Between 2016 and 2022, Apple left the Mac community with limited options for external displays. After discontinuing the Thunderbolt Display, users were left to depend on LG’s plasticky monitor that offered a PC-like build quality, should they desire a standalone 27-inch monitor with 5K Retina resolution. Eventually, Apple introduced the premium 32-inch 6K Pro Display XDR, but its price tag was akin to that of a small truck of Mac mini computers.
Now, just three years following the launch of the Apple Studio Display, there are indications that Apple may be considering a significant update soon.
This speculation originates from Ross Young, the head of Display Supply Chain Consultants. His sources suggest that Apple is looking to enhance the 27-inch 5K Apple Studio Display with more advanced backlighting technology.
The existing Apple Studio Display features LED backlighting, similar to that found in the iMac and LG UltraFine displays. Currently priced at a hefty $1600, this somewhat basic monitor can be found for $1200 on platforms like Amazon. Young predicts that the next iteration will incorporate MiniLED technology, which promises improved contrast and more uniform backlighting.
To illustrate, consider the difference between the backlighting of the MacBook Air versus the MacBook Pro.
What does not seem to be on the horizon, however, is an upgrade to a more modern refresh rate.
Apple’s Pro-model iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro devices feature displays with variable refresh rates capable of refreshing content up to 120 times per second. In contrast, the Apple Studio Display—much like the LG 5K Display released nearly a decade ago—supports a maximum refresh rate of just 60 times.
For users who value smooth animations, refresh rate is crucial. A higher refresh display enhances the overall performance of the computer, making it feel faster and less sluggish.
So as of now, according to Young, we can anticipate a MiniLED standalone display with a 27-inch size and 5K resolution, but it won’t be an all-in-one computer. Could we see a Studio Display 2025 unveiled at the recently announced Apple event on Tuesday? While anything is feasible, it hasn’t been significantly hinted at prior to this—aside from a vague rumor in 2022 suggesting one would be released months after the Studio Display debuted.
