The latest leak regarding the Apple Studio Display 2 provides a clearer picture of the direction Apple's external monitor is heading. Hints of a new model have been circulating for some time, but 2025 passed without an announcement. The information now revealed, from an internal pre-release version of iOS 26, shows that Apple is making improvements in several key areas: a higher refresh rate, HDR support, and a significantly more powerful internal chip.
The first-generation Studio Display offers solid image quality, but quickly reaches its limits in areas such as brightness, HDR, and refresh rate. Many were therefore hoping for an upgrade. The new leak, discovered by Macworld, provides concrete technical details for the first time. The information comes from genuine Apple code and refers to a device with the internal designation J527, which Mark Gurman had previously linked to a second-generation Studio Display. This clarifies which features Apple is planning for the next model and how significant the improvement over the current display is likely to be.
New display with 120 Hz and HDR
The code contains clear indications of a variable refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. The current Studio Display is limited to 60 Hz. At 120 Hz, the display would feel smoother, especially with animations, UI transitions, and video-based workflows. The technology aligns with the ProMotion standard already used in the latest MacBook Pros.
The code also shows support for SDR and HDR. Since the current Studio Display only supports SDR, a panel change is very likely. Mini-LED is a logical choice, as this technology allows for significantly higher brightness levels and better contrast performance. The current LCD panel achieves a maximum of 600 nits without HDR. In contrast, the Mini-LED displays in the current MacBook Pros reach up to 1,000 nits continuously and up to 1,600 nits for HDR peaks. Should Apple use a similar panel, the Studio Display 2 would represent a significant leap in image quality.
A19 chip inside
Another detail from the leak concerns the internal hardware. The new Studio Display is said to use the A19 chip, while the first generation uses an A13 chip. The chip in the display isn't intended to run apps, but rather handles tasks such as webcam processing, Center Stage, and spatial audio. An A19 chip provides significantly more performance reserves for these tasks. This impacts the camera's image quality and real-time processing, and also creates room for future features.
Planned market launch
Rumors suggest Apple is planning a 2026 launch. The new Studio Display will likely appear alongside a new Mac Studio, which is expected to feature an M5 chip. A joint launch would align with Apple's strategy of positioning new desktop hardware and matching displays as a bundle.
How Apple is technically redesigning the Studio Display
The leak reveals a Studio Display that specifically addresses the biggest weaknesses of the current model. A 120Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and a modern A19 chip transform its capabilities and bring the display technically closer to the Pro devices in the Mac lineup. If Apple actually implements these specifications, the result will be a monitor clearly aimed at professional and demanding users. This makes the long wait worthwhile: a display that significantly surpasses the current Studio Display in image quality, brightness, and technical specifications. (Image: aapsky / DepositPhotos.com)
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