The latest iPad Pro M5 by Apple has brought significant improvements in performance through its new chipset. One notable upgrade that may have gone unnoticed is the ability to support external displays at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. This move by Apple to enable high refresh rates on external monitors for the iPad Pro suggests that the upcoming Studio Display could feature a 120Hz panel.
The inclusion of a 120Hz refresh rate on the M5 iPad Pro is a noteworthy advancement for tasks that require high frame rates and minimal latency, such as gaming, video editing, and time-sensitive activities. Reports from MacRumors indicate that this enhancement on the iPad Pro hints at a potential refresh for the Studio Display with a 120Hz panel, marking the first time such an upgrade has been seen on iPads.
Apple’s current Studio Display, launched in March 2022, is currently limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. The timing of this iPad upgrade suggests that Apple might be gearing up to introduce similar high-refresh-rate technology to its next iteration of the Studio Display.
While Macs have long supported 120Hz external displays, Apple has yet to release a standalone monitor with a refresh rate exceeding 60Hz. The Studio Display currently boasts a 27-inch 5K LCD panel, 600 nits brightness, an integrated camera and speakers, as well as the A13 Bionic chip. Despite these premium features, its 60Hz refresh rate falls short compared to the MacBook Pro’s advanced display technology featuring a 120Hz ProMotion display with mini-LED technology since 2021.
Aside from the anticipated high refresh rate, there are indications of significant upgrades for the Studio Display. Analysts like Ross Young suggest that Apple may introduce mini-LED backlighting to replace the current LCD panel, enhancing brightness, contrast, and color accuracy to align with the display quality of MacBook Pro models.
The upcoming Studio Display is also rumored to feature the A19 Pro chipset found in the iPhone 17 Pro models, a step up from the A13 Bionic in the current generation. Expected features carried over from the existing Studio Display include multiple Thunderbolt and USB-C ports, an integrated camera, and support for “Hey Siri” voice commands.
According to Bloomberg, the next-generation Studio Display could be launched in early 2026, with limited details available on its pricing. The current Studio Display was introduced in India at Rs 1,59,900.
This article was written by Armaan Agarwal and was published on Dec 1, 2025, at 10:45 IST.