Apple iPhone 17 Base Models May Finally Adopt 120Hz ProMotion LTPO Displays

Apple’s base iPhone models have lagged behind Android devices in some areas, particularly with display refresh rates. Apple has held onto the 60Hz display for its standard models, which is outdated for a flagship phone, and users are eager to see an upgrade.

Rumors suggest Apple may finally introduce 120Hz LTPO screens in the base iPhone 17 models. Even the rumored iPhone 17 Air (or iPhone 17 Slim) might adopt Apple’s ProMotion technology, replacing the slow 60Hz panels once and for all.

Apple was late to adopt 120Hz refresh rates, which only became available with the iPhone 13 Pro in 2021. Since then, the high-refresh ProMotion display has remained exclusive to Pro models. But ProMotion technology has advanced significantly.

Apple’s LTPO x ProMotion displays enable variable refresh rates between 1Hz and 120Hz, using low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO), a technology first introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro. The 1-120Hz LTPO display is currently the most advanced and costly version of this tech.

There is still uncertainty about the refresh rate that the iPhone 17, 17 Plus, and 17 Slim might use. It could be the full 1-120Hz range, a more limited 30-120Hz range, or possibly something less costly. Regardless, seeing 120Hz animations on the iPhone 17 base lineup would be a welcome upgrade.