Back in 2020, I made the switch from Android to Apple, buying an iPhone 12. Nearly five years later, I’m still using that same phone. It’s not because I don’t want the latest tech; it’s because Apple has stubbornly refused to give me the one feature I truly care about on a standard iPhone: a ProMotion display.
For years, this single feature has been held captive behind the “Pro” paywall, but if the latest rumors are true, my long wait might finally be over.
For those unfamiliar with Apple’s marketing lingo, ProMotion is the term for a high-refresh-rate (120Hz) screen.
It makes every scroll, swipe, and animation feel buttery smooth. It’s a feature so fundamental to a premium experience that it has become standard on even budget Android phones.
Yet, on an iPhone, it remains a luxury item. The lack of a standard iPhone 17 ProMotion display would be a final confirmation that Apple is out of touch with what mainstream users want.
This isn’t just a personal complaint; it’s an analysis of Apple’s frustrating trickle-down strategy and a look at why the upcoming iPhone 17 release date could be a major turning point for the entire lineup.
The ProMotion Divide: A Feature Kept Behind a Paywall
Apple introduced the ProMotion display with the iPhone 13 Pro in 2021. Since then, it has been a key differentiating feature for its most expensive models.
While Pro users enjoy a fluid 120Hz experience, standard iPhone buyers have been stuck in the past with a 60Hz screen.
This is a problem for Apple. The difference is not subtle; once you use a 120Hz screen, going back to 60Hz feels jarring and slow. This feature is no longer a niche luxury.
In 2020, the same year Apple launched the $799 iPhone 12 with a 60Hz screen, Google released the $700 Pixel 5 with a 90Hz display.
Today, high refresh rates are everywhere in the Android world.
By keeping this feature exclusive to its Pro models, Apple has created an artificial barrier that has kept long-time users like me from upgrading.
The expectation for a standard iPhone 17 ProMotion display is therefore incredibly high.
A Test of Patience: Apple’s Slow Trickle-Down Strategy
Apple is famous for its “trickle-down” strategy, where features from Pro models eventually make their way to the standard lineup.
We saw it with the Dynamic Island, which debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro and came to the standard iPhone 15 a year later. We’re also seeing it with the slow but steady global push to make the iPhone 17 eSIM-only.
Display analyst Ross Young has previously suggested that supply chain limitations were the reason for the delay in bringing ProMotion to all models. But for many, including myself, that argument feels weak.
It seems more likely that Apple has been using the ProMotion display as a key upsell tactic to push consumers toward the more expensive Pro devices. This strategy, however, can backfire by causing users to hold onto their old phones for longer, waiting for the one feature they truly value.
The End of the “Pro” as We Know It?
The latest rumors suggest that the long wait is almost over. All four 2025 models the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and the new iPhone 17 Air—are reportedly set to feature a 120Hz ProMotion display. If this is true, it solves my upgrade problem, but it creates a new one for Apple: what’s the point of the “Pro” model anymore?
If the iPhone 17 ProMotion display is standard, and rumors of the Pro models returning to an aluminum chassis are also true, the only major difference would be the telephoto camera. Is a zoom lens enough to justify a several-hundred-dollar price difference? I doubt it.
This could signal the beginning of the end for the “Pro” lineup as we know it. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has mentioned that Apple plans to go “all-in” on the new, ultra-thin iPhone Air, which could eventually become the true flagship. This entire strategy will be powered by new software, building on updates like iOS 18.6 and the iOS 26 beta.
For me, and millions of others, the decision is simple. If the standard iPhone 17 finally gets a ProMotion display, it will be an instant upgrade. If not, this trusty iPhone 12 will live to see another year. It’s your move, Apple.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is an iPhone ProMotion display?
A ProMotion display is Apple’s brand name for a screen with a high, adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. This makes all motion on the screen, like scrolling and gaming, appear much smoother and more fluid than on a standard 60Hz display.
2. Which current iPhones have ProMotion?
Currently, only the “Pro” and “Pro Max” models of the iPhone have a ProMotion display. The standard models use a 60Hz display.
3. Will the standard iPhone 17 definitely have ProMotion?
While leaks from credible sources are strong, this is not officially confirmed. Apple will reveal the final specifications for all its new gadgets at the iPhone launch event in September.
4. What is the iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 17 Air is a rumored new model in the 2025 lineup that is expected to be significantly thinner than the other models. It may initially have some compromises, like a single camera, but could represent the future design direction for Apple’s flagship phones.