Apple's Two New Studio Display Models Feature Different A19 Chips

Apple's press release and marketing materials for the new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR models do not mention which chips are inside the monitors, but MacRumors has confirmed this information in the latest Studio Display firmware.

The firmware reveals that the second-generation Studio Display is equipped with an A19 chip, while the Studio Display XDR has an A19 Pro chip, according to code reviewed by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. Rumors had mentioned either the A19 chip or the A19 Pro chip, and it turns out that the two chips are split across the two models.

The original Studio Display from 2022 is equipped with an A13 Bionic chip, which is something that Apple advertised. Apple said the chip enables features such as Center Stage camera framing, Spatial Audio, and "Siri" and "Hey Siri" voice activation for Siri. Apple introduced the A13 Bionic chip in the iPhone 11 series in 2019.

Introduced across the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air models last year, the A19 and A19 Pro chips are much newer than the A13 Bionic. They continue to enable features such as Center Stage, Spatial Audio, and "Hey Siri," but Apple has not publicly commented on any specific improvements that the newer chips contribute to.

Both of the new Studio Displays are also equipped with Apple-designed timing controllers, or TCONs. In the Studio Display XDR, the TCON drives the XDR display with 2,304 local dimming zones, a 120Hz refresh rate, and Adaptive Sync.

These chips likely help to drive the improved speakers in both new Studio Display models, and they likely enable the camera's Desk View feature, which can show your face and an overhead view of your desk at the same time.

We will learn more about the new Studio Displays and the hardware inside of them through upcoming reviews and teardowns.

Both new models can be pre-ordered now and launch on Wednesday, March 11.