New Studio Displays from Apple: Same design, better internals?
In the first half of the year, successor models for Apple's dusty monitors are finally to be released. There are still questions about one hardware feature.
Apple Studio Display: Already on the market since 2022.
(Image: Apple)
Apple and displays: Anyone who absolutely wants a display from the Mac manufacturer currently has to live with the fact that the devices are outdated – and yet are priced rather (very) expensively. In the first half of 2026, at least the studio display is finally expected to see some changes. After four years on the market, an update is due. Most recently, information matching this appeared in an energy label database in China and in macOS 26.3. Whether the release will happen as early as next week at the “Apple Experience” or – as several rumor mills claim – not until later in the first half of 2026 is still unclear.
Two models, questions about the Pro Display XDR
macOS 26.3 contains two codenames that fit a new display: J427 and J527, as Macworld discovered. The question now is what the differences are. It's conceivable that Apple is planning two different sizes. Currently, there is a model with 27 inches and a resolution of 5120 by 2880 pixels. If you want more space, you would have to resort to the completely outdated – and still extremely expensive (starting from 4914,93 €) – Pro Display XDR, which offers 32 inches.
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The company might also discontinue this model to focus entirely on the Studio Display. Nothing is known about a Pro Display XDR 2 so far. Apple has since gained some competitors that outperform the Studio Display with better features; accordingly, it would be important for the company to finally catch up. After all, it's also conceivable that Apple will implement two 27-inch screens as Studio Display 2, with only one of the two receiving all the new features.
Hardware details – and the question of the Hertz rate
So far, it is expected that Apple will address key criticisms of the predecessor with the Studio Display 2. These include a lack of High Dynamic Range (HDR) display and a low refresh rate of only 60 Hertz. Apple would actually have to increase this to 120 Hertz – which is internally called ProMotion – but meanwhile, figures of only 90 Hertz have also been circulating in the rumor mill.
Finally, Apple is also said to be optimizing the internally installed ARM chip. It is reportedly supposed to be the A19 from the iPhone 17; currently, an outdated A13 is installed. It is used, among other things, for image optimization of the integrated webcam and possibly for the first time for spatial audio playback. There is no information on prices yet. Currently, Apple itself still wants at least 1749 Euros, but it starts cheaper in stores.
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