Apple Display discovered: New model appears in database

A new entry in a Chinese government database suggests that Apple is working on a previously unreleased display. The discovery is generating interest because it hints at a next-generation Studio Display or Pro Display XDR. While many details remain unknown, some conclusions can already be drawn from the available information.

According to a report seen by MacRumors, an Apple display with the model number A3350 has been officially registered. Such registrations are common practice at Apple and usually occur several months before the market launch of a new product. The entry itself contains little technical information but is considered a reliable indicator that a new display could be imminent.

It is unclear which Apple display is meant

It is currently unclear whether the registered model is a new Studio Display or an updated Pro Display XDR. Both displays are currently part of Apple's portfolio and use an LCD panel. This information is also reflected in the database: the new model is said to be equipped with a high-performance LCD display. This detail only helps to a limited extent in distinguishing between the two, but it largely rules out an OLED display.

Hints at a new studio display

Over the past few months, there have been several reports about a new studio display in development. These reports mentioned, among other things, the following possible new features:

ProMotion support with a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz
HDR support
Use of an A19 or A19 Pro chip
Mini LED backlight

A studio display using Mini LED technology would still utilize an LCD panel, but would have a higher maximum brightness and a better contrast ratio than the current model. The database entry does not contradict this scenario.

Timeline of registration

The current Studio Display was registered in the same Chinese database approximately three months before its market launch in March 2022. Applying this timeframe to the new entry, a market launch in March or April of this year would be conceivable. In this context, it seems logical that Apple could introduce a new Studio Display alongside the next Mac Studio with M5 chips.

A new Pro Display XDR is also possible

There are significantly fewer rumors about a new Pro Display XDR so far. Nevertheless, an update is not unlikely. The current Pro Display XDR was released in December 2019 and is therefore considerably older than the Studio Display. For this reason alone, a new generation would make sense both technically and in terms of timing.

Possible technical improvements

Should the next studio display actually feature mini LED backlighting and HDR support, brightness and contrast would noticeably improve compared to the current model. The potential upgrade from an A13 Bionic to an A19 or A19 Pro chip could also bring performance gains, for example in the integrated camera, signal processing, and other internal functions.

View of the current studio display

For a better comparison, it's worth taking a look at the current generation. The currently available Studio Display offers:

27-inch LCD screen
5K resolution
60 Hz refresh rate
Maximum brightness of up to 600 nits
integrated camera and speaker
a Thunderbolt 3 port
three additional USB-C ports

The starting price in Germany is 1,749 euros.

Apple is facing a possible display update

The new database entry with model number A3350 is a clear indication that Apple is working on a new display. Whether it's a next-generation Studio Display or a new Pro Display XDR remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that an update is long overdue and would fit well into Apple's current hardware strategy. The coming months should bring further clarity. (Image: Shutterstock / Hadrian)