• 120 Hz External Display Support Is Live
- The new iPad Pro can now drive external monitors at up to 120 Hz, with Adaptive Sync, for the first time in iPad history. MacRumors+1
- This means lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer artifacts — benefits that matter especially for gaming, video editing, design work, or any motion-heavy workflow. machash.com+2MacRumors+2
• Perfect Timing with Studio Display Rumors
- The timing matches well with speculation that Apple will launch a new Studio Display — rumored for early 2026. 9to5Mac+1
- Since the current Studio Display caps out at 60 Hz, adding 120 Hz refresh rate would bring it in line with Apple’s ProMotion-enabled laptops and the iPad Pro screen itself — creating a more seamless “pro-class” ecosystem. MacRumors+1
• What This Upgrade Could Mean
If these clues point to reality, a new Studio Display might offer:
- Fluid 120 Hz refresh for video editing, animation, design, smooth UI motion
- Lower input latency for creative professionals — ideal for stylus work, editing, or gaming
- A unified pro-workflow experience between iPad Pro, Mac, and external display
In short: Apple might finally be giving its standalone monitor the upgrade many pro users have craved for years.
⚠️ Why This Is Still Rumor — Not Confirmation
- The 120 Hz external-display support in iPad Pro could simply be a tablet-side feature, not a guarantee Apple will launch a matching high-refresh display.
- Apple often keeps internal plans secret; nothing official has confirmed a Studio Display refresh yet.
- External-display support doesn’t always mean Apple has committed to updating its own monitors — they might be leaving it to third-party manufacturers.
🧑💻 My Take: This Is a Big Signal — Worth Watching
The M5 iPad Pro’s display capabilities are too aligned with long-rumored Studio Display upgrades to ignore. If Apple does release a 120 Hz (or better) Studio Display soon, it could finally give creators, designers, editors — or anyone using external displays — the “missing link” between Mac/iPad performance and display quality.
If you use your iPad or Mac with an external display, the M5 iPad Pro upgrade is already a solid reason to keep an eye on Apple’s next monitor. And if you care about future-proofing, this might be the moment to start reconsidering when you upgrade your display.