Apple is gearing up to release its second-generation Pro Display XDR, which is expected to feature a built-in camera, a significant upgrade from the original model. Evidence of this update has been found in the macOS 26.1 Tahoe beta 3 release.
The code discovered by 9to5Mac within the beta release contains two specific strings: “Pro Display XDR Camera” and “Pro Display XDR Desk View Camera.” The reference to “Pro Display XDR Desk View Camera” suggests that the new monitor will likely support ultra-wide perspectives and Center Stage functionality. Center Stage is a feature that automatically adjusts the camera’s frame to keep subjects in view, widening the perspective as more people enter the frame.
This functionality is already available across several Apple products, including the iPhone, iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac. Notably, Apple also integrated a 12MP ultra-wide Center Stage camera into its $1,600 Studio Display, which includes a built-in stand. The original Pro Display XDR, released in 2019 for $4,999, does not have an integrated webcam, and a compatible stand is sold separately for an additional $1,000.
The decision to omit a camera in the first-generation Pro Display XDR, which would have added an estimated $100 to the cost, is believed to be related to thermal management challenges rather than expense. Other potential hardware updates for the next-generation Pro Display XDR could include a 7K resolution, Thunderbolt 4 or 5 ports, and embedded Apple silicon.
Display technology improvements, such as higher refresh rates and the use of quantum-dot films, are also possibilities. In a related market development, LG now offers a 32-inch monitor that matches the Pro Display XDR’s resolution and includes Thunderbolt 5, priced $400 more than Apple’s Studio Display.
