Apple’s latest iPad Pro, introduced last month, carries important clues about the future not only for tablets but also for external displays. The M5-powered iPad Pro features a significant hardware upgrade by supporting a 120Hz refresh rate on external displays with Adaptive Sync. This new feature translates to lower latency, smoother movement, and significantly less visual artifacts, particularly in demanding workflows like gaming and video editing.
Next-generation Studio Display could arrive with Mini-LED and 120Hz in 2026
An iPad model offering 120Hz display output to an external monitor is a first for the Apple ecosystem. This timing seems perfectly aligned with Apple’s behind-the-scenes development of the next-generation Studio Display process. While Mac computers have long supported 120Hz external displays, Apple has yet to release a standalone monitor with a refresh rate above 60Hz. This could change with the iPad’s new capabilities.
Information from various sources suggests that Apple will release a significant Studio Display update in early 2026. MacRumors has identified references in Apple code to a new external monitor, codenamed J427, that will feature the powerful A19 Pro chip. Display industry analyst Ross Young also states that Apple is working on a 27-inch monitor with a mini-LED backlight.
Mini-LED technology will significantly improve brightness, contrast, and color performance compared to the current 27-inch 5K LCD panel. These specifications will bring the monitor to the same level of quality as the MacBook Pro models, which have been using mini-LED technology since 2021. A potential ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate added to the Studio Display could be the most important component to complete this compatibility between the devices.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reports that Apple plans to release the next-generation Studio Display, or a similar external monitor, alongside new Mac models powered by the M5 chip early next year. Apple introduced its current Studio Display model in March 2022, featuring features like a 5K LCD display, a 60Hz refresh rate, and the A13 Bionic chip. However, as high refresh rates become standardized across the market, these features are now being phased out.
The new 120Hz external display support in the M5 iPad Pro and the upcoming major Studio Display refresh strongly reinforce the idea that Apple is preparing a higher refresh rate for its anticipated monitor. While there’s no official confirmation yet, these hardware advancements from the tech giant suggest a high-end monitor that will meet the expectations of professional users is on the way.
So, what are your thoughts on this? Do you use a high refresh rate monitor for your daily or professional use, or are the current 60Hz standards still sufficient for you?
