iPhone 17 and 17 Air May Get 120Hz Displays—But Without Full ProMotion Features
Apple is reportedly preparing to upgrade the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air with 120Hz displays—but they may come without full ProMotion capabilities.
For years, Apple’s ProMotion technology has been exclusive to Pro models, offering not just higher refresh rates, but dynamic scaling between 10Hz and 120Hz, and even down to 1Hz on the latest Pro iPhones.
120Hz Is Coming—But Not ProMotion?
According to new leaks, the iPhone 17 and 17 Air will finally ditch the aging 60Hz panels in favor of high refresh rate displays, possibly with static refresh rate options like 60Hz / 90Hz / 120Hz.
However, these displays likely won’t support variable refresh rates like ProMotion does. Instead of using LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) panels, Apple may opt for LTPS panels that don’t dynamically adjust to save battery on static content.
What’s the Big Difference Without LTPO?
ProMotion isn’t just about smoother scrolling—it’s about power efficiency. Here's how:
iPhone 13 Pro supported dynamic scaling from 10Hz–120Hz
iPhone 14 Pro and beyond dropped the lower limit to 1Hz, enabling Always-On Display (AOD)
iPhone 17 / 17 Air may only support fixed rates and likely won’t support AOD
That means smoother visuals, but likely lower battery efficiency compared to the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, which are expected to retain LTPO ProMotion panels.
What About the iPhone 17e?
The iPhone 17e, expected in early 2026 as part of Apple’s new annual “e” series, may not get the 120Hz treatment. Apple could use this model to maintain an entry-level offering with traditional 60Hz displays—though that detail remains unclear.
Final Thoughts
Even without full ProMotion, the shift to 120Hz on the iPhone 17 and 17 Air is a long-overdue step. Most mid-range Android competitors already offer 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rates—even with LTPO in some cases.
While Apple may not go all-in with ProMotion on the non-Pro models, fans of smoother scrolling and improved responsiveness should still see a major leap in display experience.
Follow Deal4.ca for updates on the iPhone 17 series and the best deals on Apple devices when they launch.
