Yesterday, Mac World spotted something interesting buried in iOS 26’s code, a mysterious display labeled “J527” that tech enthusiasts believe could be the next Apple Studio Display 2, possibly arriving in 2026.
Apple seems ready to ditch the LCD screens they’ve been using and switch to Mini LED technology instead. It’s a pretty significant move from the 2022 model.
According to Mac World’s analysis, this shift to Mini LED isn’t just about following trends. With thousands of tiny backlight zones working independently, the new display should handle light and dark areas much more precisely than what we have now.
Apple also appears to be fixing some complaints people had about the original. The Apple Studio Display 2 is expected to get ProMotion, that buttery-smooth scrolling tech from the iPhone and MacBook Pro lineups—bringing refresh rates up to 120Hz. Everything from browsing to animation should feel noticeably smoother.
Quick note: ProMotion intelligently adjusts refresh rates anywhere from 10Hz to 120Hz depending on what you’re looking at, which keeps things fluid while being smart about battery life.
The Mini LED upgrade also means proper HDR support is coming. Think brighter highlights, richer contrast, and those deep, inky blacks that make images pop. Colors should look more lifelike too, getting closer to what you’d actually see in person.
There’s also a massive performance boost happening under the hood. While the current model runs on Apple’s A13 chip (which is getting pretty long in the tooth), the new one reportedly jumps straight to the A19 Pro, the same processor powering the iPhone 17 lineup.
The Apple Studio Display 2 actually runs its own iOS-based system to handle the Center Stage camera, spatial audio processing, and microphone features independently. With the A19 Pro inside, it should easily handle software updates for years without leaning on your Mac’s resources.
The 27-inch screen size stays put, according to current reports. This suggests Apple is still targeting creative professionals and serious hobbyists who want excellent quality without spending pro-level money on something like the Pro Display XDR.
Read Also: iPhone 17e Leak: Set to Launch in First Quarter of 2026
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