Apple is preparing a new 27-inch display with Mini LED backlighting for release later in 2025 or early next year, according to analyst Ross Young (and highlighted by MacRumors).

The purported follow-up to 2022’s Studio Display would leave the monitor’s size unchanged but offer meaningful gains in contrast, black levels, and (potentially) overall brightness. Even at the time of its release, the original Studio Display trailed modern TVs and many displays with its traditional LED technology, which lights up the entire panel at all times.

Mini LED allows for a punchier, more contrasty image across the display since there are many dimming zones behind the screen that can individually light up and turn off based on the content being shown. Apple’s Studio Display already delivers excellent color accuracy and a very sharp 5K resolution, but it can also be susceptible to minor backlight bleed and other irregularities that sometimes come with conventional LED panels.

Switching to Mini LED would further improve the monitor’s uniformity while making blacks look darker when watching videos. These are things I’d hope for from a display that starts at $1,599.

Apple could also take another swing at improving the built-in camera with this rumored Studio Display sequel. The camera quality was underwhelming when the product first came to market, which led Apple to issue a firmware update designed to boost its clarity. I’m still more than satisfied with the Studio Display’s integrated speakers, however, which have been good enough to negate the need for standalone speakers on my desk.

The company’s higher-end monitor, the Pro Display XDR, already uses Mini LED technology but hasn’t been updated since 2020. Apple has refined its approach to the backlighting system in subsequent products like the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros and previous versions of the iPad Pro.