks native dimming.

But do understand that the ViewFinity will come loaded with the identical software program that runs on Samsung’s TVs and Smart Monitor, so that you’ll get direct entry to streaming apps plus productiveness software program like Google Meet. Some will view that as a bonus; others may need most popular that the ViewFinity was simply a normal, dumb monitor.

Photography by Chris Welch / The Verge