The Apple Studio Display has just been announced, but the monitor could soon be replaced by a "Pro" version with mini LED technology, according to a prominent leaker.
Display analyst Ross Young said on Twitter that a mini LED version of Apple's new prosumer monitor, possibly called the "Studio Display Pro," could arrive as soon as June.
Apparently, the lessor has "confirmed it with several companies in its supply chain" and that "production of the new screen panel has already begun." That June release date, of course, would likely mean a WWDC 2022 release.
I'm still expecting a 27-inch MiniLED display from Apple in June. I guess it could be a Studio Display Pro...I have confirmed this with several companies in their supply chain...March 10, 2022
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While the arrival of a 27-inch Studio Display Pro just three months after the Studio Display might seem unlikely, it wouldn't be much of a surprise either. Mini LED technology, which can also be found in televisions, should be the future of high-end monitors.
The Apple Studio Display also lacks some features that many creative professionals would appreciate, including HDR support and faster 120Hz refresh rates. Apple is also no stranger to mini-LED technology, with its more expensive Pro Display XDR incorporating such a panel. , as well as its latest MacBook Pro and iPad.
But the arrival of an LED-equipped mini Studio Display is far from certain. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expressed some uncertainty about the claims, but said on Twitter that "Apple may not release new mini-LED products this year due to cost concerns."
Although the Apple Studio Display is only available for pre-order (before the March 18 shipping date), it looks like we won't have to wait long to find out if it will actually join this rumored top of the range. brothers.
Review: There's room for a Studio Display Pro
Apple's current range of monitors consists of two very mixed options: the older Pro Display XDR ($4999 / £4599 / AU$8499) and the new Studio Display ($1599 / £1499 / 2 AU$499). In theory, that means there's definitely a gap for a Studio Display Pro, especially one that fills in some of the gaps left by its newer sibling.
While the Apple Studio Display isn't cheap, it's also not exorbitantly priced considering the tech it packs, including a six-speaker audio system with spatial audio, a three-way microphone array, and a 12MP ultrawide camera. However, the 5K display panel itself isn't a radical advance over existing rivals, which perhaps explains why it's relatively reasonably priced.
However, Mini LED technology is the future, and Apple has shown an increasing willingness to use it across most of its lineup. The technology's smaller diodes mean more can be packed into a screen compared to a standard LCD, and that gives you superior brightness, but also more accurate backlighting. In other words, potentially OLED-level performance.
For a professional monitor, that would mean impressive contrast and support for HDR video editing, the absence of which was an early criticism of the Studio Display. Actually, the current Studio Display is aimed more at prosumers, so a Studio Display Pro for high-end professionals would certainly make sense; the only question is where that might leave the Pro Display XDR.
Given that Pro Display XDR is almost three years old now, it could very well be the successor to this panel, and it looks like we won't have long to wait to find out.