The iPhone 17 and 17 Air are expected to support 120Hz screens, but will likely skip the full ProMotion experience.
The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air Will Feature 120Hz Refresh Display, But Not ProMotion Itself
Until now, Apple reserved its smooth 120Hz ProMotion displays for the Pro models. But reliable display analyst Ross Young had suggested earlier that Apple plans to expand this feature to the entire iPhone 17 lineup. This includes the standard iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Air.
However, a new leak on Weibo from Fixed focus digital, a known source of accurate Apple hardware rumors, paints a slightly different picture. While these non-Pro iPhones may indeed get 120Hz screens, they may not feature the ProMotion branding or functionality.
What’s the Difference Between 120Hz and ProMotion?
Although both terms refer to displays that refresh at 120 times per second, ProMotion is more than just a fixed high refresh rate. Apple’s ProMotion tech includes adaptive refresh rate, which dynamically scales from as low as 1Hz to 120Hz based on content. This saves battery life and allows for features like always-on display.
If the iPhone 17 Air gets a standard 120Hz screen without variable refresh rates, users will enjoy smoother scrolling and gameplay but won’t get the battery savings or always-on display benefits of ProMotion.
Related: iPhone 17 Air Preview: Rumored Features, Specs, Price & Release Details
Why Apple Might Skip ProMotion on iPhone 17 Air
The move may be strategic. Apple is likely trying to balance performance upgrades with product segmentation. Including 120Hz gives users a taste of premium smoothness, while reserving ProMotion for Pro models maintains a clear feature gap.
It also helps Apple manage costs, as variable refresh rate panels and supporting hardware are more expensive.
Final Thoughts
So, while the iPhone 17 Air may offer a better visual experience than previous base models, it’s unlikely to match the full Pro-level display technology. As usual, Apple seems focused on maintaining the premium appeal of its Pro line while still giving base model users something to look forward to.
Stay tuned as more details leak ahead of the iPhone 17 Air’s expected 2025 launch.
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