LG's New UltraFine 5K Display Limited to 4K Resolution When Used With 2018 iPad Pro

LG yesterday released a new version of its UltraFine 5K Display with USB-C connectivity, allowing it to be used with 2018 iPad Pro models, but Apple has since confirmed that the ‌iPad Pro‌ cannot take advantage of the full 5K resolution.

lg ultrafine 5k display ipad pro
In a new support document, Apple says the UltraFine 5K is limited to a 4K resolution of 3,840×2,160 at 60Hz when connected to 2018 ‌iPad Pro‌ models via USB-C. The full 5K resolution requires a 2016 or newer MacBook Pro, a 2018 or newer MacBook Air, a 2017 or newer iMac or ‌iMac‌ Pro, or a 2018 Mac mini.

The new UltraFine 5K Display is available to order for $1,299.95 on Apple.com. Like the previous model, it also supports Thunderbolt 3, with up to 94W of power for pass-through charging of any Mac or iPad connected to the display.

The new display has the model number 27MD5KL-B.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Tags: LG, UltraFine
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Neutral)

Popular Stories

iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive an All-New Perk

Thursday February 6, 2025 11:21 am PST by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a new perk for you, at no additional cost. iCloud+ is the official name for Apple's paid iCloud storage plans, which range from 50GB for $0.99 per month to 12TB for $59.99 per month in the United States. iCloud+ plans already come with multiple perks for free, such as Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video, and now there is another one...
2007 iPhone

Apple Discontinuing This 18-Year-Old iPhone Feature

Saturday February 8, 2025 3:51 pm PST by
The end of an 18-year era is on the horizon for the iPhone. Apple reportedly plans to announce a new iPhone SE as soon as next week, and the device is expected to feature a full-screen design with Face ID, instead of a Touch ID home button. That means Apple will no longer sell any new iPhone models with a home button, for the first time since the original iPhone launched. The home button...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Will Include These New Features for Your iPhone

Wednesday February 5, 2025 7:15 am PST by
iOS 18.3 was released last month, so the first iOS 18.4 beta should be coming soon. iOS 18.4 is expected to be a more substantial update for the iPhone, with several new features and changes related to Apple Intelligence and beyond. Apple's website suggests that iOS 18.4 will be released in April, following beta testing. Below, we outline what to expect from the update so far. Apple...
iPhone SE 4 Single Camera Thumb

iPhone SE 4 Launching as Soon as Next Week

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:30 pm PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone SE could debut as soon as next week with a launch to follow later in February, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple isn't expected to hold an event for the iPhone SE 4, and will instead unveil the device through a press release. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to have an iPhone 14-style design, with Apple eliminating the thick bezels and Touch ID Home button of...
iCloud General Feature Redux

Apple Ordered by UK to Create Global iCloud Encryption Backdoor

Friday February 7, 2025 2:37 am PST by
The British government has secretly demanded that Apple give it blanket access to all encrypted user content uploaded to the cloud, reports The Washington Post. The undisclosed order is said to have been issued last month, and requires that Apple creates a back door that allows UK security officials unencumbered access to encrypted user data worldwide – an unprecedented demand not before...
iOS 18

iOS 18.3.1 Update Coming Soon for iPhones

Thursday February 6, 2025 7:31 am PST by
Apple is internally testing iOS 18.3.1 for iPhones, according to our website's analytics logs, which have been a consistently reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions. The software update should be released within the next few weeks. iOS 18.3.1 should be a minor update that addresses software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. Apple Intelligence notification summaries for news and...
Apple Leak Feature

Apple Leaker Issues Apology: 'Profound and Expensive Mistake'

Friday February 7, 2025 9:21 am PST by
Last year, we reported that Apple sued its former software engineer Andrew Aude for providing journalists with confidential information about the company's future plans, including details about the Journal app, Vision Pro headset, and more. As reported by 9to5Mac, the Superior Court of Santa Clara County on Thursday dismissed the lawsuit after Apple and Aude reached an agreement to resolve...
imac video apple feature

Apple to Announce New Products Next Week

Saturday February 8, 2025 10:55 am PST by
Apple has yet to release any new devices in 2025, but at least two new products are expected to be announced next week, according to rumors. Below, we outline the new Apple products that are likely to be unveiled next week. iPhone SE 4 Apple plans to announce the long-rumored iPhone SE 4 as soon as next week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The new iPhone SE is rumored to...

Top Rated Comments

dannys1 Avatar
72 months ago
Well that's not a surprise - I'm pretty sure standard USB-C can't carry a 5k 60hz signal, it's not in the spec for starters.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Manzanito Avatar
72 months ago
Imagine having the most svelte and streamlined tablet on the market connected to a fugly bezel-thick monitor that looks like it came out of a ca. 2007 accounting firm. The resolution would be the least of my concerns.
While using it, are you going to look at the screen or at the bezels? The resolution is imho more important.

The monitor is not a beauty, though.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lunarworks Avatar
72 months ago
Provoke all you want, but Apple WAS about both form and function. Think Cinema Display (RIP). Speaking as a design director who's been working all day with Macs for the last couple decades and can afford to buy the whole lineup a few times over. I'd rather buy something that doesn't offend my eyes. What's your point exactly?

Steve, you are so missed.
This isn't an Apple product. Calm down.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
otternonsense Avatar
72 months ago
Imagine having the most svelte and streamlined tablet on the market connected to a fugly bezel-thick monitor that looks like it came out of a ca. 2007 accounting firm. The resolution would be the least of my concerns.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EugW Avatar
72 months ago
it has not enough bandwidth , since tb3 is still under Intel license
www.displayport.org ('http://www.displayport.org') states that technically, USB-C can now support 5K resolution.

https://www.displayport.org/displayport-over-usb-c/


DisplayPort leverages the Alternate Mode Functional Extension of the USB Type-C interface, and shares similar electrical characteristics with USB 3.1, allowing use of common system elements.


* Video, SuperSpeed USB and power, all on one connector
* 4K @60Hz 24-bit color (without compression) with simultaneous USB 3.1
* 5K (5120 x 2880) display support without compression with simultaneous USB 2.0
* Support for BT.2020 color space, HDR, and HDCP 2.2
* 8K x 4K display support with use of 4:2:0 pixel structure (good) or VESA Display Stream Compression (better)
* High-end multichannel audio support
* Backward compatible with VGA, DVI, and HDMI 2.0 with CEC using plug adapters or adapter cables
* Extensible packet-based data structure



It's just that the 2018 iPad Pro models or the 12" MacBooks can't do it.

However, simultaneous 5K video plus USB support over USB-C is limited to USB 2.0. To get simultaneous 5K + USB 3, you need to use Thunderbolt.


So to be clear the previous generation 5K display was unable to handle an iPad Pro 2018 connected to it? Can anyone verify this? I've read the previous generation 4K display worked fine with iPad Pro 2018.
The previous 5K display is Thunderbolt 3 only. It didn't work at all with the iPad Pro. The previous 4K display is USB-C. The new 5K display accepts both Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C inputs.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DrJohnnyN Avatar
72 months ago
Ugly bezels. Looks like cheap plastic casing, too.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)