Apple's Studio Display 2 Rumored to Have Up to 90Hz Refresh Rate Instead of 120Hz

[MacRumors]

Apple reportedly plans to release a new Studio Display this year, and it has once again been rumored that the monitor's maximum refresh rate will be 90Hz.

In November 2024, an anonymous listener of the Relay FM tech podcast "Upgrade" claimed that Apple was developing 90Hz display technology that could be used for the next Studio Display, as well as future iPad Air and iMac models. A higher refresh rate can make videos and scrolling look smoother to the eye, but 90Hz would stop short of the 120Hz refresh rate that iPhone, iPad, and Mac models with ProMotion support can achieve.

Now, a MacRumors tipster has backed up that claim, based on alleged information from an internal build of iOS 26 that was leaked online. Indeed, they believe the next Studio Display is likely to max out at 90Hz rather than 120Hz.

Apple's existing devices typically have up to 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rates, so 90Hz would be unusual for Apple. However, while there is no explicit confirmation, the tipster claimed that multiple code strings and display controller references in the internal iOS 26 build suggest the next Studio Display will max out at 90Hz.

The tipster believes that a 90Hz refresh rate would make sense due to bandwidth considerations. Thunderbolt 5 can support 5K resolution at 120Hz without any compression, but they think Apple likely wants to ensure there will be plenty of remaining bandwidth for connecting other devices and peripherals to the new Studio Display.

The current Studio Display has a 60Hz refresh rate.

Apple plans to release a new version of the Studio Display "in the first half of 2026," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Last month, an unreleased Apple monitor with the model number A3350 surfaced in a Chinese regulatory database, and it is likely the Studio Display 2.

There have been many reports about a new Studio Display being in the works, with rumored features including mini-LED backlighting, a higher refresh rate of up to 90Hz or 120Hz, HDR support, and an A19 chip or A19 Pro chip.

This rumor still warrants some skepticism for now. In addition, the internal iOS 26 build is from early 2025, so Apple's plans may have changed since then.

Article Link: Apple's Studio Display 2 Rumored to Have Up to 90Hz Refresh Rate Instead of 120Hz

 

[Sowelu]

My first thought was that this 'unusual' (for Apple) feature would've been an included adjustable stand that didn't cost an additional $500.

 

[FlyingPJ]

90Hz in 2026? This would be DOA lol

 

[mozumder]

It will do whatever Thunderbolt 5 can do.

 

[Nyx1]

Lol why Apple so hard to put pro motion every new product

 

[munpip214]

My guess is that it will support 120 Hz standalone but drop to 90 as needed for other connections. 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

[madmin]

They should build a statue of Tim in that Apple park
made out of nickels and dimes

 

[iToph]

Sounds like a thing apple would do. Meanwhile I enjoy my life on a 32“ 4K glossy OLED with 240hz

 

[Genelec8341]

Can't ProMotion throttle down to 1Hz? Why can't this display default 120Hz and throttle down to preserve bandwith as needed?

 

[SDAVE]

Lol why Apple so hard to put pro motion every new product

Once you go 120Hz you can't go back. I have 2 studio displays at 60Hz and switching back to a ProMotion MacBook Pro is painful. HDR I can live without.

 

[zedsdead]

I feel like it will be 90HZ on thunderbolt 4 as that is max capacity, and 120hz on thunderbolt 5.

It is both insane to do only 90HZ and also sounds like a very apple thing to do, but I think it is something more like what I said.

 

[alexandr]

I hate how all the XDR-2 news seem to have evaporated...

 

[Kylo83]

No 120hz no buy it’s that simple

 

[Slix]

I have a work PC laptop that is capable of 90Hz and I set it to 60 because anything higher makes me feel like I'm being thrown around faster than my eyes can handle. This is a non-issue for me if it goes to 90, 120, or stays at 60. I do want the price to come down though...

 

[jz0309]

My Studio Display is smooth scrolling and watching videos, I don't need more than 60Hz so this is certainly not a reason to upgrade.
Maybe it's my aging eyes but 17PM does not feel "smoother" than Studio Display.

 

[1037]

Here come the 120hz or nothing snobs.

Weird how Apple sells a $5000+ 60hz monitor.

 

[CocktailHour]

It darns your socks.

 

[1037]

I'm using the new LG 32" 6k 60hz $2000 monitor and have no complaints.

 

[Ja50n]

90Hz in 2026? This would be DOA lol

The 5K resolution is a rarity, you have few options to compare it against and they’re all similarly compromised in refresh rate. Step down to 4K, though, and you can get a 120Hz model for less than $300.

 

[Unami]

This higher refresh rate would make videos and scrolling look smoother to the eye

No, it would note make videos look smoother to the eye, because 99,99999% of all videos are not in 90fps. On the contrary, playing back a 60 or 24 fps video on a 90hz didplay could make videos feel less smooth, because 90 is not an integer multiple of those (unlike 120hz) - afaik most higher end display/OSs will drop to 60hz in this case becsuse if that.

 

[jz0309]

90Hz in 2026? This would be DOA lol

Yup, and you forgot "Apple is doomed"
/s

 

[coolfactor]

90Hz in 2026? This would be DOA lol

What if 120Hz has been overkill this whole time, and 90Hz is already fast enough to overcome a human eye's ability to see changes?

Did you ask Siri? 🫣🤣

 

[VisceralRealist]

2026 technology: AI is replacing humanity!

Also 2026 technology: 120 Hz is still a pipe dream

 

[Ctrlos]

Your £1000 display, now with the refresh rate of a £200 Android phone!

 

[reallynotnick]

Apple uses DSC on their XDR display I see no reason for them to avoid it on a lower end display. Still not having even frame pacing for 24fps content is a bummer, you'll have to do like 4:4:4:3 pulldown, I guess that's maybe better than 3:2 pulldown but not ideal. Plus now you have 3:2 pulldown for 60fps content...