Nearly six years after the release of a display that sent shockwaves through several creative professional circles, it looks like Apple is finally readying a successor. And not only a follow-up, but one that includes a key feature the previous generation was missing.
According to a report based on some serious code digging by 9to5Mac, Apple could be readying the release of the long-awaited Pro Display XDR successor. And this new generation may finally add something the original $4,999 monitor famously skipped: a built-in camera.
Strings spotted in the macOS 26.1 Tahoe beta 3 reference both “Pro Display XDR Camera” and “Pro Display XDR Desk View Camera,” 9to5Mac reports, suggesting Apple plans to ship the next model with an onboard webcam that supports Center Stage-style framing and Desk View.
For context, the current 32-inch, 6K Pro Display XDR launched in 2019 without a camera (or speakers) and even requires a separate $999 stand. Apple’s more affordable 27-inch Studio Display, by contrast, includes a 12MP ultra-wide camera with Center Stage out of the box—one of the reasons creators have favored it for video calls and livestream setups. If the “Desk View” reference pans out, the next Pro Display XDR could mirror that experience with ultra-wide capture that can simultaneously show your face and an overhead view of your desk.
Despite its high price tag, the Pro Display XDR was met with huge fanfare when it was released. That’s because even priced at $4,999, the Pro Display XDR was an absolute bargain compared to traditional, high-end reference monitors that typically ran between $30,000 and $40,000. Equipped with a high contrast ratio and 1,000 nits of full-screen sustained brightness, the Pro Display XDR provided a high-quality, professional-level alternative for viewing, color grading, and editing HDR content in video, photo, design, and development work.
9to5Mac frames the rumored new camera as the “key hardware upgrade,” while also floating other possibilities that would make sense for a 2025-era pro monitor—things like higher refresh rates, updated I/O (Thunderbolt 4/5), and even embedded Apple silicon. Those extras aren’t confirmed by code, but the camera strings are concrete breadcrumbs inside Apple’s own beta. As always, timelines and specs could change until Apple announces the product. Stay tuned.
