Katarzyna Petru
Apple is preparing a return to the category of external displays for Mac computers. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the company is in the final stages before starting mass production of two new models, which may debut sometime in 2025 or early 2026.
This would be the first time since 2022 that Apple has refreshed its line of monitors – that year saw the release of the Apple Studio Display.
Two models in preparation
The monitors have been internally designated with the 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.
It is still unclear whether this refers to a refreshed Studio Display or a new version of the Pro Display XDR, which has not received any updates since its release in 2019.
Mini-LED in the new Studio Display?
Display industry analyst Ross Young reported early in the 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?
In comparison – the current Apple Studio Display debuted in 2022 alongside the Mac Studio. It is a 27” monitor with a 5K resolution, a 60 Hz refresh rate, and a brightness of 600 nits. It features speakers, a camera, one Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports.
The starting price in the USA is $1,599 – and here’s how it looks when converted to other currencies:
Currency | Price |
|---|---|
USD | $1,599 |
EUR | approx. €1,490 |
GBP | approx. £1,280 |
AUD | approx. A$2,450 |
PLN | approx. zł6,750 |
(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 by the end of 2025 or early 2026. For now, we don't know if the company will decide 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.
