For nearly five years, my trusty iPhone 12 has served me faithfully. Its reliability and consistent performance have kept me loyal, despite the allure of newer models. But there's one feature that has consistently held me back from upgrading: ProMotion. Apple's marketing term for a high-refresh-rate display, ProMotion, with its buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate (and ability to scale down to 1Hz for always-on functionality), offers a noticeably improved user experience compared to the standard 60Hz. Gaming and everyday interactions feel significantly smoother, a stark difference readily apparent to anyone who's experienced it.
This wasn't merely a matter of wanting the latest and greatest; the absence of ProMotion on standard iPhones felt like a significant omission. While many Android manufacturers included high-refresh-rate displays even on budget devices, Apple remained stubbornly exclusive, locking this desirable feature behind its premium pricing tier. The iPhone 15, with its upgraded Dynamic Island and USB-C charging, tempted me, but the lack of ProMotion proved insurmountable. I wasn't alone; many likely shared my hesitation.
Apple's strategy, a slow trickle-down approach to technology, lagged behind competitors. Analyst Ross Young accurately predicted the iPhone 15's universal Dynamic Island adoption in 2022, simultaneously suggesting ProMotion wouldn't reach standard models until at least 2024. Supply chain limitations were cited, though the actual reasons remain speculative. In 2020, Google's Pixel 5, priced lower than the iPhone 12, already sported a 90Hz OLED screen.
However, reports indicate that 2025 may be the year my upgrade finally happens. All four iPhone 17 models—the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and the new iPhone 17 Air—are rumored to boast 120Hz displays. This potential shift leaves me pondering its implications for Apple's product line.
The prolonged absence of ProMotion on standard iPhones likely stemmed from Apple's desire to incentivize consumers to opt for the more expensive Pro models. If these rumors prove true, the iPhone Pro series faces a dilemma. With ProMotion no longer a distinguishing feature and potential aluminum construction for the Pro and Pro Max, the justification for their higher price tag weakens, beyond the telephoto lens and larger display of the Pro Max.
This situation might mark the twilight of the iPhone Pro as we know it. Conversations with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggest Apple's significant investment in the iPhone Air. While initially limited in features (single camera and potentially shorter battery life), Apple aims to progressively enhance the Air, eventually matching the capabilities of its higher-priced siblings.
This suggests a future where the iPhone Air, alongside the standard iPhone, offers comparable features, but with a premium placed on the sleeker design of the Air. It's a hopeful vision – one where technological advancements are shared across the iPhone lineup, ensuring consumers aren't relegated to inferior features based solely on price.
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Originally published at: https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/if-the-iphone-17-doesnt-get-promotion-i-wont-be-upgrading-my-iphone-12-120030630.html
