Apple has introduced the new Studio Display XDR with a mini-LED panel that supports up to a 120Hz refresh rate, but many Mac models will not run it at that full speed, so you need to check your chip before you plan to buy this display.
If your Mac uses certain Apple silicon chips, it will power the Studio Display XDR at only 60Hz, even though the screen itself supports 120Hz. That limitation applies only to refresh rate, because brightness, resolution, and other features still work as expected.
According to Apple, Macs with the following chips are limited to 60Hz on the Studio Display XDR.
- M1
- M1 Pro
- M1 Max
- M1 Ultra
- M2
- M3
Macs That Support 120Hz
If you want the full 120Hz refresh rate, you need a Mac with one of these chips, since Apple has enabled higher refresh rate output only on these processors.
- M2 Pro, M2 Max, M2 Ultra
- M3 Pro, M3 Max, M3 Ultra
- M4 Pro, M4 Max
- M5, M5 Pro, M5 Max
All Apple silicon Macs will work with the Studio Display XDR after installing macOS Tahoe 26.3.1, but only the chips listed above unlock the full 120Hz experience.
On the iPad side, only the M5 iPad Pro supports 120Hz with the Studio Display XDR, while other compatible models stay capped at 60Hz, including the M4 iPad Pro, 12.9 inch iPad Pro from the 3rd to 6th generation, 11 inch iPad Pro from the 1st to 4th generation, M2, M3, and M4 iPad Air models, and the 5th generation iPad Air.
The standard Studio Display starts at $1,599, while the Studio Display XDR starts at $3,299, so if your Mac or iPad cannot output 120Hz, the regular model makes more sense.
Apple will open pre orders at 9:15 a.m. Eastern Time, and the display will launch on March 11.
