Other iPhone 12: How Apple could solve the 120Hz problem

[deuxani]

So many of the latest rumours are saying the 12 Pro will not have 120Hz because Apple wants to do it right. Not always at 120Hz or always 60Hz or switching between just these two, but let it dynamically switch between anything between 1Hz and 120Hz like ProMotion on the iPad Pro.

The only way to get true ProMotion with OLED is to have a LTPO display and Samsung is the one who can make these. Their recent Note 20 Ultra and Z Fold2 both have a LTPO display. However, these displays can only be made in smaller quantities at this moment in time, not in the tens of milions that would be needed for the iPhone 12.

Originally I thought that:

iPhone 12 Pro

• Smaller notch
• 120Hz display
• Stainless steel flat sides like the iPad Pro.

Regular iPhone 12

• Same size notch as 11
• 60Hz display
• Aluminium rounded sides like the 11

So I was thinking, the current rumours say that:

• The notch will be the same size on all models
• The screen will be 60Hz OLED on all models
• All models will have flat sides
• Maybe the Pro screens will be a bit better / show more colours
• Only the Pro's will have LIDAR and an extra camera
• The Pro's will have a stainless steel frame

If this is the case, why would anyone buy the 6.1" Pro over the 6.1" non-Pro? Just the extra camera?

In my opinion, because the difference between the two 6.1" models is so small, they might as well get rid of the Pro model. Which would leave the line-up to be just:

• iPhone 12 5.4"
• iPhone 12 Plus 6.1"
• iPhone 12 Pro 6.7"

By taking this approach they could go all-in on the one Pro model and actually supply it with a LTPO 120Hz display as it will be the most expensive model by far and will be sold the least of the three. Therefore it wouldn't be a huge deal if the 12 Pro has low availability or would be sold a bit later.

I know that Apple has already decided what they are going to do with the iPhone 12, but I though maybe this could actually be the approach to make a very distinct real "Pro" model.

 

[HarryWild]

Apple does not want to pay for the expensive panel! Simple as that!

 

[deuxani]

That's why they could reserve it for the expensive 12 Pro Max model

 

[The Game 161]

Apple does not want to pay for the expensive panel! Simple as that!

They do, samsung just won't give it to them until 2021

 

[compwiz1202]

I wouldn't want the 6.7 only Pro, especially if they do nothing to try to decrease the body size. I like big screens, but the 11PM is already getting about as big as I can put in my pocket. If I would upgrade to 12, I would want the 6.1 Pro.

 

[Harthag]

Fully agree with your sentiment, but there is no 120Hz "problem." Only techies and geeks like us care about 120Hz. Apple's value will probably continue to skyrocket and people will love the iPhone 12.

 

[deuxani]

I wouldn't want the 6.7 only Pro, especially if they do nothing to try to decrease the body size. I like big screens, but the 11PM is already getting about as big as I can put in my pocket. If I would upgrade to 12, I would want the 6.1 Pro.

I also wouldn't want a phone bigger than the 11 Pro or at most the regular 11. But if there is almost no difference between the 6.1" 12 Pro and 6.1" Regular 12 and if they wouldn't be able to supply both the 6.1" Pro and 6.7" Pro with 120Hz screens, they might as well drop the 6.1" Pro and try to get the 120Hz for only the 6.7" Pro.

Fully agree with your sentiment, but there is no 120Hz "problem." Only techies and geeks like us care about 120Hz. Apple's value will probably continue to skyrocket and people will love the iPhone 12.

If we follow the rumours, it seems Apple wants to implement 120Hz but isn't able to, so that is definitely an issue for them. If they didn't care about 120Hz, they wouldn't even try it to begin with. Obviously most buyers wouldn't know the difference, they would just think their new iPhone is a lot quicker than their old one, which they would think anyways. But in comparison to Apple's competitors, reviewers, techies, etc. it's not a good look, charging over $1000 and not getting the latest screen tech in.

 

[Peter Saglimbene]

Am i the only person that is tired of Apple not offering new technology for several years later than the rest of phone manufactures? How can a $2 trillion mammoth of a company not be able to offer 120Hz motion display but tiny Chinese companies all have it as of last year. I have been supporting Apple since 2007 with a new Iphone or Ipad every year. Starting to think that Apple only cares about the money and they squeeze every penny out of the old tech because they make more money on it than adding new tech to the overpriced handsets.

Steve jobs used to trey and release the truly best mobile handset. Tim Cook releases 2 year old technology and parade his clowns on stage and say that this is the best Iphone yet. it may be the best Iphone, but its definitely not the best mobile phone. Samsung has most definitely leapfrogged Apple for better tech in handsets.

When will Apple realize that $2 T is a lot of cash. Start to include new tech in your outdated Iphones Tim Cook. If these other smaller companies with a fraction of the resources and money can do it, Apple should be able to do it as well.

Really thinking this will be the first year that I do not support Apple. I rather gt an old Motorola flip phone. Apple is over priced and they offer nothing new. Second year with 3 camera lenses again. Samsung is offering more zoom, more pixels, better cameras. Apple is offering same camera as last year. How innovative is that?

 

[deuxani]

Am i the only person that is tired of Apple not offering new technology for several years later than the rest of phone manufactures? How can a $2 trillion mammoth of a company not be able to offer 120Hz motion display but tiny Chinese companies all have it as of last year. I have been supporting Apple since 2007 with a new Iphone or Ipad every year. Starting to think that Apple only cares about the money and they squeeze every penny out of the old tech because they make more money on it than adding new tech to the overpriced handsets.

Steve jobs used to trey and release the truly best mobile handset. Tim Cook releases 2 year old technology and parade his clowns on stage and say that this is the best Iphone yet. it may be the best Iphone, but its definitely not the best mobile phone. Samsung has most definitely leapfrogged Apple for better tech in handsets.

When will Apple realize that $2 T is a lot of cash. Start to include new tech in your outdated Iphones Tim Cook. If these other smaller companies with a fraction of the resources and money can do it, Apple should be able to do it as well.

Really thinking this will be the first year that I do not support Apple. I rather gt an old Motorola flip phone. Apple is over priced and they offer nothing new. Second year with 3 camera lenses again. Samsung is offering more zoom, more pixels, better cameras. Apple is offering same camera as last year. How innovative is that?

It's explainable of course. Always on 120Hz drains your battery a lot more, so what you want is something like the iPad Pro, that it scales back automatically. Most competitors have a switch to turn it on or off and in some cases turning it on means it will lower the resolution of the display. Also, some competitors put it in phones that don't sell tens of millions like the iPhone. Next to that, some competitors don't have the high quality standards that Apple has. So it can be explained (dynamically switching 1-120Hz OLED isn't ready to be implemented on a mass scale at a high quality), but it is painful for the enthousiasts knowing what is out there.

 

[1144557]

That's why they could reserve it for the expensive 12 Pro Max model

Correct

They do, samsung just won't give it to them until 2021

Evidence? Apple OWNS the LTPO patent; google it.

You're telling me Apple licensed the tech to Samsung and are such poor negotiators.... LOLOLOL. "Cmon man"

Sorry but its a dollars game, Apple has 66% of the smartphone profits while not near shipping the most phones. They didnt want to pay the price to get it done/done in time. You dont get to that level of profits not pinching every penny

ANYTHING (at least in terms of manufacturing) is possible with the right amount of money. Apple is worth $2T. They could have BUILT 5 display factories and it be a drop in the bucket and got it done.

The tech isnt the issue the Note 20 already out has it- 120hz and LTPO variable refresh. And surely in development for years with Apple knowing its status being the patent holder. The tech exists and ready for consumer use.

Fully agree with your sentiment, but there is no 120Hz "problem." Only techies and geeks like us care about 120Hz. Apple's value will probably continue to skyrocket and people will love the iPhone 12.

So sell a phone named "Pro" for $1000+ without an arguably pro feature? A feature "pro" enough to be in the iPad Pro line as a pro only feature? There is a HUGE disjoint in the message there.

Sure, no one would expect a $700 iphone to get it but one called Pro for $1000+ yes. Specs are why people are buying a phone named pro to begin with, that is what makes something pro, otherwise the $700-750 one is plenty.

 

[deuxani]

So sell a phone named "Pro" for $1000+ without an arguably pro feature? A feature "pro" enough to be in the iPad Pro line as a pro only feature? There is a HUGE disjoint in the message there.

Sure, no one would expect a $700 iphone to get it but one called Pro for $1000+ yes. Specs are why people are buying a phone named pro to begin with, that is what makes something pro, otherwise the $700-750 one is plenty.

Yeah that's exactly what I feel. That's why I don't see any reason for the 12 Pro 6.1" to exist if it doesn't have anything substantial over the regular 12 6.1" for maybe $200 more. It needs pro features to justify its high price.

 

[JPack]

By taking this approach they could go all-in on the one Pro model and actually supply it with a LTPO 120Hz display as it will be the most expensive model by far and will be sold the least of the three. Therefore it wouldn't be a huge deal if the 12 Pro has low availability or would be sold a bit later.

Your proposed solution may not do much to alleviate the supply issue.

The largest iPhone usually outsells the smaller model, especially during a year when a new form factor is released.

It is also not clear the 6.1” Pro will get 120Hz, even if supplies were available. First, Kuo says the 6.7” is the only one getting sensor shift stabilization. He also says mass production of this model is delayed to October while other models begin in September.

The 6.1” Pro is an important device for Apple even if it isn’t expected to get 120Hz. The unique camera design on the rear serves as a fashion statement and can be distinguished from the dual-camera model. The camera module has become the most expensive component on the iPhone, even exceeding the display cost. There are plenty of people who will pay for telephoto and ToF along with stainless steel and more RAM.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Wait till next year.

 

[MrKennedy]

You did it! You solved Apple's "problem" /s

Let's wait and see what they announce before dissecting their lineup for the fall.

 

[deuxani]

You did it! You solved Apple's "problem" /s

Let's wait and see what they announce before dissecting their lineup for the fall.

This site is called MacRumors, so part of the forum is there to discuss and speculate rumours. If we would all just sit and wait till after the keynote, what would be the use of a rumours website The dissecting and anticipating is for most of us half the fun of actually seeing a new device being released. You might not be one of them, but others are.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1298363862568312832

 

[chad.petree]

Lol why would one buy the 6.1" pro model if it doesnt have a 120 hz screen? Pay more for an extra gimmicky camera and lidar? No thanks apple

 

[maerz001]

Apple is over priced and they offer nothing new. Second year with 3 camera lenses again. Samsung is offering more zoom, more pixels, better cameras. Apple is offering same camera as last year. How innovative is that?

While its frustrating it was always like that. Buying an iphone after one year never got you a substantial upgrade. Bigger change was the X, 11pro ( or was this a Xss
and now we will have what traditionally was called S cycle. So its more of an 11s than a 12.

 

[Joho2078]

While its frustrating it was always like that. Buying an iphone after one year never got you a substantial upgrade. Bigger change was the X, 11pro ( or was this a Xss
and now we will have what traditionally was called S cycle. So its more of an 11s than a 12.

But 5g is SUBSTANTIAL Yes it’s not most places except maybe T-Mobile but a lot will change by end of the year and going on in 2021. Yay!!