iPhone 17

iPhone 17 and 17 Air Leak Suggests Display Upgrade — But No ProMotion for Non-Pro Models

by

Apple fans hoping for a full-fledged ProMotion experience across all iPhone 17 models may have to temper their expectations. A new leak claims that while the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air will indeed receive 120Hz OLED displays, these panels won’t include ProMotion, the adaptive refresh technology long exclusive to the Pro line.

iPhone 17

120Hz Refresh Rate — But Without Adaptive ProMotion

According to a leak from Chinese tipster Fixed Focus Digital, both the iPhone 17 and the new iPhone 17 Air will get standard 120Hz panels, offering smoother scrolling and improved responsiveness over the 60Hz displays in current non-Pro models. However, unlike Apple’s ProMotion tech found in the Pro series, these displays won’t adjust dynamically between 1Hz and 120Hz depending on content.

This lack of adaptive refresh rate means features like Always-On Display and enhanced battery optimization — which have become staples in Pro models since the iPhone 13 Pro — are unlikely to appear on the standard 2025 iPhones.

Leaks Clash: A Mixed Bag of Rumors

This contradicts an earlier prediction from DSCC analyst Ross Young, who had suggested that ProMotion would finally come to the entire iPhone 17 lineup. Other reports have supported this theory, citing the push toward display parity across Apple’s product line. However, the latest leak casts doubt on those claims, suggesting Apple will continue to differentiate Pro and non-Pro iPhones not just by camera and chip, but also by display capabilities.

Why ProMotion Still Matters

First introduced with the iPhone 13 Pro, ProMotion is more than just a high refresh rate. It intelligently scales down to as low as 1Hz to conserve battery life when viewing static content and ramps up when needed — during gaming or high-speed scrolling. Its absence in non-Pro models means iPhone 17 and 17 Air users will get smoother visuals, but less efficiency and fewer features than their Pro counterparts.

Hardware and Launch Timeline

The iPhone 17 is expected to run on Apple’s A18 chip, while the iPhone 17 Air might debut with the new A19 chip, making it a slightly more premium option within the non-Pro line. As per tradition, Apple is likely to unveil the full iPhone 17 lineup in September 2025, including the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, which may ship with the A19 Pro chip and advanced camera capabilities.

The Bottom Line

If the leak holds true, Apple’s ProMotion technology will remain a Pro-exclusive — at least for another year. While 120Hz displays on the iPhone 17 and 17 Air mark a significant improvement, the lack of adaptive refresh will keep the Pro models as the go-to for the most advanced iPhone experience.

Author Profile

Ganpat Singh Chouhan
Ganpat Singh Chouhan
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.