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Apple Multiple Scan 15 Display vs Apple Studio Display XDR

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMultiple Scan 15 DisplayAppleStudio Display XDR
Overview
ReleasedJuly 1994March 2026
Display
Screen size13.3″27″
Resolution–5120 × 2880 (5K)
Sharpness–218 pixels per inch
PanelCRT (Nominal 15-inch flat-square shadow-mask CRT with 13.3-inch viewable image and 0.28 mm dot pitch; no fixed native pixel matrix. Apple Facts notes two designs sold worldwide.)Mini-LED (5K Retina XDR (IPS LCD, oxide TFT))
Refresh rate–120 Hz
Brightness (typical)–1,000 nits
HDR peak brightness–2,000 nits
Colour range–P3 + Adobe RGB, 81% BT.2020
Dimming zones–2,304
Screen finish–Glossy
Shape–Flat
Adaptive sync–VESA AdaptiveSync
Colour depth–1 billion colours
Colour modes–Apple XDR Display (P3-2,000 nits), Apple XDR Display (P3 + Adobe RGB-2,000 nits), HDR Video (P3-ST 2084), HDTV Video (BT.709-BT.1886), NTSC Video (BT.601 SMPTE-C), PAL and SECAM Video (BT.601 EBU), Digital Cinema (P3-DCI), Digital Cinema (P3-D65), Design and Print (P3-D50), Design and Print (Adobe RGB-D50), Photography (P3-D65), Photography (Adobe RGB-D65), HDR Photography (P3-D65), Internet and Web (sRGB), Medical Imaging (DICOM-350 nits), Medical Imaging (DICOM-600 nits); custom reference modes
HDR detail–2,000 nits peak across 40% of the screen and 1,000 nits full-screen sustained (below 25 °C); HDR reference modes use PQ (SMPTE ST 2084)
Variable refresh range–47–120 Hz (Adaptive Sync); fixed 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60 and 120 Hz
Viewing angles–89° left, right, up and down
Calibration–Individually factory calibrated (Apple CMF 2026); Visual Fine-Tune and Fine-Tune Calibration in Pro Display Calibrator
Supported signal modesApple's archived support sheet lists 640 × 480 at 60 or 66.7 Hz, 800 × 600 at 60 or 72 Hz, 832 × 624 at 75 Hz and 1024 × 768 at 70 Hz. Service Source restricts 1024 × 768 to PC-compatible computers using a Mac/PC adaptor; Apple Facts October 1995 instead lists that Windows mode at 60 Hz. Supported modes depend on computer and regional design; these are CRT signal modes, not a native matrix or native refresh rate.–
Screen coatingService Source describes a polished surface treatment; archived TIL 15754 describes antistatic and antiglare treatment for European models only–
Connections
Video inputsDA-15Thunderbolt 5
USB-C chargingNoneUp to 140 W
USB ports–Thunderbolt 5, 2 × USB-C
Ethernet–No
SpeakersYesYes
Webcam–12MP Center Stage with Desk View
USB-C detail–Upstream Thunderbolt 5 (up to 120 Gb/s) with 140 W host charging
Daisy chaining–Downstream Thunderbolt 5 port daisy-chains more displays; up to four with certain Mac configurations
USB hub detail–1 × Thunderbolt 5 downstream (up to 120 Gb/s), 2 × USB-C (up to 10 Gb/s) for peripherals, storage and networking
Other connectionsCaptive Macintosh 15-pin DA-15 analogue RGB video connector; a Mac/PC adaptor is needed for VGA computers. The archived TIL pinout identifies the Macintosh connector, rather than a VGA DE-15 socket.–
Audio outOne audio input and one headphone/speaker pass-through port in Service Source; archived TIL describes a front-panel headphone jack–
Speaker detailStereo speakers and headphone jack confirmed by Apple Facts October 1995 and archived TIL 15754; EveryMac's no-audio entry conflicts with those maker sourcesSix speakers with force-cancelling woofers; wide stereo; Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
Webcam detail–Three-mic array with directional beamforming; camera features and firmware updates need a Mac
Design
Stand adjustsTilt, swivelHeight, tilt
VESA mount–Yes
Weight with stand14 kg8.5 kg
Height adjustment–105 mm
Tilt–−5° to +25°
Pivot–Landscape only on the stand; portrait with the VESA mount adapter
VESA pattern–100 × 100 mm (VESA mount adapter option)
Size with standApple's current archive lists 16.7 × 15.9 × 17.8 inches (height × width × depth). Apple Facts October 1995 also publishes 42.4 × 40.5 × 45.2 cm and warns that two worldwide designs have different dimensions and weight. Archived TIL 15754 instead gives 375 × 365 × 380 mm including base; the difference is retained.62.3 × 21.4 × 47.8–58.3 cm (W × D × H)
Size without stand–62.3 × 3.3 × 36.2 cm with VESA mount adapter (W × D × H)
Weight without stand–6.3 kg with VESA mount adapter
Weight detailApple Facts and Service Source publish 14 kg (31 lb); Apple Facts warns dimensions and weight may vary between the two worldwide designs–
ControlsFront-panel power, brightness and contrast; geometry shift and size, zoom, reset and recall controls. Automatic degauss on power-up.–
Power and support
Power useMaximum 90 W; archived TIL specifies less than 30 W in Energy Saver mode–
Power supplyService Source specifies 90–134 or 198–260 V AC, 47–63 Hz; these are mains ratings100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, single phase
SoftwareSystem 7.1 or later. Some older Macintosh models require an adaptor for modes beyond 640 × 480. Apple lists introduction as July 1994; TidBITS reported shipping by 25 July 1994, so month precision is retained. Brightness and contrast ratio are unpublished.Needs an Apple silicon Mac with macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 or later, or an iPad with iPadOS 26.3.1 or later
CertificationsMPR II and US EPA Energy Star compliance in Service SourceENERGY STAR
Warranty–1-year limited warranty and 90 days of complimentary technical support from Apple
In the box–Studio Display XDR, Thunderbolt 5 Pro Cable (1 m)

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