Low-Power LTPO Technology Not Expected on iPhones Until 2021, Possibly Delaying ProMotion

Multiple sources have indicated that Apple is considering expanding its ProMotion technology to the iPhone, allowing for a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz for smoother motion content and greater responsiveness. The feature debuted on the iPad Pro in 2017.

iphone 11 pro display video
The rumors began in July 2019 when a reputable Samsung leaker known as "Ice Universe" on Twitter said Apple was considering a switchable 60Hz/120Hz refresh rate on at least one iPhone in 2020. This was followed by a DigiTimes Taiwan report in October that claimed Apple would release an iPhone with a 120Hz display this year.

More recently, both Max Weinbach and Jon Prosser have claimed that this year's higher-end iPhone 12 Pro models will in fact support ProMotion, although Prosser said there is a possibility that Apple could disable ProMotion at the software level prior to the devices launching if it decides the feature consumes too much battery life.

On that note, display analyst Ross Young today tweeted that the rumored Samsung Galaxy Note20+ will be the only flagship smartphone in 2020 to feature low-power LTPO display technology, adding that the iPhone will follow in 2021.


Young believes LTPO is essential if Apple plans to support ProMotion on the iPhone, as it would allow for a variable refresh as low as 1Hz when the device is inactive to optimize battery life. As with the Apple Watch Series 5, the technology could also pave the way for iPhones to have an always-on display option next year.

Here is how Apple describes LTPO for the Watch:

The low temperature poly-silicon and oxide display features a reinvented pixel architecture that lets the screen refresh rate dip from 60Hz to a power-sipping 1Hz when the watch is inactive. A new low-power driver, ultra-efficient power management, and a new ambient light sensor work together so the display can stay always on with up to 18 hours of battery life.

It is worth noting that the iPad Pro supports ProMotion without LTPO, so perhaps the feature really will launch on the iPhone this year, but it sounds like there is a possibility that Apple will simply wait until 2021.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

alpi123 Avatar
51 months ago
I can see how the tech community will go mad if Apple doesn't bring 120Hz display this year... and the rest of the customers wouldn't care about that feature.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LeadingHeat Avatar
51 months ago
I hope they don’t bring the always-on technology to iPhones. If they do, at least offer the toggle to switch that off.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
newyorksole Avatar
51 months ago
Jeez we went from like 2-3 articles in the past week saying “DEFINITELY PROMOTION” to now “not until 2021” and we’re just gonna believe that? Nah it’s time for ProMotion in the iPhone especially with the all-OLED lineup and larger sizes.

iPhone 12 will be remarkable.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goobot Avatar
51 months ago

Not sure how much I trust this guy's claim that you 'need LTPO for 120Hz', since, as stated in this article, the iPad Pro supports variable refresh rates up to 120Hz without LTPO....

More inclined to believe Jon Prosser's claim that the hardware will support 120 Hz but it may be nerfed in software.
iPad Pro uses lcd and iPhone used oled so comparing the two doesn’t mean anything.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GeoStructural Avatar
51 months ago
I don't care, so far it looks like a very worthy upgrade and I am happy for it. I am a tech enthusiast but 5G nor ProMotion are deciding factors for me right now.



I can see how the tech community will go mad if Apple doesn't bring 120Hz display this year... and the rest of the world wouldn't care about that feature.
I am one of those. I do not care about Pro Motion, I own an iPad Pro and honestly I see no difference with the previous generation I also owned, just more battery consumption.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
51 months ago

Not sure how much I trust this guy's claim that you 'need LTPO for 120Hz', since, as stated in this article, the iPad Pro supports variable refresh rates up to 120Hz without LTPO....

More inclined to believe Jon Prosser's claim that the hardware will support 120 Hz but it may be nerfed in software.
But the iPhone and iPad are dealing with vastly different battery capacities. You can use the iPad as a basis for an argument in this case. You are right that LTPO isn't needed for 120Hz displays since several phones already have them. I think what he may have meant is LTPO will help maintain or extend battery life of the devices using the tech.

I don't think the claim is entirely inaccurate regarding LTPO and the iPhone specifically because iPhones traditionally have the smallest battery capacity of modern flagships. Also we generally use our phones differently from iPads. I think iPads would spend more time at lower refresh rates than iPhones just based on mobile use cases.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

reset password request iphone

Warning: Apple Users Targeted in Phishing Attack Involving Rapid Password Reset Requests

Tuesday March 26, 2024 4:34 pm PDT by
Phishing attacks taking advantage of Apple's password reset feature have become increasingly common, according to a report from KrebsOnSecurity. Multiple Apple users have been targeted in an attack that bombards them with an endless stream of notifications or multi-factor authentication (MFA) messages in an attempt to cause panic so they'll respond favorably to social engineering. An...
iPhone Home Screen Gradient Blank Spaces 1

Sources: iOS 18 Lets Apps Be Placed Anywhere on Home Screen Grid

Sunday March 24, 2024 1:33 pm PDT by
iOS 18 will give iPhone users greater control over Home Screen app icon arrangement, according to sources familiar with the matter. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, to ensure there is some uniformity, our sources say that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18. For example, we expect that the update will introduce...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Purple

iOS 18: What to Expect From 'Biggest' Update in iPhone's History

Wednesday March 27, 2024 11:10 am PDT by
At least some Apple software engineers continue to believe that iOS 18 will be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. "The iOS 18 update is expected to be the most ambitious overhaul of the iPhone's software in its history, according to people working on the upgrade," wrote Gurman, in a r...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces WWDC 2024 Event for June 10 to 14

Tuesday March 26, 2024 10:02 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2024 will be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC 2024 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new...
apple maps 3d feature

Apple Maps May Gain Custom Routes With iOS 18

Tuesday March 26, 2024 3:10 pm PDT by
Apple may be planning to add support for "custom routes" in Apple Maps in iOS 18, according to code reviewed by MacRumors. Apple Maps does not currently offer a way to input self-selected routes, with Maps users limited to Apple's pre-selected options, but that may change in iOS 18. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file to its maps backend labeled "CustomRouteCreation." While not much is revealed...
iPad Pro 2024 Landscape Camera Feature

New iPad Pro Again Rumored to Feature Landscape Front-Facing Camera

Monday March 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
The next-generation iPad Pro will feature a landscape-oriented front-facing camera for the first time, according to the Apple leaker known as "Instant Digital." Instant Digital reiterated the design change earlier today on Weibo with a simple accompanying 2D image. The post reveals that the entire TrueDepth camera array will move to the right side of the device, while the microphone will...
sonoma desktop wwdc

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 With Fix for USB Hub Bug

Monday March 25, 2024 10:10 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, a minor update for the macOS Sonoma operating system that launched last September. macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 comes three weeks after macOS Sonoma 14.4. The ‌‌‌‌macOS Sonoma‌‌ 14.4‌.1 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings. There's also a macOS 13.6.6 release for those who...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Purple

iOS 18 Will Finally Bring This Android Feature to iPhone

Monday March 25, 2024 6:42 am PDT by
iOS 18 will allow iPhone users to place app icons anywhere on the Home Screen grid, according to sources familiar with development of the software update. This basic feature has long been available on Android smartphones. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, our sources said that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18....