At CES 2025, LG introduced the stunning LG UltraFine 6K Display. This display is the first of its kind to feature Thunderbolt 5, a recent addition championed by Apple within its M4 Pro Mac mini and M4 Pro MacBook Pro devices released in November. While the pricing and release date remain undisclosed, a few insights can be gleaned from LG’s presentation.
The LG UltraFine 6K display, despite lacking comprehensive technical specifics, showcases several important features. It is a 6K display, although the precise resolution is yet to be revealed. Comparatively, Apple’s Pro Display XDR is a notable 6K monitor with a native resolution of 6016 x 3384 pixels across its 32-inch screen, delivering an impressive 20.4 million pixels at a striking 218 pixels per inch. Additionally, LG partners with Dell to manufacture a display for their 6K UltraSharp, which offers a resolution of 6144 x 3456.
From the model number 32U990A, it’s reasonable to infer that this display will be a 32-inch variant, aligning with the dimensions of both the Pro Display XDR and Dell UltraSharp 6K.
A critical feature of this display is its panel technology: a Nano IPS Black panel. This technology offers an expansive color range, covering 99.5% of Adobe RGB and 98% of DCI-P3. Although it may not compete directly with the Pro Display XDR regarding color fidelity or contrast ratios, the Nano IPS Black provides a notable cost advantage. By choosing IPS Black over miniLED or OLED, LG can maintain an approachable price point for consumers.
A pressing question remains regarding the refresh rate. Will LG choose to offer a 60Hz panel or perhaps a 120Hz refresh rate for the UltraFine 6K? Given the Thunderbolt 5 connection, a 6K/120Hz option seems feasible, yet confirmation from LG is awaited.
A display with a 6016 x 3384 resolution operating at 120Hz would require around 79.64 Gb/s of bandwidth. Thunderbolt 5 can handle 80Gb/s of bi-directional data and 120Gb/s in a single direction with bandwidth boost enabled. Nevertheless, this is purely speculative and does not account for technologies like Display Stream Compression. It’s reasonable to believe LG is aware of the market demand for higher resolution and refresh rate monitors, making it an ideal match for Pro Motion-enabled MacBooks. If the price is attractive, LG could see strong sales for this model.
Another crucial aspect is market adoption. A significant number of potential customers currently lack Macs that support Thunderbolt 5. Will the display also accommodate lower resolution options at a reduced refresh rate, like 6K60, similar to the Pro Display XDR? Although this seems plausible, further details are necessary. Nevertheless, I doubt LG would want to limit their new display’s target audience exclusively to M4 Pro Mac owners.
Lastly, let’s explore the design of the LG UltraFine 6K. In a word, it’s striking. The front panel features a notable symmetry, nearly devoid of bezels, creating an immersive all-screen appearance. There are no visible logos, buttons, or other distracting elements. This represents a significant upgrade over the LG UltraFine 5K Display released in 2019.
The materials used in the display’s construction are intriguing; while I cannot say for certain whether it is entirely metal, the teaser image suggests as much. Moreover, it includes a height-adjustable stand akin to that found on the Apple Studio Display.
Personally, I am eager to learn more—if LG navigates this correctly, they could launch a genuine success. Meanwhile, I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
