It’s been more than three years since Apple announced the Studio Display, a cheaper alternative to the Pro Display XDR for Mac users looking for a great external monitor with Retina quality. Even with rumors suggesting that Apple will launch an updated monitor next year with better technologies, I couldn’t help myself and bought a Studio Display a while ago.
Why on earth did I buy one now? That’s exactly what I asked myself right before buying it. But after using it for several months, I’m happy to say that I don’t regret it. At the same time, I know it may not be the right choice for everyone. If you’re torn between buying the current Studio Display now or waiting for a potential refresh, here’s what you should know.
The experience still feels premium
If you’ve been following the news, you know that the current Studio Display lacks some key technologies. It doesn’t have HDR or ProMotion, so you’re limited to SDR content and a 60Hz refresh rate. Also, the Studio Display has a traditional LCD panel that is a little lacking compared to the rich contrast of mini-LED displays, such as those on the MacBook Pro.
Despite all that, it’s still an exceptional monitor for most people. The 27-inch 5K Retina panel offers a native 218ppi pixel density, which means macOS can scale the interface perfectly at 2x, just like on a Retina MacBook or iMac. That’s a big deal. Most 4K monitors don’t scale cleanly at this size, forcing you to choose between too-large UI elements or blurry text. With the Studio Display, everything looks exactly as Apple intends.
Colors also look great on the Studio Display, with support for the P3 wide gamut and up to 600 nits of brightness. Again, it’s not HDR, but it’s still much better than many other options on the market. And the 5K resolution gives you a lot of space to work with multiple windows or to edit content in high definition, which matters a lot to me since I use Final Cut Pro every day.
But it’s not just about sharpness and color accuracy either, though both are excellent. When you consider all the little things, the current Studio Display is still a great option with almost no competition.
The little things make Studio Display better
I’ve tried some other 4K and 5K monitors before, such as Samsung’s ViewFinity S9 (which has very similar specifications to Apple’s). But none of them beats Studio Display when it comes to build quality and integration.
One of the biggest advantages of the Studio Display is how it looks and feels like an Apple product. Most of the monitors I’ve tried are made of plastic. Studio Display, on the other hand, is made entirely of aluminum and has a glossy glass panel (which I prefer). Its premium design is not only a pleasure to look at, but also makes the monitor much more stable on the desk.
The Studio Display connects via Thunderbolt and has three ports for connecting your gear.
Filipe Esposito/Foundry
The sound system is genuinely impressive. With six internal speakers and Spatial Audio support, the Studio Display blows away every other monitor I’ve tested in this category. I’ve even stopped using the HomePod mini in my office–the sound is loud enough and has decent bass. It’s great for watching videos, editing, or listening to music.
There’s also the fact that Studio Display connects to your Mac via a single Thunderbolt connector, which can also recharge your Mac. In addition, it functions as a full hub with three additional USB-C ports, a built-in webcam, and a microphone (which aren’t amazing, but get the job done).
Isn’t a new Apple display coming soon?
I’ve said a lot of great things about Studio Display. What’s the catch?
As I mentioned earlier, multiple reports suggest that Apple is planning to introduce a new Studio Display soon. Not exactly this year, but sometime in 2026. Given that Studio Display costs $1,599, some customers may not be sure whether to buy the current one or wait for a new version.
Filipe Esposito/Foundry
According to rumors, the next-generation Studio Display is expected to feature a mini-LED panel, providing deeper blacks and improved contrast. There’s also a sketchy rumor about it supporting a higher refresh rate of up to 90Hz. Although these are more than welcome upgrades, most users would be fine with the current version.
Should you buy a Studio Display right now?
If you’re not in a hurry to buy a new external monitor, I suggest waiting until next year–we’re talking about a high-priced investment. But if you’re already frustrated with your current monitor and really need something better to improve your workflow, the current Studio Display still holds up remarkably well in 2025. Especially when you can find it on sale, it becomes an even more compelling option.
Would I like a better panel with a higher refresh rate? Of course. But the lack of it doesn’t bother me at the moment. The Studio Display is still an excellent, elegant monitor that integrates seamlessly with the Mac. For me, that was worth more than the rumored upgrades when I decided to buy one in the middle of its life cycle.
