No 5K Thunderbolt Display With Integrated GPU Coming at WWDC

Earlier this week, rumors and speculation suggested Apple was working on a 5K Thunderbolt Display with an integrated GPU that could potentially debut at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, but new information from iMore suggests that is not the case.

According to iMore's Rene Ritchie, Apple does not plan to introduce an Apple Display with an integrated external GPU. Ritchie does not provide a specific source on this information, but he is well-connected and occasionally shares accurate details on Apple's plans.

thunderbolt_display_elcap_views

There'd been some speculation on Twitter and rumor reports about Apple possibly introducing a display with an integrated eGPU. Theory being, it would take some of the graphical processing overhead off MacBooks and/or facilitate a single-cable connection that could drive 5K.

While it sounds cool, it can also create expectational debt. So, scratch eGPU off your list for now, but keep your eyes locked to the keynote on Monday, June 13, for lots of other amazingly cool stuff.

Ritchie's statement does not appear to entirely dismiss the possibility of an upgraded Thunderbolt Display at the Worldwide Developers Conference, so it is possible some kind of display-related announcement is still in the works.

As we explained yesterday, Apple could introduce a 5K display alongside Thunderbolt 3 Macs, using both DisplayPort 1.2 streams in the Thunderbolt 3 specification to drive a 5K display using Multi-Stream Transport. Apple used a similar setup internally for the original 5K iMac.

In recent weeks, Thunderbolt Display stock has been dwindling in many Apple retail stores across the United States, in Canada, and in the UK, leading to speculation that a refresh is on the horizon. It is still not clear if the stock shortages are indicative that a new model is coming, but the Thunderbolt Display is long overdue for an update and WWDC would be an ideal time for an unveiling.

Tag: iMore

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
Second Generation AirTag Feature

Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More

Monday January 26, 2026 6:07 am PST by
Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker. For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com. The new...
iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Apple to Launch These 20+ Products This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 6:02 pm PST by
2026 promises to be yet another busy year for Apple, with the company rumored to be planning more than 20 product announcements over the coming months. Beyond the usual updates to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, Apple is expected to release its all-new smart home hub, which was reportedly delayed until the more personalized version of Siri is ready. Other unique products rumored for ...
M5 MacBook Pro

Apple Reportedly Aiming to Upgrade the MacBook Pro Twice This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 11:46 am PST by
Apple plans to release new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Studio Display models in the first half of this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman added that redesigned MacBook Pro models with an OLED touch screen "should be hitting toward the end of 2026," meaning that the MacBook Pro line would be upgraded twice this year. First up...

Top Rated Comments

ButteryScrollin Avatar
126 months ago
Apple To Not Release Product Some Random Guy On Twitter Dreamt Up
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FoxMcCloud Avatar
126 months ago
Typical rumour!

Day 1: "Theres a new thing coming very soon!!"
Day 2: "The thing reported earlier isn't coming soon"

Day 5: "New rumours suggest the previously rumoured thing that was supposed to come soon but was later rumoured not to come soon is in fact coming soon!"
Day 7: "A further report states the thing is not coming soon, but is coming later, possibly next year..maybe"

WWDC, nothing announced.

1.1 minute after WWDC: "I CANT BELIEVE APPLE HAVENT RELEASE THE THING!"
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PantalonesSucia Avatar
126 months ago
Not to fret, the 5k watch bands are confirmed.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Scary Spice Avatar
126 months ago
Its been YEARS since an apple keynote announced some 'amazingly cool stuff', even a little. Definitely not 'lots'.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zirel Avatar
126 months ago
Yes, there will be. It's called the iMac 5K, and it's a GPU+CPU+etc attached to a monitor.

Costs less than dell's inferior 5K monitor, too!

Even if you upgrade to a PCI-Ex, or fusion drive, still costs less than the Dell!
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Icaras Avatar
126 months ago
All that bickering at yesterday's article forum thread for nothing. Yep. Just another day at Macrumors. :cool:
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)