Apple unveiled its new high-end 27-inch 5K monitor, the Studio Display, earlier this month during its ‘Peek Performance’ event. Though impressive in terms of its features and hardware offerings (on paper at least), early hands on with the device by western publications such as Engadget and The Wallstreet Journal (WSJ) have noted that its built-in 12MP ultra-wide camera isn’t actually performing up to standard.
Specifically, the various websites remarked that the monitor’s camera produced grainy, low-contrast, and even muddy images. As demonstrated by comparison photos shared by WSJ writer Joanna Stern on Twitter, the differences in quality between the built-in camera on the Studio Display and several other devices is pretty jarring. One of which is an iPhone 11 Pro, which shares the same A13 Bionic chipset that is also equipped on the new Apple monitor.
You can be the judge of the webcam quality. More shots in my video: https://t.co/lYQjFnqFI9 pic.twitter.com/sEWkpDIs7t
— Joanna Stern (@JoannaStern) March 17, 2022
When reached out by the publications regarding the Studio Display’s camera performance, Apple confirmed that the issue is a software bug and assured that it is not related to the monitor’s hardware. “We discovered an issue where the system isn’t behaving as expected,” it stated. “We’ll be making improvements in a future software update.” Unfortunately, Apple did not mention when it plans to roll out the firmware patch.
The new Studio Display is now available for pre-purchase via Apple Malaysia’s official website at a starting price of RM6,999. According to its product page, it is expected to ship out within five to six weeks after payment. Hopefully the upcoming firmware update will be included together with the monitor once it is shipped out to consumers, or at least be made available for them to download around then.
(Source: Engadget / Joanna Stern)
