Farewell Pro Display XDR — we barely afforded you

The Pro Display XDR, Apple’s high-end 6K monitor that debuted in 2019, has officially been discontinued. The Studio Display XDR, launched in March 2025, has effectively taken over its position in Apple’s lineup, though at a significantly lower price point of $1,599 compared to the Pro Display XDR’s $4,999 starting price.

When the Pro Display XDR launched in 2019, it marked Apple’s return to the monitor market after a three-year absence. The 32-inch 6K display was designed for professional users, featuring a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 1600 nits of peak brightness, and a P3 wide color gamut. It was a powerhouse display that catered to photographers, videographers, and other creative professionals who demanded the absolute best in color accuracy and brightness.

The Pro Display XDR’s discontinuation comes as something of a surprise, given that it’s only been on the market for six years and hasn’t received any significant updates since its launch. The display was still considered one of the best professional monitors available, offering features that its successor doesn’t include, such as the optional $999 nano-texture glass coating that reduces glare in bright environments.

The Studio Display XDR, while more affordable, represents a different approach from Apple. It’s positioned as a premium consumer display rather than a professional-grade monitor. The new XDR model features a 6K resolution, 600 nits of brightness, and a 60Hz refresh rate. While these specifications are impressive for a consumer display, they fall short of the Pro Display XDR’s professional capabilities.

The timing of the Pro Display XDR’s discontinuation is particularly interesting. There were strong rumors that Apple had been planning a significant update to the Pro Display XDR for 2025, potentially seven years after the original launch. Instead, Apple chose to release two versions of the Studio Display, effectively moving away from the professional monitor market that the Pro Display XDR served.

This shift reflects broader changes in Apple’s strategy. The company has been focusing more on integrated hardware-software experiences, and the Studio Display XDR is designed to work seamlessly with Apple’s latest Mac models. However, this approach leaves a gap in Apple’s product lineup for professionals who need the extreme brightness, contrast, and color accuracy that the Pro Display XDR provided.

The Pro Display XDR’s legacy will likely be remembered as Apple’s last truly professional standalone display. At $5,000, it was indeed out of reach for most Mac users, but for those who could afford it and needed its capabilities, it was unmatched. The display’s optional stand, which cost an additional $999, became something of a meme in the tech community, but it also demonstrated Apple’s commitment to providing premium accessories for professional users.

As the Pro Display XDR fades into tech history, it leaves behind questions about Apple’s commitment to the professional market. While the Studio Display XDR is a capable display that will serve most users well, it doesn’t fill the same niche as its predecessor. Professional users who relied on the Pro Display XDR’s extreme brightness and contrast ratios will need to look to third-party options from companies like Dell, LG, and EIZO to find comparable alternatives.

The discontinuation of the Pro Display XDR also raises questions about Apple’s display roadmap. With the Studio Display XDR now occupying the premium monitor spot in Apple’s lineup, it’s unclear whether the company has plans to release another truly professional-grade display in the future. For now, Apple seems content to focus on more consumer-friendly options, leaving the high-end professional market to its competitors.

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