iPhone 17 and 'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Feature 120Hz ProMotion Displays

[MacRumors]

We don't mean to take away from the excitement of the iPhone 16 launch today, but there are more rumors to share about next year's iPhone 17 lineup.

Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants today informed MacRumors that the standard iPhone 17 and a slimmer model that we are calling the "iPhone 17 Air" will both feature ProMotion, meaning that each device's display would be able to ramp up to a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and video content when necessary.

ProMotion would also allow the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air displays to ramp down to a more power-efficient refresh rate. iPhone 13 Pro models can ramp down to 10Hz, while iPhone 14 Pro through iPhone 16 Pro models can go as low as 1Hz, allowing for an always-on display that shows various Lock Screen elements even when the device is locked. It is unclear if the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air would ramp down to 10Hz or 1Hz.

The standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus still have 60Hz displays.

Young has a good track record with display-related information about future Apple products, including being the first source to reveal that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max would feature larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 series in September 2025.

Article Link: iPhone 17 and 'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Feature 120Hz ProMotion Displays

 

[antonrg]

Can we just enjoy the 16 series for a bit before going into 17 rumours? 😂😂😂😂

 

[contacos]

I am probably the only one who still can't see the difference like literally.

Had it on my iPad Pro and went back to iPad Air 4, didn't notice

Went from MBP 2012 to M1 MBP, didn't notice

Just went from iPhone 15 Plus to iPhone 16 Pro and don't notice

 

[zahuh]

I don't care what you all say, I can't wait! And you know you're excited too!

 

[Funny Apple Man]

It’s about time, finally! By next year I can go back to buying the non-pro phones, cheaper and with more fun colors.

Hopefully it goes down to 1hz so it can get AOD too.

 

[Ericdjensen]

Hopefully. $800+ for 60hz is ridiculous

 

[Cirillo Gherardo]

This is good news, because it means Apple has something else new to add to the Pro models to drive Pro sales next year. Apple has been artificially segmenting the product lines by withholding established features from trickling down to mid and lower tier models, simply because they don't have a replacement for them at the top end.

 

[Funny Apple Man]

Hopefully. $800+ for 60hz is ridiculous

And Android phones for around the same price or cheaper have had it for a long while already. Yes it’s ridiculous.

 

[MrPiper415]

Hopefully this means ProMotion will trickle down to the iPad Air next year too.

I wonder what they’ll then use to distinguish the Pros? Maybe more ram to support exclusive AI features?

 

[BenTrovato]

They really waited as long as possible to bring 120 to the non pro's

 

[DrJR]

Can't wait to smoothly scroll through the doom.....

 

[Bcn]

I am probably the only one who still can't see the difference like literally.

Had it on my iPad Pro and went back to iPad Air 4, didn't notice

Went from MBP 2012 to M1 MBP, didn't notice

Just went from iPhone 15 Plus to iPhone 16 Pro and don't notice

Yes it´s your eyes, maybe a check up?
I was waiting 9 years to update my Macbook pro 2014 model, and first I checked out the Mac air and next to it the Macbook pro 3. After I was watching the scrolling with the pro, I did not like the air at all. I felt actually tension in my head scrolling on the Air , hehe. On the Iphone it's even more noticeable. I moved from X to 14PM.

 

[anshuvorty]

Yup, looks like the 14 Pro > 17 Slim/Pro/Pro Max is the most logical upgrade path....you get it to keep the ProMotion display tech and possibly reduce the weight of the device.

 

[Funny Apple Man]

I am probably the only one who still can't see the difference like literally.

You’re lucky. I wish my eyes were not sensitive to refresh rates.

They really waited as long as possible to bring 120 to the non pro's

Happy that its finally coming, but also pissed that it took them this long.

 

[ersan191]

I am probably the only one who still can't see the difference like literally.

Had it on my iPad Pro and went back to iPad Air 4, didn't notice

Went from MBP 2012 to M1 MBP, didn't notice

Just went from iPhone 15 Plus to iPhone 16 Pro and don't notice

Some people can, some people can't. The people who can't are lucky - you won't spend thousands of dollars chasing higher refresh rates on phones, tablets, laptops, and especially gaming.

 

[rman0726]

Damn that’s amazing. I’m refusing delivery of my 16 today!

 

[Paddle1]

Seems like the standard models are becoming pretty solid.

 

[creediddy]

This means Apple should release Ultra ProMotion with 240Hz refresh. Only fair as 120Hz is no longer “Pro” anymore.

 

[Zwhaler]

Excellent. I was just predicting this. Looking forward to 165Hz and beyond for the Pro coming one of these years!

 

[now i see it]

Regular iPhone models now get 3 year old hand-me-downs from the pro models. Can’t innovate?

 

[MrGimper]

The moment the "normal" plus phone gets Pro-Motion, I'm off the Pro bandwagon.

 

[unobtainium]

So the Air is going to be the new “standard” model and the Pros will continue to be chunky? Forcing us to choose between a comfortable size/weight and top tier features? I really miss the simple lineups of the Jobs era.

 

[DutchApplePie]

You’re lucky. I wish my eyes were not sensitive to refresh rates.

It's both a blessing and a curse to be able to notice the difference.

 

[sw1tcher]

Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants today informed MacRumors that the standard iPhone 17 and a slimmer model that we are calling the "iPhone 17 Air" will both feature ProMotion, meaning that each device's display would be able to ramp up to a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and video content when necessary.

Nice if true. This would make the iPhone 17 a worthwhile upgrade. But I think I'll wait to see if there's any retraction first. Don't want to give my hopes up.

Update: Young has since said under-display Face ID 120Hz ProMotion Displays is no longer expected for the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Air. His previous response was sent in error.

 

[sw1tcher]

This means Apple should release Ultra ProMotion with 240Hz refresh. Only fair as 120Hz is no longer “Pro” anymore.

Or Apple could just raise the battery replacement cost for the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max by 20%. That's a "Pro" move.