Apple's Pro Display XDR 2: Rumors, Features, and What to Expect

[MacRumors]

Apple's Pro Display XDR has now been on the market for over five years, and while persistent rumors hint at a second-generation model, surprisingly little definitive information has emerged about Apple's plans for its premier external monitor. Here's everything we know so far.

In December 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was developing an updated iteration of the Pro Display XDR, this time incorporating an Apple silicon chip, presumably to enable additional functionality. The Studio Display contains an A13 Bionic chip to power its built-in webcam, spatial audio, and always-on Siri.

Since the original Pro Display XDR lacks any of these smart capabilities, it stands to reason that its successor could gain a built-in camera, microphone array, high-fidelity speakers, and perhaps even support for new software features like Center Stage video framing, Face ID for Mac, or automatic color calibration based on ambient lighting conditions.

Hardware improvements are also expected. A second-generation Pro Display XDR could feature a higher refresh rate, Thunderbolt 5 connectivity for faster data throughput, and even a shift to OLED or hybrid OLED/QD-OLED panels. OLED technology would offer significantly better contrast ratios, deeper blacks, and lower power consumption, making it even better at professional color work.

In July 2023, Gurman reaffirmed that Apple was continuing development on several next-generation external monitors, but cautioned that releases were unlikely before late 2024 at the earliest.

In November 2024, a report from Display Supply Chain Consultants analyst Ross Young said that the next Pro Display XDR may adopt the same quantum-dot display technology now seen in the latest MacBook Pro models. According to Young, these newer quantum-dot films offer an equal or better color gamut and superior motion performance compared to the older KSF phosphor film used in the current Pro Display XDR and previous MacBook Pro models. Young's report suggested that the Pro Display XDR 2 could boast even more precise color accuracy, faster response times, and better consistency.

Earlier this year, Gurman noted that a new Pro Display XDR was currently "less of a priority" for Apple, given its niche market and premium price tag. Nonetheless, he revealed in March that Apple is actively developing a new display codenamed J527, intended to launch alongside a second-generation Studio Display. This mystery monitor could turn out to be the long-awaited Pro Display XDR successor.

Since then, no further leaks about the device have surfaced. While the launch timeline remains uncertain, it is plausible that Apple could unveil the second-generation Pro Display XDR alongside refreshed high-end Macs—particularly a new Mac Pro model. The current Pro Display XDR was released alongside the 2019 Mac Pro.

Article Link: Apple's Pro Display XDR 2: Rumors, Features, and What to Expect

 

[WilliApple]

At that price tag (for both), it better not be 60hz displays, they better have 120 tbh.

 

[S.B.G]

I'd like to wait to see a second generation Studio Display, but I have a monitor right now starting to crap out. So I ordered a Studio Display yesterday.

 

[CalMin]

At that price tag (for both), it better not be 60hz displays, they better have 120 tbh.

I don't think 120Hz was possible prior to TB5 unless you went through HDMI (and who wants to do that!?).

 

[CalMin]

I'd like to wait to see a second generation Studio Display, but I have a monitor right now starting to crap out. So I ordered a Studio Display yesterday.

If your luck is like mine, they will announce new Studio Displays on the day after your return window closes.

 

[B2B941]

At a bare minimum, when they update the Mac Pro (which requires a separate monitor), and the updates to the Mac Pro include it now having Thunderbolt 5 ports, then it will be very disappointing if Apple doesn’t also update the Pro Display XDR to, among other things, also have Thunderbolt 5 ports.

 

[thefrost]

120Hz please!

 

[BNBMS]

XDR Pro Display is a trash especially for selling it at $5000 for that specs and performance while advertised it as a reference monitor.

 

[S.B.G]

If your luck is like mine, they will announce new Studio Displays on the day after your return window closes.

Yeah, that's the risk we take when buying from Apple. However, MacRumors does a good job with keeping us updated as best as they can. The RoundUps section is very useful, too. Hat's off to @WildCowboy and the team for that.

 

[Applewatch42]

If your luck is like mine, they will announce new Studio Displays on the day after your return window closes.

That happened with me, i got a iPhone 15 Pro within 2 weeks of the 16 lineup's announcement

 

[leifp]

Broken Record: yay superior image quality in all forms! Boo to anything other than a dumb monitor (hard pass on camera, speakers, etc)

 

[S.B.G]

That happened with me, i got a iPhone 15 Pro within 2 weeks of the 16 lineup's announcement

I bought the iPhone 15 about 2 weeks in advance of the 16 as well. Though I knew what I was getting and had no problem with it. I just really wanted the yellow color and they stopped offering it on the 16.

 

[gugy]

I wish I could justify the $7k (nano/stand) price tag, but even as a pro Designer, it's just too expensive. I wish an Apple 32"+ monitor was around $2.5k. Maybe if Apple upgrades the XDR, why not drop the price of the old model? I know they won't do it. I hope the LG 32" 6K announced at CES will come to the market soon.

 

[enc0re]

Just give me a 32"+ HiDPI monitor with a built-in webcam Apple. I'm ready to spend my money today.

Speakers are optional. But having the webcam nice and low is such a convenience in video meetings. I'll take the lower image quality over the Continuity Camera setup I have been using.

 

[Spock]

I don't understand why they can't release a display with a reasonable price. I didn't say low cost, I said reasonable. I think they need a 3rd tier display to pair with the MacBooks and Mac mini.

 

[trip1ex]

be nice to have a 2nd input

 

[Joshuaorange]

At a bare minimum, when they update the Mac Pro (which requires a separate monitor), and the updates to the Mac Pro include it now having Thunderbolt 5 ports, then it will be very disappointing if Apple doesn’t also update the Pro Display XDR to, among other things, also have Thunderbolt 5 ports.

How about nano texture instead?

 

[reden]

I hope they come with a stand this time haha

 

[Joshuaorange]

I don't understand why they can't release a display with a reasonable price. I didn't say low cost, I said reasonable. I think they need a 3rd tier display to pair with the MacBooks and Mac mini.

They do, it’s called TCL and is down the monitor aisle at Costco for $79.

 

[mozumder]

One issue is that for professional reference monitoring that the Pro Display XDR was originally marketed for is that it should be as bright as consumer displays. But, the latest consumer displays are now approaching or even exceeding the 10,000 max nits of Dolby Vision, such as from HiSense, never mind the 2000 nits that every other consumer TV manufacturer now has that already exceeds the Pro Display XDR 1600 max nits. And so this means Apple is going to have a rough time keeping pace as a reference monitor if they can't even match consumer display brightness levels.

 

[Dark-Signature]

32" + 6K + 220PPI + minimum of 120Hz + glossy (!) -> PLEASE!!!!

 

[soyazul]

A professional monitor should not have speakers or a camera.

 

[EugW]

Still waiting for the 5K 32" Acer, 6K 32" Asus, and 6K 32" LG to be released.

 

[Basic75]

A professional monitor should not have speakers or a camera.

And why does a display need its own Siri when the device connected to it already does?

 

[BarrettF77]

In short, there is nothing new to report, the old rumors are all we have to go by. Not sure what the purpose of this article was except to say we haven't heard anything new on them in a year or so. Long article to get those two points across