Reference preset

An Apple display preset brings related settings together, including color space, white point, gamma and brightness. Instead of adjusting each independently, you choose a group suited to a viewing or production use. Apple’s reference-mode description

Reference modes are presets intended for defined viewing or production conditions. BetterDisplay's Apple Display Preset menu distinguishes ordinary factory presets, factory reference presets and custom presets for a supported display.

A preset can restrict brightness adjustment or available upscaling. Those limits come from the selected preset and display; they are part of the configuration you chose, rather than proof that a brightness control is broken.

A reference preset is also different from a macOS ICC color profile. See Apple Display Preset for preset selection and related upscaling options.