iPhone 17 and 'iPhone 17 Air' Again Rumored to Feature 120Hz ProMotion Displays

[BigBlur]

If you were to ask a typical iPhone user about their screens refresh rate, very very few would know or care. Higher refresh capability is nice and the tech has matured to be on lower end devices. But it’s far from a critical feature for most people. Most people don’t even know.

Yep. Just watch all the pranks Jimmy Kimmel has done with the iPhone. The typical iPhone user doesn't know any better and can be gullible about what they see/hear. Here's his latest one for the iPhone 16. They just put a case on the person's old phone, handed it back, and told them it was the new iPhone 16 Pro. They thought their "new" phone was so much better. I'd love to see him do something regarding ProMotion.

 

[russell_314]

I think Apple is either trying to troll the rumor press or trying to catch a leaker. Operation iPhone Air to catch a leaker

 

[iPay]

I'm pretty sure the Air is going to be a folding phone. $1299 price tag for a single camera and an ultra-thin and light design? Sounds like a folding phone to me!

If it folds, it solds!

 

[SFjohn]

There won’t be much room for a battery in this supposed iPhone Air, so any power saving technology Apple can add will get thrown into it. Supposedly… 😉

 

[DutchApplePie]

What are the chances we'd get 90Hz instead of 120Hz on non-pro models regardless of these rumors?

 

[Kay_Ess]

^^This.
Only MR “I know it all” folks know and (might) really care…

What? Hell no. Maybe among the iPhone users but everyone else has known to look for this for ages.
I was with the most atechnical guy in an electronics store the other day and we were looking at phones and even he knew he wanted at least 120 Hz and that that was the reason the 150 USD phones that didn’t have it wouldn’t be good enough.

 

[mansplains]

^^This.
Only MR “I know it all” folks know and (might) really care…

I side-graded from a 15 Pro to 16 Plus. I was worried I’d miss 120Hz after having it for years. I realized I actually don’t care about it at all!

If they do this, other than the cameras, I wonder how they will differentiate the standard from the pro models going forward. Especially since they set the precedent of using (essentially) the same processor on the standard and pro models.

Perhaps the distinction should disappear at this point. Are all of these options necessary? If typical users can hardly tell the difference between models already, aside from price… What about a mini, standard, plus/max? Three variants with everything.

I think the non-pro models should at least get a bump to 90Hz, if Apple won’t budge on bringing 120Hz to everything.

 

[SnowPenguin]

I never see the masses using them. Very rare when I do see someone with one.

I think it's because they are expensive. I saw some in real life, and they are so cool (if we ignore the seam's issue)... It's one of the very few developments to get excited about in a phone.

If Apple releasing a folding iPhone is going to make them more prevalent, then I am all for it.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think Apple has found a supplier that can produce the 120 Hz VRR display at much lower cost than before. Important since this is giong to be much larger production than the demand for any other cellphone manufacturer.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Perhaps the distinction should disappear at this point. Are all of these options necessary? If typical users can hardly tell the difference between models already, aside from price… What about a mini, standard, plus/max? Three variants with everything.

That would be too nice. Get rid of the named sizes, too. Just iPhone in 5.4", 6.1", 6.9" options, go back to aluminum across the board to help reduce cost, and price them at 799, 899, 999.

 

[Belisama]

I'm totally unable to differentiate a ProMotion display from an AmateurMotion display 🥹.
I guess my eyes are not normal.

 

[gusping]

Yeah if Apple could mature mini LED tech to replace OLED so I can look at a newer iPhone screen longer than 30 seconds without getting nauseous with a side of migraine from the trash implementation of PWM that would be awesome.
My 14 is fine but another year without a proper zoom lens and now being locked out of newer software features for daring to own a two year old phone is getting real old.

I never had an issue with OLEDs (iPhones, LG TVs and Samsung QD OLED monitor) until i bought the M4 iPP. Saved me £1300 at least.

 

[gusping]

I'm totally unable to differentiate a ProMotion display from an AmateurMotion display 🥹.
I guess my eyes are not normal.

That’s good. I use a 240hz monitor and now find 120hz juddery.

 

[mashdots]

I don’t want my pants to sag on one side because of a phone

wait is sagging your pants not in anymore??

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Yeah if Apple could mature mini LED tech to replace OLED so I can look at a newer iPhone screen longer than 30 seconds without getting nauseous with a side of migraine from the trash implementation of PWM that would be awesome.
My 14 is fine but another year without a proper zoom lens and now being locked out of newer software features for daring to own a two year old phone is getting real old.

Doesn't MiniLED also use PWM for controlling brightness? I can't find a source indicating that it uses anything else for brightness.

 

[goonie4life9]

This is big news and means even bigger things for the iPhone 17 Pro. Everyone get excited about the ALL NEW iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone for pros!

 

[bodonnell202]

If they do this, other than the cameras, I wonder how they will differentiate the standard from the pro models going forward. Especially since they set the precedent of using (essentially) the same processor on the standard and pro models.

The difference between the 12 and the 12 Pro was a better camera (added telephoto lens & lidar) and stainless steel instead of aluminum and it sold like hotcakes.

 

[AppleEnthusiast1995]

Think i will jump ship to a lower grade iPhone if they add promotion to the screens.

 

[xmarcuswildx]

I think it’s time to drop the “promotion” branding. 120hz is industry standard.

 

[Schrödinger’s]

I'm totally unable to differentiate a ProMotion display from an AmateurMotion display 🥹.
I guess my eyes are not normal.

Don’t worry, they probably are. For example, difference between Air M2 11” and Pro M4 11” is small. 120 Hz doesn’t guarantee butter smooth scrolling.

 

[Kay_Ess]

I think it’s time to drop the “promotion” branding. 120hz is industry standard.

Exactly. At least the websites like MR should do it. Just name 120 Hz and ProMotion as separate things. Like ProMotion can do VRR to 1 Hz or something and the display also has a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz. Associating 120 Hz with “Pro” has been dumb for years.

 

[Chuckeee]

I think it’s time to drop the “promotion” branding. 120hz is industry standard.

I always considered The valuable frame rate that results in power savings to be the key part “promotion”, not the 120 Hz (Even though typically maxes out at just 90 Hz, but no one seems to notice)

 

[Khojmdn]

16 models are the "transition" ones

 

[Dizbuster]

That would be too nice. Get rid of the named sizes, too. Just iPhone in 5.4", 6.1", 6.9" options, go back to aluminum across the board to help reduce cost, and price them at 799, 899, 999.

Agreed. For a long time, storage size was the only difference.

 

[snipr125]

I never see the masses using them. Very rare when I do see someone with one.

Watch Korean dramas on Netflix, everyone has them especially the Galaxy Flip.