LG's New UltraFine 5K Display Limited to 4K Resolution When Used With 2018 iPad Pro - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

LG's New UltraFine 5K Display Limited to 4K Resolution When Used With 2018 iPad Pro

by

LG yesterday released a new version of its UltraFine 5K Display with USB-C connectivity, allowing it to be used with 2018 iPad Pro models, but Apple has since confirmed that the ‌iPad Pro‌ cannot take advantage of the full 5K resolution.

lg ultrafine 5k display ipad pro
In a new support document, Apple says the UltraFine 5K is limited to a 4K resolution of 3,840×2,160 at 60Hz when connected to 2018 ‌iPad Pro‌ models via USB-C. The full 5K resolution requires a 2016 or newer MacBook Pro, a 2018 or newer MacBook Air, a 2017 or newer iMac or ‌iMac‌ Pro, or a 2018 Mac mini.

The new UltraFine 5K Display is available to order for $1,299.95 on Apple.com. Like the previous model, it also supports Thunderbolt 3, with up to 94W of power for pass-through charging of any Mac or iPad connected to the display.

The new display has the model number 27MD5KL-B.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Tags: LG, UltraFine
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Neutral)

Popular Stories

apple price hike

Apple Just Increased Prices on MacBooks, iPads, and More

Thursday June 25, 2026 5:44 am PDT by
Apple today dramatically increased device prices across multiple product lines. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. After temporarily taking it down earlier today, Apple's online store is back up with a series of product price increases. The changes are as follows: HomePod mini: $129, up from $99 (+$30) HomePod: $349, up from $299 (+$50) Apple TV: $199, up from...
Read Full Article • 1071 comments
iphone x flexible oled display

Apple Plans Wider Color Gamut for Future MacBook Pro, iMac, and iPad Pro

Monday June 29, 2026 6:35 am PDT by
Apple plans to adopt OLED panels capable of displaying a much wider range of colors, according to a new report from research firm TrendForce. The new panels would cover 95% of the BT.2020 color standard, which describes a far broader spectrum of colors than the DCI-P3 standard Apple's screens currently target. In practice, that means deeper, more accurate reds, greens, and blues. Reaching...
Read Full Article • 64 comments
m5 ipad pro

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro in Spring 2027

Wednesday July 1, 2026 2:17 pm PDT by
Apple is planning to release new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models in spring 2027, reports Bloomberg. No major design changes are expected, with Apple focusing on internal upgrades. The iPad Pro models could use either M6 chips or M7 chips. Apple will introduce the M6 chip as soon as this year in an updated 14-inch MacBook Pro model, but it is aiming to release the M7 chip in the first...
Read Full Article • 83 comments

Top Rated Comments

M
Manzanito
90 months ago
Imagine having the most svelte and streamlined tablet on the market connected to a fugly bezel-thick monitor that looks like it came out of a ca. 2007 accounting firm. The resolution would be the least of my concerns.
While using it, are you going to look at the screen or at the bezels? The resolution is imho more important.

The monitor is not a beauty, though.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannys1 Avatar
dannys1
90 months ago
Well that's not a surprise - I'm pretty sure standard USB-C can't carry a 5k 60hz signal, it's not in the spec for starters.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
lunarworks
90 months ago
Provoke all you want, but Apple WAS about both form and function. Think Cinema Display (RIP). Speaking as a design director who's been working all day with Macs for the last couple decades and can afford to buy the whole lineup a few times over. I'd rather buy something that doesn't offend my eyes. What's your point exactly?

Steve, you are so missed.
This isn't an Apple product. Calm down.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
otternonsense Avatar
otternonsense
90 months ago
Imagine having the most svelte and streamlined tablet on the market connected to a fugly bezel-thick monitor that looks like it came out of a ca. 2007 accounting firm. The resolution would be the least of my concerns.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EugW Avatar
EugW
90 months ago
it has not enough bandwidth , since tb3 is still under Intel license
www.displayport.org ('http://www.displayport.org') states that technically, USB-C can now support 5K resolution.

https://www.displayport.org/displayport-over-usb-c/


DisplayPort leverages the Alternate Mode Functional Extension of the USB Type-C interface, and shares similar electrical characteristics with USB 3.1, allowing use of common system elements.


* Video, SuperSpeed USB and power, all on one connector
* 4K @60Hz 24-bit color (without compression) with simultaneous USB 3.1
* 5K (5120 x 2880) display support without compression with simultaneous USB 2.0
* Support for BT.2020 color space, HDR, and HDCP 2.2
* 8K x 4K display support with use of 4:2:0 pixel structure (good) or VESA Display Stream Compression (better)
* High-end multichannel audio support
* Backward compatible with VGA, DVI, and HDMI 2.0 with CEC using plug adapters or adapter cables
* Extensible packet-based data structure



It's just that the 2018 iPad Pro models or the 12" MacBooks can't do it.

However, simultaneous 5K video plus USB support over USB-C is limited to USB 2.0. To get simultaneous 5K + USB 3, you need to use Thunderbolt.


So to be clear the previous generation 5K display was unable to handle an iPad Pro 2018 connected to it? Can anyone verify this? I've read the previous generation 4K display worked fine with iPad Pro 2018.
The previous 5K display is Thunderbolt 3 only. It didn't work at all with the iPad Pro. The previous 4K display is USB-C. The new 5K display accepts both Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C inputs.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DrJohnnyN Avatar
DrJohnnyN
90 months ago
Ugly bezels. Looks like cheap plastic casing, too.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments