Gone will be the days of laggy screens. Apple’s next iPhone lineup might see a big change, according to a leak from Weibo user Ice Universe, known for accurate display details on iPhones. The smoother 120Hz refresh rate experience, previously exclusive to Pro models, could be available for the iPhone 17 base model as well.
This is thanks to a rumored switch to LTPO displays for all models except the iPhone SE 4, which might retain the older LTPS tech.
The leak also hints at a new iPhone 17 variant with a 6.65-inch LTPO display and a hefty $1,299 price tag. This could be the long-rumored “Ultra” or “Slim” version, sitting above the iPhone 17 Pro Max in pricing.
The leak also shows a spec gap between Pro and regular models. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max might have 12GB RAM, a triple 48MP camera system, and the upcoming 3nm A19 Pro chip, while the iPhone 17 base models get an A19 chip.
With the rumored ProMotion displays, regular iPhones will also be able to show an always-on display, a feature currently missing from them.
If this turns out to be true, the base users will finally get to use the 120Hz refresh rate, which has become an industry-standard lately. As they say, it is better late than never, but I still think it should’ve been introduced in the iPhone 15 model; Apple is more than a couple of years late implementing it in the base models.