New Apple iPhones to finally get a 120Hz display, but it’s not ProMotion

After years of stubbornly sticking to 60Hz on its non-Pro iPhones, Apple appears poised for a long-overdue display upgrade. According to reports, all iPhone 17 models could feature high refresh rate screens. Sounds like great news, but as always with Apple, the devil’s in the details.

You may assume that this means a full-on embrace of Apple’s ProMotion tech, the adaptive refresh rate system that debuted with the iPhone 13 Pro. But new details suggest a split in display technology between the standard and Pro iPhone models, and the difference could matter more than you think.

Not all hertz are equal

ProMotion isn’t just about hitting 120Hz. It’s about adaptability. The iPhone 13 Pro could scale from 10Hz to 120Hz depending on what was on screen, with the 14 Pro and beyond dropping the floor to just 1Hz. A critical battery-saving move for features like the Always-On Display.

ALSO READ: How to turn off Always On Display on iPhone

That flexibility is thanks to LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) panels, a display tech that allows for granular refresh rate control. But it looks like only the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will continue to use LTPO.

The regular iPhone 17 and a new model called the iPhone 17 Air are expected to get high refresh rate screens – but likely stuck at fixed steps like 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz. In other words, it’s smoother than before, but not quite the buttery ProMotion.

AOD still exclusive to the Pros?

Always-On Display, introduced on Pro iPhones thanks to LTPO’s ultra-low refresh rate capabilities, will likely remain a Pro-only perk. There’s no solid intel yet on whether the 17 or 17 Air will support it, and without LTPO, battery drain becomes a concern.

It’s another subtle but defining line between the Pro and non-Pro experience. If this holds true, Apple’s standard iPhones will be smoother, but still feature-limited by hardware choices.

What about the iPhone 17e?

Don’t hold your breath just yet. While there’s one more model in Apple’s lineup – the rumored iPhone 17e – Apple isn’t likely to bring ProMotion or 120Hz to this phone. This phone is Apple’s budget play, and while details are scarce, but don’t be surprised if Apple decides to keep 60Hz alive a little longer at the entry level.