6K and 5K displays: Dell and Samsung emulate Apple
With the Dell U3224KB and the Samsung ViewFinity S9, two new monitors are vying for the favour of creative professionals who want high pixel density. Where the inspiration comes from is easy to guess.
A lot of new monitors will be presented at CES 2023. Two of them particularly catch my eye as an Apple user: the Dell U3224KB and the Samsung ViewFinity S9. The two screens for creative work remind me suspiciously strongly of the Apple Pro Display XDR and the Apple Studio Display respectively.
Dell U3224KB: 6K resolution, 99 per cent P3
First the Dell: The 31.5-incher from the Ultrasharp line has a resolution of 6K, 6144 × 3456 pixels to be precise. A similar resolution at this size was previously only available on the Apple Pro Display XDR with 6016 × 3384 pixels. The pixel density on the new Dell is 223 ppi, while that of the Pro Display XDR is 218 ppi. However, the U3224KB is not Dell's first 32-inch with such a high pixel density; the UP3218K with 8K resolution has been on the market for a while.
The Dell's display is an IPS Black panel and is said to cover 99 percent of the DCI-P3 colour space. The HDR 600 certification indicates a maximum brightness of 600 nits, which is well behind the 1600 nits of Apple's luxury screen. Dell specifies the contrast at 2000:1, which probably means that the U3224KB does not have local dimming. For a normal IPS display, however, this is a very good value.
Source: Dell
The prominent webcam is striking. There seem to be good reasons for the size: it has a dual gain CMOS sensor and records up to 4K in 60 frames per second. Dell also packs the monitor full of other features. It doubles as a docking station with multiple USB-A and -C ports as well as 10 GBit Ethernet and delivers up to 140 watts of power via Thunderbolt 4.
Source: Dell
Further details or a price are not yet known. But one thing is certain: the U3224KB will not be as expensive as Apple's Pro Display XDR. It could therefore be an interesting option for people who are looking for a large display with high pixel density and good colour space coverage - and don't want to take out a second mortgage on the house for it.
Samsung ViewFinity S9: 5K resolution, 99 per cent P3
The resemblance to Apple's monitors is even more striking in Samsung's new 27-inch ViewFinity S9. Its design is an almost brazen copy of the Studio Display. While it could be argued that Samsung has used the design language before with the Smart Monitor M8 established - though the even older 24-inch iMac already had a similar look.
Reading the specifications, I also have déjà vu: 5120 × 2880 pixels on 27 inches, 99 per cent coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space, IPS panel with presumed 600 nits brightness ("HDR 600 Certified"). The display has a matt coating. Samsung does not mention local dimming, which is probably why the ViewFinity S9 will have to do without it, just like the Apple Studio Display.
Source: Samsung
Like the Dell, Samsung's new screen also has a 4K webcam and can charge devices - but only with a maximum of 96 watts. On the other hand, the monitor can be operated without a computer connected. The ViewFinity S9 runs Samsung's Tizen TV OS, which you can use to access streaming apps directly, for example.
As with Dell, the price is not yet known. But Samsung's homage to Apple will almost certainly cost significantly less than the rival model from California.
Titelbild: Dell
My fingerprint often changes so drastically that my MacBook doesn't recognise it anymore. The reason? If I'm not clinging to a monitor or camera, I'm probably clinging to a rockface by the tips of my fingers.