Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 lineup is expected to bring 120Hz displays to the base and Air models for the first time. However, according to a recent leak from a reliable Chinese source, these versions will feature standard 120Hz screens rather than the adaptive ProMotion technology reserved for the Pro variants. This means the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air will not support variable refresh rates, unlike the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, which continue to offer 120Hz OLED displays with ProMotion for smoother visuals and battery efficiency.
Since 2021, Apple has limited its ProMotion display technology—allowing dynamic refresh rates from 1Hz up to 120Hz—to the iPhone Pro models. The regular iPhone models, including the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, have been equipped with 60Hz OLED screens. This year, while rumors have pointed to a full 120Hz upgrade across all iPhone 17 models, the latest leak clarifies that only the Pro models will retain the advanced adaptive refresh rate feature.
Apple’s ProMotion displays enhance user experience by offering fluid animations, improved responsiveness, and energy-saving capabilities during static or low-motion usage. This technology also enables the always-on display functionality found in the Pro models. The base iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air will still provide a noticeable screen refresh rate boost to 120Hz but without the adaptive scaling benefits of ProMotion.
The iPhone 17 series is anticipated to debut in September alongside the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The standard iPhone 17 is rumored to feature the new A18 chip, while the iPhone 17 Air could come with an A19 chip. The Pro variants are expected to be powered by the A19 Pro chip, delivering enhanced performance for demanding tasks.
