Apple Updates Studio Display With Thunderbolt 5 and More

[ipedro]

Yeah, about that. Two very significant things happened between the first line and the second line:
1) By the fourth generation, the cost of an iPod was about half of a first gen.
2) Windows support was introduced.

...yes, that's the point. Once the R&D is paid and the initial problems have been sorted and supply chain and manufacturing streamlined, the cost can be set in line with marketing goals. I'm sure everyone here is clear that Apple understands that a $3500-$5000 Vision Pro is not aimed at mainstream and that Apple will need to do what they did with the iPod to make the price palatable to reach the scale where it becomes mainstream. Nobody believes that Apple is going to continue selling a $5000 Vision Pro and expect it to sell in mainstream numbers.

 

[Radeon85]

Apart from the resolution, those specs are what I would have expected in 2020, not 2026. 60hz at 600 nits, what a joke!

Even in 2020 I had a PC screen that was 43" that did 4K at 144hz, 1000 nits, did a billion colours with a DCI-P3 90% colour gamut support and did G-Sync for £1200, hell I'm still gaming on it.

What a cowing joke that display is for 2026 standards and they have the balls to start that at £1499 😄

And as for screen size, these pro screens should be 32" minimum these days, 27" is tiny.

 

[RobertoDLV]

I am curious, have you enjoyed the monitor? Fill your needs? What do you use it for mostly?

I was initially quite disappointed with the audio performance. There was a slight clicking sound coming from the speakers whenever a sound was played or stopped. This issue appeared first on a refurbished model, then on a brand new one (bought off the shelf at an Apple Store). I still went ahead and purchased a third unit, this time a new model from the Apple Store (online). That particular problem is not present on this one.
I was also a little let down by the sound quality, which I find somewhat muffled, not as clear as my previous 27-inch iMac. But maybe it's just a matter of getting used to it.
Beyond that, there's the infamous buzzing sound coming out at times (consistently present across all three models I tried). No fix for that, though I've gotten used to it as well.
The display, on the other hand, is absolutely stunning, the image is incredibly sharp and pleasing to the eye. For that reason alone (I work on films and 3D), it would be hard for me to give it up. The built-in webcam (admittedly mediocre), combined with the good integrated speakers and the stunning glossy screen make it a unique candidate. I would buy it again even if it's quite pricey.

 

[VoipRodrigo]

I’m very curious to see the reviews of the XDR version. Probably they will be glowing, in the display department. But it will never be enough to justify the price point, especially now that there’s other options in the market, which was not the case when the original ASD came out. I think it was unrealistic to expect a ASD update with miniled and 120hz for the original ASD price, and I was willing to spend extra on an upgrade of that level, but this is just ridiculous. Perhaps a less bright with less zones mini led at 90hz bump to the regular ASD would be at least something of value, but keeping the display specs fully unchanged after all this time is plain joking with customers.

 

[bunce66]

Apple needs to fire it's Monitors team. These are a big disappointment. If they just sold these at a halfway reasonable price, they'd be everywhere.

I've been waiting several months to see what they come up with and this seals the deal: will be getting the 6k Asus and save myself thousands of dollars.

 

[RobertPS]

It's time for an Apple A-chip Thunderbolt 5 magic monitor replacement board for the Intel 5k iMacs.
Must be a decent profit in that for Apple with these prices.

 

[macjoshua]

What alternative monitors are others using? It seems like Apple has thrown in the towel on the display market, and I really would like to have a 5K (or 6K) monitor that isn't running 12-year old display tech.

 

[svish]

No price hike is nice. Desk view is also good to have. 60Hz is a disappointment. Anyway good to have a new updated monitor.

 

[Brother Cavil]

iPod first, second and third generation: 2 million sold.
iPod fourth generation: 42 million sold.

Apple Watch Series 0: 10 million sold
Apple Watch Series 3: 100 million sold

iPhone 1: 1 million units sold
iPhone 4: 40 million units sold
iPhones sold in 2025: 250 million units sold

Worth noting that people so often compress historical successes in their mind and completely dismiss in their memory how long it took to get there. People may not be ready for the Vision platform, but if Apple plays this like they did their other hits, they could see history repeat itself.

It doesn't replace the need for displays or TVs, but if I had to choose, I can see how a Vision Pro would serve as my work display when at my desk. If I'm going to spend $3000, it does give me pause to make that choice,

While Vision Pro's price tag is definitely not consumer friendly, I don't think that's the primary problem. Anecdotally, it appears that many Vision Pro buys simply don't use it that much. The one person I know who bought it rarely uses it. He said he likes to watch movies on it, but that's about it. That's a common refrain across various online forums as well. He's a programmer but prefers his multi-monitor setup over wearing Vision Pro for hours on end.

I just don't think the "spatial computing" aspects of the device are resonating. The Vision Pro app store is about as dead as the Apple TV app store. Developers aren't interested. Consumers aren't interested. What I do think would interest people is the display minus all of the spatial computing stuff. Ditch a lot of the sensors and cameras, shed some ounces, and give us a portable big screen that works with our other Apple devices. That would sell.

 

[Big_D]

Hello, Which qould you buy?: Used Apple Studio or new BenQ or LG?

Difficult, I'm looking at a BenQ and ViewSoninc, both with TB4, not TB5, and no camera, but with a height adjustable stand and HDR, both come in for 1,000€. That means they are, at least on the surface, equivalent to the XDR version, with the 400€ optional height adjustable stand, excluding the camera and 120Hz...

Put that against the new TB5 Studio Display (non-XDR), with height adjustable display, you are paying over 1,000€ more for a camera and TB5 speed over TB4. A TB5 dock costs 250€, a TB4 dock around 200€, and a decent 4K webcam costs 250€, so we are talking 1,000€ extra for a maximum of 300€ worth of components, but with the loss of HDR in the process.

The old Studio Display is even less enticing. The only thing going for it is the Apple logo and fit and finish, for a less capable panel. If the used Studio Display was much cheaper than the BenQ or ViewSonic, say under 700€, I would go for it, but a quick look at Kleinanzeigen.de (the spin-off of eBay 2nd hand market in Germany), they are going for between 900€ and 1,200€. For that price, I'd take the new BenQ or ViewSonic.

 

[Big_D]

I had convinced myself to spend the 5K for the upper model of display when it was finally released. But not for 27”.

Those of us who are older need to sit further from the monitor - sitting closer to a 27” monitor is not the same as further from a 32” in terms of accommodation. I guess I’m spending 2G on the 6K 32” LG at this point.

Funnily enough, I'm going from a 44" 4K LG to a 27" 5K display, because the 44" is too big. I find the 27" about right, for me (55+, with glasses). But I have my MacBook Air and Pro set to small text and they are arms length away on a stand most of the time and I don't have problems reading the small text.

I went with a "cheap" Asus ProArt at work (no way the company would spring for an Apple display), which is very nice, in terms of display quality, but feels cheap (660€). I was holding out for the new Studio Display for home, hoping for HRR and 120Hz, in the 27" model at 1,699€, with the 32" being way out of my price league. But it is the 27" HDR that is out of my price league! I can get a matte 27" 5K HDR display for 1,000€, there is no justification for another 2,800€ to get an Apple logo and the camera.

I really like the new Studio Display, but convincing myself to pay an extra 1,000€ (height adjustable stand) for the standard Studio display, let alone 1,400€ for nano texture as well, to lose HDR, is a very hard argument.

 

[JoeG4]

Funnily enough, I'm going from a 44" 4K LG to a 27" 5K display, because the 44" is too big.

I really enjoy my 57" odyssey monitor. It would be perfect if they made an IPS version! 🥺

7680x2160, 240hz, kinda janky color accuracy lol. I FRIGGIN LOVE IT. I just wish it had better color accuracy. And I only paid like $1800 with tax and everything.

They could make this thing IPS for $3k I'm sure. I would totally take it. Mmmmmm.

Apple what are you doing lol.

 

[eifelbube]

Apple, announce the 32” iMac on Wednesday and I’ll forgive you for today’s Studio Displays letdown.

 

[Samuel MacBird]

Honest question
Why not get excellent speakers, top. Notch camera, better display that is large, i.e., 32+ inches for less money

That is pick and choose top notch components that will run you less money than good speakers good camera, smaller display for a premium price?

27” is the upper limit for me. More than that, it’s too big to handle.

I prefer all the things in one enclosure. Don’t want to deal with glitches of another camera vendor.

Customer services of the brands like ASUS, Viewsonic or BenQ are mostly horrific. In the event of a problem, probably I would be all alone.

 

[jmacho]

Unbelievable! What a terrible NON-Upgrade! Easy pass!

 

[Kwstas]

They finally cover Adobe-RGB, that's an evolutionary step for Apple after so many years. Still, the lack of hardware-LUT support is a disadvantage making the serious about color-grading and photography guys think of other choices, like EIZO.

 

[Gouce]

Serious question: Is there any real reason to chose this over SD1? Ports and speakers? Am I missing something?

 

[SDAVE]

$3300 monitor that's not even OLED lol

If anyone wants 2 of these thats $6600 + Tax

I'll stick to my old Studio Display's thanks.

They should've just done a miniLED XDR for $1599 or $2000 and not have the basic version. Or just have the basic version as $999. You will see old stock for last gen Studio Display sell for $1200 soon

 

[lhammer610]

$1600 for a 60hz display in 2026 is actually insane.

Which 5k 27” display would you buy instead? I am in the market. I tried the Samsung and didn’t like it- returned it.

 

[kiv.atso]

In 2026, 27” is not enough anymore. I was hoping for a 32” option. I guess I’ll stick with my Benq for now.

 

[UK-MacAddict]

If they’re not even going try why bother updating it? Absolutely pathetic updates.

60hz is laughable. A basic £300 dell comes with 120hz now.

Glad to see more comments finally calling out Apples overpricing.

 

[maflynn]

Customer services of the brands like ASUS, Viewsonic or BenQ are mostly horrific. In the event of a problem, probably I would be all alone.

I can't address customer support, but I believe Benq has some nice top tier model., which my monitor has. I could have spent 800 - 1000 for a 4k monitor with high end features vs. a cheap 5k with less features

I'm perfectly happy with my benq 4k - 1152-zone Mini LED 4K eARC 144Hz 1ms DP2.1 Gaming Monitor, USB-C, HDMI 2.1, 99% P3 & Adobe RGB, DisplayHDR 1000, Freesync Premium Pro, KVM, Pixsoul Engine, Remote Controller

 

[fatihayoglu]

The comments in here are very funny and just shows how people are not understading how a comparison should be done.
So they say there is much cheaper 4k monitors that does 120Hz, great. XDR does 5K in 120Hz. Then they do say other cheaper monitors, can do this, can do that. But everything mentinoed is only 1 or 2 feature. seperately, not combined.

Could somebody (please) sum up all the features what these monitors do and compare to an equally featured product. like 5K, P3, 60 or 120Hz whatever you pick, TB5, etc etc.
When you say, that is cheaper but doesnt have that, this is cheaper doesnt have that is just juvenile. Yes you can compare a Fiat to a Porsche. They both have 4 wheels, a steering wheel, an engine but completely different cars.

 

[erasr]

What exactly are the upgrades with this new Studio Display vs the previous model? I'm really getting confused now trying to work it out 😂

I was close there to buying a £300 Dell, 27", 4K, 120Hz, as I do like my existing Dell monitor, it just feels 'cheap', that's all.

BUT, I do video calls ALL day every day, and using my iPhone camera is getting annoying. The Studio Display has everything built in, plus my existing Dell monitor is only 60Hz and I've never noticed any issues with that TBH!

Am I mad? If I can't see any issues with 60Hz, and really need a camera built in, plus love the Apple hardware, what's stopping me? What are the improvements on the old model too?

 

[gdd9000]

It is an incredible saving over the product it replaces and includes a stand.

AND it's 5" smaller! Winning! :-|