Last week, analyst Ross Young revealed that the new M4 MacBook Pro is the first Apple device to use new quantum dot display technology.
In a follow up blog post, Young says that this same technology will also make its way to the next-generation Pro Display XDR.
Previous M-series MacBook Pro models used a red KSF phosphor film to enable the miniLED backlighting to produce a wider color gamut than would normally be possible. The new M4 models, however, use a quantum dot film that offers better color gamut and better motion performance, according to Young.
On the Display Supply Chain Consultants website this week, Young elaborated on this switch and noted that the same display technology is also expected to come to the Pro Display XDR:
Now that Apple has adopted (quantum dot) films in the MacBook Pro, it will be interesting to see if they replace KSF films and KSF phosphors in other Apple products. KSF films are found in previous MiniLED MacBook Pro’s and the Mac Pro Display XDR. We expect the next version of the Mac Pro Display to adopt it.
Other Apple products that use on-chip KSF phosphors in an edge-lit design include the MacBook Air, iPad Air, Mac Studio Display, etc. QDs likely won’t offer any potential cost savings vs. on-chip KSF phosphors, but if Apple tried to standardize on wider color gamuts across all their products such as Adobe RGB + P3, it could make sense for them to make this change.
There aren’t any other details on what to expect from the next-generation Pro Display XDR, nor is there a timeline for when it might be released. Rumors of an updated Pro Display XDR have ebbed and flowed over the years.
In December 2022, Mark Gurman reported that Apple was working on a next-gen Pro Display XDR with an integrated Apple Silicon chip. For context, Apple’s Studio Display features an A13 Bionic chip for things like Center Stage and Spatial Audio support.
In April 2023, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple was developing a new 27-inch external display with mini-LED screen technology. The current Pro Display XDR, however, features a 32-inch panel.
The Pro Display XDR was released in December 2019 alongside the Mac Pro. Apple has continued selling it since then without any updates or price changes.
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