Apple reveals new Studio Display XDR with 120Hz refresh rate and 2,000 nits of brightness — starting at $3,299

Apple has continued its March event announcements by unveiling a pair of new displays designed to pair with the best MacBooks and the Mac mini. The new Studio Display is an upgrade to the Studio Display (2024), while the all-new Studio Display XDR takes the place of the Pro Display XDR as Apple's professional-grade monitor option.

First launched back in 2022, Apple’s 27-inch 5K monitor has long been one of the best monitors you can buy for the Mac mini M4. The new model, refreshed for 2026, includes a 12MP Center Stage camera with improved image quality and support for Desk View, a studio-quality three-microphone array, and an immersive six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio.

Apple has also added Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, providing more downstream connectivity for high-speed accessories or daisy-chaining displays. This new version starts at $1,599 and Apple is starting pre-orders for it tomorrow, March 4 with general availability starting on March 11.

Meet the Studio Display XDR

Alongside the revamped Studio Display, Apple has also announced the Studio Display XDR, which it calls the "world's best pro display."

The 27-inch 5K Retina XDR display features an advanced mini-LED backlight with over 2,000 local dimming zones, up to 1000 nits of SDR brightness, and 2000 nits of peak HDR brightness. Like its sibling, it includes a 12MP Center Stage camera, three-microphone, six-speaker sound system and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity.

Designed for workflows like HDR video editing or 3D rendering, Studio Display XDR boasts a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, P3 and Adobe RGB wide color gamuts and a 120Hz refresh rate with Adaptive Sync.

"Studio Display XDR is a huge leap forward for XDR technology, with a mini-LED backlight, 2000 nits of peak HDR brightness, advanced color accuracy, and a 120Hz refresh rate, transforming workflows like filmmaking, design and print, and 3D animation," said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. "It’s by far the world’s best pro display.”

All that power comes at a cost, and Studio Display XDR with its tilt- and height-adjustable stand starts at $3,299. Like the regular Studio Display, it is available in standard or nano-texture glass options, and can be pre-ordered starting tomorrow, March 4, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11.

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