Samsung's 5K ViewFinity S9 is already a potent Studio Display rival, and with $300 off it's a no-brainer

viewfinity s9
(Image credit: Future)

Samsung's ViewFinity S9 is arguably already the better choice over Apple's own Studio Display if you want a 5K monitor for Mac. It offers the same 5K detail, a matte finish that costs extra on the Apple version, great connectivity, and a 4K webcam that trounces the Studio Display's 12MP offering. 

Hilariously, Samsung's ViewFinity even supports AirPlay, unlike the Studio Display. That means you can cast from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac directly to the display. It's also a smart TV and can be used with all the usual apps when work is over. 

At $1,599, the same price as the Studio Display, it's a clear winner, at $300 off it's a no-brainer. 

Samsung ViewFinity S9 — the clear winner

SAMSUNG 27" ViewFinity S9 Series 5K Computer Monitor |$1,599$1,299 at Amazon

SAMSUNG 27" ViewFinity S9 Series 5K Computer Monitor | $1,599 $1,299 at Amazon

A stunning Studio Display rival

With a remote, AirPlay, and a 4K webcam, why would you choose the Studio Display over this?

Price check: B&H Photo $1,599 | Best Buy $1,299

The ViewFinity S9 boasts the same 5K (5120 x 2880) resolution as the Studio Display. That means it can display macOS Sonoma at double the size of 4K without screwing up the proportions, a need for many Mac users that inspired the Studio Display.

Thanks to Thunderbolt 4 and a DisplayPort, it arguably has better connectivity than the Studio Display for both Mac and Windows. The 4K webcam is also a clear jump over the 12MP Studio Display webcam. 

As noted, this even comes with AirPlay, a feature for casting Apple devices to your display that even Apple's own display lacks. What's more, it's got smart functionality built-in so you can also use it to watch your favorite shows on Netflix, YouTube, and beyond. Oh, and there's also a remote control you don't get with the Studio Display. 

Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design. Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9