M4 MacBook Pro Uses Quantum Dot Display Technology

The M4 MacBook Pro models feature quantum dot display technology, according to display analyst Ross Young. Apple used a quantum dot film instead of a red KSF phosphor film, a change that provides more vibrant, accurate color results.

M4 MacBook Pros Thumb
Young says that Apple has opted for KSF for prior MacBook Pro models because it doesn't use toxic element cadmium (typical for quantum dot) and is more efficient (and thus less expensive). Way back in 2015, when Apple introduced support for P3 wide color on the iMac, Apple executives said that quantum dot technology had been considered for its LED displays, but rejected because of the cadmium requirement.


There are now cadmium-free quantum dot options that Young says have as good or better color gamut and better motion performance than the KSF film Apple previously used. The KSF phosphor coating Apple added to prior ‌MacBook Pro‌ models boosted color by enhancing shades of red, but quantum dot film is considered superior because it often results in better color accuracy and a wider color gamut.

Quantum dot technology has been used for high-end displays for several years, with companies like Samsung and Sony manufacturing "QLED" displays and TV sets.

Apple didn't highlight specific color improvements with the ‌M4 MacBook Pro‌ models, but max SDR brightness increased to 1,000 nits, up from 600 nits in the prior model.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
Cyber Monday Deals 2025

Best Cyber Monday Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Cyber Monday is here, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running....
Netflix Smaller 4

Netflix Kills Casting From Its Mobile App to Most Modern TVs

Monday December 1, 2025 4:36 am PST by
Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast content from its mobile apps to most modern TVs and streaming devices, including newer Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer. The change was first spotted by users on Reddit and confirmed in an updated Netflix support page (via Android Authority), which now states that the streaming service no longer supports casting from mobile devices...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
studio display purple february

M5 iPad Pro Could Hint at New Studio Display Feature

Sunday November 30, 2025 10:30 am PST by
The updated specs of the M5 iPad Pro may point toward a major new feature for Apple's next-generation Studio Display expected in early 2026. Apple's latest iPad Pro debuted last month and contains one display-related change that stands out: it can now drive external monitors at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. The feature should deliver lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer visual...

Top Rated Comments

Howard2k Avatar
14 months ago

The new MacBook Pro displays also use PWM (pulse-width modulation), even at 100% brightness. Embarrassing.
Ugh. That's terrible for the 9 people that always complain about it.
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
terminator-jq Avatar
14 months ago
I KNEW this screen looked different compared to my old M1 Max. I thought it was just my imagination or the new tech honeymoon phase. Glad to see my eyes aren’t playing tricks on me. The difference is slight but it’s definitely there. Everything looks a touch richer especially when working with DCI-P3 content.

M4 lineup continues to prove itself as the best laptop for creators.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
junior Avatar
14 months ago

This just proves that Tim Cook is the greatest CEO. Better than Jobs. He cares about the customer!
He's so kind to us. The storage and memory upgrade costs is just a way for him to make sure we feel more fulfillment and happiness in life by working harder and paying way above market value for those upgrades. His care and kindness to us should hopefully see him rewarded with an extra few hundred million dollars in Apple stock. Love him.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blur Busters Avatar
14 months ago
Once the screens are sufficiently warmed up to full operating temperatures (LCD GtG is much slower on cold screens) -- I noticed that the M4 MacBook Pro screens did TestUFO significantly better than the M1 MacBook Pro screen. Less LCD ghosting, especially for white graphics on black.

It would be interesting to do some more detailed pixel-response tests, as Notebookcheck didn't seem to show improvement.

While I was originally hoping for OLED. I'm also very happy that M4 MacBook does 120fps 120Hz TestUFO as does all 120Hz Apple devices now since iOS/iPadOS 18 (After disabling "Prefer Page Rendering Updates Near 60fps" setting). I posted ('https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/enabling-120hz-scrolling-in-safari.2323961/page-3?post=33355836#post-33355836') the good news in the other thread.

If the mods would allow a guest display researcher (me) with permission -- I can post the link to the motion tests, for users here to compare the M4 MacBook against earlier MacBooks. There's a new local dimming test and a new KSF test that was added to the beta URL of the TestUFO 2.0 site.

(BTW, my MacBook Pro M1 is now my primary TestUFO development machine as it's a fast portable high-Hz + HFR development machine).
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
syklee26 Avatar
14 months ago
surprised they didn't add another dot on the price tag with this move.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mikethebigo Avatar
14 months ago
I don't need one I don't need one I DON'T NEED ONE

EDIT: I bought one.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)