In summary:
- Apple introduced a new Studio Display XDR with mini-LED technology and ProMotion up to 120Hz, starting at $3,299 with an adjustable stand included.
- Macworld reports the XDR model features 2,000 nits peak brightness, improved 12MP webcam, and enhanced speakers with 30% more bass than previous generations.
- Both new monitors include Thunderbolt 5 connectivity and professional features like Adobe RGB presets, with pre-orders beginning March 11th.
On Tuesday, Apple finally announced some major updates to its display lineup. In addition to a refreshed version of the Studio Display, the company also introduced a more premium Studio Display XDR, which features a mini-LED panel.
As previously rumored, there are now two new versions of Studio Display. The first is a simple update to the original model introduced in 2022. It keeps the same overall design and 27-inch 5K LCD panel, but it gets some meaningful updates under the hood.
According to Apple’s press release, the new version of Studio Display features an improved 12MP webcam. The built-in webcam now supports Desk View to show what’s on the user’s desk and provides better image quality, despite having the same resolution as before.
Sound quality is also better on the new Studio Display, thanks to a new speaker arrangement with four force-canceling woofers and two high-performance tweeters that deliver 30 percent more bass than the previous generation.
Apple has also made some upgrades when it comes to port technology. While the original Studio Display was equipped with a single Thunderbolt 3 port and three additional USB-C ports, the new version has two Thunderbolt 5 ports and two extra USB-C ports.
This means users will have more bandwidth to connect high-speed accessories, such as external SSDs or even another Studio Display. Apple says users can also daisy-chain up to four Studio Displays.
The Studio Display comes with a tilt-adjustable stand, and users can upgrade to a more advanced stand with tilt and height adjustment or a VESA mount adapter.
Studio Display XDR brings mini-LED and ProMotion
However, what really stands out is the new Studio Display XDR, which is the version that brings all the technologies pro users have been dreaming of.
Unlike the regular Studio Display, the XDR version comes with a much better mini-LED panel that supports HDR with a peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits. The Studio Display XDR also supports ProMotion with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, making animations and games more fluid with lower latency.
The more expensive monitor adds support for the Adobe RGB color gamut, ideal for printing and design professionals. It even supports DICOM medical imaging presets that can be used to calibrate the Studio Display XDR to accurately display radiological diagnostics.
The Studio Display XDR comes with a stand!
Apple
Of course, Studio Display XDR has the same internal specs as the base Studio Display, which include an improved webcam and speakers, and two Thunderbolt 5 ports with two extra USB-C ports.
While it’s smaller than the 32-inch Pro Display XDR, which has been discontiniued, the Studio Display XDR includes many of the same Reference Modes, including P3 and P3 + Adobe RGB.
Interestingly, the Studio Display XDR comes with a stand with adjustable height and tilt as default, with an option for a VESA mount adapter. On the Pro Display XDR, that cost an additional $999 on top of its $4,999 pricetag.
The new Studio Display has the same $1,599 starting price.
Apple
A much lower high-end price
Apple has kept the same starting price of $1,599 for the base model Studio Display. However, the more advanced Studio Display XDR starts at $3,299.
With the new lineup, Apple discontinued the old Studio Display and also the Pro Display XDR, which featured a 32-inch 6K panel. Pro Display XDR cost $4,999, with an additional $999 for the Pro Stand. Undeniably, the new Studio Display XDR sounds like a much better deal, despite having a slightly smaller panel.
Apple positions the standard Studio Display as a compelling upgrade for users who want better connectivity and camera performance without departing from the established Retina experience. The Studio Display XDR, meanwhile, sits in the premium tier where extreme brightness, HDR capability, and high refresh rates are differentiators for creative pros.
Pre-orders for the new monitors begin tomorrow at 6:15 am PT, with the official launch set for March 11.
Author: Filipe Esposito, Contributor
Filipe Espósito is a Brazilian journalist who has been covering tech for over 10 years, and has become known for publishing exclusive reports on Apple's plans – such as the launch of the first titanium Apple Watch. He has worked for 9to5Mac and also co-hosts the tech podcast “A Fonte” in Brazil.