Apple Studio Display and Studio Display XDR

I might be the only one, but it's still to this date (and dating all the way back to 2014 with the first iMac 5k display) Apple is the only company that truly gets HIDPI desktop displays with high quality gloss and 200+ ppi at screen this large. In the meantime popular and widely sold gaming screens with matte blur filters and mediocre ppi give me headache and eye fatigue after a few hours of use. Prior generation Studio Display is the only external display that truly worked for text heavy work with my eyes (including software engineering), and I'm sure the latest generation is fantastic as well.

So the $1600 Studio Display does not have 120hz.

Here’s some monitors you can buy at that price point:

- 6k 32” monitor (similar PPI) (Acer PE320QX)

- most high-end 4k displays (even OLEDs) with 144hz+ refresh rate

32” 4k isn’t great PPI, but it’s still fine PPI, at a reasonable distance. Double the refresh rate is a much more noticeable improvement to me than 40% better pixel density, at a distance where retina matters a bit less than laptops & handhelds. And you can get that for less than half the cost

Plus, you can get it with multiple outputs & KVM to switch between MacBook & PC. And still run it off a single USB C cable.

It's mind-boggling that Apple is considering the base 27 inch Studio Display with the same 4 year old panel, but with some new accessories slapped on an "upgrade".

I got the Kuycon G32P and it’s an incredible alternative. 32in + 6K for less than 2k$

Also works great with other sources like an Xbox

I used a Pro Display XDR as my daily driver at work and the difference is minimal

Pretty lame that the Studio Display with a height-adjustable stand is still 400 Euro more. My biggest regret is getting my Gen 1 Studio Display without.

Also the non-XDR is only a small upgrade otherwise, no 120Hz, no HDR, only Thunderbolt 5 and a new camera. Finally a downstream Thunderbolt port though.

This is all after 4 years?

So it seems the new Studio Display XDR is the only display on the market that offers:

- 5k resolution at HIDPI (27inch)

- 120hz refresh rate

- TB5 and single cable connectivity.

There are a couple of other HIDPI displays at 5k with 120hz refresh rate but they don't do TB5.

I was hoping for a 6k 32inch model.

But even so, these 2 new monitors still don’t support multiple inputs.

Too small… I got used to my 4K Philips OLED 42" that I hung directly on the wall in front of my desk (no stand at all)… USB-C cable also charges the MacBook. This size is so good to work with; so much screen estate.

The only monitor on the market of this size and resolution that I am aware of that has really high brightness and works well when I work outside on the terrace.

Really glad Apple is building it.

Sad, but not surprising to see Apple discontinue the Pro Display XDR. Hard to go back to 5K once you’ve used 6K.

I’ve owned my nano-textured XDR since launch (with the stand), and I love it.

As the years have gone, the only upgrade I wished to have was 120 refresh for some very limited design work - but 120 really is still not widely adopted in most places anywhere, so it’s really a non-issue for me.

The new XDR is smaller, has a less ergo stand, and also loses the beautiful lattice etchings on the rear which I often admire.

The XDR was overdue for a refresh, it’s nice the price dropped some, but I won’t be upgrading for now.

So Apple essentially introduce a new (middle) price point in their displays:

  $1,500  Studio Display
  $3,300  Studio Display XDR  <-- NEW
  $6,000  Pro Display         <-- DISCONTINUED ???

EDIT: It appears the Pro Display has been discontinued.

> Studio Display XDR replaces Pro Display XDR

How does a 5k display replace a 6k display? Are they giving up on 6k? Disappointing.

This looks like a new iMac Pro minus the computer. Its a shame they don't have anything where you can just dock your iPhone Pro to one of these to run macOS.

I was curious to see the "Innovative DICOM Medical Imaging" section. I wouldn't have thought that Apple would be interested in niche applications like viewing radiology imaging, but I guess they're probably interested in any cost-insensitive market for these since they're so expensive.

For that base display, it is essentially the same as the previous monitor with the addition of Thunderbolt 5.

> Featuring extensive connectivity to support a variety of workflows, Studio Display XDR includes two Thunderbolt 5 ports and two USB-C ports.

That is not extensive connectivity. That’s the bare minimum one might credibly expect.

If I were to consider buying a display like this, I would want at least two and preferably more inputs and at least a DisplayPort input. Not everything in the world is USB-C, especially when discrete GPUs are involved.

Really, a $3300 Mini-LED display in 2026?

Is buying a used 32" XDR worth it if we want a 32" apple display? or is the tech not as good now?

I just tried to look up the power usage for XDR and they only list voltage no amps or watts.

Did I miss something

wow, the prices have come down. I inherited the old Pro XDR display when my father passed away a couple of years ago: I think he paid $6K for the display and another $1K for the stand.

Off topic, but Apple seems to be dropping hardware costs / capability - relying more in subscription, app store, and cloud now? On an impulse buy, I bought the entry level MacBook Air at Best Buy about two months ago because it was $200 off list price. Amazingly capable laptop for $800.

Is there any details on from whom Apple is sourcing the panel from? LG and MSI have both shown off 5K monitors at 165hz and 2304 dimming zones recently.

I said about two years back I’d wait to upgrade my 1080p monitor until Apple shipped a high refresh rate one. I knew the monkey’s paw would curl but at nearly $5000 CAD that’s a hard no.

Does this still not support multiple inputs / devices?

I wish it came in an ultrawide format.

> Studio Display XDR replaces Pro Display XDR and starts at $3,299 (U.S.) and $3,199 (U.S.) for education.

My father-in-law is a monitor engineer. He is insanely gifted. We were in a Taiwanese factory together years ago and I asked him what it would cost to build the Pro Display XDR today. I will never forget his answer…

“We can’t, we don’t know how to do it.”

I might be missing how this differs from the previous model.

Daisy chaining finally supported.

anyone else still using their 30" cinema display from 2003?

This is awesome! $3299 is a great price drop. I’m moving countries soon and wasn’t going to bring my old monitor, so this is perfect timing.

XDR = LCD

[dead]