Apple Studio Display (2022) vs Apple Thunderbolt Display

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Studio Display (2022) compared with Thunderbolt Display
AppleStudio Display (2022)AppleThunderbolt Display
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2022September 2011
Display
Screen size27″27″
Resolution5120 × 2880 (5K) (better)2560 × 1440 (QHD)
Sharpness218 pixels per inch (better)109 pixels per inch
PanelIPS (5K Retina)IPS
Refresh rate60 Hz60 Hz
Brightness (typical)600 nits (better)375 nits
Contrast ratio–1,000:1
Colour rangeWide colour (P3)–
Screen finishGlossyGlossy
ShapeFlatFlat
Colour depth1 billion coloursUp to 16.7 million colours; Apple does not specify panel bit depth
Response time detail–Apple specifies 12 ms without identifying the transition; omitted from the grey-to-grey row
Viewing angles–178° horizontally and vertically
Colour modesApple Display (P3-600 nits), 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), Photography (P3-D65), Internet and Web (sRGB)–
Eye careTrue ToneAmbient light sensor automatically adjusts brightness
Connections
Video inputsThunderbolt 3Thunderbolt
USB-C chargingUp to 96 W (better)None
USB ports3 × USB-C3 × USB-A
EthernetNoYes
SpeakersYesYes
Webcam12MP Ultra Wide with Centre StageFaceTime HD camera with microphone
Thunderbolt detail–Captive first-generation Thunderbolt input cable; two bidirectional 10 Gbps channels. Requires a Thunderbolt-equipped Mac, not a Mini DisplayPort-only Mac.
Other connections–Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000Base-T), FireWire 800 with up to 7 W power, downstream Thunderbolt port and Kensington security slot
Daisy chaining–Downstream Thunderbolt supports compatible devices and a second Thunderbolt Display where the Mac permits it. The port does not directly support Mini DisplayPort, DVI or VGA displays or adapters.
USB-C detailUpstream Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port with 96 W host charging–
USB hub detail3 × USB-C downstream (up to 10 Gb/s) for peripherals, storage and networkingThree powered USB 2.0 Type-A ports; device charging can work without a host attached
Speaker detailSix speakers with force-cancelling woofers; wide stereo; Spatial Audio with Dolby AtmosBuilt-in 2.1 speaker system with 49 W output
Webcam detail12MP Ultra Wide, 122° field of view, ƒ/2.4, Centre Stage; three-mic array with directional beamforming; camera features and firmware updates need a MacFaceTime HD camera and microphone; Apple does not publish a megapixel figure in the specifications
Design
Stand adjustsTiltTilt
VESA mountYesYes
Weight with stand6.3 kg10.8 kg
Height adjustment105 mm with the optional tilt- and height-adjustable stand–
Tilt−5° to +25°Tilt adjustment only; no height, swivel or pivot adjustment (Macworld)
PivotLandscape only on either stand; portrait with the VESA mount adapter–
VESA pattern100 × 100 mm (VESA mount adapter option)Requires the separately sold Apple VESA Mount Adapter Kit
Size with standTilt stand 62.3 × 16.8 × 47.8 cm; tilt- and height-adjustable stand 62.3 × 20.7 × 47.9–58.3 cm and 7.7 kg (W × D × H)Current UK support specifications give 650 × 491 × 207 mm (width × height × depth). The original manual gives 651.7 × 488.1 × 208.13 mm and 10.7 kg rather than the support page's 10.8 kg.
Controls–Brightness and colour profile through macOS Displays preferences; no on-screen menu or physical image controls (Macworld)
Colours–Aluminium enclosure with black glass bezel
Size without stand62.3 × 3.1 × 36.2 cm with VESA mount adapter (W × D × H)–
Weight without stand5.5 kg with VESA mount adapter–
Power and support
Power use–Maximum 250 W while charging a MacBook Pro; energy saver 2 W or less. Apple environmental report at 230 V gives 108 W on at full brightness, 1.9 W sleep and 0.75 W off.
Power supply100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, single phaseInternal power supply; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz
Laptop charging–Captive Universal MagSafe connector supplies up to 85 W separately from the Thunderbolt cable; no USB-C power delivery
SoftwareNeeds macOS Monterey 12.3 or later, or iPadOS 15.4 or later on supported iPad modelsOriginal requirement OS X 10.6.8 or later and a Thunderbolt-equipped Mac. Announced 20 July 2011 with availability within 60 days; September sale month follows contemporary MacRumors reports of customer shipments, rather than the announcement date.
CertificationsENERGY STARENERGY STAR 5.1; EPEAT Gold in the US and Canada
Warranty–One-year limited warranty and 90 days of telephone support
In the boxStudio Display, Thunderbolt cable (1 m)Thunderbolt Display, AC power cord and printed documentation

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