Tim Hardwick
A new rumor suggests that Apple is developing 90Hz display technology that could appear in future versions of the Studio Display, iPad Air, and 24-inch iMac, all of which currently have 60Hz refresh rates.
The claim, spotted by 9to5Mac, comes from an anonymous source who reached out to the Upgrade podcast, hosted by Mike Hurley and Jason Snell. According to the source, Apple is working on a “higher refresh rate LCD display with a new LCD panel locked at around 90Hz,” and plans to bring the technology to multiple products.
Such a development would be especially notable for the Studio Display, which hasn’t received any hardware updates since its March 2022 launch. Many Apple users had been hoping to see an updated model before the end of 2024, amid on-and-off rumors of a potential refresh with mini-LED technology and ProMotion support. Apple’s more expensive Pro Display XDR has also remained unchanged since its 2019 debut.
Display analyst Ross Young, known for making accurate predictions about Apple’s display technology, reported in April 2023 that Apple had scrapped plans for a 27-inch mini-LED-backlit monitor. That canceled project, which would have been the next-generation Studio Display, reportedly included ProMotion technology with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Young had previously expected such a display to launch in 2022, but the release never happened.
According to the anonymous source, the 90Hz display technology will first debut on the next-generation M3 iPad Air, expected in early 2025, and then spread to other products. The 24-inch iMac, which just received the M4 update, likely won't see this display improvement until late 2025.
The current Studio Display features a 27-inch 5K LCD panel with a 60Hz refresh rate, wide P3 color gamut support, and up to 600 nits of brightness, starting at $1,599.
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