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At this year's WWDC event, Apple unveiled the promising Pro Display XDR, aiming to enhance contrast and brightness. With 6 million pixels spread across a 31-inch screen, equivalent to 218 pixels/inch, a full-screen brightness of 1,000 nits, and a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, XDR, according to Apple, stands for Extreme Dynamic Range.
1. XDR vs HDR Comparison
Compared to high-end 'standard' displays, the XDR screen comes at a price tag five times higher, offering users a superior experience.
With a similar 32-inch screen size, the TV Logic 4K Reference Master Monitor, priced at $32,395, provides features akin to Apple's control panel but lacks 6K resolution. In a WWDC keynote, Tim Cook stated that the company's goal is simply to create a professional-grade display device. Additionally, Apple mentioned improvements to HDR technology on the larger Retina display.
While HDR is considered a standard widely used across industries, Apple claims to surpass HDR significantly. So, what sets XDR apart from the HDR standard?
Firstly, XDR can maintain a screen brightness of 1,000 nits compared to the HDR standard, which only sustains around 350 nits on a typical computer screen.
Even the iMac display, one of the computer screens with the highest brightness, is only equivalent to half the brightness of the new Pro Display XDR. Brightness is a crucial factor on screens because HDR effects cannot be clearly displayed on dim screens.
The VESA DisplayHDR 1000 standard requires a brightness maintenance of 600 nits and a maximum brightness of 1000 nits. Apple's XDR display announced a brightness over 60% higher than the DisplayHDR 1000 standard in both cases. Since no screen outside the mentioned reference models actually achieves the maintained 600 nit brightness, we have to 'trick' the system to output HDR content or at least simulate the mimicked effects. Even most LED TVs don't achieve contrast ratios similar to the Pro Display XDR.
According to Apple, HDR is also a way to bring 'life' to content, reflecting what the human eye can see in the real world better. And the eye can perceive special reflections, vibrant and richer colors, as well as intermediate details.
Contrast is another factor to evaluate when comparing XDR vs HDR. Some high-end TVs and even computer monitors transition to using OLED screen technology, a type of screen technology that doesn't use a backlight and can display colors with excellent depth and high contrast.
How does Apple's Pro Display XDR achieve a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1?
Instead of using white LEDs, Apple employs a strip of 576 green LEDs to enhance brightness and employs a real-time algorithm to adjust each LED based on the content. The real-time LED control operates at a frequency ten times the screen LCD update frequency to reduce latency and ensure smoother playback with vivid color down to every detail. It then utilizes custom lenses and reflective mirrors to precisely shape and control light.
The back of the screen is designed with multiple circular perforations, acting as a cooling system, doubling the cooling surface area.
While the reference model TV Logic can achieve a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits, 25% brighter than the XDR screen's maximum brightness, TV Logic only allows users to use their reference model in well-ventilated areas and requires external fans if necessary. The circular perforations designed behind the XDR screen address this issue. The screen can reach a maximum brightness of 1600 nits at temperatures below 25 degrees Celsius, equivalent to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Ultra-Wide XDR Viewing Angle
In addition to HDR compatibility, Apple's Pro Display XDR offers support for a wider color gamut. Both the XDR and reference screen like TV Logic are calibrated with high accuracy, promising to display colors with the highest possible quality. Both screens support the P3 color space with 1.07 billion different colors.
Moreover, Apple states that the Pro Display XDR has an ultra-wide viewing angle, with off-axis contrast better by 25 times compared to a typical LCD screen. Users also have the option to add an extra $1000 for anti-glare with the Matte Nano-texture choice.
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