Apple’s New Displays Enter Mass Production, 2026 Launch Expected
▼ Summary
– Apple plans to release two new external monitors, codenamed J427 and J527, by late 2025 or early 2026.
– This marks Apple’s first return to the monitor category since the Apple Studio Display launched in 2022.
– One monitor may be a 27-inch Studio Display successor with mini-LED technology for improved brightness and contrast.
– The current Studio Display features a 5K resolution, 600 nits brightness, and starts at $1,599 in the U.S.
– It is unclear whether the new monitors will be updates to the Studio Display or Pro Display XDR, as specifics remain unconfirmed.
Apple is reportedly advancing toward the mass production of two new external monitors, with a potential market debut anticipated for late 2025 or early 2026. This development marks the company’s first significant update to its standalone display lineup since the Apple Studio Display was introduced in 2022. According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, the monitors, internally designated as J427 and J527, are nearing the manufacturing stage, signaling Apple’s renewed focus on the professional and high-end consumer display market.
Gurman had previously indicated in February that Apple was intensifying efforts on a new Studio Display model. However, since July, he has not explicitly connected either code name to a specific product line, leaving open the possibility that one could represent an update to the Pro Display XDR, which launched in 2019 and has not been refreshed since. In March, Gurman mentioned that Apple might be evaluating two distinct versions of the Studio Display, either selecting one for release or preparing models with differing screen sizes or technical specifications.
While Gurman has not disclosed specific new capabilities for the upcoming displays, display industry expert Ross Young suggested earlier this year that Apple is working on a 27-inch monitor incorporating mini-LED technology, with a launch window in late 2025 or early 2026. Young speculates this model could serve as the next-generation Studio Display, offering substantial improvements over the current version.
Adopting mini-LED backlighting would bring notable enhancements, such as significantly higher brightness levels and a superior contrast ratio compared to the existing LED-based Studio Display. These improvements would align the new displays more closely with the visual performance of Apple’s Pro Display XDR, providing users with richer colors and deeper blacks.
The current Studio Display, released alongside the Mac Studio in 2022, features a 5K resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 600 nits of brightness, an integrated camera and speaker system, one Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. It is priced starting at $1,599 in the United States. The upcoming monitors are expected to build upon this foundation, potentially offering professionals and creatives more advanced options tailored to demanding workflows.
(Source: MAC Rumors)
