Base iPhone 17 finally gets 120Hz ProMotion: Here’s what it means for you

Apple has finally done it. After years of holding back, the iPhone 17 series brings ProMotion’s silky 120Hz refresh rate to even the base model. The new LTPO panel can scale all the way from 1Hz to 120Hz, making iOS feel smoother and more fluid while also unlocking power efficiency gains. Here’s all you need to know.

120Hz ProMotion comes to the vanilla iPhone

For years, Apple kept its non-Pro models at a dated 60Hz, to the frustration of many fans and tech enthusiasts alike. With the iPhone 17, that barrier is gone. The addition of ProMotion makes the vanilla iPhone feel closer to its Pro counterparts than ever before.

And it’s not just the display. The iPhone 17 also packs an upgraded ultrawide camera, the tougher Ceramic Shield 2, Apple’s new A19 chip, and a bigger battery. It’s a solid leap forward, especially for users who don’t want to stretch for the Pro line.

ProMotion on the iPhone 17 comes as an unexpected delight since few expected Apple to budge. Many assumed 60Hz would stick around for at least a few more years. But Apple finally broke the streak, delivering one of the most-requested upgrades on the iPhone 17.

ALSO READ: 5 iPhone 17 features that make it a worthy upgrade

The impact is immediate. You get smoother scrolling, snappier animations, and a more responsive feel across iOS. Thanks to LTPO tech, the screen can now drop to 1Hz for the Always-On Display, which helps save power.

Apple even claims the iPhone 17 lasts up to eight hours longer than the iPhone 16 on a single charge, which is probably, thanks, in part, to the ProMotion display.

So, does ProMotion make the iPhone 17 feel like a mini-Pro? Absolutely. But the real question is, were you waiting for this change, or were you fine living with 60Hz all along? Let us know in the comments.