Apple may be quietly preparing to refresh its long-neglected external display lineup. A newly discovered regulatory filing has revealed a previously unknown Apple monitor model, adding weight to ongoing rumors that at least one new external display is coming in 2026.
A New Model Number Appears
MacRumors reports that a new Apple display has appeared in a Chinese regulatory database under the model number A3350. The filing itself is sparse, but it does confirm one key detail: the product is described as a high-performance LCD display.
Beyond that, Apple is keeping things characteristically vague. The filing does not specify screen size, resolution, refresh rate, or even which product line it belongs to. What it does confirm is that Apple has new display hardware moving through regulatory approval, which typically happens late in development.
Studio Display or Pro Display XDR refresh?
Right now, Apple has just two external monitors in its lineup:
- Studio Display, launched in 2022
- Pro Display XDR, launched all the way back in 2019
Neither has received a hardware update since release, making Apple’s display offerings unusually dated compared to the rest of the Mac ecosystem.
Because of that, the new A3350 model could reasonably be one of two things:
- An updated Studio Display
- A long-overdue refresh of the Pro Display XDR
At this stage, there’s no definitive answer. However, recent rumors slightly favor a Studio Display update coming first.
Rumored Studio Display upgrades
A report from late last year outlined three potential upgrades Apple may be planning for the next Studio Display:
- A19 chip, replacing the current A13
- ProMotion with 120Hz refresh rate, up from 60Hz
- HDR support, which the current model lacks
For context, today’s Studio Display uses an A13 Bionic chip, has a fixed 60Hz refresh rate, and does not support HDR. If these rumored changes materialize, the display would feel far more aligned with Apple’s modern Mac and iPad lineup.
Timing Points to 2026, Possibly Sooner
Bloomberg reported back in July 2025 that Apple is working on a new Mac external display targeting a 2026 release window. That lines up with the idea that this regulatory filing represents hardware that is nearing completion, even if it does not ship immediately.
There is also a possible near-term angle. Apple is expected to launch high-end M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models soon, potentially as early as this month. Apple has a history of pairing Mac launches with display hardware, so it would not be surprising if a new external display appeared alongside those machines.
What this Filing Really Tells Us
While the filing itself does not confirm specs or a launch date, it sends a clear signal:
- Apple is actively developing new external display hardware
- The current Studio Display and Pro Display XDR are likely nearing replacement
- A refresh is no longer just theoretical
For Mac users who rely on external displays, especially professionals who have been waiting years for updated Apple monitors, this is one of the strongest signs yet that change is finally coming.
