The Apple Studio Display is undeniably the best external monitor for Macs but starting at $1,599 (although often on offer for less than this) it’s not exactly in everyone’s budget.
There are many alternatives to the Studio Display and easily one of the best is the 27 inch LG 27MD5KL-B UltraFine 5K .
This excellent monitor, that was originally developed between Apple and LG, is widely regarded as one of the best value 5K monitors for Macs.
In this detailed head-to-head comparison, I take a closer look at how it compares with Apple’s swanky display.
Table of Contents
Developed by Apple & LG
In a rare collaboration between the two companies, Apple and LG originally worked together on developing the LG UltraFine series.
The partnership aimed to create a display that integrates with macOS, supporting features like True Tone, P3 wide color gamut, and high-resolution Retina scaling.
For a long time, you could even buy the LG UltraFine model on the Apple website although once Apple released its own Studio Display, it quickly disappeared from the site.
So it’s no surprise that the 5K UltraFine compares well with the Apple Studio Display as a lot of Apple know-how went into it.
But can it really compare in terms of specs with a premium external monitor like the gorgeous Studio Display?
To get a better idea, here’s an overview of how they compare head-to-head.
| Apple Studio Display | LG 27MD5KL-B UltraFine 5K |
|---|
| Resolution & Size | 27-inch, 5K (5120 x 2880) Retina Display | 27-inch, 5K (5120 x 2880) Retina Display |
| Brightness | 600 nits | 500 nits |
| Color & Contrast | Richer colors, better contrast | Accurate but slightly duller colors |
| Build Quality | Premium aluminum design | Plastic build, less sturdy |
| Adjustability | Tilt only (height adjustment costs extra) | Tilt and height adjustment included |
| Webcam | 12MP Ultra-Wide with Center Stage (average quality) | 1080p webcam (functional but basic) |
| Speakers | High-quality 6-speaker array with Spatial Audio | Basic speakers, lower sound quality |
| Microphone | Studio-quality 3-mic array | Basic microphone |
| Ports | 1 x Thunderbolt 3, 3 x USB-C (10 Gbps) | 1 x Thunderbolt 3, 3 x USB-C (5 Gbps) |
| Power Delivery | 96W charging power via Thunderbolt | 85W charging power via Thunderbolt |
| Price | $1,599 although often discounted on Amazon. | Full price around $1589.84 but can sometimes be bought for $789.00 (refurbished) |
| Image Retention Risk | No known issues | Some users reported image retention issues |
| Best For | Users that want a premium build display, better speakers, high quality integrated webcam and seamless macOS integration | Users seeking affordability (refurbished), similar specs to the Studio Display, flexibility, and an adjustable stand included. |
Here’s a closer look at some of the key features of both displays.
Display Quality
- Resolution & Size: Both monitors offer a 27-inch display with a 5K (5120 x 2880) resolution, for sharp and detailed images.
- Brightness: The Apple Studio Display boasts a brightness of 600 nits, surpassing the LG UltraFine’s 500 nits. This results in a more vivid display, especially in well-lit environments. 100 nits difference doesn’t sound like much but it does make a difference.
- Color & Contrast: The Studio Display has richer colors and deeper blacks, which simply look better than the LG.
HiDPI Support
- No Scaling Issues: Both monitors support HiDPI (High Dots Per Inch) which is Apple’s term for high-resolution display scaling, .
- Sharper UI & Text: HiDPI support is important because it makes text and UI elements look sharper and more readable on high-resolution screens. It works by rendering macOS at a higher resolution than the display’s native resolution, then downscaling it to fit the screen, for crisp text and smooth images. For example, on a 5K display, macOS might render at 5120×2880 pixels but scale everything to appear as if it were on a 2560×1440 display. This doubles the number of pixels per inch, making text, icons, and UI elements incredibly sharp without making them tiny.
Design & Build
- Apple Studio Display: As you might expect, Apple’s display features an incredibly sleek aluminum design. It also has a glass screen which gives it an extra touch of class compared to most external monitors. It also offers an anti-glare coating to make sure everything looks crisp. However, the base model offers only tilt adjustment, with height adjustment available at an additional cost (approx $400).
- LG UltraFine 5K: The LG is encased in black plastic with a plastic screen which definitely feels cheap compared to the Studio Display. There’s also no anti-glare option available. However, it does include both tilt and height adjustments with VESA mount by default. Some users have reported that the stand can be somewhat wobbly.
Connectivity
Both monitors are equipped with a Thunderbolt 3 port and three USB-C ports.
However, the Studio Display’s USB-C ports support faster 10 Gbps transfer speeds which are better for connecting high-speed external devices.
Although both monitors use USB-C, the difference lies in their USB-C specifications:
- The Apple Studio Display supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 on its USB-C ports, which offers 10 Gbps data transfer speeds.
- The LG UltraFine 5K uses USB 3.1 Gen 1, which is limited to 5 Gbps.
If you’re confused about the difference in USB-C specifications and Thunderbolt (and it can be really confusing!), check out our guide to USB-C vs Thundberbolt.
The Studio Display’s faster ports are therefore better suited for high-speed external devices like external SSDs and docks.
On thing that really annoys me with the Apple Studio Display however is the power cord connectivity.
You simply can’t remove the power cord from the back of the display yourself – only Apple can do this.
The LG UltraFine however clips easily out of the back like with any other monitor.
Integrated Features
The Apple Studio Display easily wins out when it comes to both the integrated webcam and speakers.
- Webcam:
- Studio Display: Includes a 12-megapixel Ultra-Wide camera with Center Stage technology. However, many users have reported the image quality isn’t as good as it should be and its thought Apple will improve this via software updates.
- UltraFine 5K: Includes a standard 1080p webcam which is basic without advanced features.
- Audio:
- Studio Display: Has an amazing 6-speaker system supporting Spatial Audio.
- UltraFine 5K: Includes built-in speakers, but they’re nowhere near as good as the Studio Display.
Refresh Rates
Both the Apple Studio Display and the LG 27-inch UltraFine 5K have a refresh rate of 60Hz.
Neither monitor supports higher refresh rates like 120Hz or ProMotion, as they are designed for color accuracy and high resolution rather than gaming or high-refresh applications.
This is a little surprising considering the price of the Apple Studio display and the fact that more people are using Macs for gaming nowadays.
Without a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz, the Studio Display isn’t really an option for high-end gaming.
It’s also worth being aware that neither monitor supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) which is better for fast paced footage and video editing on.
Price
The big selling point of the LG UltraFine 5K is that if you can get it refurbished or used on Amazon, it’s around half the price of the Apple Studio Display.
Although it retails new for around $1,589, you can pick-up refurbished models for around $789 which is incredible value for a 5K monitor with these specs.
However, these used and refurbished models are limited in availability.
Compare this with a starting price of $1,599 for the Studio Display.
Expect to add another $400 onto that if you want an adjustable stand and double that if you want Nano texture glass for good measure.
User Reviews
As is usually the case, you can find positive and negative review of both monitors.
Some of the most common comments I’ve seen are:
- Image Retention Issues: Some Mac users have experienced image retention issues with the LG UltraFine 5K over time. Image retention occurs when a faint, ghost-like outline of static images (like menus, toolbars, or desktop icons) lingers on a display even after the content has changed. This can result from prolonged display of static elements. While this is typically temporary and fades over time, it can be really annoying for users working with fixed UI elements. Regularly refreshing screen content, using screensavers, or adjusting brightness can help minimize this issue. IPS displays (like the LG) and OLED monitors are more prone to this than others.
- Webcam Quality: Some Mac users have found that the Studio Display’s Center Stage supporting webcam doesn’t live up to expectations for a 12 Megapixel camera. Common issues are poor image quality, graininess, and a lack of sharpness, particularly in low light. Apple has addressed these concerns with a software update, which improved contrast and color balance, but some users still claims that the quality is poor for professional video calls.
- Build Quality: Most users praise the Studio Display’s premium aluminum design, while the LG was described as more “plasticky.”
- Sound Quality: There’s no doubt the Studio Display’s speakers are significantly better than the LG’s. With support for Spatial Audio, there’s no competition and the LG sounds “tinny” in comparison.
- Price: Unsurprisingly, one of the biggest gripes users have with the Apple Studio Display is the price was hard to justify considering refurbished LGs go for half the price.
Conclusion
If you want a premium build display with incredible image quality, amazing sound quality and outstanding integration with macOS, the Apple Studio Display wins hands down.
If you want something very similar but are prepared to go without the amazing build quality, sound and webcam, the LG 27MD5KL-B UltraFine 5K remains an excellent, cheaper replacement for it.
If you want a more in-depth look at both monitors, check out our full LG 27MD5KL-B 5K UltraFine 27″ monitor review and Apple Studio Display review.
For more 5K options, check out our guide to the best 5K monitors for Macs.
For a mix of 4K and 5K alternatives, check out our guide to the best Studio Display Alternatives.
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