Display Analyst Once Again Says No 120Hz ProMotion Display Coming to iPhone 12 Pro

Apple's iPhone 12 models will not feature an upgraded 120Hz ProMotion display, according to display analyst Ross Young. Young previously said that Apple would not implement ProMotion technology until it adopted low-power LTPO display technology, a move Apple is not expected to make until 2021.

2020 iphones pro motion
In a tweet shared this morning, Young said that the none of his contacts have been able to corroborate rumors that the ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro models will feature 120Hz displays, with his sources instead indicating 120Hz technology will be coming in the 2021 ‌iPhone‌ refresh.


There's been a lot of back and forth on the ProMotion display rumors, with some leakers suggesting 120Hz support is in the works. These rumors kicked off in 2019 when leaker "Ice Universe" said that Apple was considering a switchable 60Hz/120Hz refresh rate for at least one ‌iPhone‌ in 2020.

Taiwanese site DigiTimes has also said that Apple is planning to release an ‌iPhone‌ with a 120Hz display, as have leakers Max Weinbach and Jon Prosser.

Young, who has display expertise, has maintained that Apple will implement ProMotion in 2021 alongside the adoption of low-power LTPO displays which will allow for a variable refresh rate that preserves battery life. Adding a ProMotion display to the ‌iPhone‌ without the technology could result in undesirable battery drain, though it's worth noting the iPad Pro uses ProMotion without LTPO.

Last week, Ice Universe again claimed that the ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max models will offer displays capable of refresh rates up to 120Hz. "A reliable source, if there is no accident, ‌‌iPhone‌ 12‌ Pro and ‌‌iPhone‌ 12‌ Pro Max have basically determined the maximum 120Hz refresh rate," he said.

There's also an accessibility setting in iOS 14 that appears to limit the frame rate of the ‌iPhone‌ to 60 frames per second, which could be indicative that future iPhones will support higher frame rates. The setting does not show up for all beta users, however, and could be a bug.

ProMotion technology on the ‌iPad Pro‌ is able to dynamically adjust the display to the movement of content, resulting in more fluid scrolling, smoother motion, and improved responsiveness. The frame rate changes based on the content on the screen, preserving battery life.

Given the mixed rumors about ProMotion display technology, we may not know for sure if the new iPhones will have the feature until their debut this fall. Current rumors suggest Apple will unveil the new iPhones in September, but a launch for some or all models could be delayed until October or November.

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Top Rated Comments

supergt Avatar
60 months ago
But the box is exquisite!
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ds6778 Avatar
60 months ago

I don't get what the problem is. They have it already on the iPad and all the other big phone companies are doing it.

Why is apple struggling with it?
Well for one, the iPad is an LCD panel. Entirely different technology.

I believe the difference between what Android OEMs are doing and what Apple wants to do is Apple wants to have their panels dynamically refresh and adjust the frame rates based on what is being viewed/interacted with. Android OEMs just brute force 120 on everything and also have to use a lower resolution.

Short answer? Android is doing it to check off a spec box.

Apple wants to do it the right way and what will be best for the end user.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
motm95 Avatar
60 months ago
So in other words, there will be no promotion of ProMotion displays.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zito Abroad Avatar
60 months ago
You gotta love the things an OEM can do when they have a blind following. No charger, no earbuds, no advance hardware, etc.. They complain and complain, but they keep on buying. Or they don't complain, instead, they justify why Apple doesn't do things first, because they say, Apple wants to do it the "right way." At the same time they call Apple a leader. Yup.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
UltimateSyn Avatar
60 months ago
Breaking News: Apple has reversed course and now re-double-triple-finalized their plans to include 120 Hz displays in iPhone 12
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
60 months ago
If it doesn’t I’ll be angry there is no way they can’t do it when everyone else is
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)