M5 iPad Pro Could Hint at New Studio Display Feature

Sunday November 30, 2025 10:30 am PST by Hartley Charlton

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.

studio display purple february
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 artifacts during workflows such as gaming and video editing, with Adaptive Sync further minimizing latency for rapid-response tasks.

This is the first time an iPad has supported 120Hz output to an external monitor and the timing aligns closely with Apple's development of a next-generation ‌Studio Display‌. Although Macs have long supported 120Hz external displays, Apple has yet to ship a standalone monitor with a refresh rate above 60Hz, and they are fairly unusual in the market as a whole.

Rumors from multiple sources suggest Apple is preparing a significant ‌Studio Display‌ update for early 2026. Earlier this year, MacRumors found references in Apple code to a new external monitor codenamed J427, which will include the A19 Pro chip.

Display industry analyst Ross Young has said Apple is developing a 27-inch monitor with mini-LED backlighting. Mini-LED technology would improve brightness, contrast, and color performance compared to the current 27-inch 5K LCD panel.

It would also bring the monitor in line with the MacBook Pro, which has touted mini-LED technology since 2021. In combination with a potential ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate on the ‌Studio Display‌, this would bring it fully into line with the ‌MacBook Pro‌.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says Apple plans to release a next-generation ‌Studio Display‌ or equivalent replacement external monitor as soon as early next year alongside new Macs with the M5 chip.

Apple launched the ‌Studio Display‌ in March 2022 alongside the Mac Studio. It features a 5K LCD display, 60Hz refresh rate, 600 nits of brightness, built-in camera and speakers with Center Stage and Spatial Audio support, the A13 Bionic chip, "Hey Siri" commands, one Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. Pricing in the U.S. starts at $1,599.

The combination of new 120Hz external display support on the M5 ‌iPad Pro‌ and the increasing likelihood of a major ‌Studio Display‌ refresh early next year adds weight to the idea that Apple is preparing a higher refresh rate for its upcoming monitor, but it remains speculation for now.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, Studio Display

Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Caution), Displays (Buy Now)

Related Forum: Mac Accessories

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Top Rated Comments

bradman83

12 months ago

This article leaves out an important caveat. The iPad Pro M5 tech specs specifically state it supports 120 Hz only up to 4K. Anything higher including 5K or 6K is only supported at 60 Hz.

Thunderbolt 5 can theoretically support 120 Hz at 5K or 6K but it's ultimately a question of when panel OEMs will get around to developing ones that Apple can use given how small the market is.

Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Wowfunhappy

12 months ago

No one edits video @ 120hz screen refresh. there is NOTHING to be gained there. in fact since everything I shoot is 24.00p, I run all my screens at 24hz to avoid the problems of _higher_ frame rates. I find higher frame rates weird and disorienting. only gamers really care and even then science questiions much above 120hz as making any reaction difference, never mind the wasted energy for those frame rates.

Actually, IMO one of the nice things about 120hz is that it's a multiple of both 30 fps and 24 fps, so all of the common video frame rates will work without changing the refresh rate, or fancy variable refresh / adaptive sync.

Anyway, I find 120hz makes moving my mouse feel smoother and more precise. It's not a huge difference vs 60hz but it's nice to have. I think using a mouse at 24hz feels really awful though, I'm very surprised you can't feel the difference!

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

b.inazawa-fan

12 months ago

I hope this is real. It's so annoying having to choose between high DPI ("creation") OR high refresh rate ("gaming") when looking at PC OEM brand displays. As usual, if Apple creates the market, other companies will come with similar products quick.

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)