Studio Display and Studio Display XDR unveiled with Thunderbolt 5 and brighter 5K panel

Apple has refreshed its external display lineup with a new Studio Display and an all-new Studio Display XDR, expanding its options for both everyday Mac users and high-end professionals.

The updated Studio Display keeps its 27-inch 5K Retina panel, offering 5120-by-2880 resolution, 600 nits of brightness and P3 wide color. The focus this time is on connectivity and built-in hardware. It now supports Thunderbolt 5, allowing higher bandwidth for accessories and the ability to daisy-chain multiple displays. With the included cable, it can deliver up to 96W of charging power to a connected MacBook.

The display also features a 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View support, a three-microphone array and a six-speaker system with Spatial Audio. Apple says bass performance has been improved over the previous generation. As before, buyers can choose between standard glass and a nano-texture option for rooms with challenging lighting. The base model starts at $1,599.

The bigger headline is the Studio Display XDR, which replaces the Pro Display XDR in Apple’s lineup. It retains a 27-inch 5K resolution but adds a mini-LED backlight system with more than 2,000 local dimming zones. That enables up to 1000 nits of sustained SDR brightness and up to 2000 nits of peak HDR brightness, alongside a claimed 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.

Studio Display XDR also introduces a 120Hz refresh rate with Adaptive Sync, dynamically adjusting between 47Hz and 120Hz depending on content. That means smoother motion for video editing, gaming and high-frame-rate workflows.

Color support has been expanded too. In addition to P3 wide color, the XDR model now supports Adobe RGB, aimed at print and design professionals. Apple says the panel also covers more than 80 percent of the Rec. 2020 color space, making it suitable for HDR video grading.

Like the standard Studio Display, the XDR model includes a 12MP Center Stage camera, a three-mic array and a six-speaker sound system. Connectivity is handled by Thunderbolt 5, with additional USB-C ports so the display can act as a hub. It can deliver up to 140W of charging power, enough for a 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Apple is also introducing DICOM medical imaging presets for the XDR model, allowing it to be used in diagnostic workflows. A dedicated calibration tool in macOS is pending regulatory clearance in the United States.

Both displays are available with different stand options, including tilt-only, tilt-and-height adjustable and VESA mount configurations.

Pre-orders open March 4, with availability beginning March 11. Studio Display XDR starts at $3,299, positioning it firmly at the high end of Apple’s display lineup.