Gurman: Apple working on multiple versions of second generation Studio Display – 9to5Mac

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is potentially working on a third generation Studio Display, codenamed J527. This would be a version ahead of the already rumored second generation Studio Display, which is codenamed J427 – but feature advantages of the third generation display are unknown. It’s also plausible that this isn’t a third-generation monitor at all. Let’s discuss.Last month, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple begun development on a new external display, codenamed J427, for release in 2026. This would be a Studio Display successor, rather than a new Pro Display.However, Apple is also working on an additional monitor, codenamed J527, per Bloomberg:Now, here’s one twist. I’m told Apple is working on a second new monitor code-named J527. At this point, it seems unlikely that the device would be a subsequent generation, given the amount of time between updates and that we’re still a bit away from the J427.Gurman suggests that J427 and J527 might end up not being distinct products, and instead Apple is just prototyping with multiple options for a second generation Studio Display. This would make a fair bit of sense, given the fact that it’s been over 3 years since the first generation Studio Display debuted, and there’s still over a year before the rumored second generation model will launch.Apple needs a full line of monitors at various price points ($799, $999, etc) and feature sets. Especially since it seems they have no plans to sell a 27” or larger iMac. If I buy a mini (or studio), I don’t want an inferior build/display quality 3rd party monitor, but I also don’t want to pay $1600 for the studio monitor (priced more than the CPU itself)!Additionally, Gurman speculates that J527 could end up being a “second model with a different screen size or set of specifications,” and mentions the fact that Apple’s Pro Display XDR is nearing 6 years old.All in all, it isn’t necessarily clear what this J527 rumor means. Could it be a third generation Studio Display? Studio Display Pro? Pro Display XDR 2? Who knows. The “27” number in the codename would heavily suggest that this will have a 27″ display size, at least.My favorite Apple accessories on Amazon:Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, InstagramFTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:Michael is 9to5Mac’s Weekend Editor, keeping up with all of the latest Apple news on Saturday and Sunday. He got started in the world of Apple news during the pandemic, and it became a growing hobby. He’s also an indie iOS developer in his free time, and has published numerous apps over the years.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/16/gurman-apple-studio-display-2-report/