Apple’s anticipated second-generation Pro Display XDR is expected to feature a built-in camera, a component absent from the original. Evidence for this update was discovered by 9to5Mac within code from a beta version of macOS, pointing to a key hardware addition.
The findings originate from the macOS 26.1 Tahoe beta 3 release, where discovered code strings include two specific references: “Pro Display XDR Camera” and “Pro Display XDR Desk View Camera.” These suggest the integration of a native camera system into the upcoming monitor. The current $5,000 Pro Display XDR does not contain an integrated webcam; Apple instead promotes a third-party camera designed specifically for the display. The inclusion of a camera would be a direct hardware addition to the monitor, which first arrived in 2019 without one.
The reference to a “Desk View Camera” implies the new hardware will support features like Center Stage and offer ultra-wide perspectives. Center Stage technology utilizes a camera’s wide field of view to automatically pan and zoom, keeping users centered in the frame. The system adjusts the perspective based on the number and position of subjects detected. This feature is already available on the iPhone, iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and the first-generation Apple Studio Display, which uses a 12MP ultra-wide camera.
This potential addition draws a comparison with Apple’s other monitor, the Studio Display. Priced at $1,600, the Studio Display incorporates the 12MP ultra-wide camera with Center Stage and includes a stand. In contrast, the stand for the Pro Display XDR is a separate $1,000 purchase. While a webcam adds an approximate cost of $100, the original omission from the Pro Display XDR is presumed to be a result of thermal management challenges, not manufacturing cost. Apple’s front-facing camera technology has improved since the original display’s debut.
Other potential hardware upgrades for the next-generation Pro Display XDR include an increased 7K resolution, Thunderbolt 4 or 5 ports, and embedded Apple silicon. Higher refresh rates and advancements in display technology, such as quantum dot films, may also be part of the update.
