What to Expect From Apple's Next Studio Display and Pro Display XDR

[MacRumors]

Apple currently offers two external displays, including the Studio Display and the Pro Display XDR. It also sells the 24-inch iMac for customers who prefer an all-in-one desktop computer, but the larger 27-inch iMac was discontinued in March 2022.

Below, we recap rumors about next-generation Studio Display and Pro Display XDR models, as well as a potential 32-inch iMac.

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 starts at $1,599.

There haven't been any specific rumors about a new Studio Display. However, in December 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple was working on multiple new external monitors. He said at least one of these monitors could function as a smart home hub in a low-power state, but it's unclear which model he was referring to. In July 2023, Gurman said Apple's next-generation monitors would launch in 2024 at the very earliest.

There have been on-again, off-again rumors about Apple planning a new 27-inch external display with mini-LED backlighting and ProMotion support, which could allow for up to a 120Hz refresh rate, but the status of this project is not entirely clear. In April 2023, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the display was slated for mass production in 2024 or early 2025. It's unclear if this monitor would be the next Studio Display.

Pro Display XDR

Released in December 2019 alongside an updated Mac Pro, the high-end Pro Display XDR features a 32-inch screen with LED backlighting, a 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 starts at $4,999, but the optional Pro Stand costs $999 extra.

Gurman said one of the new external monitors that Apple was working on was 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.

While no other features have been rumored yet, some additions that customers are hoping for include a webcam, speakers, and a higher refresh rate.

32-Inch iMac

In October 2023, both Gurman and Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple was developing a 32-inch iMac for release in late 2024 or in 2025. Kuo said the larger iMac's screen would feature mini-LED backlighting.

In November 2023, Apple announced that it has no plans to release a 27-inch iMac with an Apple silicon chip. For customers who want a large-screened desktop setup, Apple recommended pairing the Studio Display with a Mac Studio or Mac mini. Apple did not explicitly rule out the possibility of a 32-inch iMac being released in the future.

Apple updated the 24-inch iMac with its latest M3 chip last year.

Article Link: What to Expect From Apple's Next Studio Display and Pro Display XDR

 

[DHagan4755]

Hmmm what to expect? Hopefully a much better FaceTime camera for starters!

 

[sw1tcher]

Any chance we'll get a larger than 32-inch (40-inch?) Pro Display XDR?

Only problem is we'll then need a new stand for it. $1,499.00 Pro Max Stand / Ultra Stand anyone?

 

[Realityck]

I'll just take a M3 Pro/Max 32" iMac please. They can improve the speakers since it be a larger display.

 

[Blackstick]

Been on a gorgeous 42" LG OLED for a few years now. Minimum 120Hz and 5K is a minimum requirement for me, at this point.

 

[klasma]

Only problem is we'll then need a new stand for it. $1,499.00 Pro Max Stand / Ultra Stand anyone?

How about wheels?

 

[Prototypical]

I'd love to see Apple introduce the miniLED/ProMotion Studio Display and bump the "regular" version down a bit in price. There are no reasonably-priced 5K monitors on the market, and we need one.

 

[swiftapplefan]

I think it would be a great idea to allow tvOS or, even better, iPadOS but more desktop-like, to the Studio and Pro Display XDR, since they either have or will have an Apple silicon chip. Basically what Samsung does with the M series monitors.

 

[zombierunner]

Whatever it is, just do it now. My iMac 2015 27 inch struggles with 4k60 playback. You can imagine what happens when I try editing. My iPhone 15 Pro is better at editing than my iMac. I really need a new computer. I will have to wait till they update the new displays + m3max mac studio or the new bigger iMac.

 

[Rychiar]

I don’t see any of this changing before thunderbolt 5. And since i just overpaid for a studio display I don’t want it to lol

 

[Gloor]

what to expect and yet the article doesn't say anything. Lol!

I think with all the Mini LED breaking this year the minimum would be just that.

 

[aj_niner]

32-Inch iMac

In October 2023, both Gurman and Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple was developing a 32-inch iMac for release in late 2024 or in 2025. Kuo said the larger iMac's screen would feature mini-LED backlighting.

In November 2023, Apple announced that it has no plans to release a 27-inch iMac with an Apple silicon chip. For customers who want a large-screened desktop setup, Apple recommended pairing the Studio Display with a Mac Studio or Mac mini. Apple did not explicitly rule out the possibility of a 32-inch iMac being released in the future.

Apple updated the 24-inch iMac with its latest M3 chip last year.

Article Link: What to Expect From Apple's Next Studio Display and Pro Display XDR

I can see this happening when the next gen 32" 6K panel parts drop in price to ~$500.

 

[cheesygrin]

Wish I could get excited about Apple displays. Unfortunately, since the “budget” (and over engineered) model starts at 1500, and I work with three displays, they’re a non-starter no matter how good they are.

Dell makes such good displays at reasonable prices, that don’t even look bad, that I just can’t even consider Apple displays sadly. Apple are gradually pricing themselves out of my range.

 

[guzhogi]

Would be cool to have something like the G4 iMac. Maybe a Mac Studio in the base, and a moveable Studio Display or something.

 

[CWallace]

Any chance we'll get a larger than 32-inch (40-inch?) Pro Display XDR?

Last set of rumors was LG and Apple were working on a ~32" 7K display with MiniLED and ProMotion to replace the current Pro Display XDR.

I'd love to see Apple introduce the miniLED/ProMotion Studio Display and bump the "regular" version down a bit in price.

Also rumored was a 27" 5K display with MiniLED and ProMotion to partner with the Apple Studio Display (my guess is this would be a 27" Pro Display XDR or Apple Studio Display Pro).

I don’t see any of this changing before thunderbolt 5.

Agreed. I do not see Apple wanting to use DisplayPort or HDMI so they need ThunderBolt 5 to support the bandwidth for 5K and higher displays with high refresh rates and deep color depths.


Dell announced at CES a 40" 5K2K ultrawide display with 120Hz refresh so the technology is starting to come to the highest-resolution market.


As to a 32" iMac Pro (essentially a Mac Studio matched to a MiniLED Pro Display XDR) I continue to believe it is not a product Apple intends to make available for retail sale.

 

[smirking]

I don’t see any of this changing before thunderbolt 5. And since i just overpaid for a studio display I don’t want it to lol

Good point and you just helped me make up my mind about if I should bite the bullet and get an ASD.

My first run LG 5K is starting to spring some leaks. I wanted to wait to see if a Promotion display comes about, but it's not critical for me.

I keep hoping to see a standard glass ASD with a Vesa adapter in the refurb store, but those apparently are rather in demand. Everyone's got the ASD on a regular stand at $1499, but the Vesa mounts are still $1599.

 

[iBluetooth]

I'd love to see Apple introduce the miniLED/ProMotion Studio Display and bump the "regular" version down a bit in price. There are no reasonably-priced 5K monitors on the market, and we need one.

LG has a 5K 27inch, made with help from Apple engineers and reasonably priced

 

[Tdude96]

I'd very much like a more reasonably priced "dumb" version of the Studio. Somehow I doubt that's anything Apple is interested in doing.

 

[CWallace]

I'd very much like a more reasonably priced "dumb" version of the Studio.

Plenty of options for that from Chinese resellers.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/the-complete-list-of-27-5k-displays.2390249/

 

[iBluetooth]

Wish I could get excited about Apple displays. Unfortunately, since the “budget” (and over engineered) model starts at 1500, and I work with three displays, they’re a non-starter no matter how good they are.

Dell makes such good displays at reasonable prices, that don’t even look bad, that I just can’t even consider Apple displays sadly. Apple are gradually pricing themselves out of my range.

I was using 2 displays but bought the LG 5K 27 inch display for programming. After that I only need one display as the screen real-estate is so much bigger in the higher resolution

 

[Chuckeee]

This sort of illustrates the limitations of AIO. Here we have displays from 2019 and 2022 that are “good enough” to be sold as new products. And I haven’t seen lots of discussion about “don’t buy now”, “wait for the next gen, these are too old”, “buy xxxx instead for the latest technology”. But if this was a laptop or a desktop computer that had the same age, the customers would be flocking away from new purchases in droves due to outdated technology.

Goes to show that display technology ages slower the processor technology. And implies that AIO will have display the out live the “up to date”-ness of their associated processors.

 

[turbineseaplane]

What I expect is that their monitors will remain overpriced and a really poor value, as usual

 

[nathan_reilly]

Been on a gorgeous 42" LG OLED for a few years now. Minimum 120Hz and 5K is a minimum requirement for me, at this point.

Curious which one you are using?

 

[CalMin]

What I expect is that their monitors will remain overpriced and a really poor value, as usual

Overpriced? Perhaps. However value is very subjective.

The ASD is by far the best monitor I have ever owned. Yes it's expensive, but the fact that it integrates so beautifully with MacOS, looks right alongside my M1Pro MacBook Pro really makes it a joy to use and therefore worth every penny to me.

I actually bought it with a view to returning it, but having tested several 4K displays in succession, this was the only one that I was happy with. It's built like a tank, and for all the fussing about the webcam, it's just fine for Zoom/Teams calls. My boss doesn't need to see the bags under my eyes!

 

[Blackstick]

Curious which one you are using?

I'm on the LG C2. 3000 hours on the clock and it's been phenomenal.