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The MacRumors Show: Studio Display 2 and Pro Display XDR 2 Rumors

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On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through Apple's plans to refresh the Studio Display and Pro Display XDR.


Apple's next-generation Studio Display is widely expected to feature the same 27-inch screen size as the current model, but with mini-LED technology instead of LCD. This upgrade would result in increased brightness and a higher contrast ratio compared to the current model, bringing it in line with the MacBook Pro, which has touted mini-LED since 2021.

Leaked Apple code suggests that the new Studio Display will also feature an A19 chip. The Studio Display's chip supports features like Center Stage, Spatial Audio, and "Hey Siri" commands. The current Studio Display contains the A13 Bionic, a chip that started out in the iPhone 11 lineup back in 2019. The new model could also feature ProMotion for a refresh rate up to 120Hz, just like the MacBook Pro, along with HDR.

Apple released the Studio Display in March 2022, alongside the first Mac Studio. The standalone display features a 27-inch LCD screen with a 5K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, up to 600 nits brightness, a built-in camera and speakers, a single Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. In the U.S., the monitor starts at $1,599.

Reports suggest that the next-generation Studio Display will come out in early 2026, when we're also expecting new Macs with the M5 chip.

Apple has been rumored to be working on an updated version of the Pro Display XDR since 2022, adding an Apple silicon chip. As a result, the Pro Display XDR is likely to gain speakers, microphones, Hey Siri support, and a camera with Center Stage, just like the Studio Display. Further parity with upcoming Studio Display features such as mini-LED and ProMotion is also possible.

At the very least, the new monitor is expected to feature the same quantum-dot display technology adopted by the MacBook Pro. The latest quantum-dot display films have equal to better color gamut support, and offer improved motion performance, compared to the KSF phosphor film that Apple uses for the existing Pro Display XDR and previous MacBook Pro models. This means the new Pro Display XDR should have improved color accuracy and faster response times compared to the current model.

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Article Link: The MacRumors Show: Studio Display 2 and Pro Display XDR 2 Rumors
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/12/the-macrumors-show-studio-display-2/
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Can’t wait for the next Studio Display. I am very happy with mine despite the 60Hz refresh rate and other technology limitations. A new version would be welcome.
 
Meanwhile, Asus has just unveiled its new XG27JCG, a 5k/180Hz 27-inch monitor (with an option for 1440p/330 Hz), 0.3 ms GTG, 1500:1 contrast, 97 % DCI-P3, and HDR 600 nits… for $850. Not bad. It's not Mini-LED though.
 
Personal Pro XDR wishlist beyond screen improvements: integrated cam/mic, integrated KVM (market Thunderbolt options are scarce and terrible IME), HDMI port (for connecting non-Apple devices).
 
They don't need more pixels. They need more hertz.
The only reasonable way to cram more pixels is to make a bigger screen, like a 36"-42" monitor!
 
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I’d be interested in some of the non-Apple 6K displays coming out. Unfortunately they seem almost all to only come in matte finish screens. These are not the nano-texture that Apple has been using. These are the older matte finish that tends to add a little fuzziness visible in small text. Since the purpose of a Retina display like this is detail and crisp text, the matte displays undercut that. I wish all of the reviewers would consider this when they are writing about these monitors.
 
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There are finally 6K 32" screens coming out from other vendors, so there's competition. Apple was way ahead of the game, but if they want to continue to charge a premium they need to make the next XDR something really special. I'm in the market for a new, bigger monitor, as my old Apple Cinema Display 30" is starting to give up, plus when I sleep my computer it reshuffles all of the windows to the primary monitor (which is very aggravating). I have a Studio Display for the other one, and it's nice but more space would be welcome. I'm probably not the only person waiting for Apple to put out their next monitors before I make a decision...I'm buying something once they do so, hopefully they make it an easy choice to by a new Apple display.
 
I currently have (3) ASDs connected to my 2019 Mac Pro.

Things I would evaluate before upgrading:
• Better web cam (currently disappointing for the ASD price point)
• Price (needs to be same or less as current ASD)
• At least more than one TB port (to daisy chain)
• Wider Adobe RGB Gamut coverage (one can dream, but competitors offer it)
• Mini LED
• Refresh rate has not been an issue for me (and not sure I could exceed 60Hz with TB3 on Mac Pro currently anyway)?
• Same case/stand dimensions (for seamless swap)
• Not something I need, but should have unplugable power cord

From a software standpoint, I wish they would add an easy way to make use of ALL speakers at once with multiple ASD setups (or at least on two monitors at once for R/L. I tried the MIDI workaround and could never get it to work). Seems like you should be able to turn sound on/off though Displays preference)?
 
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I’ve got 2 Studio Displays next to each other. I agree about the sound quality of the internal speakers but it would be great if the speakers of both displays are used to have an even better sound quality. So hopefully that would be added to the new model or even better comes to the current Studio Display via a software update (there hasn’t been an update for ages).
 
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Jeeve Stubbs said:
Meanwhile, Asus has just unveiled its new XG27JCG, a 5k/180Hz 27-inch monitor (with an option for 1440p/330 Hz), 0.3 ms GTG, 1500:1 contrast, 97 % DCI-P3, and HDR 600 nits… for $850. Not bad. It's not Mini-LED though.
Click to expand...
These specs: great!
Calibrating every month: not great!
 
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Jeeve Stubbs said:
Meanwhile, Asus has just unveiled its new XG27JCG, a 5k/180Hz 27-inch monitor (with an option for 1440p/330 Hz), 0.3 ms GTG, 1500:1 contrast, 97 % DCI-P3, and HDR 600 nits… for $850. Not bad. It's not Mini-LED though.
Click to expand...
Thanks for pointing this out. It’s the first Retina 5K panel to break the 60Hz barrier (not counting ~70Hz tweaks), and as such it demonstrates a “Studio Display HDR” with ProMotion (120Hz, and perhaps also dual-mode 240Hz) is possible, maybe even likely. Pricing similar to the current Studio Display.

I think it could be launched alongside a “Studio Display XDR” with ProMotion and a miniLED backlight with at least 2,304 zones (4x 576) and with a next-generation timing controller. Pricing will be high — anyone who thinks a 27" 64x36 miniLED backlight array is not going to be expensive hasn’t been paying attention. The ASUS 32" 4K 120Hz with only 1,152 zones (2x 576) is $3,299.

I don’t know what to think of the future of the Pro Display XDR — the new ASUS 32" 8K (with 7x 576 miniLED backlight) is now available for $8,799. You can order it today! So any Apple competitor would be similarly expensive.
 
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MacRalf said:
I’ve got 2 Studio Displays next to each other. I agree about the sound quality of the internal speakers but it would be great if the speakers of both displays are used to have an even better sound quality. So hopefully that would be added to the new model or even better comes to the current Studio Display via a software update (there hasn’t been an update for ages).
Click to expand...
A stereo pair of full size HomePods would give you incredible sound, much better than anything Apple would add into the new displays. If cost is a factor you could buy a used pair. Our 2 OG HomePods are still incredible after all these years. They are even great on zoom meetings with a USB noise canceling microphone. 👍🏻
 
MacRalf said:
I’ve got 2 Studio Displays next to each other. I agree about the sound quality of the internal speakers but it would be great if the speakers of both displays are used to have an even better sound quality. So hopefully that would be added to the new model or even better comes to the current Studio Display via a software update (there hasn’t been an update for ages).
Click to expand...
They have great sound in them. I had to install eqmac to change the characteristics of the sound. I would love to have an equaliser in macos to support this. eqmac sometimes is in the way with headphones etc.
Maybe a 40megapixel sensor like on the iphone 17 as a webcam.
 
While I agree in an hypothetical world it would be great if Apple kept the current Studio Display and just priced it at an insanely cheap $900 I can confidently say there is almost zero chance we are going so see that happen at that price let alone Apple keeping it around at all. It also seems way too coincidental that there has been a flood of 5k displays hitting the market right before Apple's new mini-led display rumors. More likely is that Apple is exiting from using that panel completely and others buying the panels that would be going to Apple for lower cost/qc versions.


"I also think it will be a little bit of a missed opportunity if Apple discontinues the current studio display with no equivalent LCD offering because this display is still extremely capable. Um there's a reason why Apple has been offering um retina displays that are LCD like this for so long. But the studio display is really expensive. And there are people who buy a lowcost Mac Mini that need an external monitor or maybe they want even an external monitor to just hook up to their MacBook Air or even something like um their iPad. I would say that Apple should have an entry level monitor, which would be the current studio display if you like. Um, and maybe that should be about $900"

 
fab.zed said:
These specs: great!
Calibrating every month: not great!
Click to expand...
Not sure what you mean. I currently use one of its predecessors, the XG27UQ. When I got it in 2022, I downloaded and applied an ICC color profile for best colors and never had to calibrate again. Colors still look great. Am I missing something?
 
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