With the iPad Pro in 2017, Apple introduced a new type of display technology for its devices, dubbed ProMotion. The ProMotion feature enables a variable refresh rate, ranging from 24Hz to 120Hz, and it has a critical role in enhancing display sharpness and responsiveness.
With the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max in 2021, the ProMotion feature landed on iPhones, but it has stuck with the Pro variants since then, leaving the standard and Plus versions with a regular Super Retina display. While customers expected to get a ProMotion display on the vanilla iPhone 17, and even some rumors hinted at this possibility, the latest leaks suggest ProMotion remains with the Pro iPhone variants for another generation.
According to Chinese leaker Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, Apple has decided to keep the ProMotion feature exclusive to iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, and the rest of the lineup would launch with a “normal 120hz screen”.
This Chinese leaker has conflicting reports about Apple’s future products. For now, we should take this claim with a pinch of salt and wait for more confirmation from the Apple supply chain insiders.
In September last year, analyst Ross Young said the entire 17 lineup would get the ProMotion feature and the Always-on display (via 9to5mac). Young is also a credible source for Apple-related news, but too many conflicting rumors around upcoming iPhones make us question every claim.
The only thing that seems certain so far is that Apple will increase the screen refresh rate on the iPhone 17 and 17 Air to 120Hz, which is a significant increase from the current 60Hz on the iPhone 16 base and Plus variants.
Also, by boosting the iPhone 17 and 17 Air refresh rate to 120Hz, Apple is more likely to retain the ProMotion feature for the Pro models in the lineup to differentiate devices better from a marketing standpoint.
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