Are screen manufacturers finally realizing there’s a market for 5K displays? Samsung certainly has with its ViewFinity S9, which we reviewed upon its release in 2023.
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In 2025, it’s ViewSonic’s turn with the ColorPro VP2788-5K, which we had the chance to test for several weeks during the summer. The monitor was rotated among our video editors and journalists, used for a variety of tasks that allow us to thoroughly explore its potential. But with a price tag similar to Samsung’s ViewFinity S9, is it really worth it? Here’s our take in this detailed review!
Plastic Fantastic
From an aesthetic standpoint, it’s clear that ViewSonic hasn’t made significant efforts to match the minimalist Apple aesthetic, despite its popularity among 5K display enthusiasts.
Unlike Samsung, there’s no aluminum to be found here; our model looks like any other PC monitor from the brand, albeit with a slightly refined back casing that offers a lighter, smoother material, in stark contrast to the very granular and lower-quality stand, which is also found around the front bezel.
Despite these aesthetic considerations, the design isn’t just about looks. It’s nice to see a standard adjustable stand that goes up to 120 mm (hello, Apple), tilt adjustments (from -5° to +22°), horizontal swiveling of ±30°, and even vertical pivoting, a feature still favored in certain fields like publishing. It’s worth mentioning that Apple doesn’t offer half of these features, and the price of their stand alone is often deemed outrageous!
The advantage of plastic is that the whole unit weighs only 6.4 kg, nearly a kilo less than its counterparts from Samsung and Apple.
We also noted that the monitor lacks an integrated webcam, unlike its competitors, which is a drawback given the prevalence of video calls with remote work.
Impressive Connectivity
One advantage of PC-derived monitors is the abundance of connectivity options, especially input ports.
First off, Mac users are treated to two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one of which can deliver up to 100 W of power. Ideal for a MacBook Pro or a Mac mini, the ‘Daisy Chain’ feature (via Thunderbolt 4) allows for connecting two 5K displays, assuming the host computer is capable—and most Macs are. We were able to connect the Studio Display directly to the ViewSonic, and everything worked flawlessly, but you need the right Thunderbolt cables (USB-C won’t work).
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Additionally, behind the monitor you’ll find:
• a DisplayPort 1.4,
• two USB-A 3.2 Gen2 x 2 ports (limited to 10Gbps on Mac)
• and two USB-C 3.2 Gen2 x 2 ports on the lower part (up to 15 W)
This setup effectively serves as a small USB dock, and it can also accommodate a gaming console or a video projector.
The inclusion of USB-A ports is something Samsung lacked, and we still have a few USB drives and mice in that format around the office. Another advantage of Thunderbolt is the ability to connect USB-C or Thunderbolt SSDs without sacrificing bandwidth and without hogging a Mac port.
The monitor also features two 5W speakers, whose quality is understandably mediocre, but they can be handy in a pinch.
5K Matte Display Without “ProMotion”
The ViewSonic ColorPro VP2788-5K offers a native resolution of 5120 x 2880, which amounts to 14.7 million pixels, providing 77% more pixels than 4K. The resolution is thus identical to Apple’s and Samsung’s models.
Given the 27″ panel, the pixel density is quite “Retina-like” at 218ppi, similar again to its rivals. You’re free to choose more screen real estate if you prefer, though it might slightly degrade image quality.
The matte finish is quite well-executed and reduces glare if you’re working near a window, but I’m not particularly fond of the slightly grainy feel, which you can also notice when touching the panel. Apple uses glass for a more premium (though glossy) appearance, while Samsung’s coating is somewhat in-between, less rough than ViewSonic’s.
Brightness is set at 400 cd/m², which feels a bit weak compared to Apple (600) and Samsung (600 as well). This was probably the biggest complaint from our editors, who felt like they were working with a dimmer screen next to the Studio Display. 600 nits is somewhat of a standard with Apple, noting that their high-end models (like the Pro Display XDR) peak at 1000 nits and even 1600 nits at maximum, the minimum acceptable for true HDR editing.
The good contrast ratio of 2000:1 against Apple/Samsung’s 1000:1 didn’t make a striking difference between the different panels.
Adjustments are made via a simple on-screen menu, which appears with a press under the display. Navigating the menu is fairly straightforward, though not as comfortable as using software-based controls, especially when switching profiles.
Moreover, calibration is decent compared to Apple’s model, which often sets the benchmark right out of the box. For editing work, we often use Rec709, and this profile is already preset in the monitor’s settings, meeting our expectations pretty well. We didn’t have a calibration probe on hand, but it’s certainly possible to recalibrate after purchase. Note that profiles for sRGB, DCI-P3, and Rec.709 are directly accessible in the OSD menu. ViewSonic guarantees 99% of DCI-P3, 100% of sRGB, and a Delta E <2, putting it in the upper echelon in terms of color accuracy.
Compared to Samsung and Apple, this model has an interesting advantage: the refresh rate climbs to 75Hz versus 60Hz for the other two. While still far from the ProMotion (120Hz) of the MacBook Pro, the increased smoothness in interfaces or games (no laughing) is definitely noticeable.
For those sensitive to blue light, a reduction system is built into the monitor and can be configured in the settings. It’s a bit cumbersome if you need to change it often, so you might as well use macOS settings.
Lastly, ViewSonic includes a small LED that lights up the underside of the screen but can be turned off, and you can also change the color temperature to perfectly match your print and digital work. You can switch between D65 for daylight and D50 for a warmer indoor lighting, the idea being to have a sort of constant-temperature flashlight. In practice, you can indeed use it as a lamp to more finely inspect a print, but it also has the same effect as BenQ’s ScreenBar, which can light up around the screen and reduce eye strain. It has to be seen to be believed, but it works!
Final Verdict: Still a Bit Pricey?
Priced around 1100/1200€ at retailers, this remains half the price of an Apple Studio Display with an adjustable stand and the nano-texture option. To be fair, it’s really Apple’s monitor that’s overpriced!
However, this ViewSonic model struggles to convince us next to the ViewFinity S9 from Samsung, which can now be found for around 1000€. Better in many respects and with a superior finish, it dates back to 2023!
Samsung indeed offers an integrated webcam, better brightness, and a small standalone OS that allows using the monitor without a computer, a dual-purpose that can be handy occasionally for watching movies or browsing the web.
ViewSonic retains an edge in connectivity (2 Thunderbolt ports and USB A), contrast ratio, and refresh rate, but is that enough to stand out from the competition in 2025?