Apple Unveils Studio Display XDR With 120Hz and 2000 Nits HDR, Updates Studio Display With Thunderbolt 5

Apple has introduced an updated Studio Display and a new premium model called the Studio Display XDR, expanding its external monitor lineup. The hardware introductions arrive as part of the company's staggered multi-day product rollout and confirm recent software leaks that indicated Apple was preparing multiple desktop displays.



Sitting at the top of the range is the new Studio Display XDR. Designed to replace the older Pro Display XDR, the monitor features a 27-inch 5K Retina panel with an advanced mini-LED backlight system. Apple integrated 2,304 local dimming zones to improve contrast and deliver more precise light control. It offers up to 1,000 nits of SDR brightness and peaks at 2,000 nits for HDR content. The panel achieves a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, which Apple says reduces blooming and halo effects around bright objects on dark backgrounds.


The monitor brings high refresh rates to Apple's desktop display lineup. The Studio Display XDR supports a 120Hz refresh rate along with Adaptive Sync, which lets the display adjust between 47Hz and 120Hz based on what's on screen. That translates into smoother scrolling, more responsive gameplay, and steadier motion in video. Apple has also added support for the Adobe RGB color gamut alongside P3 wide color. Both color spaces can be selected from the same preset, making it easier for print and design professionals to switch between workflows.



Apple is also targeting the healthcare sector with the new XDR model. The company added dedicated DICOM medical imaging presets and a Medical Imaging Calibrator tool built into macOS, enabling radiologists to use the display for diagnostic imaging. The software calibrator is currently pending FDA clearance in the United States.

For users who do not require HDR capabilities or higher brightness levels, Apple updated the standard Studio Display. It retains the 27-inch 5K Retina panel with 600 nits of brightness and P3 wide color. Both the standard and XDR models feature an updated camera and audio system. The built-in 12MP Center Stage camera delivers improved image quality and supports Desk View, a feature that simultaneously shows the user's face and a top-down view of their workspace. Audio is handled by a three-microphone array and a six-speaker sound system with four force-cancelling woofers that deliver deeper bass than the previous generation.



Connectivity has been updated across both models with the adoption of Thunderbolt 5. The Studio Display XDR features two Thunderbolt 5 ports and two USB-C ports, allowing it to function as a high-speed hub. Using the included Thunderbolt 5 Pro cable, the XDR monitor can deliver up to 140W of charging power to an attached laptop. This is sufficient to fast-charge the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max. The standard Studio Display also includes two Thunderbolt 5 ports and two USB-C ports, providing up to 96W of charging power. Users can daisy-chain up to four Studio Display models from a single Mac, depending on the system's graphics capabilities.


Apple kept the physical design largely consistent while updating the mounting hardware. The Studio Display XDR ships with a tilt- and height-adjustable stand featuring a counterbalancing arm with 105mm of vertical travel, allowing for smooth adjustments. The standard Studio Display ships with a tilt-adjustable stand by default. Both monitors can be configured with an optional VESA mount adapter and are available with either standard glass or a nano-texture glass coating designed to reduce glare in bright environments. Both enclosures use 100 percent recycled aluminum.



Customers can pre-order the new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR beginning Wednesday, March 4. Retail availability and initial deliveries start on Wednesday, March 11. The standard Studio Display starts at $1,599, while the Studio Display XDR starts at $3,299. Educational pricing lowers the starting prices to $1,499 and $3,199, respectively.