Katarzyna Petru
Apple is preparing to return to the category of external displays for Mac computers. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the company is in the final stretch before starting mass production of two new models that could debut as early as 2025 or early 2026.
This would be the first time since 2022 that Apple refreshed its monitor lineup – that's when the Apple Studio Display was released.
Two models in preparation
The monitors have been internally designated with codenames J427 and J527. Gurman previously suggested that Apple is developing a successor to the Studio Display, as well as a second model that may differ in size or specification.
However, it is unclear whether this pertains to a refreshed Studio Display or a new version of the Pro Display XDR, which has not seen any updates since its launch in 2019.
Mini-LED in the new Studio Display?
Display industry analyst Ross Young stated earlier this year that Apple is working on a 27-inch monitor with mini-LED backlighting. This technology would significantly increase brightness and contrast compared to the current model, which uses traditional LED diodes.
In practice, this would mean something between the existing Studio Display and the more professional Pro Display XDR.
What does the current Studio Display offer?
For comparison – the current Apple Studio Display debuted in 2022 alongside the Mac Studio computer. It’s a 27” monitor with a 5K resolution, 60 Hz refresh rate, and 600 nits brightness. It features speakers, a camera, one Thunderbolt 3 connection, and three USB-C ports.
The starting price in the USA is 1,599 USD – and here's how that translates into other currencies:
Currency | Price |
|---|---|
USD | 1,599 $ |
EUR | approximately 1,490 € |
GBP | approximately 1,280 £ |
AUD | approximately 2,450 A$ |
PLN | approximately 6,750 zł |
(approximate rates calculated based on average currency conversions from September 2025)
When is the premiere?
According to Gurman, both new Apple monitors may hit the market in late 2025 or early 2026. For now, we don't know if the company will choose to update the entire line or focus on one model.
One thing is certain – the market is waiting for a refresh, as both the Studio Display and Pro Display XDR are starting to lag behind the competition, especially in terms of backlighting technology.
