Katarzyna Petru
For decades, 60 Hz has been the undisputed standard in the world of monitors. Whether we are talking about office, professional or 'prosumer' equipment, the fluidity of the image has remained at a level that is increasingly regarded as insufficient today. Visible stuttering during scrolling, poor readability of movement, and a noticeable difference after returning from a 120 Hz screen have prompted the industry to make up for years of delay.
Dell is already openly communicating that 120 Hz is set to become the new standard in professional monitors. Now, everything points to Apple finally preparing a similar step.
Apple i 60 Hz – a history full of consequences
All Apple flat monitors – from the Cinema Display of the late 90s, through the Pro Display XDR, to the Studio Display of 2022 – topped out at 60 Hz. This is rather surprising, considering that Apple has consistently promoted higher refresh rates in other categories of hardware. iPhones, iPads, MacBook Pros and Vision Pros now utilise 120 Hz and ProMotion, and the difference in everyday use is obvious. The Studio Display has, however, remained an exception. And that may soon change.
Studio Display 120 Hz – what the leaks say
According to information from Macworld, references to a new Apple monitor with the codename J527 have appeared in the system code. This designation had previously appeared in Bloomberg reports, which indicated the development of a new generation of Studio Display planned for 2026.
The most important change? Support for 120 Hz, most likely with ProMotion and variable refresh rates. The code also suggests compatibility with HDR, though caution is advised here. If Apple decides on a miniLED LCD panel, "HDR" might be more marketing-oriented than a reference specification.
The new monitor is expected to be powered by the A19 chip, which represents a significant jump from the A13 used in the current Studio Display. This means greater image processing capabilities, better scaling, and potentially more advanced system features. In the background, a second code – J427 – appears, which may indicate a cheaper variant of the monitor, perhaps with a simplified specification.
120 Hz as a new standard – but not just yet
The display market is already changing. High-end televisions and an increasing number of mid-range models support 120 Hz. The PS5 and Xbox Series consoles do as well. Gaming monitors have long surpassed that, now reaching even absurd values in the hundreds of hertz.
The rest of the ecosystem remains a problem. Devices such as Apple TV 4K or Google TV Streamer still cap out at 60 Hz, which effectively hinders smooth interfaces and perfect frame matching in video content. For 120 Hz to truly become the new standard, the entire chain – from the signal source to the display – must undergo a transformation. Apple has already taken the first step with mobile devices and computers. The Studio Display could be the next, much-anticipated piece of this puzzle.
Change that should have happened years ago
Raising resolution and improving colour reproduction have dominated "professional" monitors for years. Meanwhile, it is the fluency of the interface and the naturalness of motion that today have a huge impact on work comfort. The jump from 60 Hz to 120 Hz is one of the most noticeable changes that can be seen with the naked eye – even without laboratory comparisons.
If the rumours are confirmed, the new Apple Studio Display with 120 Hz will not be a revolution. It will rather be a belated but very necessary catch-up. And perhaps symbolically the end of the 60 Hz era in Apple monitors.
