Why I don’t think Apple’s Studio Display isn’t worth it anymore

When the first Apple silicon iMacs were introduced, we had to say goodbye to one of the most beautiful displays that Apple had ever made. The stunning display on the 27-inch Retina 5K iMac is a thing of beauty and something that’s sorely missing from the current iMacs.

Apple realized that plenty of people still wanted a 27-inch 5K display to use with their Mac, so when the Retina 5K iMac was discontinued, the Studio Display launched. Apple’s 27-inch 5K display is still a thing of beauty, but it comes with a hefty price tag.

When the Studio Display first released, you could just about persuade yourself that paying $1,600 for essentially the same display in a Retina 5K iMac was worth the money. However, there are multiple reasons why Apple’s Studio Display just isn’t worth it anymore.

The Studio Display doesn’t support HDR content

You’re paying $1,600 for an SDR monitor

There’s a lot that the Studio Display does well, but there’s also a surprising amount that it doesn’t do. For starters, there’s no support for HDR content in a $1600 monitor. For context, this is a feature iPhones have had since the iPhone X way back in 2017.

Part of the reason why the Studio Display doesn’t support HDR is that there’s no local dimming.

The LED backlight always emits some light, so it’s not possible to produce the deep blacks needed for HDR content. The Studio Display also only reaches 600 nits of brightness, so there isn’t really enough range for HDR content. Don’t worry, though; if HDR is an issue, you can always upgrade to the Pro Display XDR instead for a cool $5,000.

Related

The real difference between HDR, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision

High Dynamic Range improves your TV’s image quality, but competing formats make shopping around confusing.

The Studio Display has a 60Hz refresh rate

More NoMotion than ProMotion

Hello Games

Macs have never been high on the list if you’re looking for a gaming computer. Still, it is possible to play games on a Mac, and if you’re going to do so, you’d expect your $1,600 display to give you smooth motion and responsive gameplay. Sadly, this is far from the case.

There’s no variable refresh rate in the Studio Display; you’re limited to 60Hz. If you’re playing a game such as No Man’s Sky, which can run well above 60fps on modern Macs, you won’t benefit from the smoother motion, reduced blur, and better responsiveness that monitors with higher refresh rates can offer.

Related

How to check your monitor’s refresh rate and adjust it

If you’re trying to make the most of your gaming PC, then you need to make sure you’re also getting the most from your monitor.

The Studio Display has no HDMI ports

Good luck connecting your PS5 to your Studio Display

The Studio Display has four ports: one Thunderbolt port and three USB-C ports. These ports are all very useful, with the Thunderbolt port able to charge compatible MacBooks, although at 96W it may not be able to deliver enough power for high-end MacBook Pro models during intensive tasks.