Apple Studio Display 2 Expected to Have Low Refresh Rate

Key Takeaways

1. The Apple Studio Display 2 may be released soon, with a starting price of $1,899.
2. The expected refresh rate upgrade is likely to be 90Hz instead of the anticipated 120Hz.
3. This refresh rate is lower than competitors like the Asus ROG Strix 5K, which offers 180Hz at 5K resolution.
4. The display may support HDR content with a mini-LED backlight for improved brightness.
5. There is a possibility of upgrading from the Apple A13 to the A19 SoC, enhancing processing power.

After the new version of Apple’s Studio Display (starting at $1,899 on Amazon) was seen in a certification a few weeks ago, it is possible that the monitor will be released in the coming weeks or months. Previous rumors suggested that the Apple Studio Display 2 would feature a refresh rate of 120Hz with Apple’s ProMotion technology, but this upgrade might not be as significant as initially thought.

Expected Refresh Rate Changes

As per MacRumors, the refresh rate is likely to go up from 60Hz to only 90Hz. This info was reportedly discovered in an internal beta version of iOS 26. Given that the ProMotion displays found on the iPhone 17, iPad Pro, and MacBook Pro all provide 120Hz, a 90Hz refresh rate seems a bit unusual. With the Apple Studio Display’s high price point, this news could be seen as disappointing, especially with rivals like the Asus ROG Strix 5K achieving 180Hz even at full 5K resolution.

Potential Upgrades Beyond Refresh Rate

Still, the Apple Studio Display might get two other significant enhancements, apart from a higher refresh rate. Firstly, the monitor may include support for HDR content, probably featuring a mini-LED backlight that would boost HDR peak brightness. Secondly, there’s a chance that the screen will upgrade from the Apple A13 to the Apple A19 SoC, which is currently used in the iPhone 17. It remains unclear if this extra processing power will enable new features beyond the standard webcam and speaker system.

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