Fellow Viewfinity S9 waiters, worried about matte finish?

[AppleTech22]

Ever since the announcement of the Viewfinity S9, I’ve been eagerly awaiting pricing and launch date timing. For the likely many others in my shoes, is there any worry that Samsung is going to drop the ball and add a terrible, cheap matte finish that will degrade the picture quality?

Almost every display manufacturer does this to their 4K monitors, as the films just don’t match what Apple has done with the nano-texture etching.

I personally would prefer a glossy option, but realize that precedent shows SS will likely only offer matte. Seems the rumor mill has backed that up as well.

Starting to feel more and more pressure to just go with the ASD.

 

[JaredJenkinsDesign]

Personally, I don't think the matte finish is a big deal for degrading picture quality and it's probably something I'd only notice if I had a glossy 5k monitor next to it like the ASD or the LG 27" 5k. I think the 5K perfect scaling should more than make up for it since most matte monitors are either 1440p/109ppi or using scaled resolution for slightly blurry text.

If you can still afford to wait, I'd say do so and if the S9 screen doesn't look great to you, you could then just return it and go with the ASD.

 

[DaveEcc]

I'm just confused by the complete radio silence after the CES announcement. It's supposed to release Q1, which is what, within the next two weeks? I've never waited on a display release before. Are they all like this, or is this unusual?

 

[Arthur75]

I’m not worried about the finish, but more regretting that it isn’t 29 or 30”.
Being on a 27” 4K right now, would clearly trade a bit of ppi for screen size on a desktop display, and the ppi on a 27 4K is already quite good.

 

[Arthur75]

I'm just confused by the complete radio silence after the CES announcement. It's supposed to release Q1, which is what, within the next two weeks? I've never waited on a display release before. Are they all like this, or is this unusual?

Same feeling, quite strange.

 

[JaredJenkinsDesign]

I’m not worried about the finish, but more regretting that it isn’t 29 or 30”.
Being on a 27” 4K right now, would clearly trade a bit of ppi for screen size on a desktop display, and the ppi on a 27 4K is already quite good.

Moving up to a 32" 4K would be your best option for trading a bit of PPI for a larger screen. I tried this in the past with the LG 32un880-b but I personally still preferred the sharper 27" monitor despite the smaller size. Such a shame that a 30" or 32" monitor with the same PPI as a 27" 4K doesn't exist though.

 

[IJBrekke]

Have to assume, like all delays since 2020, that supply chain issues are wreaking havoc here. There’s no way Samsung is voluntarily waiting, they are being held back.

 

[Zest28]

Samsung is going for glossy as Samsung will be copying what Apple did. It’s only Mac users that are obsessed with 5K, so it makes sense that Samsung copies Apple.

 

[DaveEcc]

It’s only Mac users that are obsessed with 5K

Can't blame the users. MacOS needs a certain pixel density to offer a "Retina" support. Any non integer multiple of scaling produces poor results. Display manufacturers have had 10 years to figure this out, but I guess high-res displays with accurate color representation aren't as big a market as PC gamers wanting as many Hz as possible at 1080p and 1440p with semi-okay color accuracy.

 

[Freida]

I'm in the same boat. Fed up with Apple's prices on the Studio display + stand.
If Samsung prices this correctly we could have a winner and it would maybe encourage others to follow. I also hope the DELL 6K 32" will be released in another form and not just the presentation version with the huge camera.
Once we get 5k panels and 6k panels with ppi +-220 Apple will have to step up or improve the pricing.
In no world is $999 for just a stand acceptable.
I used to defend Apple in the past but these choice are non defendable and are pure insulting to the customers.

In the past I would never buy Samsung screen over Apple but hey, Apple screwed up so I will vote with my wallet. Their loss, not mine

 

[i486dx2-66]

Samsung is going for glossy as Samsung will be copying what Apple did.

No they are not. It's in the press release that it's a matte display.

Samsung Electronics Unveils Its New Odyssey, ViewFinity and Smart Monitor Lineups at CES, Igniting the Next Generation of Display Technology

The Odyssey Neo G9’s groundbreaking dual UHD 57” curved display paves the way for monitors in 2023 and beyond

news.samsung.com

 

[dazzer21-2]

Personally, I’d just rather it came as a dumb screen without all of the TV etc functions. My guess is this will came in at $100 less than a Studio Display. Without the features, I’m sure that they could take another $200 off at least. Looking more likely that I’ll jump on an Ultrafine unless this is s particularly good deal.

 

[AppleTech22]

Personally, I’d just rather it came as a dumb screen without all of the TV etc functions. My guess is this will came in at $100 less than a Studio Display. Without the features, I’m sure that they could take another $200 off at least. Looking more likely that I’ll jump on an Ultrafine unless this is s particularly good deal.

Agreed, I get that they want to push their platform but they have to know that their target market for this display - whether Mac or PC user - will assuredly prefer using their own system for content scenarios.

 

[AppleTech22]

I'm in the same boat. Fed up with Apple's prices on the Studio display + stand.
If Samsung prices this correctly we could have a winner and it would maybe encourage others to follow. I also hope the DELL 6K 32" will be released in another form and not just the presentation version with the huge camera.
Once we get 5k panels and 6k panels with ppi +-220 Apple will have to step up or improve the pricing.
In no world is $999 for just a stand acceptable.
I used to defend Apple in the past but these choice are non defendable and are pure insulting to the customers.

In the past I would never buy Samsung screen over Apple but hey, Apple screwed up so I will vote with my wallet. Their loss, not mine

I wound up biting the bullet on a mint condition Amazon-renewed Ultrafine 5K for $900. They can be had for a hundred or so less in a similar condition on eBay, but Amazon's generous 90 day return window for renewed products buys me some time in case Samsung does manage to come close to the $900 price before the end of June.

Though I knew it wouldn't be the case, I was secretly hoping the 5K density wasn't going to impress me coming from an older LG 4K. It won me over instantly, despite the "uglier" design compared to the Studio Display and thicker bezels.

I haven't daily driven a 5K before and must say it has had the very same impact on me as ProMotion. Once you see it, it's very hard to go back.

Sidenote: In all of the reviews I see, the Ultrafine gets a lot of flack for its design. I genuinely don't agree - is a fine looking monitor if you can deal with the bezels. While it's not quite on par with Apple's design language, $450 cheaper to have the option of a height-adjustable stand or VESA mount is a worthy compromise in my eyes.

For fellow holdouts, the Studio Display is on sale at Amazon for $1,349.

 

[ToastedCashew]

I never saw what the big deal was with LG 5k bezels. Sure its top heavy but its still a clean minimalist design and the stand is full metal. I own two plus an ASD and dont regret it.

 

[LittleKitty283]

I've also been waiting to hear more about the Viewfinity s9 5k, the radio silence is a bit frustrating. I've been eyeing the ALOGIC Clarity 27” 4k since it is glossy and has local dimming, but it seems to be back ordered everywhere until at least April. Depending on what the Samsung comes priced at I'm not sure I can justify too much of a premium just for better macos scaling. The smart TV features I don't see as very useful. The other big unknown is if Apple is going to release a 5k mini led monitor with promotion and dimming. I'd be willing to pay a good bit for that as it would tick off all the boxes of what I'd want.

It's continued to be a frustrating year as the supply chain problems keep pushing back releases.

 

[metanoiaway]

come on samsung throw us a bone! really hoping it delivers 🤞

 

[mich8261]

I am not worried at all about the matte screen. For me it’s a must. I am worried about the radio silence though.

 

[tornado99]

I have a 185 ppi 4K Ultrafine glossy and a 185 ppi 4K matte. Both 24 inch. The glossy is definitely sharper, but the matte is still massively better than your standard 108 ppi monitor.

Matte is also much better for being in an office near a window, or any situation where direct light is unavoidable.

 

[mich8261]

...

Matte is also much better for being in an office near a window, or any situation where direct light is unavoidable.

or a family where people feel the need to constantly touch the screen

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Can't say I worry about the coating. I more worry about the price, and wish it was ~34" and 120hz.

My alternatives will be Dell Ultrasharp U3224KB or U4021QW. It all comes down to price vs. performance.

 

[squan]

I'm in the camp where I actually like the added features, and the fact that this monitor will most-likely work with a PS5 or something as well, as it has the ports to support it. I would be able to use a 5k monitor both for work and gaming and that's already a big plus vs the Apple Display (and vs the Ultrafine as well, iirc).

As far as glossy vs matte. Yeah glossy will always have my preference as it truly brings out the best picture. But maybe the finish will be more subtle than we think and will actually be a good in-between look.

I do think whatever finish it has, I'll get used to it quickly. Maybe the only "annoyance" will be having a macbook or other glossy screen beside it that might keep making you aware of the difference. Then again, just another first-world problem.

 

[Works4Me]

Add me to the list of people waiting to hear from Samsung on this. Supply chain issues notwithstanding, it would be nice to know the price!

 

[Caruk]

Me too... Definitely time to refresh my somewhat ancient Apple Thunderbolt displays. Hopefully the S9 is affordable.

 

[Greymantle]

I'm in the same boat. Fed up with Apple's prices on the Studio display + stand.
If Samsung prices this correctly we could have a winner and it would maybe encourage others to follow. I also hope the DELL 6K 32" will be released in another form and not just the presentation version with the huge camera.
Once we get 5k panels and 6k panels with ppi +-220 Apple will have to step up or improve the pricing.
In no world is $999 for just a stand acceptable.
I used to defend Apple in the past but these choice are non defendable and are pure insulting to the customers.

In the past I would never buy Samsung screen over Apple but hey, Apple screwed up so I will vote with my wallet. Their loss, not mine

100% in agreement with you! Apple's monopoly (pricing, restrictions, policy) is wearing REALLY THIN these days. I've gone from being a huge fan to generally feeling quite cautious with anything Apple-branded. They have done a lot to hurt their biggest fans over the past few years. Can't wait for Samsung to release this monitor!!!