Apple’s 27-inch Studio Display is a pretty fancy 5k monitor, but its price tag can be daunting. Here are some similar ones that are more wallet-friendly.
The debut of the Apple Studio Display in early 2022 came with much fanfare, as it was the first dedicated monitor from the brand in nearly three years and boasted staggering visual specs for a relatively reasonable price. Currently, a standard glass model of the Apple Studio Display retails for $1,599, while you can get a nano-texture glass model for $1,899. While that’s not cheap, it is a high-quality 5K Retina display — a 27-inch screen with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 218 pixels per inch (PPI). Its impressive specs also include 600 nits of brightness, DCI-P3, True Tone, and support for a billion (you read that right — a billion, not a million) colors.
Of course, there are a number of reasons the Apple Studio Display isn’t the right monitor for you — whether you have an Apple computer or a PC. (Especially if you have a PC, as using the Apple Studio Display with Windows can be difficult.) For one thing, the Apple Studio Display isn’t as beloved as some other products from the brand and was met with mixed reviews when it first became available.
Another good reason is that, for many of us, $1,600 is just too much to spend for a monitor. Fortunately, there are cheaper options that are comparable to the Apple Studio Display, though each has its own pros and cons. To help you decide which may be right for you, here are six top-rated Apple Studio Display alternatives that won’t break the bank, based on professional reviews by reputable publications who’ve tested them. You can find more information on how these alternatives were evaluated at the end of this list.Samsung 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K IPS Smart Monitor
When it comes to smartphones, Samsung and its Galaxy line is one of the biggest rivals to Apple and the iPhone (though several models have used displays manufactured by Samsung), so it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that the brand also makes a solid alternative to the Apple Studio Display. The Samsung 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K IPS Smart Monitor was Samsung’s first 5K monitor and offers visuals that rival Apple’s. Both displays are 27″ and offer 5K at 218 PPI, as well as 600 nits of brightness. It’s also capable of 99% DCI-P3 for vibrant color saturation, though you can customize color temperature, luminance, gamma settings, and other preferences. True color representation is calibrated in the factory, with no extra steps needed during setup.
Samsung built the monitor with a matte display that reduces reflections, and Intelligent Eye Care software that can optimize brightness and reduce blue light and screen flickering for even better visuals. It’s also compatible with Apple AirPlay and has three USB-C slots, a DisplayPort connection, and a Thunderbolt 4 port rated for 40 Gbps transfer speeds and 90W charging.
The ViewFinity S9 received a positive review from 9to5Mac, though the publication noted its dual stereo speakers pale in comparison to the Apple Studio Display’s six speakers, which are capable of spatial audio. However, while the output is subpar, Samsung’s monitor has a much better 4K webcam when compared to Apple’s 1080p camera, which may be more important to you.
Originally the same price as the Apple Studio Display, you can now find the Samsung 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K IPS Smart Monitor for considerably less — Amazon sells the display for $679.99.Alogic Clarity Pro Touch 27-inch UHD 4K Monitor
While not as big of a name as Apple or Samsung, Alogic has made a solid alternative to the Apple Studio Display with its Alogic Clarity Pro Touch 27-inch UHD 4K Monitor. It’s less expensive and will still make a great display for your Mac Mini M2 Pro or other device. The Alogic Clarity Pro is the same physical size as Apple’s 5K monitor, though its max resolution is 4K. However, it makes up for fewer pixels by offering touchscreen functionality, which can be an incredibly useful feature that Apple seems intent on not incorporating into its desktops, laptops, or external displays. Built-in touch settings also make it even easier to adjust your brightness, control apps, and more.
Alogic’s monitor also comes with 8 ports that include USB-A, USB-B, and USB-C, as well as an HDMI port, DisplayPort, and audio output. It also has an 8-megapixel webcam that’s built into the top of the display and is cleverly designed to be retractable, so you can pop it upwards when you need it, forgoing the need for having to cover up the camera when you don’t.
