Apple's Pro Display XDR Now Supports Customized Reference Modes

Apple on Tuesday released firmware version 2.2.2 for its Pro Display XDR, adding support for customized reference modes. The feature also requires macOS 10.15.4 and is reflected in the release notes for the update.

In a new support document, Apple says advanced users can create customized reference modes tailored to unique workflow needs by selecting from several color gamut, white point, luminance, and transfer function options.

macos catalina system prefs display xdr presets customize preset
When a firmware update is available for the Pro Display XDR, you may be prompted to restart to apply the update. Otherwise, the update is applied the next time the display is disconnected and reconnected to a Mac or power supply. To check the firmware version of your display, click on the Apple logo > About This Mac > System Report > Graphics/Displays.

Priced at $4,999, the Pro Display XDR is a 32-inch 6K monitor with a P3 wide color gamut and true 10-bit color support, 1,600 nits of peak brightness, a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and a super-wide, off-axis viewing angle. It is compatible with the 2019 Mac Pro, 2018 and later 15-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, 2020 MacBook Air, and 2019 iMac models.

Firmware 2.2.2 for the Pro Display XDR also includes minor stability improvements.

Related Forum: Mac Accessories

Popular Stories

General Apps Messages Redux

iOS 26: New Messages and Phone App Features Leaked Ahead of WWDC

Friday June 6, 2025 7:27 am PDT by
Apple is planning to announce several new features for the Messages and Phone apps on iOS 26, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a lengthy report outlining his WWDC 2025 expectations today, Gurman said that the two main changes in the Messages app will be the ability to create polls, as well as the option to set a background image within a conversation. 9to5Mac was first to report...
iPhone 17 Air Size Feature

'iPhone 17 Air' Launching Later This Year With These 17 New Features

Friday June 6, 2025 6:17 am PDT by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the ultra-thin device. Overall, the iPhone 17 Air sounds like a mixed bag. While the device is expected to have an impressively thin and light design, rumors indicate it will have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including worse battery life, only a single ...
carplay hero dashboard

iOS 26 to Upgrade CarPlay in Two Ways

Wednesday June 4, 2025 6:24 am PDT by
While the spotlight has been on CarPlay Ultra lately, the regular version of CarPlay is set to receive some enhancements alongside iOS 26. Apple will announce iOS 26 at WWDC 2025 next week, and the software update is expected to upgrade the CarPlay experience in at least two ways. The first iOS 26 beta should be seeded to developers shortly after Apple's keynote, and the update will...
Apple Activity Rings Graphic

Apple Watch Gets One Crucial Fitness Metric Wrong, Researchers Say

Thursday June 5, 2025 7:35 am PDT by
The Apple Watch provides highly accurate measurements of heart rate and step count, but their estimates of calories burned can be significantly off, according to a new peer-reviewed meta-analysis conducted by researchers at the University of Mississippi (via CNET). The study reviewed 56 previously published studies evaluating the Apple Watch's performance against gold-standard clinical tools ...
General iOS Mail Feature

iPhone Users Say Mail App Suddenly Showing Blank Screen on iOS 18.5

Thursday June 5, 2025 7:02 am PDT by
If the Mail app on your iPhone is not working lately, you are not alone. A growing number of iPhone users are seeing a blank screen in the Mail app, according to comments posted across the MacRumors Forums, Reddit, Apple Support Community, and other online discussion platforms. Affected users are unable to view any emails in their inboxes, and the app can also become glitchy and...
iOS 26 white

iOS 26's Digital Glass Design: Home Screen Widgets, Camera, and More

Friday June 6, 2025 8:32 am PDT by
In a lengthy report outlining his WWDC 2025 expectations today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared more details about iOS 26's rumored new design. According to Gurman, iOS 26 will feature a "digital glass" design inspired by visionOS, the operating system for Apple's Vision Pro headset. That is a well-known rumor by now, but he goes on to provide some more specific details, as listed below:There ...
macOS Tahoe Render

macOS Tahoe Might Support One Fewer Mac Than Previously Rumored

Saturday June 7, 2025 5:27 am PDT by
macOS 26 will drop support for several older Intel-based Mac models currently compatible with macOS Sequoia, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of leaking information about Apple's software platforms. macOS 26 will be compatible with the following Mac models, the account said:MacBook Air (M1 and later) MacBook Pro (2019 and later) iMac (2020 and later) Mac...

Top Rated Comments

kylelerner Avatar
68 months ago
Can it be customized to cost less?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2010mini Avatar
68 months ago

Can it be customized to cost less?
it already is customized to cost less. Please go research reference monitor prices and you will find this is a bargain.

Other monitors in this class cost the same as a car.... ~$35k and above.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdriftmeyer Avatar
68 months ago

Can it be customized to cost less?
They expand the feature set, with no added cost and you make snarky comments about cost of a product you would never buy or own. This update just makes the XDR more enticing for people who need it for making money.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
neuropsychguy Avatar
68 months ago

Can it be customized to cost less?
Yes, buy it with an Apple Card and it's only $4850 plus tax (tax on $5000).
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PickUrPoison Avatar
68 months ago

Can it be customized to cost less?
It’s designed for a specific niche market, and I don’t mean for a colorist or as a mastering monitor.

But there is plenty of workflow prior to those final production steps where reference monitors weren’t being used before the XDR’s release, including editing, where the XDR slots in well.

Before complaining about the XDR’s price, you might want to talk to someone in the applicable target market.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jury Avatar
68 months ago
The verdict stated that Apple Pro display does not have any value in pricing and the colorist refuses to recommend it due to the false advertising as a replacement for a reference monitor.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)