Samsung ViewFinity S9 vs. Apple Studio Display: Full Comparison

The recently-revealed Samsung ViewFinity S9 is giving tough competition to Apple Studio Display in different aspects. Whether it’s the color quality or the screen size, you will find the ViewFinity S9 outclassing the Studio Display. This sparks a heated Viewfinity S9 vs. Studio Display debate among die-hard Apple and Samsung fans.

So, is the Samsung ViewFinity S9 better than the Apple Studio Display? Well, the answer isn’t simple. That’s because it relies solely on the user’s preferences. Both LEDs offer a 5K display with a fantastic range of colors, meaning you can use them for various purposes, including content creation, gaming, and movies.

However, you may find a clear difference between their prices, screen size, resolution, and HDR display. The Samsung ViewFinity S9’s display is 49 inches, which is massive. Let’s compare both monitors side-by-side to see how they differ in various factors. This will help you make the right decision!

Samsung ViewFinity S9 vs. Apple Studio Display: Side-By-Side Comparison

	Samsung ViewFinity S9	Apple Studio Display
Best For	Professional and casual use; graphic designing, meetings, movies, and content creation	Professional and casual use; content creation, graphic designing, and movies
Initial Release	Q1 2023	March 2022
Display	QLED technology and DisplayHDR 400	5K Retina HD (lacks HDR)
Screen Size	49″	27″
Resolution	5120 x 1440	5120 x 2880
Refresh Rate	60Hz (max 120Hz)	60Hz
Brightness	350cd/m²	618cd/m²
Panel Type	VA	IPS
Price	$1,999	$1,599

Samsung ViewFinity S9 vs. Apple Studio Display: What’s the Difference?

You may have already sensed apparent differences between Samsung ViewFinity S9 and Apple Studio Display. While the former has a bigger screen size, the latter has an excellent resolution. Not only that, but Studio Display has almost double the brightness of its counterpart. 

However, which one offers a more precise display? Which is more versatile? Let’s answer all such questions in this detailed ViewFinity S9 vs. Studio Display comparison:

Display

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 has a massive 49-inch 5K display panel with a 5120 x 1440 resolution. Compared to its predecessor ViewFinity S8, that’s quite an upgrade. The QHD feature offers 218 PPI (pixels per inch) and a color space coverage of 99% DCI-P3. With Delta E color deviations, the ViewFinity S9 is ideal for high-end photo and video editing. 

Samsung integrated a powerful color calibration engine in the S9 to ensure color balance. It allows users to optimize their LED colors through an app installed on their smartphone. You will have to spend only 15 minutes adjusting the color accuracy per your preferences.

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 also has a matte display that limits reflection and glare for minimum distractions. This means non-stop gaming and movie streaming in any lighting!

Meanwhile, the Apple Studio Display also features a 5120 x 2880 5K display that supports different operating systems at perfect pixel resolutions, including macOS. This LED monitor also has a high-performing SDR display but lacks the HDR modes that the ViewFinity S9 possesses. This was surprising since almost all Apple devices support HDR.

However, it makes sense since Apple Studio Display doesn’t feature local dimming, and true HDR needs it to work correctly. However, the 600 nits brightness compensates for it. We will discuss the brightness later on, but for now, both monitors are exceptional on their own and give a crisp 5K display.

Refresh Rate

If you’re a gamer, you’d know how much a device’s refresh rate matters in having an immersive, lag-free experience. While the screen sizes of both LEDs are enough for gaming, both lack when it comes to the refresh rate. 

Samsung ViewFinity S9 and Apple Studio Display offer 60Hz, which can be sufficient for some games but not complex ones. However, the former’s refresh rate can reach 120Hz at maximum, so you don’t have to worry about screen tearing. 

On the other hand, Apple Studio Display does not support variable refresh rates, but it is G-SYNC compatible with an RTX 3060 graphics card. Unfortunately, it isn’t that efficient, and the screen may start flashing weirdly. So, we don’t really consider it G-SYNC compatible. Moreover, this LED device has a slow response time, meaning it is poor in handling motion.

While 60Hz is good, you can easily find many displays with a better refresh rate at Apple Studio Display’s $1,599 price tag. So, regarding refresh rate, the Samsung ViewFinity S9 is definitely the winner as it can run at 120Hz maximum. This rate is ideal for playing non-stop games and watching movies.

Brightness

Brightness is also a major concern when comparing the specifications of two LED monitors. With insufficient brightening capacity, a monitor may not give crisp picture quality in different lightning. Surprisingly, there is a considerable brightness difference between Samsung ViewFinity S9 vs. Apple Studio Display.

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 has a typical brightness range of 350cd/m², which is good but not impressive. The monitor supports HDR 600, meaning its panel can dim the backlight to adjust the display according to the lighting in the room.  

Comparatively, the Apple Studio Display offers a typical brightness of 600cd/m², deserving all the praise. This is Apple’s one of the brightest devices with the perfect balance of color, contrast, and highlights. However, its local backlight dimming feature is relatively poor. 

The Studio Display has a traditional LED backlight that brightens the whole screen, regardless of the lightning in the room. This means you will get a perfect display if you’re watching a movie in a well-lit area. However, it may give off light gray light in a dark room. 

Both products have pros and cons when it comes to brightness. While the ViewFinity S9 adjusts the backlight depending on the surrounding, the Studio Display offers more brightness. So, it’s in your hand to decide which is the better LED monitor.

Ports

You will be delighted to find multiple ViewFinity S9 and Studio Display ports. The former comes with one Thunderbolt 4, a DisplayPort, and three USB-C ports. This means you can charge your phones and laptops at almost 96 watts. If you’re a photographer, you can easily move high-resolution files from cameras to different storage devices.

When buying the Apple Studio Display, you’ll receive a Thunderbolt 4 cable with the package, similar to ViewFinity S9. It can also provide 96W of power for charging different devices. The Thunderbolt port and three USB-C ports are located on the LED’s rear side.

Audio and Camera

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 has a built-in webcam that supports different video apps. So, you don’t have to buy an external camera and adjust it on the screen’s top for your business meetings. The camera results are also reasonably good. 

You’ll also have quality audio from the ViewFinity S9’s speakers, but testing has shown that it isn’t as good as Apple Studio Display’s speakers. Nevertheless, judgment depends on every person’s needs.

With the Apple Studio Display, you will also get a quality webcam and speakers. An A13 bionic chip, similar to the iPhone 11, supports the LED’s whole audio and camera system. In fact, the camera offers 12 megapixels, which is amazing. But still, you won’t have the quality pictures you expect. The camera may make you look blurry or too white. 

You will also have six speakers (two teeters and four woofers) and three mics for a strong audio experience. Both speakers and mics work exceptionally well. You’ll also have the option to adjust the three-mic array settings in the Control Center to achieve voice isolation. The speakers are also loud and hands down one of the best built-in LED speakers.

Simply put, both devices have impressive audio and camera systems. However, Apple’s impeccable speakers make the Studio Display a winner in this regard. 

Samsung ViewFinity S9 vs. Apple Studio Display: 5 Must-Know Facts

As you see, there is tough competition between Samsung ViewFinity S9 vs. Apple Studio Display. Both LEDs are high-performing, each having unique characteristics. However, if you are still struggling to choose one, check out these 5 must-know facts about both LEDs.

1. The Samsung ViewFinity S9 has a massive 49-inch 5K display with 218 PPI, making it ideal for video editing, content creation, and graphic designing. The Apple Studio Display also has a 5K retina display, but the screen isn’t as big as its counterpart.
2. Despite having 600 nits of brightness, the Apple studio display doesn’t have a backlight adjustment feature. 
3. The Studio Display lacks HDR, while the Samsung ViewFinity S9 has it.
4. The ViewFinity S9’s speakers are powerful, but the Studio Display has a better audio output. 
5.  Both LEDs have a 60Hz refresh rate, but the ViewFinity S9 can reach as high as 120Hz for an immersive gaming experience. The Apple Studio Display does not support variable refresh rates. 

Samsung ViewFinity S9 vs. Apple Studio Display: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?

You may have noted the pros and cons of each product in this Samsung ViewFinity S9 vs. Apple Studio Display one-on-one. Both LEDs have a massive display, crisp picture quality, powerful audio output, multiple ports, and amazing brightness. However, one has the upper hand over the other in each aspect.

The ViewFinity S9 has a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, making it ideal for gaming. While the Studio Display has no variable refresh rate, it has better brightness than the ViewFinity S9. But yet, it does not support backlight adjustment, which the ViewFinity S9 offers.

The ViewFinity S9 is also priced higher than the Studio Display. The former is relatively new, so you can expect it to upgrade over time. However, the Studio Display has been around for almost a year and has amazed the users quite well. 

So, if you want a safe option, you can go for the Apple Studio Display. But Samsung products are also reliable, so it comes down to your budget and likeliness toward either brand.

So, it all comes down to your preferences and budget. The best way to decide your right pick is to evaluate your expectations for the LED monitor you want to buy. Then, compare them with each option and see which matches your preferences the best.