Apple’s Studio Display has been due for an upgrade, and if the latest code leaks are accurate, the refresh coming in early 2026 might be the most meaningful jump the product has ever seen.
Think ProMotion, HDR, and Apple’s latest A19 chip powering the entire experience. Yes, an actual iPhone-class chip inside an external monitor.
Let’s break down what’s new, what’s rumored, and what might make the Studio Display 2 finally feel like a true companion to the Mac.
ProMotion Finally Arrives: 120Hz on a Studio Display
The biggest change surfacing (via Macworld) in internal Apple code is support for variable refresh rate up to 120Hz. That means:
- Smoother scrolling
- More fluid animations
- Better gaming responsiveness
- Reduced motion blur
In other words, ProMotion is finally coming to the Studio Display line.
The original Studio Display has been stuck at 60Hz since it launched in 2022, which felt dated almost immediately, especially when Apple’s own MacBook Pro panels were serving up 120Hz ProMotion years earlier. If this rumor holds, Apple is finally aligning its desktop monitor with the modern expectations of creative pros and high-end Mac users.
HDR Support: A Real Upgrade, Not Just a Checkbox
Another major reveal: the new Studio Display will support full HDR playback.
Macworld’s report points to Apple using an improved, more advanced panel capable of higher brightness. This lines up with what display analyst Ross Young has been predicting: a switch to a mini-LED panel, like what Apple uses in its high-end MacBook Pros.
Here’s what mini-LED would bring:
- Higher sustained brightness
- Dramatically better peak brightness
- Deeper blacks
- Better local dimming
- Improved color accuracy
Compared to the current LCD Studio Display, this alone would be a transformational upgrade. HDR video editing, color-critical grading, and high-contrast workflows would finally feel properly supported.
Powered by the A19 Chip: Overkill or Smart Move?
The leaks also reveal the monitor is expected to use Apple’s latest A19 chip which powers the iPhone 17 series.
Related: iPad 12 Rumored to Get iPhone 17’s A19 Chip
While that might sound excessive for a monitor, Apple has good reasons:
- It enables advanced image processing for the webcam
- It manages ProMotion refresh rate adjustments
- It handles HDR tone mapping
- It offloads processing from the connected Mac
- It provides a more consistent experience across devices
The original Studio Display used an A13 chip, and even that was surprisingly capable. Jumping to the A19 means Apple is positioning this display as a long-term, future-proofed device.
Leaked Codename: J527
Multiple sources including Macworld and MacRumors point to J527 as the internal identifier for the new Studio Display. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has also referenced this codename in reports about Apple’s upcoming external monitors.
Not all internal codes materialize as shipping products, but the consistency of leaks makes this one look credible.
A Quick Look Back: The Current Studio Display
Just for comparison, here’s what the current model offers:
- 27-inch 5K LCD
- 60Hz refresh rate
- 600 nits brightness
- SDR (no HDR)
- A13 chip
- Built-in 12MP webcam
- Six-speaker sound system
- One Thunderbolt 3 port
- Three USB-C ports
- Starts at $1,599
The 120Hz, HDR, A19, mini-LED upgrades would address nearly every major criticism of Version 1.
Expected Release Timeline
Reports suggest Apple could unveil the Studio Display 2 as early as spring 2026, likely alongside new Macs powered by the M5 chip family, and the affordable iPhone 17e.
If Apple truly delivers everything mentioned in these leaks, this will be the first Studio Display update that feels like a generational leap, not a spec bump.
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