Apple's Pro Display XDR is Nearly Five Years Old With No Update in Sight

[MacRumors]

Apple sells two external displays, including the Pro Display XDR and the Studio Display, but neither has received hardware upgrades in years. In fact, the Pro Display XDR is nearly five years old, having been released all the way back in December 2019.

Below, we recap rumors about potential next-generation Pro Display XDR and Studio Display monitors, but nothing seems to be imminent.

Pro Display XDR

Released alongside the 2019 Mac Pro, the high-end Pro Display XDR features a 32-inch screen with LED backlighting, 6K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, P3 wide color, up to 1,600 nits of brightness, one Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. In the U.S., the monitor still starts at $4,999, while the optional Pro Stand costs $999 extra.

In December 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple was working on an updated version of the Pro Display XDR with an Apple silicon chip, something the current model lacks. In the Studio Display, an A13 Bionic chip powers features such as Center Stage camera framing, spatial audio, and Siri voice commands. However, there have not been any recent rumors about a new Pro Display XDR, so it's unclear what Apple's current plans are.

Additional features that customers are hoping for with the next Pro Display XDR include a built-in camera, speakers, and a higher refresh rate.

Studio Display

Apple released the Studio Display in March 2022, alongside the first Mac Studio. The monitor features a 27-inch LCD screen with 5K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, P3 wide color, up to 600 nits brightness, a built-in camera and speakers, one Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. In the U.S., the Studio Display continues to start at $1,599, although the standard configuration is on sale on Amazon for $1,349 as of writing.

In his December 2022 report, Gurman said Apple was working on multiple new external monitors, but he did not specifically mention a new Studio Display. In July 2023, Gurman said Apple's next-generation monitors could launch in 2024 at the earliest, but there are only a few months left in the year and there have been no recent rumors.

There have been on-again, off-again rumors about Apple planning a new 27-inch external display with mini-LED backlighting, which would allow for increased brightness and higher contrast ratio. In April 2023, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the display was slated for mass production in 2024 or early 2025. It is unclear if this monitor would be the next Studio Display, or if it would have different branding.

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Article Link: Apple's Pro Display XDR is Nearly Five Years Old With No Update in Sight

 

[dlewis23]

I really want to see them updated to 120hz then I would be more than happy to upgrade from my current Studio Display.

 

[c84216]

These aren't the kind of products that scream for even the most occasional of updates. Display tech is pretty mature and you don't see 120hz displays of this size and pixel density in Apple's price ranges. The XDR should come into parity with the Studio for the camera and speakers...but that's about it.

 

[BarrettF77]

Give us OLED 120 hz and then you have my interest with a tandem OLED like the iPad Pro has and bring that to the Mac, then you make take my money....

 

[System603]

I can see OLED, 120Hz+ or more nits for Studio Display. But other than that I fail to see much reason for (Apple-like) update.

 

[nt5672]

Now that is innovation. Cook at the peak of his game.

 

[nutmac]

5 years does not sound all that bad for a device category such as computer displays. While it could be improved, it's still a fantastic and very expensive display.

 

[FrietVanPiet]

all these Apple execs are all old people, so 5 years for them doest feel that long ❤️.

 

[newyorksole]

I would love the Pro Display but it’s way too expensive for my blood and needs…

the 27” display however, I want to get it, but also feel like they may update it next year.

we’ll see.

 

[alexandr]

Apple's Pro Display XDR is Nearly Five Years Old With No Update in Sight and No iSight!​

 

[Zwhaler]

Add 120hz to both and it's going to be a banger.

 

[GMShadow]

These aren't the kind of products that scream for even the most occasional of updates. Display tech is pretty mature and you don't see 120hz displays of this size and pixel density in Apple's price ranges. The XDR should come into parity with the Studio for the camera and speakers...but that's about it.

The people clamoring for high refresh OLED would then scream when Apple would have to charge $8995 for it, if not more.

I'm not sure any 5K OLED panels even exist yet, let alone 6K. LG's supposed to have some cut down "5K" panels coming next year but 5120x2160 is for ultrawide, which Apple doesn't really play in.

 

[Unity451]

I'm holding out for the XDR Pro Max Ultra.

 

[Chiromac81]

Needs 120 Hz and OLED then it's a day 1 buy

 

[Spock]

The XDR should come into parity with the Studio for the camera and speakers...but that's about it.

I don’t think the XDR needs a camera or speakers built in, it’s not really that kind of display.

 

[Charlie_Croker]

This article on whether the eye/brain can perceive high refresh rates is interesting. https://www.pcgamer.com/how-many-frames-per-second-can-the-human-eye-really-see/

 

[Asarien]

The problem with out of touch titans of industry, is that they make out of touch products based on their own wealth biases.

 

[ultrafiel80]

I will need a new display soon—either this fall or whenever the updated Mac Studio is released (thinking WWDC25). I'm really only thinking about two options:

• LG C4 OLED 42" TV
• Apple Studio Display 27"

OLED is pretty awesome, and the LG at 42 inches is very tempting. I would have it a foot or more farther than my current iMac so screen resolution likely won't be that bad, but it isn't retina so my concern is that even at the farthest distance it might just not work out for me, especially reading text.

The Apple Studio Display has a lot going for it, but there are minor improvements that would make it an easier decision.

1. Lower the price a bit; this would be a no-hesitation purchase at $999
2. Make the power cord removable; sometimes you just need to unplug to more easily move things around or manage cables.
3. Have a power on/off button; sometimes I may want to run a headless Mac or just have the ability to turn off the display.

Then we could talk major improvements like going OLED, but I really don't mind much about the lack of 120Hz (which is so often stated by others)—and the fact that common state of components really can't run 5k at 120Hz seems to be overlooked.

 

[mcnallym]

Monitors aren't really something that replace regularly.

I only just replaced my Dell 3008WFP with a U2724D and that was because literally won't power on any more. 3008WFP bought at launch so had 16 odd years of a monitor.
Not sure what panels are out there that would make an upgrade.
I don't see Apple being large enough to get a unique panel unless more mainstream monitor supplier use as well.

 

[Adoniram]

The Pro Display XDR is not meant to be a cyclic refresh device like a basic laptop or iphone. It is meant to faithfully reproduce color and luminosity in the regime of human perception. This is a more complicated area than I feel most understand. It's not just about the number of bits used in the color data stream; it's about comparing the actual measured spectra to what was originally recorded or intended.

That kind of technology does not rapidly evolve (at least not anymore). Until it does, the current device is still doing its job very well at the given price point.

 

[romanof]

I don’t think the XDR needs a camera or speakers built in, it’s not really that kind of display.

Correct. This was never intended to be a gaming or consumer display. Speakers in a programming, sound or video studio would never be turned on and the camera would be just as useless and probably restricted of use.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

“Same great prices for both monitor and stand. We think you’ll love it!”

 

[nikaru]

These aren't the kind of products that scream for even the most occasional of updates. Display tech is pretty mature and you don't see 120hz displays of this size and pixel density in Apple's price ranges. The XDR should come into parity with the Studio for the camera and speakers...but that's about it.

Then why bother in developing a display in a first place? Very nice display for a very very niche market. Ton of money and time to design and manufacture, to ultimately sell probably less than 100.000 units worldwide. It is obvious why do see the need of update, even a modest one.

 

[sidewinder3000]

all these Apple execs are all old people, so 5 years for them doest feel that long ❤️.

Hilarious.

 

[DarthDon]

Needs 120 Hz and OLED then it's a day 1 buy

240Hz - for video edit. Pro prices - pro hardware...