I hope this isn’t true, but a report from MacRumors says the upcoming update of the Apple Studio Pro will top out at 90Hz instead of 120Hz.
Previous rumors have said that Apple plans a “pro” version of the current Studio Display that would offer ProMotion support in a 27-inch (or bigger) monitor. The current Studio Display lacks support for ProMotion, which is Apple’s name for the adaptive, high refresh rate, 120Hz display first available on the iPad Pro.
While a standard refresh rate will update a display 60 times a second (60Hz), the ProMotion’s adaptive 120Hz screen works at twice this speed. This results in smoother scrolling, improved responsiveness and better gaming performance.
However, a MacRumors “tipster” says a 90Hz refresh rate would make sense due to bandwidth considerations. From MacRumors: Thunderbolt 5 can support 5K resolution at 120Hz without any compression, but they think Apple likely wants to ensure there will be plenty of remaining bandwidth for connecting other devices and peripherals to the new Studio Display.
So 90Hz or 120Hz? According to my research, choosing between 90Hz and 120Hz refresh rates typically depends on your priority for smoothness versus battery life. Here are the key differences:
° Motion Smoothness: 120Hz refreshes the screen 120 times per second, offering “silky smooth” visuals that are especially noticeable during fast-paced gaming or quick scrolling. 90Hz is still significantly smoother than the standard 60Hz but provides a slightly less fluid experience than 120Hz.
° Latency & Response: 120Hz has lower frame times (~8.3ms) compared to 90Hz (~11.1ms), which can offer a millisecond advantage in competitive shooters and a more “connected” feel in VR.
° Battery Consumption: Higher refresh rates demand more power. Moving from 60Hz to 120Hz can reduce battery life by roughly 10-30%, whereas 90Hz is often considered the “sweet spot” for balancing improved smoothness with better energy efficiency.
For many users, the jump from 60Hz to 90Hz is massive and immediately obvious, while the difference between 90Hz and 120Hz is much more subtle and may only be noticeable to enthusiasts or gamers.
All things considered, I’m hoping that Apple will go with 120Hz.
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