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macOS 27 Golden Gate may let some third-party HDR monitors keep High Dynamic Range enabled at the commonly used 2560 × 1440 scaled setting. A hands-on report found that combination worked on an M4 MacBook Pro, but not on an M1 Max MacBook Pro, so it is not a confirmed fix for every Mac or display.
What changed for third-party HDR displays
On a 4K external monitor, macOS can scale the interface so that text and controls appear larger while the desktop offers a different amount of usable workspace. According to Jeff Benjamin’s October 5, 2026 report for 9to5Mac, macOS 26 Tahoe would switch a third-party HDR10 display back to Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) when he chose the 2560 × 1440 scaled setting. He could enable HDR at 1920 × 1080 on the 4K display, but the interface then appeared too large for many users.
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In macOS 27 Golden Gate, Benjamin showed High Dynamic Range enabled while the display was set to 2560 × 1440, without third-party software. The report used a Dell UltraSharp U3226Q, described there as a 32-inch 4K OLED monitor. That makes it an example of the reported setup, not a compatibility certification or a recommendation.
Which Macs have shown the setting combination?
The result was inconsistent across the two computers Benjamin tried: it worked on an M4 MacBook Pro, but he could not select both HDR and 2560 × 1440 scaling on an M1 Max MacBook Pro running macOS 27. The report does not establish why they differed, or how broadly the behavior works across Mac models, graphics hardware, displays, adapters, or other scaled resolutions.
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Apple’s general HDR-video requirements are a separate matter from support for this specific macOS 27 setting combination. Apple says HDR video requires the latest macOS, a compatible Mac, and an HDR10-compatible display, TV, or projector. Its listed Mac models include MacBook Pro introduced in 2018 or later; MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later, with Apple silicon required for external HDR; MacBook Neo; iMac introduced in 2020 or later and iMac Pro; Mac mini introduced in 2018 or later; Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later; and Mac Pro introduced in 2019 or later. Those baseline requirements do not confirm which Macs can use HDR at 2560 × 1440 in macOS 27. See Apple’s HDR-video guidance for the full requirements.
How to check HDR and scaled resolution on your Mac
- Update macOS and the monitor firmware. Apple’s guidance says to use the latest macOS; check the display maker’s instructions for firmware updates.
- Open System Settings → Displays. Select the external display and look for the High Dynamic Range control. Apple says this option appears for third-party displays that support HDR10.
- Enable HDR on the monitor itself. Check the monitor’s on-screen settings: its HDR mode may need to be turned on as well.
- Check the entire connection path. Confirm that the cable, adapter, dock, receiver, sound bar, or any other device between the Mac and display supports HDR10. Apple’s connection guidance is to connect DisplayPort displays to a Mac’s Thunderbolt port and HDMI displays to HDMI, or to Thunderbolt using an HDMI cable and USB-C adapter where needed.
- Choose the scaled resolution and check HDR again. If 2560 × 1440 is offered, select it and see whether High Dynamic Range remains enabled. The reported result is not guaranteed on every hardware combination.
If HDR is unavailable or video appears in SDR
- The High Dynamic Range control is missing or unavailable: Check that the display supports HDR10 and that HDR is enabled in the monitor’s own settings. Inspect every cable and intervening device in the signal path for HDR10 support.
- HDR switches off after choosing a scaled resolution: The macOS 27 report shows that this can vary even between the two tested Macs. It does not establish a universal workaround if the setting remains unavailable on your Mac.
- Only video playback appears in SDR: Apple notes that “Optimise video streaming while on battery” can cause HDR video to play in SDR while the Mac is on battery. Third-party streaming providers may also differ in their support for HDR on Mac; check the provider’s requirements for the content and account you use.
What the report does—and does not—establish
The specific 2560 × 1440 change is described in a dated hands-on report, not in Apple’s published HDR setup documentation. Apple announced that macOS 27 rollout began on September 14, 2026, but its announcement does not document this scaled-resolution behavior. Until Apple publishes compatibility details or broader testing is available, treat HDR at 2560 × 1440 as a reported capability that may depend on the Mac and display setup.
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