With the launch of the Studio Display XDR, Apple quietly discontinued the Pro Display XDR that was introduced alongside the redesigned Mac Pro at WWDC 2019. The Pro Display XDR features a 32-inch 6K Retina XDR display, which features local dimming zones and mini-LED technology for superior levels of brightness, contrast ratios, and color accuracy. Since the introduction of the Studio Display in March 2022, the Pro Display XDR has been starting to get rather long in the tooth.
On the other hand, the Studio Display XDR that was announced today featured a smaller 27-inch 5K Retina XDR display that uses the same mini-LED technology, but it features more advanced features that tighten the integration of any Mac product. This includes:
- 24MP Center Stage camera with improved image signal processor
- Studio-quality three-mic array
- Immersive six-speaker system with Spatial Audio
- 120Hz refresh rates with Adaptive Sync
- Thunderbolt 5 connectivity
On the other hand, the Pro Display XDR lacked a built-in camera, microphones, and speakers, and its built-in USB-C ports could support up to 480 Mb/s (USB 2 speeds).
Did I mention that the Studio Display XDR has a stand included? The Pro Display XDR did not come with the stand included; you would have to get either the VESA mount adapter ($199) or the very controversial Pro Stand ($999), and both of those accessories have also just been discontinued.
The Studio Display XDR obviously has a smaller 27-inch 5K Retina XDR display, but as we can see here, since the pros (no pun intended) for the Studio Display XDR outweigh the cons, it would make sense to position this monitor as the “spiritual successor” to the Pro Display XDR.
With the “Pro Display” branding phasing out, this would leave uncertainty for the Mac Pro’s future (more on that later).
