Apple’s upcoming series- iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air may feature upgraded 120Hz displays, but without the ProMotion technology, according to a new leak from Chinese tipster Fixed Focus Digital. This means the non-Pro models will not support adaptive refresh rates, limiting their ability to dynamically scale screen refresh based on usage.
ProMotion has been exclusive to iPhone Pro models since it debuted with the iPhone 13 Pro series. It allows the display to shift between 1Hz and 120Hz, offering smoother scrolling, better responsiveness, and battery efficiency, especially during static activities like reading or Always-On Display mode.
Conflicting reports on display upgrades
Earlier, display industry analyst Ross Young had suggested that Apple would bring ProMotion to all four iPhone 17 models. Multiple sources had echoed these expectations, hinting at a major leap in display quality for the standard iPhones.
However, the latest leak indicates that the iPhone 17 and 17 Air will only feature “ordinary 120Hz screens”, lacking the dynamic capabilities of ProMotion. In contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are still expected to support full ProMotion features.
iPhone 17 lineup launch expected in September 2025
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series in September 2025, comprising four models:
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
The standard iPhone 17 series may come powered by the A18 chip, while the 17 Air could get a more advanced A19 chip. The top-end Pro models are tipped to run the A19 Pro chip.
If the leak holds, Apple may continue its long-standing strategy of reserving ProMotion and other premium features for its Pro devices, keeping the base models slightly more affordable while still offering modest upgrades.
If these leaks hold, Apple may continue to differentiate its Pro and non-Pro models through display features, even as it upgrades the base iPhones to 120Hz panels. While the iPhone 17 and 17 Air may offer smoother visuals compared to their predecessors, the lack of ProMotion could limit advanced features like variable refresh rate and always-on display.