A couple of days ago, I compiled a detailed roundup of all the products we’re expecting from Apple at the upcoming media “experience” on March 4, 2026. In the story, we discussed new devices like new MacBooks, iPhone 17e, and a couple of other Apple devices, including the proposed Studio Display 2.
Now, folks over at Macworld have discovered something very interesting about Apple’s external display (or displays). Per the outlet, the public version of macOS 26.3 contains kernel extensions for not one but two new Studio Display models.
macOS 26.3 hints at two Studio Display 2 models
In total, the new software build contains alphanumeric codenames for three devices. The first, “J700,” is the internal name for the affordable 12.9-inch MacBook that is rumored to launch alongside the new M5 MacBook Air and the M5 Pro and M5 Pro Mac Pro versions.
However, the other two — J427 and J527 — are believed to be references to two different models of the Studio Display 2. Although there’s no information about the differences between the two models, Apple could use either size or features to differentiate them.
Currently, Apple’s first-generation Studio Display is available with a 27-inch 5K panel. So, there’s a chance that we see a 27-inch Studio Display 2, along with another model with either a smaller or a bigger screen.
Size or features: How Apple might differentiate between the models
The second (and the more likely) way is that the company could reserve some features for one model, which would be the more expensive of the two, and another, cheaper model (either retains the current set of specifications or gets only minor upgrades).
From what I know, at least one of the two rumored models could get a bump in refresh rate (up to 120Hz), a mini-LED backlighting panel for enhanced brightness and contrast, and a more capable A19 chip (also found on the iPhone 17).
