Samsung S27B971D Pro Reviews

If you fit that small segment that would do well with the Samsung S27B971D it is a great display. I’m just not sure if that audience is very large for it the way the display ships right now. If the out-of-box calibration numbers from our testing could match Samsung's calibration report, it would be a bit easier to recommend, but if you're willing to spend $400 more than something like the Dell in order to get an accurate display, adding in another $200 to get an NEC and a wider gamut seems the way to go.

The Samsung Series 9 S27B971D is an attractive 27-inch PLS monitor that delivers bold and accurate color reproduction and very dark blacks. It is well equipped and offers wide viewing angles but it has trouble at the dark end of the grayscale and is very expensive.

The Samsung Series 9 is a display that feels wedged between two different categories. On the one hand, this stylish display looks and feels at first glance like a high-end consumer product; but on the other hand, the display is calibrated with excellent color accuracy from the factory, and is priced to compete with top-tier professional monitors. Samsung seems to be targeting a user who cares deeply about color accuracy yet doesn’t play games or watch movies and also doesn’t care to mess with calibration at home. We’re not sure many buyers fit that niche. More importantly, this monitor doesn’t impress when placed next to competitors like the Dell Ultrasharp U2711 and Asus PB278Q. The problem is not that this monitor is bad, but rather that it’s not good enough to justify its premium over competitors, a great many of which are sold for a bit below $1,000. So-so black levels are a particular sore point and contribute to a less-than-stellar experience while viewing certain games and media content. If you just want accurate color, and you want it without going through the effort and expense of calibration, then the Samsung Series 9 might be for you. But we also think that the “average” user looking for an exceptional all-purpose monitor will be better served by less expensive competitors.