Pro Display XDR Brightness Guide

Unlock the full 1600-nit brightness range of Apple's Pro Display XDR for everyday use with Vivid.

Pro Display XDR Brightness Specifications

The Pro Display XDR is Apple's 32-inch professional display with exceptional brightness capabilities. Here are the official specifications:

SDR Brightness

500 nits

Standard dynamic range content

XDR Peak Brightness

1600 nits

Peak brightness for HDR highlights

XDR Sustained (Full-Screen)

1000 nits

Sustained full-screen brightness

Display Size

32"

6016 × 3384 resolution, 6K Retina

Source: Apple Pro Display XDR technical specifications

Why Pro Display XDR Looks Dimmer Than Expected

If your Pro Display XDR looks dimmer than you expected for a $5,000+ professional display, it's not faulty. macOS reserves the extra brightness (500-1600 nits) exclusively for HDR photos and videos.

In normal use, you're limited to SDR brightness (around 500 nits), even though the display is physically capable of 1600 nits. This is the same limitation as MacBook Pro XDR displays.

Learn more about XDR vs SDR brightness →

Unlock Full Brightness with Vivid

Vivid unlocks the XDR brightness range on Pro Display XDR for everyday use. Your brightness controls work exactly the same way - they just go higher.

Vivid for Pro Display XDR includes:

Access to full 1600-nit XDR brightness for all content
Works with your existing brightness controls
Supports macOS up to the latest macOS 27 Golden Gate
Free Split Screen Mode™ trial - try full XDR brightness on half your display before purchasing

Try Vivid Free

Full Vivid Compatibility

✓ Supported

Pro Display XDR
Studio Display XDR
MacBook Pro 14" and 16" with M1/M2/M3/M4/M5 Pro or Max
macOS: 26 Golden Gate and 27

✗ Not Supported

Studio Display (non-XDR)
MacBook Air (no XDR display)
Intel MacBooks (no XDR display)
M1 MacBook Pro 13" (no XDR display)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Vivid work with Pro Display XDR?

Yes. Vivid fully supports Pro Display XDR and unlocks the same XDR brightness range (up to 1600 nits) as it does on MacBook Pro.

What's the difference between Studio Display XDR and Studio Display?

Studio Display XDR is Apple's display with XDR capability and is supported by Vivid. The plain Studio Display (without XDR) has standard brightness around 600 nits and is not supported. Pro Display XDR is Apple's 32" professional display with true XDR capability (1600 nits peak) and is also supported.

Can I use Vivid with Pro Display XDR and MacBook Pro together?

Yes. If you connect a MacBook Pro to Pro Display XDR, Vivid can unlock XDR brightness on both the laptop screen and the external display simultaneously.

How much does Pro Display XDR support cost?

Vivid includes Pro Display XDR support in the standard license. One purchase covers your MacBook Pro and Pro Display XDR. Pricing starts at €10.

What about other external displays?

Vivid supports displays with Apple XDR technology: MacBook Pro built-in displays, Pro Display XDR, and Studio Display XDR. Third-party monitors and the plain Studio Display (non-XDR) are not supported.