DigiTimes: iPhone 13 Pro Models to Feature 120Hz ProMotion Refresh Rate and 15-20% Less Power Consumption

[MacRumors]

The two premium "Pro" models of the upcoming iPhone 13 lineup will be equipped with a low-power LTPO display, enabling the iPhones to have a 120Hz refresh rate, according to industry sources cited by Taiwanese publication DigiTimes.

According to today's paywalled report, Apple suppliers Samsung and LG Display are in the process of converting parts of their production capacity to produce LTPO OLED panels for Apple's upcoming iPhone. The complete conversion of production from LTPS displays to LTPO will likely be completed in the first half of 2021.

Even with the handover to LTPO production completed in the first half of the year, capacity will be lower than previously due to added steps in the development process.

Samsung Display and LG Display, now offering LTPS OLED displays for iPhones, are proceeding with capacity conversion to LTPO ones at their Apple-dedicated 6G OLED lines, with the conversion likely to be completed in the first half of 2021, the sources said, adding that production capacity will drop due to the added oxide step when LTPS is converted to LTPO.

Alongside Samsung and LG Displays, Apple is looking to add Chinese display maker BOE to its list of suppliers for LTPO displays for the iPhone 13, despite having repeatedly failed quality control tests. BOE is reportedly testing LTPO panels at a new "Apple-dedicated" section at one of its plants in China. The report notes that BOE "got the go-ahead from Apple to supply OLED panels in December 2020."

Last year, Apple was widely expected to adopt LTPO displays in its 2020 iPhones, giving them the 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. Despite an avalanche of reports, display analyst Ross Young accurately predicted in July of last year that it would not debut in the iPhone 12 lineup, but instead predicts 120Hz on the 2021 iPhones.

A plausible hurdle Apple may be facing is the increased power consumption that a higher refresh rate presents. On that front, DigiTimes reports that the iPhone 13 Pro models will feature 15-20% reduced power consumption even with the newer displays. While not mentioned in the report, the improved power efficiency is likely thanks to the upcoming A15 chip that will power the new handsets.

Apple first debuted ProMotion in its 2017 iPad Pro, but it has not yet come to the iPhone. The higher 120Hz refresh rate compared to the current 60Hz offers a smoother experience when scrolling and gaming.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also believes that the upcoming iPhone 13 Pro models will feature higher refresh rate displays. Leaker Max Weinbach believes that on top of a 120Hz refresh rate, the 2021 iPhones handsets will feature always-on displays.

Article Link: DigiTimes: iPhone 13 Pro Models to Feature 120Hz ProMotion Refresh Rate and 15-20% Less Power Consumption

 

[Justin Cymbal]

That’s awesome that it’s going to be 15-20% more energy efficient!

My iPhone 12 Pro already has outstanding battery life- the fact that Apple can improve it THAT much in the iPhone 13 is huge!

 

[farewelwilliams]

yawn...
digitimes.

move along people. nothing to see here.

 

[Kylo83]

But we know this already

 

[betterbegood]

That’s awesome that it’s going to be 15-20% more energy efficient!

My iPhone 12 Pro already has outstanding battery life- the fact that Apple can improve it THAT much in the iPhone 13 is huge!

Having a iteration that focused on battery over camera would be appreciated

 

[dhawalz]

Promotion 120hz display first came to ipad pro in 2017 not in 2018 as the article mentions ?

 

[mbdownunder]

Apple first debuted ProMotion in its 2018 iPad Pro

No, it debuted with the 2017 iPad Pro

 

[The Game 161]

And will allow for always on display like the Apple Watch too from all reports

 

[JonnyBlaze]

This sounds great, I love the battery life of my iP11, and would be hard to go back to a phone with less. Efficiency improvements are just as important as battery technolog improvements.

 

[MacRS4]

Should make a decent difference. The screen on the S21 Ultra is simply stunning at 120/3200x1440, and also has bonkers battery life.

That 120Hz thing is weird. You'd think it was pointless but once you're used to it going back to a 60Hz screen feels horribly clunky.

 

[xpxp2002]

I’ve been waiting years for 120 Hz to finally arrive. Just a shame that the non-Pro models won’t be getting it.

 

[Skeith]

Selling my iPhone 12 Pro nao~

 

[_Spinn_]

15-20% power reduction while adding 120Hz screen! That’s going to be very nice. My 12 Pro Max already has more battery than I use in a day.

 

[samifathi]

No, it debuted with the 2017 iPad Pro

Thanks! Fixed.

 

[samifathi]

Promotion 120hz display first came to ipad pro in 2017 not in 2018 as the article mentions ?

Correct. Was a typo, it's been fixed. Thanks!

 

[Jony Ive and Co.]

Apple first debuted ProMotion in its 2017 iPad Pro, and it has since expanded to the Apple Watch

Are you sure Apple Watch has ProMotion? I dont recall ever hearing that it has ProMotion (it only has LPTO display technology). I think that's a mistake in the article

 

[samifathi]

Are you sure Apple Watch has ProMotion? I dont recall ever hearing that it has ProMotion (it only has LPTO display technology). I think that's a mistake in the article

Newer Apple Watch models feature an adaptive refresh rate. Not exactly marketed as ProMotion or having 120Hz. Post has been updated. Thanks.

 

[locrumo]

PRO means Xiaomi already has it.

 

[xxray]

This is why I love iterative upgrades and usually buy iPhones on the “S” years. A new design can be great, but solid improvements in quality of life features (battery, efficiency, speakers, display, etc.) is so much better.

 

[George Dawes]

I’m definitely upgrading this time . Just wow

 

[Populus]

@samifathi
But I still don’t understand, if the LTPO displays are going to be mass manufactured for all the iPhone 13 lineup -to improve battery life- and only the Pro models will have the Pro-motion display feature? Or the regular iPhone 13 won’t have LTPO displays? Then, the power consumption benefits will be only for the Pro models...

I’m not sure what the report means in this regard, because it says the display production is being completely converted to this technology.

 

[ColdShadow]

Well it’s about time..and the very least to expect..what about finger print scanner and mire camera features? more zoom,macro mode?
It’s supposed to be Pro and others are providing all this useful features.

 

[The Game 161]

Well it’s about time..and the very least to expect..what about finger print scanner and mire camera features? more zoom,macro mode?
It’s supposed to be Pro and others are providing all this useful features.

I think better macro is rumoured. big zoom isn't coming until 2022-2023. sourcing the panels for this tech seems to have been an issue and who they are using to get it to work. lets nor forget the amount of parts they need to source the pro models is massive compared to other companies

 

[The Game 161]

@samifathi
But I still don’t understand, if the LTPO displays are going to be mass manufactured for all the iPhone 13 lineup -to improve battery life- and only the Pro models will have the Pro-motion display feature? Or the regular iPhone 13 won’t have LTPO displays? Then, the power consumption benefits will be only for the Pro models...

I’m not sure what the report means in this regard, because it says the display production is being completely converted to this technology.

you won' get it on non pro models as you need features to help the pro models plus apple won't have enough ltpo panels to source all the phones

 

[Darth Tulhu]

I honestly thought that my iPhone 12 Pro already had 120hz before I got it...

I was disappointed when I got more tap/swipe/zoom failures on it than my previous Samsung device.

Glad to see they're bringing it to iPhone finally although I wonder if they'll make it a differentiator between the Pro and regular, like they do with the iPad.