Comparison: Apple Studio Display vs LG UltraFine 5K Display: Which one is better?

The Studio Display and LG UltraFine 5K Display occupy a similar position in the market, but Apple's display is $300 more expensive. Here's everything you need to know about how these monitors compare.

Six years is a long time in the tech world, and it's also the amount of time it's been since Apple has sold a branded monitor that costs less than $5,000. During this time, Apple partnered with LG to sell the LG UltraFine series, which catered specifically to Mac users. In 2019, Apple stopped selling these LG monitors in favor of the Pro Display XDR, leaving a glaring void in the market for affordable Mac-friendly monitors.

Apple released a new $1,599 monitor, the Studio Display, in March 2022. It's a 27-inch 5K monitor with Thunderbolt 3 that works with macOS for an integrated experience. If this sounds familiar, they're the same features found in the LG UltraFine 5K monitor released in 2016.

If you already own an LG UltraFine 5K, there are a few reasons to upgrade to Apple's new monitor. However, if you're in the market for a new monitor and don't plan on spending $1,600, there are plenty of LG UltraFine 5K monitors available for Apple fans to upgrade their devices with.

Here's what you need to know about these monitors and how they compare.

Glasses

The spec sheet shows almost identical display panels, but that's where the similarities end. The Studio Display has a great webcam, more speakers, a three-mic array, and a brighter screen.

Design and Dimensions

Apple says it worked with LG to create the UltraFine 5K display, but it doesn't appear to have had much input into the external design. It has an all-plastic body, stand, and base with large bezels and a thick display casing.

The Studio Display uses an aluminum casing similar to the 24-inch iMac, with a uniform thickness throughout. The display glass covers the entire front panel, with slim bezels surrounding the screen.

Despite being made from solid aluminum, the Studio Display is approximately 5 pounds lighter than the LG UltraFine 5K Monitor. This is likely due to the fact that the height-adjustable stand uses a large hydraulic actuator to control the height of the LG monitor.

The two monitors are similar in size as they have the same screen size of 27 inches. They're both about 18 inches tall and 24.5 inches wide, making the LG monitor twice as thick as the Studio Display if you don't take the stand into consideration.

Features

The LG UltraFine 5K monitor has a limited range of features, as it is just a Thunderbolt monitor with a webcam, microphone, and speakers. It doesn't have any smart features of its own and has a processor that's only used to interact with the Mac to which it's connected.

Studio Display features an Apple Silicon processor, opening up new possibilities for center stage, spatial audio, microphone noise reduction, and tight integration with macOS. It's also possible that Apple will tap into the A13 for more features in future monitor software updates, making Apple's monitors more future-proof.

macOS integration

Both displays have enough built-in intelligence to integrate with Mac system controls and features like True Tone. One of LG Display's touted features is the ability to control brightness and other settings without the need for special software or physical controls on the monitor.

Studio Display takes this integration even further thanks to the A13 processor powering the display. It has features like "Hey Siri" and access to display reference modes built directly into macOS.

Because features like Spatial Audio and Center Stage are tied to macOS, other computers won't be able to take advantage of them. Deep Apple integration also translates into system lock-in. The LG UltraFine 5K monitor only loses True Tone when used with other computers.

Ports

USB-C was novel when the LG UltraFine 5K monitor was released in 2016, so when it With only three such ports and no others, this can be an annoyance for some customers. The LG monitor has a Thunderbolt 3 port for connecting to a Mac and delivers up to 94W of power. The three USB-C ports are USB 3.1 gen 1, which means 5GB/s data transfer.

The Studio Display has a similar port arrangement, with just one Thunderbolt 3 port and three USB-C ports. The Thunderbolt port delivers up to 96W of data and power, enough to quickly charge the 14-inch MacBook Pro. The USB-C port is USB 3.1 gen 2, which translates to 10GB/s data transfer.

Price & Availability

Apple stopped selling the LG UltraFine 5K in 2019, with retailers showing the monitor as "sold out" when purchasing a new one. The second-hand market may be more fruitful, but only if you're looking for a heavily discounted monitor with fewer features, a clunky design, or even shielding issues in the first model. It sells for $1,299 new.

Studio Display is taking pre-orders immediately following the Apple event on March 8. It starts at $1,599, with optional upgrades like a $400 tilt and height-adjustable stand or a $300 nanotexture upgrade. It shipped on March 18 to customers who managed to order early, with availability for new orders delayed until April.

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