The Anticipated Apple Studio Display 2: Will It Miss the ProMotion Mark?

When Apple unveils new hardware, especially something as central to a workstation as an external display, the tech world sits up and pays attention. There's been a growing buzz, you know, about a potential follow-up to the Apple Studio Display. Many of us, myself included, have been holding our breath, hoping for a significant upgrade that addresses some of the original's perceived shortcomings. But if the latest whispers from reliable sources are anything to go by, we might need to temper our expectations, particularly when it comes to refresh rates.

It seems the much-anticipated Studio Display 2, or whatever its official moniker turns out to be, might not include the buttery-smooth 120Hz ProMotion technology. Frankly, for a display in Apple's premium lineup, that's a bit of a head-scratcher. The current Studio Display, while aesthetically pleasing and packing an impressive A13 Bionic chip internally, has been criticized for its fixed 60Hz refresh rate and lack of HDR support, especially given its rather steep price tag.

Think about it: Apple already offers ProMotion on a wide array of its devices, from the latest iPhones and iPads to the MacBook Pro models. Once you've experienced the fluid scrolling and responsiveness of 120Hz, going back to 60Hz on a primary display, especially one intended for creative professionals or anyone who values a top-tier visual experience, feels like a step backward. It’s almost jarring. The A13 chip inside the existing Studio Display is more than capable of handling higher refresh rates, so technically, it's not a limitation of the silicon itself.

So, why the potential omission? One has to wonder if it's a strategic move by Apple to segment its display offerings. Perhaps they intend to keep the truly premium features, like ProMotion and full HDR, reserved for a much higher-end model, like a potential successor to the Pro Display XDR – maybe a 27-inch mini-LED version down the line. It could also come down to cost-saving measures or existing supply chain limitations, though that feels a bit less 'Apple' for a device positioned where the Studio Display is.

If these rumors, primarily stemming from industry analyst Ross Young, prove true, the Studio Display 2 might end up being more of an iterative update. We might see a newer internal chip, maybe some minor performance tweaks, but without that key ProMotion upgrade, it could leave a significant portion of potential buyers feeling a little underwhelmed. For many, a high refresh rate is no longer a luxury but an expected feature in a display of this caliber. Only time will tell if Apple has a surprise up its sleeve, but for now, the outlook on 120Hz for the next Studio Display seems, well, a bit disappointing.