The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air are rumored to finally feature 120Hz displays, marking a long-awaited refresh rate bump for Apple’s non-Pro lineup. However, according to new leaks, these screens won’t come with ProMotion’s adaptive refresh rate technology.
ProMotion isn’t just about hitting 120Hz — it’s the ability to dynamically scale from 10Hz (or 1Hz in the latest Pro models) to 120Hz, optimizing battery life and delivering smoother animations. The iPhone 17 and 17 Air displays will likely stick to a few fixed refresh rates, like 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz, without the fine-grained control of ProMotion or the Always-On Display (AOD) feature.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max will continue to offer LTPO panels with true ProMotion support. It’s uncertain whether Apple will extend 120Hz to the budget-friendly iPhone 17e, set for early 2026. Either way, it’s a relief to see Apple retiring 60Hz panels from its premium-tier devices.
