iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air ProMotion Rumors Disputed by Leaker

[MacRumors]

A Chinese leaker with a mixed track record for accurate predictions has today disputed claims that the regular iPhone 17 and all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air will feature ProMotion displays.

ProMotion has been limited to the Pro models since it debuted on the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max in 2021, but several sources have suggested that Apple will this year fit the 120Hz variable refresh technology into the base iPhone 17 model, as well as the new iPhone 17 Air that replaces the Plus model in the lineup.

However, Weibo-based leaker Fixed Focus Digital's sources apparently tell them that the panel being used in the upcoming non-Pro models is "just a standard 120Hz screen, not ProMotion with adaptive refresh rate." If the claim is true, it would indicate that Apple is still using low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panels for its lower-end iPhone models, albeit fixed at 120Hz, whereas the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are fitted with 60Hz LTPS panels.

Without ProMotion, a fixed 120Hz panel will still feel smooth, particularly during scrolling, animations, and UI transitions. However, it would likely drain more battery, since it's refreshing rapidly all the time, even when viewing static content. In contrast, ProMotion dynamically adjusts the refresh rate anywhere between 1Hz and 120Hz, depending on content and user interaction, which preserves battery life.

A fixed 120Hz panel also means the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air would lack Apple's always-on display capability that shows the Lock Screen's clock, widgets, notifications, and wallpaper even when the device is locked and idle.

Fortunately, the case for ProMotion coming to the non-Pro iPhone 17 remains strong. Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young last year indicated that Apple's suppliers are ramping up production of LTPO panels for the entire iPhone 17 lineup, further supporting the possibility of ProMotion displays across all models. LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) is a low-power backplane technology for OLED displays that allows for a variable refresh rate with reduced power consumption. Young's claim has since been corroborated by South Korea's ETNews and The Elec.

Fixed Focus Digital has shared accurate predictions in the past, including correctly naming the iPhone 16E before its official confirmation. The account also accurately claimed the iPhone 16 Pro models would be available in a new bronze finish, which ended up being Desert Titanium. On the other hand, the account was wrong about the number of iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus color options that would be available. As for ProMotion, the weight of evidence is against them on this rumor, and we're personally hoping it's a bad call. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17 lineup around September.

Article Link: iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air ProMotion Rumors Disputed by Leaker

 

[Nik]

Stuck in the past.

 

[HouseLannister]

Fixed 120hz with a 2800 mah battery? That Air will need to be charged twice a day!

 

[dynAdZ]

That's unfortunate.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

That’s a typical Apple dick move so it wouldn’t be a shock

 

[kiranmk2]

So, take a phone that is already compromised in battery size and add a battery draining feature to it...

To be honest, even a 1-75 or 1-90 Hz screen would be better than the 60 Hz fixed option we've got now. It's strange, because I would have thought that a 1 Hz mode to enable a decent night stand mode would help sell more Apple Magsafe accessories.

 

[iea96]

ProMotion is the only reason why I have a Pro device instead of the regular. It's ridiculous that they are still keeping this away.

 

[MistaBungle]

This is incredibly courageous. The innovation required to keep pushing the same **** every year and then have Siri fail is remarkable.

 

[Aggouris]

A Chinese leaker with a mixed track record for accurate predictions has today disputed claims that the regular iPhone 17 and all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air will feature ProMotion displays.

ProMotion has been limited to the Pro models since it debuted on the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max in 2021, but several sources have suggested that Apple will this year fit the 120Hz variable refresh technology into the base iPhone 17 model, as well as the new iPhone 17 Air that replaces the Plus model in the lineup.

However, Weibo-based leaker Fixed Focus Digital's sources apparently tell them that the panel being used in the upcoming non-Pro models is "just a standard 120Hz screen, not ProMotion with adaptive refresh rate." If the claim is true, it would indicate that Apple is still using low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panels for its lower-end iPhone models, albeit fixed at 120Hz, whereas the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are fitted with 60Hz LTPS panels.

Without ProMotion, a fixed 120Hz panel will still feel smooth, particularly during scrolling, animations, and UI transitions. However, it would likely drain more battery, since it's refreshing rapidly all the time, even when viewing static content. In contrast, ProMotion dynamically adjusts the refresh rate anywhere between 1Hz and 120Hz, depending on content and user interaction, which preserves battery life.

A fixed 120Hz panel also means the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air would lack Apple's always-on display capability that shows the Lock Screen's clock, widgets, notifications, and wallpaper even when the device is locked and idle.

Fortunately, the case for ProMotion coming to the non-Pro iPhone 17 remains strong. Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young last year indicated that Apple's suppliers are ramping up production of LTPO panels for the entire iPhone 17 lineup, further supporting the possibility of ProMotion displays across all models. LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) is a low-power backplane technology for OLED displays that allows for a variable refresh rate with reduced power consumption. Young's claim has since been corroborated by South Korea's ETNews and The Elec.

Fixed Focus Digital has shared accurate predictions in the past, including correctly naming the iPhone 16E before its official confirmation. The account also accurately claimed the iPhone 16 Pro models would be available in a new bronze finish, which ended up being Desert Titanium. On the other hand, the account was wrong about the number of iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus color options that would be available. As for ProMotion, the weight of evidence is against them on this rumor, and we're personally hoping it's a bad call. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17 lineup around September.

Article Link: iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air ProMotion Rumors Disputed by Leaker

Sad, pathetic even

 

[Marshall73]

I bought an iPad mini a couple of weeks ago and returned it because of the janky scrolling on it due to the lower refresh rate compared to my MacBook and iPad Pro M4 (I returned it because of this and Touch ID being a backward step). You probably wouldn’t notice it if you weren’t used to using higher refresh displays which is probably what Apple think.

 

[BBCWatcher]

To be honest, even a 1-75 or 1-90 Hz screen would be better than the 60 Hz fixed option we've got now.

Sure, that’ll work. The 1-120 Hz screen is still “ProMotion,” and the new 1-90 Hz screen could be branded “PlusMotion.” For example.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

Stuck in the past.

Stuck in piles of cash wanting more

 

[attohs]

"leaker with a mixed track record" --> Clickbait

 

[xmarcuswildx]

Everything should have 120hz in 2025. Apple is just so out of touch if this is true.

 

[Innovati0n]

I doubt this. I do not believe Apple would introduce a neutered 120hz experience. The Pro and regular models are already different in other ways. There is no reason to do this and if anything it'd be more costly to them than just having the same display tech on all their devices.

I expect the ProMotion experience on every 17 device.

 

[Innovati0n]

Everything should have 120hz in 2025. Apple is just so out of touch if this is true.

If this is true, then everything would indeed have 120hz.

The question is if it'd be ProMotion or not on the "cheaper" models.

 

[neuropsychguy]

It's interesting how several commenters are complaining about Apple when, "As for ProMotion, the weight of evidence is against [a Chinese leaker with a mixed track record] on this rumor".

So sketchy rumor = Apple being stuck in the past, "pushing the same stuff" (and with a criticism of Siri to boot), being greedy, the iPhone Air will have terrible battery life, etc.

How about people save the complaining to when we actually know what the specs are instead of complaining based on a rumor that contradicts other rumors?

 

[dumastudetto]

ProMotion is a pro feature. The clue is in the name.

 

[itsmemuffins]

If the rumours are true, the 17 Air is looking worse by the day

 

[contacos]

I mean if people keep buying the same thing all over again, I’d be limiting it the same way in their position.

Won’t change until people eventually vote with their wallet

 

[MaaK]

ProMotion is the only reason why I have a Pro device instead of the regular. It's ridiculous that they are still keeping this away.

You gave yourself the answer why it is realistic for Apple to do this.
They don’t want their Pro phone to be less attractive for people who want a 120Hz promotion display that offers Alway on Display and variable refresh rate.
Therefore, this rumor seems credible.

 

[kiranmk2]

Sure, that’ll work. The 1-120 Hz screen is still “ProMotion,” and the new 1-90 Hz screen could be branded “PlusMotion.” For example.

ProMotion is a pro feature. The clue is in the name.

If Apple wants to really offer "Pro"-motion, then I think they should be pushing the pro models to 144-165 Hz or even 240 Hz at the top end by now.

 

[unchecked]

ProMotion is a pro feature. The clue is in the name.

Which is kinda lame honestly. The feature benefits the device with less battery even more.

But then again, most of us probably expect Apple to pull such a move to leave the ProMotion on the Pro phones and not do the common sense thing in lieu of doing the money sense thing.

 

[klasma]

Yep, that's what I had expected Apple to do, to keep more product differentiation.

 

[Total Respray]

ProMotion is a pro feature. The clue is in the name.

Why should only ‘professionals’ be able to see smooth animations or notifications on an always on display?