One of the areas where Apple has big room for improvement is the refresh rate of the displays on its iPhones, mainly the vanilla and Plus models. While the Pro variants have enjoyed 120Hz since the iPhone 13 series, the cheaper variants are still stuck at the classic 60Hz. However, it seems that Apple will finally change things up by integrating 120Hz ProMotion displays on the non-Pro iPhone 17.
One of the main criticisms from fans against Apple has been keeping 60Hz displays on iPhones. We are not talking about affordable mid-range devices, but flagship phones, even if they are “less premium” than the Pro variants. Since the launch of the iPhone 15 series, leaks said that even the 16 lineup could maintain 60Hz, which ultimately occurred. Fortunately, the iPhone 17 series could finally take the step to integrate 120Hz ProMotion on all models.
120Hz ProMotion tech for all iPhone 17 models tipped again
ETNews, citing sources close to the industry, claims that the non-Pro iPhone 17 models will feature LTPO technology. All variants will reportedly source their displays from Samsung and LG. This isn’t the first time similar reports have surfaced, though.
LTPO is a technology that allows OLED panels to dynamically vary their refresh rate to extremely low values. It is designed to improve image smoothness while reducing power consumption. Non-LTPO displays “jump” between fixed refresh rate levels (like 30 Hz, 60 Hz, 90 Hz, etc.). Meanwhile, LTPO displays can go as low as 10 Hz to 1 Hz.
The presence of LTPO technology in the non-Pro iPhone 17 variants implies that they will get 120Hz ProMotion displays. This is in line with predictions by industry experts a couple of years ago. Even with Apple’s alleged intentions to make the iPhone 17 series the “most ambitious” yet. After several years of keeping a conservative line in terms of improvements, the Cupertino giant seems ready to shake things up a bit.
All models, including the alleged iPhone 17 Air
According to leaks, the iPhone 17 series will not have a “Plus” model. The popularity of the iPhone Plus has been declining noticeably in recent years. In response, Apple plans to replace the iPhone 17 Plus with the slimmer iPhone 17 Air. If the latest report is true, both the vanilla iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air will boast 120Hz ProMotion displays. This will also give them an additional advantage over the iPhone SE 4, which will maintain 60 Hz.