Apple will soon replace the Studio Display with an even more gorgeous second-generation version with a range of upgrades, according to reliable rumor sources.
Read on for all the enhancements that have been rumored for the high-end screen for Mac.
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Apple’s Studio Display 2: Coming very soon
Apple’s Studio Display is a premium 27-inch 5K monitor designed to bring clarity, color accuracy, and refinement to any Mac setup. Plus, it packs extras, including a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, a high-fidelity six-speaker audio system with spatial audio, and a studio-quality three-mic array.
As good as it is, the screen launched back in 2022, so there’s room for improvement. And it seems a new model isn’t far away.
“The Studio Displays are already ready to ship,” wrote Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman in the Sunday edition of his Power On newsletter. “It’s also worth noting that Apple retail stores globally are facing extreme shortages of the external monitor — a sign an update is coming soon.”
Plus, a new monitor model recently appeared in Chinese certification databases under an unreleased model number. This is widely believed to correspond to the Studio Display 2.
3 major improvements to the screen
While the original Studio Display certainly looks beautiful, it’s a traditional IPS LCD. The second-generation model will improve on that with a move to mini-LED backlights. This type of screen uses thousands of tiny LEDs to provide backlighting for the LCD and illuminate very specific areas. The result is a higher contrast screen, with blacker blacks and improved brightness.
In addition, the Apple Studio Display 2 supposedly supports High Dynamic Range, not just Standard Dynamic Range. HDR expands the range between the darkest blacks and brightest highlights a screen can show. It also supports a wider color gamut and higher peak brightness than SDR. In short, everything shown looks more lifelike and cinematic.
And if those aren’t enough, leaks and internal code references point to the screen supporting 120Hz ProMotion variable refresh, similar to MacBook Pro and iPad Pro displays. However, rival leaks argue that the refresh rate tops out at 90Hz. Still, either would improve on the current models’ 60Hz refresh rate.
It’s possible there’ll be more than one configuration of the Apple Studio Display 2 — references to displays with code numbers J427 and J527 are in the recently released macOS Tahoe 26.3. There could be a standard version and a higher-end variant with mini-LED and other features. There’s even hope for a larger screen option, though no leaks point to one.
Studio Display 2: Other enhancements
The Apple Studio Display needs a processor because it runs its own operating system based on iOS. Its camera and audio features function independently, without burdening the Mac the display is connected to. The original model uses an A13 Bionic from 2019. The upcoming version is expected to be upgraded with the A19 chip released just last year.
And with years between upgrades, it’s possible Apple will upgrade the speakers in Studio Display 2. That’s speculation, though.
While the internal upgrades are rumored to be significant, the external design is expected to remain largely familiar, with Apple sticking close to the look of the current Studio Display.
As for pricing, there’s mostly just speculation. The current model starts at $1,599 in the U.S. — that’s with a 27-inch 5K panel and the standard stand. Adding features like a mini-LED screen might push up the cost. Or there could be a standard model at today’s price and a more advanced variant at a higher one.
Still only rumors
As always with Apple, none of these details are confirmed until the company itself announces the product. Timelines, specs and features can shift late in development or change entirely — as the conflicting refresh-rate leaks underscore.
Still, the Studio Display 2 could be just days away. Apple is expected to introduce as many as five products in the days leading up to a March 4 “experience.”
The 27-inch Apple Studio Display packs an impressive panel with the nano-texture glass helping cut down unwanted reflections. This is backed by a six-speaker system and studio-quality microphones.
While not the best 5K monitor around, the Studio Display delivers deep Apple ecosystem integration, making it stand out from the crowd.
- 5K resolution
- 12MP Center Stage camera
- Six-speaker sound system
- Nano-texture glass cuts down reflections
- No HDR support
- Height-adjustable stand costs extra
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
