iPhone 17/17 Air: Will a Display Technology Be Skipped in the Two Models?

News 06/04/2025

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TECH NEWS – Apple may omit a key display feature from two of its upcoming smartphone models, which could nudge users toward the pricier Pro versions.

Apple was widely expected to bring ProMotion to its entire iPhone 17 lineup, but a reliable insider suggests the company will again distinguish between standard and Pro models when it comes to display features. Introduced with the iPhone 13 Pro, ProMotion enables dynamic refresh rates depending on the content type or whether the phone is idle. Current Pro models can go as low as 1 Hz for still content, conserving battery — a feature that may be absent from the regular iP…

Earlier reports suggested the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air would both include ProMotion. However, according to Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, both devices will feature 120 Hz displays without ProMotion support. His sources claim Apple will use standard 120 Hz LTPS panels for these base models — not the adaptive LTPO panels needed for dynamic refresh rates. The iPhone 17 Air is also expected to replace the current Plus variant.

Fixed Refresh, Faster Drain

The fixed 120 Hz display will still offer smoother animations and scrolling than the 60 Hz LTPS panels found in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, but it will also consume more power. Since the screen refreshes constantly — even with static content — users may see reduced battery life. The improved fluidity, while noticeable in UI interactions, comes at the cost of efficiency.

The lack of ProMotion also means the phones won’t support the Always-On Display feature. That’s the one that keeps the lock screen clock, widgets, notifications, and wallpaper visible even when idle — a Pro-only perk, it seems.

Contradicting Claims from Analysts

On the other hand, noted display analyst Ross Young recently claimed that all iPhone 17 models will receive ProMotion this year. According to Young, Apple’s suppliers are ramping up LTPO panel production to support ProMotion across the entire lineup. This suggests Apple may still surprise us come launch time.

Until official announcements arrive, the possibility remains that Apple is deliberately withholding Pro features from base models to push users toward more expensive Pro editions — a familiar tactic in its product strategy.

Source: WCCFTech, Weibo

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Angyal Anikó

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