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I actually bought the Studio Display once the Samsung was announced. Suddenly the Studio Display started to look like a great value once the Viewfinity was announced.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Studio Display but these are similar in price only on paper, not in the real world. The Studio Display is € 2200 in Germany with the height adjustable stand and close to € 2500 if you add the matte finish. The S9 5K is around € 1350-1450, depending on the shop. And at the end of the day with the Studio Display you're still missing 90 degree rotation for programmers...
@@maitiaru The s9 is better for programers on a budget. the studio display is better for EVERYONE else. if you're willing to justify a worse camera, terrible build quality, and cheep speakers then that is great for you. but the truth is most people prefer a glossy display, and most people do not need a hight adjustable stand. for almost everyone, the studio display is a no brainer.
The Studio Display is a work of art, no doubt about it. If only it would accept HDMI sources, but alas, Apple has never really played nice in the playground of cross-compatibility (Apple Display Connector, anyone?). Hoping that will change in the future.
The Studio Display is pure elegance. The build in power adapter, which seems not so easy to copy looking at Samsungs gigantic external adapter. The sleek design with powerful build in speakers and a passable webcam. The premiere hight adjustable stand which is an engineering marvel. The perfectly symmetric bezels. The overall build quality. This package is not easily copied.
The S9 design is sleeker with slimmer bezels and a completely removable/adjustable camera just cheaper materials which shouldn't really matter with a display. A laptop would be a different story on material I'd rather money be put into features over the material if I had to choose... I guess I'm in the minority...
@@ria8850Depends on the app my friend. Regardless, I'd rather have the option to completely remove the camera rather than have some extra mega pixels for a zoom meeting. Apple wants to keep an eye on you 24/7 obviously.
Note: the much better choice for the Studio Display is a 3rd party VESA mount arm. I have the $100 Amazon Basics (which is a licensed Ergotron) and it's fantastic. It gives the Studio Display rotation capability and unveils a hidden feature: The monitor will automatically and instantly recognize that it has been rotated and rotate the video data. It ALSO will rotate the webcam picture. Also I'd mention the microphones. They're fantastic and let you have video meetings without headsets and echos. The integration in iOS is just unmatched.
I just bought the samsung viewfinity s9 for $699. For that kind of monies I just couldn't pass it up. The picture is awesome and I am able to use the volume and brightness controls on my keyboard just like the studio display. For me I like being able to watch split screen that is pretty cool I can be on my mac and watch TV at the same time. For $699 I think its steal of a deal.
I recently bought the Studio Display and it's a work of art. It's truly beautiful and the best-looking monitor I've ever seen. And of course the compatibility with the Macbook is astonishing. The downsides, no HDR and the camera. For those reasons I think it's an overpriced monitor. The height adjustment is also overpriced but I don't mind using a monitor desk shelf on top of my desk. I actually like it. Image is amazing, speakers are VERY impressive. On my main PC I have studio monitors and studio headsets. The studio display does not come close to those, obviously. But it's so good if you don't want to be to meticulous about analyzing the sound, that I don't feel the need to get extra speakers at all when I'm using the display.
for being non-HDR I have seen many comparisons with "HDR" displays and the Studio Display looked better. Of course a GOOD HDR display will look better than the Studio Display, but so many screens claim HDR and are crap.
go with the ASD. that feeling after you've bought a cheaper version, feeling like you should have gone with the one you wanted, is not nice. and you might end up selling the cheaper one and getting the one you want anyway.
I have S9 and the only reason I have acquired it over Studio Display is much better compatibility with Windows. I can confirm, speakers are average, camera as well, on top, if you use BENQ LED light on top of monitor then forget S9 camera or LED, not compatible (you can put it on side as workaround). Another small issue is that sometimes does not reconnect picture when re-connect to CalDigit4 dock (M2ProMax), remote ctrl switch helps. On the other hand, I am happy user because it is what I have expected, as long as Windows is the gaming platform and S9 works with it great, you can switch between them easily, Windows supports like Mac HiDPI resolution, you can control monitor and everything from remote if needed. If you have like me external studio speakers, I could recommend it as Mac/Win setup. I liked BENQ Pro 32" monitor more (KVM, dial), but they do not offer 5K/6K, alternative might be new Dell 32"6K, but camera there is also bulky in the middle (see LED lamp issue).
@@deyh5664 I do not have SD, but as far as I know and what I have tested in the shop, SD works with Windows (shows the picture), but since the monitor has no physical control buttons, you need SW to change the settings. In MacOS it is easy as it is included in the monitor settings. Since there is no such SW for Windows for settings, you cannot change anything, but you will see some picture.
The Apple height-adjustable stand option is $500 dollars more, while that feature is already included in the Samsung monitor. So, it is not true Samsung is selling it for the same price. Same for the matt option, you pay about $400 more to get it in the Apple display, but it is already included in the Samsung. Go and compare yourself.
for the majority of people, the studio display should be a no brainer. Most people don't need hight adjustment, and most people prefer a glossy display. if you're willing to sacrifice build quality, speakers, webcam, and connectivity, then sure, go with the S9.
@@bradleymarlow9311 yeah yeah, that's why I see books/stands under monitors that don't support height adjustment while walking around the office, not to mention electric tables while somewhat close but still a bit different in sitting heights and in standing heights, same with chairs. Some people occasionally adjust the height of the monitor while standing. A lot of people ignore ergonomics until "surprises" happen later on. My point is Apple could have had height adjustment in the base model and let customers have an option to adjust the height by not paying for it, but hey, why do that if you _can_ charge extra :)
The big reason I could see going with S9 is needing to support multiple inputs. I’ve had my Studio Display for over a year with my M1 Max Mac Studio but after moving I only have room for one desk setup so I have to share space with my work from home setup which is already multiple monitors (but a govt HP laptop) I don’t want to move cables around as that’s janky and will wear things out quickly. I’m a total Apple sheep but I might sell the Studio Display and get the S9 to better suit my setup. Also, the S9 will get discounted more frequently and much more heavily than Apple to where I won’t end up paying $1600 when I pull the trigger.
I mean, it still is - for the price they're asking it could at *least* have a couple of other inputs and a better webcam. That said, it's a fine display and docking station for a MBP, it just costs a kidney.
@@JerrySchulze you mean mac studio can only be used mostly with apple and can't be connected to a console or other pc's? At least the Samsung can be used with any equipment. But agree this two monitors are really over priced for different reasons
Most places are selling the Samsung at $300 off, $1300USD. Add the adjustable stand and Nano finish on Apple and you are pushing $2,200USD. That $800 saving buys some nice pro audio speakers and a better Webcam.
for recommending the Apple Studio Display over price, now the Samsung has a deal for that ViewFinity S9 for $900. Would that change your recommendation?
Unless there's a sale, this ViewFinity is a hard sell for Mac users. If you have to pay that $1600 price many may just bite the bullet and get the Studio Display with height adjustable stand for another $400. I am totally fine with my Huawei 28.2 Mateview for now, BTW. Can't really beat it when I managed to get it on sale for the price at 1/3 of ASD. Great to look at as well. I actually like the 3:2 ratio. Dimension-wise it's the same height of the 32" 16:9 and same width as the 27" 16:9.
Even if ViewFinity goes down in price, I would rather own Apple's Studio Display for the quality and fit/finish. Cheaper alternatives are a prescription for remorse.
i have my ASD on a monitor arm, which can be used for any future monitors with a Vesa mount. $400 on a stand compatible with just one monitor isn't a good deal.
Thank you for your evaluations of the S9 versus the Studio Display. I’ve been planning a major computer upgrade since last fall. When the S9 was announced (nine months ago), I was excited, because it sounded as if Samsung had come out with a Studio Display killer. And there was all the speculation I saw that Samsung would sock it to Apple by pricing the S9 far below the SD, making it a no-brainer. Well, we see now how valid those predictions were. Not! I had thought early on of going with the S9 for cost, even though I’ve heard so much good about the SD. I’m close to ordering a Mac Studio but will probably go with the SD over the S9. I think that, from a price perspective, Samsung got greedy and has shot themselves in the foot, letting a good opportunity to get the S9 out the door slip away. Samsung’s decision to price the S9 so close to the SD leaves me thinking that I might as well just go ahead and get the SD and be done with it.
I’m guessing Samsung starts cutting prices this holiday season or next year while I expect Apple to keep the same price until they launch a v2 of the Studio Display w improved webcam and mics, higher refresh rate, and slimmer bezels. Would also love to see some buttons for power and volume and potentially built-in Apple TV functionality ie casting.
i dont know in your country but here in switzerland you can now get it for half the price....so the S9 became a better value than the studio display for 800 lol .
I remember all the squawking about the Studio Display when it first came out, but more and more it seems like a great display - and probably the display I'll be getting when I'm ready to replace my 2020 iMac 5K.
In the same boat here. Not yet ready to replace my 2020 iMac - that'll happen when they drop support for it and upgrades - but the Studio Display looks likely to be my path (though I'd love a 32" 6K that's not insanely expensive)
@@andrewdavidson665 Yeah, I bought the 2020 iMac _loaded:_ 128 GB RAM, 4 TB SSD, Core-i9, AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT w/16 GB VRAM. I _knew_ it would be a while (if ever) before you could play Win games at a good frame rate and high resolution on Apple Silicon, and I wanted this machine to last as long as possible. _Didn't_ know Microsoft was gonna introduce a requirement for additional security hardware for Win 11 though.
@@vernearase3044hah! Literally the same as me barring the RAM. (I left RAM at base but bought 96GB after market) and also partially for the same about being able to play games, though I also wanted it for Windows VMs (Parallels rocks) for work and for Logic and yeah those Windows 11 requirements are frustrating. However I found I didn't play games on it as much as I hoped due to the hassle of dual booting so ended up buying a second (windows) PC to scratch that itch. Still love my iMac (my first desktop mac) though and will get possibly a Studio when I do eventually replace it, though given how powerful the mini with the M2pro is in it, it might be something like that, as long as there is a goodly amount of IO.
Studio Display is still overpriced garbage. iMac 5K 2020 started from $1799, and it was a full-blown computer with decent AMD graphics, the latest mid-range Intel processor (which costed at least $200 on its own), keyboard and mouse and stuff. Studio Display just cannot cost this much. Maybe if it gets upgraded with mini-LED and 120 Hz, then it will be worth $1599. But not in its current state.
@@intensifiedhipster Sure, I hope by the time I'm ready to buy my next desktop they'll have upgraded it to a liquid retina XDR display, but I really need _at least_ a 5K display as I've been spoiled by the 5K iMac. No one says you have to buy it so don't get all up in your face about it. Buy a cheapo 4K display and let 'em double scale it for you. The studio display simply slots in and replaces the missing parts of the iMac 5K.
The S9 goes on sale at Best Buy for $1299 regularly, and for those of us on Windows, the S9 is the only 2880p option. I have recording studio speakers, so I don't care about the sound quality of the S9. And the height/tilt etc. are "set it and forget it", so that's not really an issue. I would prefer a higher quality version of the S9 without the "smart" features, for a lower price, though. I hope 2880p monitors catch on. Windows at 200% scaling would be great on one of those.
In your video, I heard you mention the S9 monitor having HDR support, but you zipped past Apple not having it. Then on 8:46 you said, "Apple does do a much better job on High Dynamic Range", which implies the Studio Monitor has HDR support (which it does not). Also, you sort of skimmed through the price difference between the two monitors. Your Studio Display costs more than the S9, because you purchased the optional up/down mount - but you show both costing $1600.
There is a warning that says "*Only Mac computers with Apple Silicon released after 2020 are supported" on the product's webpage. Do you know what this warning is about? Does it mean the monitor can not be used with Macs without an Apple silicon chip? Source: The 27" ViewFinity S9 page on Samsung’s web site. (I can’t post the link because TH-cam deletes the comment then.)
For anyone who is truly interested in audio, far superior to anything built in is available for not much. Down firing hype adjusted 6 speaker systems are great for entertainment, but nothing replaces good speakers facing directly at the listener from near-field positioning. Companies such as JBL are now selling self-powered 4” monitors in well-engineered small but heavy enclosures that are good enough to mix an album on, total price about $200.00. You’re spending many thousands of dollars on a display, a user could spend a few hundred more and have audio that matches the imagery these high end displays offer.
The difference will be Samsung will put their display on sale for $999 by Christmas, making it an really good deal. at the end of the day Glossy wins for me, but if all you care about is an accurate color reproduction and 5k, the samsung will be a way better value as soon as it's on sale.
@@JamesBond-fo6ow $200-$300 seems like a fair upgrade for build quality, support and better speakers imo, if we're comparing discounted prices for both
I think the main dealbreaker of the studio display is the refusal to work seamlessly with anything but Apple devices. Even if someone uses only Apple devices at home, the truth is most work places use windows and working from home is becoming more of a thing, people don’t want to have to setup multiple monitors for different purposes. I should be able to use my display with my mac and be able to plug in pc/laptop to do some wfh without jumping through hoops (only supports thunderbolt devices, can’t change brightness, no on/off button)
I think it's kinda disappointing we're still having this conversation now (and that monitors of this calibre are still at the $1500 price point) I've had a Studio display since the middle of 2022. It's great and works well with my Mac Studio but in all honesty, it's not a big improvement over the original 5K retina display in the late 2014 iMacs. That said, it just works: seamless brighness and volume adjustments (and nightshift/truetone) and the in-built camera is good enough for my needs and it has been faultless to date. The speakers are sufficient for most purposes and I've found myself using them more in lieu of the Sonos Play 1's in my main study area. Definitely better than the old and new iMac speakers by a country mile. But if I also had a non-Apple device to connect, then the sheer lack of physical buttons and configuration in the Studio display feels like it would be a poor (and potentially impossible) option.
Ugh. I was really excited to have a lower cost option to replace my aging 27" Thunderbolt Displays to better match my main display - the Studio Display... but not seeing anything with the S9 that makes it worth the $1600 price tag for me. I'd rather just buy two more Studio Displays (if I could afford it). Honestly, I'm shocked Samsung priced it at $1600. I was thinking $799. Great breakdown, Jerry!
Hey Matt, thanks for checking it out. Yeah, there is just no compelling reason to go with this Samsung 5K display. Maybe if the speakers were on par with the Studio Display and it was a couple hundred dollars cheaper you can make a case for it.
For anybody wondering with Tizen OS you can just hook up and USB-C to Audio Jack adapter to the Samsung which works without a problem (I used the Apple one).
@@JerrySchulze It passes it to the thunderbolt connection dynamically meaning that when a mac/notebook is connected AND displaying it can also access it like a normal usb-c device. Once you switch to streaming the monitor uses it for its output. (Good to avoid the "speakers")
I'm currently looking at the Samsung and it's around $900. I would love to hear peoples's opinions if it's worth it at that price. I'm also interested in being able to switch back-and-forth between Mac and PC .. I know it's not there really really. But it's so close and it really wanted it to be.
It has been on sale for about 50% off lately. I still think that if you budget allows, and the studio display is on sale for $1300, it is still a better display that a Mac user will be happier With. But if budget is very important then you will like the S9.
Glossy vs matt is not only a kind of "personal preference". There is a science called ergonomics and it will tell you that glossy displays are worse than matt displays like non-reflecting spectacles will stress your eyes less than reflecting ones (as someone wearing spectacles for decades now I can confirm that reflections on the inside of the glasses are really bad). Under all but extraordinary circumstances (you being not in any light at all) you will see yourself and every other light source within 180 degrees by reflections. Yes, I know that glossy displays give a slightly sharper and more "brilliant" picture up to the point that car headlights will seemingly blind you in a movie. It's impressive on the first occasion. But on the long run, if you are using a display for work in a non-dark environment, your eyes will say thank you for not choosing a glossy display. It is for a reason that there are no business notebooks (aside of MacBooks) featuring a glossy display. Reflections are bad. With a glossy display you better turn of all the lights surrounding you and darken all windows - or work at night.
I was really hopeful when this was shown at CES. I use 1440p monitors right now and they're fine but was looking to upgrade now that I have an mbp that can drive more pixels. I'll see if Apple is refreshing the studio display this fall and then decide. Thanks for the awesome video!
There is no way they are going to refresh the display. Not for at least a couple more years. It is a low volume product in a segment that is at best niche compared to the rest of the PC display market. It has not even paid for it's R&D.
Great comprehensive review! That sound comparison was brutal! Samsung seems to think that all they need to do is hobble together cheap components that approximate / resemble an Apple Monitor.
Samsung has tons of more features which weren't covered in this video such as a dedicated gamers hub, Microsoft 365 support directly on the monitor, and even Samsung Dex with a Galaxy phone. All things Apple would rather steal your money versus actually innovating beyond just making the monitor feel nice when you touch it. Apple rather make things shiny instead of offering more for the customer such as putting Apple TV directly on the monitor for this crazy amount of $$$... but Apple doesn't want to eat into Apple TV device sales I guess... What a company.
@@latingringo89 i don't need my monitor to be a TV - i'll just get a TV. i like specialised devices meant to do something very well, not a 10-in-1 that does nothing well. no thanks to wobbly creaky plastic, smart TV apps, a cumbersome interface and piss poor speakers. quality over quantity any day.
@@extrasoap4881 So then buy a monitor. Why pay $1,600? Just cause it has an apple logo? Plenty of better performing displays out there for a fraction of the price. Apple doesn't innovate... they just add premium materials and make things slimmer then call it revolutionary. Samsung at least tries to give you more bang for your buck. Apple takes things away and charges more just cause they can lol
For many months I was waiting for the S9 and thinking it was going to be great and a lot less expensive. But now I find out it's not really even close to the Studio Display, your comparison here makes the choice obvious. Apple all the way. Thank you.
Wow, I thought the Mac Studio display was expensive and their were no alternatives. I'm shopping for a new Mac now and after this review, the Apple is well worth the difference. As soon as you started and compared the build quality,, my mind started to change. While the display performance itself is not absurdly different between the two, the build quality, materials and execution of the Apple Display is superior. Thanks for setting me straight!!👍
The difference is that the Samsung prices will normally come down while the Apple ones don't. Over here in Europe, if you take the stand in the video, the Studio will be at 2209 Euro, which is 550 Euro higher than the Samsung also in Europe.
Great assessment. The Studio display is a no-brainer for me as I am heavily into the Apple eco-sphere already. Just plug in and play. What else could you want? It just WORKS! As for screen rotation, get the VESA mount and an Ergotron LX stand and you are really cooking! Thanks for the video!
*Update* Thanks to this video I found the smart things app and was able to do a calibration with my iPhone. **I hope they bring the calibration feature to the Samsung M8 monitor. I was awaiting the s9, but with that price I'll save up for a refurbished Studio Display.
Samsung can connect to a different sources, Samsung has stand AND VESA mount. Two super important advantages you forgot about. And in my country basic ASD costs 2200 usd, Samsung 1200…
spot-on review, that was my experience as well. Good enough, better than 4K, but for the price, just skip the height adjusting stand and you’ll have a much better experience with the Studio Display. For something under $1,500, I'd suggest the last generation 4K Samsung M8 as a better value (if you can find one under $400) and want something better than your average 1080p/1440p display
big difference between samsung and apple is sammy will definitely bring the price way down in few years, also buying in duty free makes it no match, when that day comes im buying one
With Samsung, the picture setting keep changes. It just keep changing without no reason whatsoever. It has a Apple like hardware but Blackberry like software.
I have the Apple Studio display and like a lot of people out of necessity I have it placed much nearer a rear wall than you had there. The Apple display can sound too bass heavy if placed within a couple of feet of a rear wall, depending of course on your listening preferences. I think the Samsung would still sound weak near a wall but there would probably be some beneficial bass reinforcement.
I appreciate this review, but there's one angle that just doesn't check out for me. As of this comment in mid-October, the ViewFinity is $1299 on Amazon, and the Apple Studio Display with the height and tilt adjustable stand is $1999, as you indicated at the beginning of your review. Given those prices, the question becomes, if you value the height adjustable stand, is the ASD worth an extra $700? If you do not care about that fancy Apple stand, is the ASD worth an extra $300? I'm not sure I'm any closer to an answer.
@@EnterSpacebar they are competing with an Apple Studio Display which has superior quality . So if they want to compete in this space they must offer something that Apple doesn’t have on their monitor or be a cheaper option to sway consumers to buy not be the same price and be plasticky.
@@EnterSpacebar You know, I think they might even get away with a JUST a 5k monitor with nothing else, at a lower price. No speakers, no webcams, no smart TV features. Just the screen with a stand at $600 and call it a day. It'd sell because the people looking for alternatives to the ASD just want that 218 PPI at a lower price point, end of story.
I just got the Studio Display this week. Compared to my 2017 5k iMac, the backlight seems much more consistent. I'm not sure if it's an age thing, as I've always thought the 5k display was great, but side by side it's noticeable.
The only way this is "competition" or "alternative" to Studio Display is if it's few hundred bucks cheaper - and I mean $500, not $300. This product makes no sense
Am I the only one that doesn’t care about the adjustments of my display constantly throughout the day and care more about the actual display? I mean, are people doing CrossFit while working on the computer? Also need the display to move flawlessly while doing those exercise while the move in front of there monitor ? Every computer I’ve ever owned I’ve only moved the display a few times. Am I crazy or are people doing crazy acrobatics while working on the computer and neither display to move with them while they’re trying to join the circus🤷♂️
In Italy, studio display starts from 1800€ (some times on amazon 1700€ with discount) when s9 1600€ as official price but on Amazon is under 1.300€ and slowly falling down. A few years ago there was also "ultrafine 5k" as an excellent alternative under 1k which had a panel identical to the 27 5k mac which is similar to the studio display
If you use an MacBook or Mac Studio , I don’t see why you would use anything other than the Studio Display. Especially for the same cost. S9 seems like would be the choice if it was moderately cheaper.
Just a note: you cannot accomplish the same as a smart TV with a computer, streaming services will only stream low quality video to PCs, bitrate is quite low with blocky scenes and most won't even stream in 4k. Only Netflix and only in very specific circumstances. So yeah, there's value in having native TV apps that can actually stream in high quality and high resolution. Also, I personally have a separate TV in my office and I will use it to watch something when the PC is busy rendering, in which case trying to watch on the same PC would cause stutters and other performance issues. In any case, thanks for the review, very informative and helpful.
The fixed it. Apple Cut morons love it. Now, I have a lot of apple tech. But I bought the Viewfinity S9 for $968. This price is far better than Apple Studio Display. Add to this, the tilt and full rotation is far better. I simply added my highend speakers to the S9 and the sound is better than the Apple Display's native. I paired the Viewfinity S9 with the Mac Studio M2 Max and its' great. Don't buy into the hype just for the sake of brand loyalty (cultism) or worship. The Studio Display is not worth $2000.
This video convinced me to buy the Apple display since I have to retire my Wonderful 2017 27" iMac and buy a Mac Studio. Why pay the same price etc? Well Best Buy is now selling the Samsung for $1199....... Thats $900 less than the adjustable Apple Monitor.... So here I am back on the fence....... Ugh...
The S9 has already been on sale for 1,299. Wait for black friday I'm sure it will be 1,199 or 1,099. Like all Samsung products the msrp prices are just suggestions.
As a mix user of Windows and Mac I thought the S9 would be a much better option for me. But I actually hated it at all and decided to send it back. I also had a production fault in the top right corner of the screen, so the glass / plastic was slightly shattered. A no-go for a device at that price point. But the the two most annoying aspects: 1. It is so unbelievably wobbly, I was almost scared it would fall off my desk. And 2. all these smart TV / remote control features are just annoying and irritating. I really felt ripped off by Samsung once again. After a bit of research I ordered the Alogic Clarity monitor and even though it’s „only“ a 4K monitor, I absolutely love it. It works perfectly with Windows and Mac and I love that it even charges my Macbook Pro when connected via USB-C (charges at 90 watts). It has a glossy glass Screen (which is super rare) and overall feels really sturdy. The S9 is sooooo not worth its asking price. It’s almost ridiculous. Ps. Thanks for great video!
Ive seen the S9 on sale for as low as $800 a few times since this video came out. currently seeing it for $900 is places like Amazon and B&H Photo Video. Soooo, comparing to the price of the hight adjustable version of the Studio Display, the S9 might not by too bad of a deal when you can find it for potentially less than half the price.
Yep, if the only feature that matters is 5k, then this is the cheapest option. The poor quality of the other features still make it hard for me to recommend against the studio display which frequently goes on sale for $300 off.
Thank you! But, love to know... does the Apple Studio display interface with non apple laptops/tablets? I need to be able to utilise the display for both personal devices & work (windows)
Another important thing is that S9 can be connected to a PC, while Apple Studio works only in Apple ecosystem. While it may be doable to connect it to a PC with nVidida GPU via Thunderbolt on some motherboards, this will be unstable and hacky at best.
Click on this because I wasn't aware people were unhappy with the Studio Display, so I'm mostly curious to hear the critiques (I have an iMac 5K display... not sure how different). Turns out the studio display seems better than the S9 in most of the points covered here.
Still I'm choosing the Samsung monitor, as I have the whole Samsung Ecosystem, and I can't see any differences on image quality. About the speakers, I prefer to use an external speakers, so, that's not a problem
The Samsung S9 is on sale for $700 for students. $700 is definitely way better than $2000 Apple display since there isn’t a big difference between both.
I have a Studio Display. The only reason I would consider the S9 is if it would have a HDMI input port so I could also connect my PS5 to it in addition to my Mac Studio so I could save desk space, but since it does not there is no need for me to switch.
Like you said, the Samsung is a no brainer at $900 and that’s the current price as of March 2024. No price cut on Studio Display unless you buy a refurbished model.
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This is on sale for under $900. Is it worth it for that price?
So its a no brainier Because its now 899
Put the apple monitor up against the lg c3 tv .
Samsung is making a mistake charging the same as the Apple display considering the inferior build quality.
Yep
I’m sure retailers will be discounting them but yeah I’d pass on the Samsung at the same price.
Maybe for PC customer?
@@SuperEmlo Do you think a PC customer is going to pay $1600 for a productivity monitor? They'd be better off buying an oled TV for that price.
They certainly are making Apple look like the better buy. And that’s not good for their brand.
I actually bought the Studio Display once the Samsung was announced. Suddenly the Studio Display started to look like a great value once the Viewfinity was announced.
An even greater value is my samsumg 55" 4K TV that i bought for $300.
@@ThePainWhisperer congrats I guess, but not really comparable.
@@ThePainWhisperer lol how does that even come close to 5k 27 inches?
Can you let me know if there is any advantage of thunderbolt 4 over thunderbolt 3 in the studio display?
@@AppIeOfficial It doesn't. It's a typical non-sequitur and idiotic TH-cam comment.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Studio Display but these are similar in price only on paper, not in the real world. The Studio Display is € 2200 in Germany with the height adjustable stand and close to € 2500 if you add the matte finish. The S9 5K is around € 1350-1450, depending on the shop. And at the end of the day with the Studio Display you're still missing 90 degree rotation for programmers...
You're spot on. Market games are real
These are apple fanboys, you spot them easily when they put forward a justification like- when you are spending 1600 for a monitor why not 300 more .
In my country, S9 ~750€
Studio ~1375€
@@maitiaru The s9 is better for programers on a budget. the studio display is better for EVERYONE else. if you're willing to justify a worse camera, terrible build quality, and cheep speakers then that is great for you. but the truth is most people prefer a glossy display, and most people do not need a hight adjustable stand. for almost everyone, the studio display is a no brainer.
@@bradleymarlow9311Yeah the studio display is still at 2500€ while the S9 is at 1000€. You can literally now get 2 for 1.
The Studio Display is a work of art, no doubt about it. If only it would accept HDMI sources, but alas, Apple has never really played nice in the playground of cross-compatibility (Apple Display Connector, anyone?). Hoping that will change in the future.
You can get an adapter hdmi to usb c but it will then only output 4k not 5k
@@PavandeepSahotaif your GPU has a USB C port you could probably just use that
The Studio Display is pure elegance. The build in power adapter, which seems not so easy to copy looking at Samsungs gigantic external adapter. The sleek design with powerful build in speakers and a passable webcam. The premiere hight adjustable stand which is an engineering marvel. The perfectly symmetric bezels. The overall build quality. This package is not easily copied.
Well said. I am going for the Studio Display
The S9 design is sleeker with slimmer bezels and a completely removable/adjustable camera just cheaper materials which shouldn't really matter with a display. A laptop would be a different story on material I'd rather money be put into features over the material if I had to choose... I guess I'm in the minority...
Built in power adapters are cancer. Power adapters should always, always be external!
@@latingringo89 a removable camera... with worse picture quality
@@ria8850Depends on the app my friend. Regardless, I'd rather have the option to completely remove the camera rather than have some extra mega pixels for a zoom meeting. Apple wants to keep an eye on you 24/7 obviously.
Note: the much better choice for the Studio Display is a 3rd party VESA mount arm. I have the $100 Amazon Basics (which is a licensed Ergotron) and it's fantastic.
It gives the Studio Display rotation capability and unveils a hidden feature: The monitor will automatically and instantly recognize that it has been rotated and rotate the video data.
It ALSO will rotate the webcam picture.
Also I'd mention the microphones. They're fantastic and let you have video meetings without headsets and echos. The integration in iOS is just unmatched.
Amazon basic is words worse than ergotron, it’s not even remotely comparable.
I just bought the samsung viewfinity s9 for $699. For that kind of monies I just couldn't pass it up. The picture is awesome and I am able to use the volume and brightness controls on my keyboard just like the studio display. For me I like being able to watch split screen that is pretty cool I can be on my mac and watch TV at the same time. For $699 I think its steal of a deal.
That is a good deal. Where did you get it?
@@JerrySchulze ebay brand new. works awesome
Fantastic!
It’s $850 on Amazon (USA) right now, which is why I’m watching this review 😂
I recently bought the Studio Display and it's a work of art. It's truly beautiful and the best-looking monitor I've ever seen. And of course the compatibility with the Macbook is astonishing. The downsides, no HDR and the camera. For those reasons I think it's an overpriced monitor. The height adjustment is also overpriced but I don't mind using a monitor desk shelf on top of my desk. I actually like it. Image is amazing, speakers are VERY impressive. On my main PC I have studio monitors and studio headsets. The studio display does not come close to those, obviously. But it's so good if you don't want to be to meticulous about analyzing the sound, that I don't feel the need to get extra speakers at all when I'm using the display.
for being non-HDR I have seen many comparisons with "HDR" displays and the Studio Display looked better. Of course a GOOD HDR display will look better than the Studio Display, but so many screens claim HDR and are crap.
This thing makes the Studio Display look like a great value honestly. I have loved my Studio Display. Great review Jerry.
I completely agree with you! If the price of s9 was under 1000, then it could be a good option! 👍
Helpful. You saved me remorse. I am going to order the Apple SD
I love my SD!
go with the ASD. that feeling after you've bought a cheaper version, feeling like you should have gone with the one you wanted, is not nice. and you might end up selling the cheaper one and getting the one you want anyway.
I was able to get the s9 for only $667 after EPP discount. Such a steal at this price point!
I have S9 and the only reason I have acquired it over Studio Display is much better compatibility with Windows. I can confirm, speakers are average, camera as well, on top, if you use BENQ LED light on top of monitor then forget S9 camera or LED, not compatible (you can put it on side as workaround). Another small issue is that sometimes does not reconnect picture when re-connect to CalDigit4 dock (M2ProMax), remote ctrl switch helps. On the other hand, I am happy user because it is what I have expected, as long as Windows is the gaming platform and S9 works with it great, you can switch between them easily, Windows supports like Mac HiDPI resolution, you can control monitor and everything from remote if needed. If you have like me external studio speakers, I could recommend it as Mac/Win setup. I liked BENQ Pro 32" monitor more (KVM, dial), but they do not offer 5K/6K, alternative might be new Dell 32"6K, but camera there is also bulky in the middle (see LED lamp issue).
The SD doesn't work with a microsoft pc? Anyone knows?
@@deyh5664 I do not have SD, but as far as I know and what I have tested in the shop, SD works with Windows (shows the picture), but since the monitor has no physical control buttons, you need SW to change the settings. In MacOS it is easy as it is included in the monitor settings. Since there is no such SW for Windows for settings, you cannot change anything, but you will see some picture.
The Apple height-adjustable stand option is $500 dollars more, while that feature is already included in the Samsung monitor. So, it is not true Samsung is selling it for the same price. Same for the matt option, you pay about $400 more to get it in the Apple display, but it is already included in the Samsung. Go and compare yourself.
for the majority of people, the studio display should be a no brainer. Most people don't need hight adjustment, and most people prefer a glossy display. if you're willing to sacrifice build quality, speakers, webcam, and connectivity, then sure, go with the S9.
@@bradleymarlow9311 yeah yeah, that's why I see books/stands under monitors that don't support height adjustment while walking around the office, not to mention electric tables while somewhat close but still a bit different in sitting heights and in standing heights, same with chairs. Some people occasionally adjust the height of the monitor while standing. A lot of people ignore ergonomics until "surprises" happen later on. My point is Apple could have had height adjustment in the base model and let customers have an option to adjust the height by not paying for it, but hey, why do that if you _can_ charge extra :)
The big reason I could see going with S9 is needing to support multiple inputs. I’ve had my Studio Display for over a year with my M1 Max Mac Studio but after moving I only have room for one desk setup so I have to share space with my work from home setup which is already multiple monitors (but a govt HP laptop) I don’t want to move cables around as that’s janky and will wear things out quickly. I’m a total Apple sheep but I might sell the Studio Display and get the S9 to better suit my setup.
Also, the S9 will get discounted more frequently and much more heavily than Apple to where I won’t end up paying $1600 when I pull the trigger.
Thanks very much for this! It really gave me perspective on Apple's offering, which I USED to think was overpriced.
You can make the argument that both of these are overpriced, but one of these are living in a fantasy world.
@@JerrySchulze very well said!
I mean, it still is - for the price they're asking it could at *least* have a couple of other inputs and a better webcam. That said, it's a fine display and docking station for a MBP, it just costs a kidney.
The issue is the 5K display still takes quite a bit of the thunderbolt bandwidth, so maybe with the next version of thunderbolt we can get more ports.
@@JerrySchulze you mean mac studio can only be used mostly with apple and can't be connected to a console or other pc's?
At least the Samsung can be used with any equipment.
But agree this two monitors are really over priced for different reasons
I’m glad I bumped into this review because now I see that the S9 might seem great but still needs alot of work
Most places are selling the Samsung at $300 off, $1300USD. Add the adjustable stand and Nano finish on Apple and you are pushing $2,200USD. That $800 saving buys some nice pro audio speakers and a better Webcam.
Thanks for the comparison. I was able to pick up a slightly used Studio Display for $1100 versus a brand new Samsung S9 fior $1500.
Very nice!
for recommending the Apple Studio Display over price, now the Samsung has a deal for that ViewFinity S9 for $900. Would that change your recommendation?
Personal taste leads me to the studio display. Even at that price, I like the overall package better.
My favorite Samsung feature is the automatic unplugging of the power cable whenever I adjust the height.
Unless there's a sale, this ViewFinity is a hard sell for Mac users. If you have to pay that $1600 price many may just bite the bullet and get the Studio Display with height adjustable stand for another $400.
I am totally fine with my Huawei 28.2 Mateview for now, BTW. Can't really beat it when I managed to get it on sale for the price at 1/3 of ASD. Great to look at as well. I actually like the 3:2 ratio. Dimension-wise it's the same height of the 32" 16:9 and same width as the 27" 16:9.
Even if ViewFinity goes down in price, I would rather own Apple's Studio Display for the quality and fit/finish. Cheaper alternatives are a prescription for remorse.
i have my ASD on a monitor arm, which can be used for any future monitors with a Vesa mount. $400 on a stand compatible with just one monitor isn't a good deal.
I think that for the same price samsung has to give many benefits to choose it over the studio display
And what they offer just isn’t enough. Maybe if the speakers were great that would help.
Thank you for your evaluations of the S9 versus the Studio Display. I’ve been planning a major computer upgrade since last fall. When the S9 was announced (nine months ago), I was excited, because it sounded as if Samsung had come out with a Studio Display killer. And there was all the speculation I saw that Samsung would sock it to Apple by pricing the S9 far below the SD, making it a no-brainer. Well, we see now how valid those predictions were. Not! I had thought early on of going with the S9 for cost, even though I’ve heard so much good about the SD. I’m close to ordering a Mac Studio but will probably go with the SD over the S9. I think that, from a price perspective, Samsung got greedy and has shot themselves in the foot, letting a good opportunity to get the S9 out the door slip away. Samsung’s decision to price the S9 so close to the SD leaves me thinking that I might as well just go ahead and get the SD and be done with it.
I’m guessing Samsung starts cutting prices this holiday season or next year while I expect Apple to keep the same price until they launch a v2 of the Studio Display w improved webcam and mics, higher refresh rate, and slimmer bezels. Would also love to see some buttons for power and volume and potentially built-in Apple TV functionality ie casting.
@@itshadouken and hopefully even a OLED Display like their Iphone ones . So that Black is 100 % Black and not Black with Glowing Background
Actually the Mac studio has screen glitching issues that many have complained about which usually happens with Apple products
i dont know in your country but here in switzerland you can now get it for half the price....so the S9 became a better value than the studio display for 800 lol .
I remember all the squawking about the Studio Display when it first came out, but more and more it seems like a great display - and probably the display I'll be getting when I'm ready to replace my 2020 iMac 5K.
In the same boat here. Not yet ready to replace my 2020 iMac - that'll happen when they drop support for it and upgrades - but the Studio Display looks likely to be my path (though I'd love a 32" 6K that's not insanely expensive)
@@andrewdavidson665 Yeah, I bought the 2020 iMac _loaded:_ 128 GB RAM, 4 TB SSD, Core-i9, AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT w/16 GB VRAM.
I _knew_ it would be a while (if ever) before you could play Win games at a good frame rate and high resolution on Apple Silicon, and I wanted this machine to last as long as possible.
_Didn't_ know Microsoft was gonna introduce a requirement for additional security hardware for Win 11 though.
@@vernearase3044hah! Literally the same as me barring the RAM. (I left RAM at base but bought 96GB after market) and also partially for the same about being able to play games, though I also wanted it for Windows VMs (Parallels rocks) for work and for Logic and yeah those Windows 11 requirements are frustrating.
However I found I didn't play games on it as much as I hoped due to the hassle of dual booting so ended up buying a second (windows) PC to scratch that itch. Still love my iMac (my first desktop mac) though and will get possibly a Studio when I do eventually replace it, though given how powerful the mini with the M2pro is in it, it might be something like that, as long as there is a goodly amount of IO.
Studio Display is still overpriced garbage.
iMac 5K 2020 started from $1799, and it was a full-blown computer with decent AMD graphics, the latest mid-range Intel processor (which costed at least $200 on its own), keyboard and mouse and stuff.
Studio Display just cannot cost this much. Maybe if it gets upgraded with mini-LED and 120 Hz, then it will be worth $1599. But not in its current state.
@@intensifiedhipster Sure, I hope by the time I'm ready to buy my next desktop they'll have upgraded it to a liquid retina XDR display, but I really need _at least_ a 5K display as I've been spoiled by the 5K iMac.
No one says you have to buy it so don't get all up in your face about it. Buy a cheapo 4K display and let 'em double scale it for you.
The studio display simply slots in and replaces the missing parts of the iMac 5K.
I just bought an old iMac 5k and use it as a display :D works fine for $300
The S9 goes on sale at Best Buy for $1299 regularly, and for those of us on Windows, the S9 is the only 2880p option. I have recording studio speakers, so I don't care about the sound quality of the S9. And the height/tilt etc. are "set it and forget it", so that's not really an issue. I would prefer a higher quality version of the S9 without the "smart" features, for a lower price, though. I hope 2880p monitors catch on. Windows at 200% scaling would be great on one of those.
In your video, I heard you mention the S9 monitor having HDR support, but you zipped past Apple not having it. Then on 8:46 you said, "Apple does do a much better job on High Dynamic Range", which implies the Studio Monitor has HDR support (which it does not). Also, you sort of skimmed through the price difference between the two monitors. Your Studio Display costs more than the S9, because you purchased the optional up/down mount - but you show both costing $1600.
It's called favoritism.
There is a warning that says "*Only Mac computers with Apple Silicon released after 2020 are supported" on the product's webpage. Do you know what this warning is about? Does it mean the monitor can not be used with Macs without an Apple silicon chip? Source: The 27" ViewFinity S9 page on Samsung’s web site. (I can’t post the link because TH-cam deletes the comment then.)
Thanks for the review; it makes me feel better about paying $1,600 for the ASD.
Thanks for watching.
2:43 Did the plug pop out?
Yes
I'll take the Studio Display any day of the week.
I'm saving my money for a Studio display.
For anyone who is truly interested in audio, far superior to anything built in is available for not much. Down firing hype adjusted 6 speaker systems are great for entertainment, but nothing replaces good speakers facing directly at the listener from near-field positioning. Companies such as JBL are now selling self-powered 4” monitors in well-engineered small but heavy enclosures that are good enough to mix an album on, total price about $200.00. You’re spending many thousands of dollars on a display, a user could spend a few hundred more and have audio that matches the imagery these high end displays offer.
An external powerbrick is a massive plus for repairability.
Got the Studio Display almost 3 months ago. Didn't wait for this as I prefer the sharpness of the glossy screens. Don't regret it one bit.
I'm very happy with my two Studio Display, way better then the older LG 5K.
The difference will be Samsung will put their display on sale for $999 by Christmas, making it an really good deal. at the end of the day Glossy wins for me, but if all you care about is an accurate color reproduction and 5k, the samsung will be a way better value as soon as it's on sale.
You are probably right!
ASD has been on sale for $1250- $1350 currently (US) recently several places. Not $999 no, but a pretty good drop if you are in the market.
@@JamesBond-fo6ow $200-$300 seems like a fair upgrade for build quality, support and better speakers imo, if we're comparing discounted prices for both
I think the main dealbreaker of the studio display is the refusal to work seamlessly with anything but Apple devices. Even if someone uses only Apple devices at home, the truth is most work places use windows and working from home is becoming more of a thing, people don’t want to have to setup multiple monitors for different purposes. I should be able to use my display with my mac and be able to plug in pc/laptop to do some wfh without jumping through hoops (only supports thunderbolt devices, can’t change brightness, no on/off button)
Have had the Studio display for half a year now. It expensive certainly, but you get what you pay for. It's pure quality.
Yeah the Viewfinity is just not worth it at this price. Very good video, explained everything spot on!
The speakers test helped. I wanna get the studio display. Now I just need to wait for it to be 120hz
If you want a 5k monitor that supports Windows, Mac and Linux, the S9 is the only option? I would wait for the 30% off sales though.
Matte screen is my biggest problem with it. Thats a big reason why people like Mac displays I feel that doesn’t get mentioned enough.
I think it's kinda disappointing we're still having this conversation now (and that monitors of this calibre are still at the $1500 price point)
I've had a Studio display since the middle of 2022. It's great and works well with my Mac Studio but in all honesty, it's not a big improvement over the original 5K retina display in the late 2014 iMacs.
That said, it just works: seamless brighness and volume adjustments (and nightshift/truetone) and the in-built camera is good enough for my needs and it has been faultless to date.
The speakers are sufficient for most purposes and I've found myself using them more in lieu of the Sonos Play 1's in my main study area. Definitely better than the old and new iMac speakers by a country mile.
But if I also had a non-Apple device to connect, then the sheer lack of physical buttons and configuration in the Studio display feels like it would be a poor (and potentially impossible) option.
Ugh. I was really excited to have a lower cost option to replace my aging 27" Thunderbolt Displays to better match my main display - the Studio Display... but not seeing anything with the S9 that makes it worth the $1600 price tag for me. I'd rather just buy two more Studio Displays (if I could afford it). Honestly, I'm shocked Samsung priced it at $1600. I was thinking $799. Great breakdown, Jerry!
Hey Matt, thanks for checking it out. Yeah, there is just no compelling reason to go with this Samsung 5K display. Maybe if the speakers were on par with the Studio Display and it was a couple hundred dollars cheaper you can make a case for it.
Where did you get this price??? In Europe, the Apple Studio Display is almost 30% more expensive !
For anybody wondering with Tizen OS you can just hook up and USB-C to Audio Jack adapter to the Samsung which works without a problem (I used the Apple one).
Great tip, thanks.
@@JerrySchulze It passes it to the thunderbolt connection dynamically meaning that when a mac/notebook is connected AND displaying it can also access it like a normal usb-c device. Once you switch to streaming the monitor uses it for its output. (Good to avoid the "speakers")
I'm currently looking at the Samsung and it's around $900. I would love to hear peoples's opinions if it's worth it at that price. I'm also interested in being able to switch back-and-forth between Mac and PC .. I know it's not there really really. But it's so close and it really wanted it to be.
It has been on sale for about 50% off lately. I still think that if you budget allows, and the studio display is on sale for $1300, it is still a better display that a Mac user will be happier
With. But if budget is very important then you will like the S9.
Glossy vs matt is not only a kind of "personal preference". There is a science called ergonomics and it will tell you that glossy displays are worse than matt displays like non-reflecting spectacles will stress your eyes less than reflecting ones (as someone wearing spectacles for decades now I can confirm that reflections on the inside of the glasses are really bad). Under all but extraordinary circumstances (you being not in any light at all) you will see yourself and every other light source within 180 degrees by reflections. Yes, I know that glossy displays give a slightly sharper and more "brilliant" picture up to the point that car headlights will seemingly blind you in a movie. It's impressive on the first occasion. But on the long run, if you are using a display for work in a non-dark environment, your eyes will say thank you for not choosing a glossy display. It is for a reason that there are no business notebooks (aside of MacBooks) featuring a glossy display. Reflections are bad. With a glossy display you better turn of all the lights surrounding you and darken all windows - or work at night.
I was really hopeful when this was shown at CES. I use 1440p monitors right now and they're fine but was looking to upgrade now that I have an mbp that can drive more pixels. I'll see if Apple is refreshing the studio display this fall and then decide.
Thanks for the awesome video!
0.0 chance of them refreshing this display for at least 2 more years
There is no way they are going to refresh the display. Not for at least a couple more years. It is a low volume product in a segment that is at best niche compared to the rest of the PC display market. It has not even paid for it's R&D.
I think the price for the S9 will come down to around $1k on Amazon in less than a year.
Great comprehensive review! That sound comparison was brutal! Samsung seems to think that all they need to do is hobble together cheap components that approximate / resemble an Apple Monitor.
Didn't work with phones in the early days either.
Samsung has tons of more features which weren't covered in this video such as a dedicated gamers hub, Microsoft 365 support directly on the monitor, and even Samsung Dex with a Galaxy phone. All things Apple would rather steal your money versus actually innovating beyond just making the monitor feel nice when you touch it. Apple rather make things shiny instead of offering more for the customer such as putting Apple TV directly on the monitor for this crazy amount of $$$... but Apple doesn't want to eat into Apple TV device sales I guess... What a company.
@@latingringo89 i don't need my monitor to be a TV - i'll just get a TV. i like specialised devices meant to do something very well, not a 10-in-1 that does nothing well. no thanks to wobbly creaky plastic, smart TV apps, a cumbersome interface and piss poor speakers. quality over quantity any day.
@@extrasoap4881 So then buy a monitor. Why pay $1,600? Just cause it has an apple logo? Plenty of better performing displays out there for a fraction of the price. Apple doesn't innovate... they just add premium materials and make things slimmer then call it revolutionary. Samsung at least tries to give you more bang for your buck. Apple takes things away and charges more just cause they can lol
I don't think you watched my video. I clearly covered the gaming hub.
For many months I was waiting for the S9 and thinking it was going to be great and a lot less expensive. But now I find out it's not really even close to the Studio Display, your comparison here makes the choice obvious. Apple all the way. Thank you.
Wow, I thought the Mac Studio display was expensive and their were no alternatives. I'm shopping for a new Mac now and after this review, the Apple is well worth the difference. As soon as you started and compared the build quality,, my mind started to change. While the display performance itself is not absurdly different between the two, the build quality, materials and execution of the Apple Display is superior. Thanks for setting me straight!!👍
If you can, get it from the apple refurb store and save like $300
Fair & balanced review, Jerry. The Samsung unit should be priced at no more than $995.
Especially when they sell an 8K 55" TV for $995.
The difference is that the Samsung prices will normally come down while the Apple ones don't. Over here in Europe, if you take the stand in the video, the Studio will be at 2209 Euro, which is 550 Euro higher than the Samsung also in Europe.
Yep, check the link because $300 off today.
@@JerrySchulze Ohh thanks! Changes into €200 here, but well, 200 is 200.
Great assessment. The Studio display is a no-brainer for me as I am heavily into the Apple eco-sphere already. Just plug in and play. What else could you want? It just WORKS! As for screen rotation, get the VESA mount and an Ergotron LX stand and you are really cooking! Thanks for the video!
thanks for checking it out
exactly, using a VESA mount arm is so much better! I got the Amazon Basics $100 arm which is a licensed Ergotron copy. Great value!
At this price point might as well get 42inch oled tv even if u have to deal with the tv software things
*Update* Thanks to this video I found the smart things app and was able to do a calibration with my iPhone. **I hope they bring the calibration feature to the Samsung M8 monitor. I was awaiting the s9, but with that price I'll save up for a refurbished Studio Display.
This is on sale for under $900. Is it worth it for that price?
This was the review I was waiting for. Price was my only deciding factor. I could forgive a few quirks. Thanks, but no thanks! Pity.
Samsung can connect to a different sources, Samsung has stand AND VESA mount. Two super important advantages you forgot about. And in my country basic ASD costs 2200 usd, Samsung 1200…
spot-on review, that was my experience as well. Good enough, better than 4K, but for the price, just skip the height adjusting stand and you’ll have a much better experience with the Studio Display. For something under $1,500, I'd suggest the last generation 4K Samsung M8 as a better value (if you can find one under $400) and want something better than your average 1080p/1440p display
And resell value in 5 years will for sure be better with Apple then Samsung
If you choose the Studio display with matte surface and tilt- and height-adjustable stand (doesn't rotate), then it's not 300 dollars different.
Glad I went for the Studio Display - no regrets. I reckon you'll be able to get the S9 discounted soon though, so then it might make sense...
big difference between samsung and apple is sammy will definitely bring the price way down in few years, also buying in duty free makes it no match, when that day comes im buying one
With Samsung, the picture setting keep changes. It just keep changing without no reason whatsoever. It has a Apple like hardware but Blackberry like software.
I have the Apple Studio display and like a lot of people out of necessity I have it placed much nearer a rear wall than you had there. The Apple display can sound too bass heavy if placed within a couple of feet of a rear wall, depending of course on your listening preferences. I think the Samsung would still sound weak near a wall but there would probably be some beneficial bass reinforcement.
I appreciate this review, but there's one angle that just doesn't check out for me. As of this comment in mid-October, the ViewFinity is $1299 on Amazon, and the Apple Studio Display with the height and tilt adjustable stand is $1999, as you indicated at the beginning of your review.
Given those prices, the question becomes, if you value the height adjustable stand, is the ASD worth an extra $700? If you do not care about that fancy Apple stand, is the ASD worth an extra $300? I'm not sure I'm any closer to an answer.
Or go without height adjustment and get the SD refurb from apple for less than 1400 www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/accessories/display
Matte displays are a hard pass for me. When manufacturers can start offering glossy options, then they have an opportunity to take my money.
Exactly!
I agree 100% !!!!
This is why no matter what I’ve tried, I always come back to apple
Yep. Matte screen lose resolution first of all.
Yes to this!
I would gladly pay $599 for the ViewFinity S9
For the lack of quality and the use of plastic, the Samsung should have been cheaper.
Yes
Are you forgetting the 5K panel? How many of those do you see on the market? It's extremely low volume, hence the price tag.
@@EnterSpacebar they are competing with an Apple Studio Display which has superior quality . So if they want to compete in this space they must offer something that Apple doesn’t have on their monitor or be a cheaper option to sway consumers to buy not be the same price and be plasticky.
@@EnterSpacebar You know, I think they might even get away with a JUST a 5k monitor with nothing else, at a lower price. No speakers, no webcams, no smart TV features. Just the screen with a stand at $600 and call it a day.
It'd sell because the people looking for alternatives to the ASD just want that 218 PPI at a lower price point, end of story.
Damn, the sound quality difference between these 2 screens is WILD
yep
1:20 I love that unboxing experience. It's amazing.
I just got the Studio Display this week. Compared to my 2017 5k iMac, the backlight seems much more consistent. I'm not sure if it's an age thing, as I've always thought the 5k display was great, but side by side it's noticeable.
The only way this is "competition" or "alternative" to Studio Display is if it's few hundred bucks cheaper - and I mean $500, not $300. This product makes no sense
$899 would be a good price.
Besides being a better display on the studio , how does it perform for premier pro when it comes to editing ? It’s what I care about when getting it.
Am I the only one that doesn’t care about the adjustments of my display constantly throughout the day and care more about the actual display? I mean, are people doing CrossFit while working on the computer? Also need the display to move flawlessly while doing those exercise while the move in front of there monitor ? Every computer I’ve ever owned I’ve only moved the display a few times. Am I crazy or are people doing crazy acrobatics while working on the computer and neither display to move with them while they’re trying to join the circus🤷♂️
In Italy, studio display starts from 1800€ (some times on amazon 1700€ with discount) when s9 1600€ as official price but on Amazon is under 1.300€ and slowly falling down. A few years ago there was also "ultrafine 5k" as an excellent alternative under 1k which had a panel identical to the 27 5k mac which is similar to the studio display
If you use an MacBook or Mac Studio , I don’t see why you would use anything other than the Studio Display. Especially for the same cost. S9 seems like would be the choice if it was moderately cheaper.
good reviews. Straight to the point and didnt waste my time. Thanks.
The funny part is that i think Samsung is the one making the display for Apple 😂😂😂
I switched and bought the S9. Not regretted it one second. The S9 is the better choice when buying a 27 inch professional monitor.
Just a note: you cannot accomplish the same as a smart TV with a computer, streaming services will only stream low quality video to PCs, bitrate is quite low with blocky scenes and most won't even stream in 4k. Only Netflix and only in very specific circumstances. So yeah, there's value in having native TV apps that can actually stream in high quality and high resolution. Also, I personally have a separate TV in my office and I will use it to watch something when the PC is busy rendering, in which case trying to watch on the same PC would cause stutters and other performance issues.
In any case, thanks for the review, very informative and helpful.
The fixed it. Apple Cut morons love it. Now, I have a lot of apple tech. But I bought the Viewfinity S9 for $968. This price is far better than Apple Studio Display. Add to this, the tilt and full rotation is far better. I simply added my highend speakers to the S9 and the sound is better than the Apple Display's native. I paired the Viewfinity S9 with the Mac Studio M2 Max and its' great. Don't buy into the hype just for the sake of brand loyalty (cultism) or worship. The Studio Display is not worth $2000.
This video convinced me to buy the Apple display since I have to retire my Wonderful 2017 27" iMac and buy a Mac Studio. Why pay the same price etc? Well Best Buy is now selling the Samsung for $1199....... Thats $900 less than the adjustable Apple Monitor.... So here I am back on the fence....... Ugh...
Don’t do it. You will lose the integration and the scaling that you expect from an apple display that you will have for 10 years.
Went to check it out today. They don’t have any to look at but noticed the Apple display is on sale also….
Wait is this 1600 vs 2200 dollars or am I confused that seems a stupid comparison when the base model of the mac studio is 1600
The S9 has already been on sale for 1,299. Wait for black friday I'm sure it will be 1,199 or 1,099. Like all Samsung products the msrp prices are just suggestions.
lol suggestions.
Thanks for the video! I have a question: Which one would you choose for writing code?
No difference for coding, I guess.
As a mix user of Windows and Mac I thought the S9 would be a much better option for me. But I actually hated it at all and decided to send it back. I also had a production fault in the top right corner of the screen, so the glass / plastic was slightly shattered. A no-go for a device at that price point. But the the two most annoying aspects:
1. It is so unbelievably wobbly, I was almost scared it would fall off my desk.
And 2. all these smart TV / remote control features are just annoying and irritating.
I really felt ripped off by Samsung once again.
After a bit of research I ordered the Alogic Clarity monitor and even though it’s „only“ a 4K monitor, I absolutely love it. It works perfectly with Windows and Mac and I love that it even charges my Macbook Pro when connected via USB-C (charges at 90 watts). It has a glossy glass Screen (which is super rare) and overall feels really sturdy.
The S9 is sooooo not worth its asking price. It’s almost ridiculous.
Ps. Thanks for great video!
Ive seen the S9 on sale for as low as $800 a few times since this video came out. currently seeing it for $900 is places like Amazon and B&H Photo Video. Soooo, comparing to the price of the hight adjustable version of the Studio Display, the S9 might not by too bad of a deal when you can find it for potentially less than half the price.
Yep, if the only feature that matters is 5k, then this is the cheapest option. The poor quality of the other features still make it hard for me to recommend against the studio display which frequently goes on sale for $300 off.
Thanks for the straighttalk Jerry. I appreciate all the work that went into this review!
Thank you! But, love to know... does the Apple Studio display interface with non apple laptops/tablets? I need to be able to utilise the display for both personal devices & work (windows)
Another important thing is that S9 can be connected to a PC, while Apple Studio works only in Apple ecosystem. While it may be doable to connect it to a PC with nVidida GPU via Thunderbolt on some motherboards, this will be unstable and hacky at best.
Click on this because I wasn't aware people were unhappy with the Studio Display, so I'm mostly curious to hear the critiques (I have an iMac 5K display... not sure how different). Turns out the studio display seems better than the S9 in most of the points covered here.
Still I'm choosing the Samsung monitor, as I have the whole Samsung Ecosystem, and I can't see any differences on image quality. About the speakers, I prefer to use an external speakers, so, that's not a problem
The Samsung S9 is on sale for $700 for students. $700 is definitely way better than $2000 Apple display since there isn’t a big difference between both.
Big difference for sure and I would choose the s9 over any 4k 69hz display. And maybe even 4k high refresh rate.
I have a Studio Display. The only reason I would consider the S9 is if it would have a HDMI input port so I could also connect my PS5 to it in addition to my Mac Studio so I could save desk space, but since it does not there is no need for me to switch.
Like you said, the Samsung is a no brainer at $900 and that’s the current price as of March 2024. No price cut on Studio Display unless you buy a refurbished model.