Apple's monitor lineup splits into two distinct tiers with today's announcement of an updated Studio Display and a new Studio Display XDR. The standard model holds its $1,599 starting price while introducing Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, but maintains a 60Hz refresh rate that contrasts sharply with the premium XDR's 120Hz mini-LED panel.
Pre-orders for both displays begin tomorrow, March 4, with general availability starting March 11. The Studio Display XDR replaces the Pro Display XDR at $3,299, positioning itself as Apple's new flagship professional monitor.
Thunderbolt 5 delivers 120Gb/s bandwidth across both models, enabling users to daisy-chain up to four Studio Displays from a single Mac port. The included Thunderbolt 5 Pro cable provides up to 96W of charging power for the standard Studio Display (enough to fast-charge a 14-inch MacBook Pro) and up to 140W for the Studio Display XDR (enough to fast-charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro).
The standard Studio Display retains its 27-inch 5K Retina panel with over 14 million pixels, 600 nits brightness, and P3 wide color support. Its 12-megapixel Center Stage camera now supports Desk View mode for document sharing during video calls. An updated six-speaker system delivers what Apple claims is "30 percent deeper bass" compared to previous models.
Studio Display XDR introduces mini-LED backlighting with 2,304 local dimming zones and peaks at 2,000 nits of HDR brightness. Its 120Hz Adaptive Sync refresh rate ranges from 47Hz to 120Hz, providing smoother motion for video editing and gaming workflows. The display covers more than 80% of Rec.2020 color space and adds Adobe RGB support for photographers crossing between video and print work.
Both displays come with tilt-adjustable stands by default, though height adjustment requires a $400 upgrade on the standard model. Anti-reflective nano-texture glass adds $300 to either configuration.
For medical professionals, Apple introduces DICOM medical imaging presets and a Medical Imaging Calibrator pending FDA review. This enables radiologists to view diagnostic images directly on Studio Display XDR without requiring specialized medical monitors.
Education pricing brings the standard Studio Display down to $1,499 while the XDR model drops to $3,199. The displays will be available through Apple's online store and retail locations in 35 countries starting next week.
