The entire iPhone 17 lineup just got a massive screen upgrade, boasting an incredibly bright 3000-nit display. However, and more importantly, the base iPhone 17 finally gets ProMotion, bringing that silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate to everyone, not just Pro users.
What's the big deal with the new iPhone screens?
The base iPhone 17 is finally getting the screen update it deserves. | Image credit — Apple
Apple's September event is always packed with news, but this year, the real showstopper has been the improved screen. For years, if you wanted that super-fluid ProMotion display, you had to shell out for a Pro model. Well, that finally changes with the iPhone 17.
All four new models—the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the new iPhone Air—are getting the Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion. This means the screen can intelligently ramp its refresh rate up to 120Hz for buttery smooth scrolling and gaming, and then drop it down to just 1Hz for the Always-On display to save battery. On top of that, the whole lineup gets a dazzling 3000 nits of peak outdoor brightness and a tougher Ceramic Shield 2 coating.
But, let's all say it out loud, the headline here is that the standard, entry-level iPhone 17 is no longer stuck in 60Hz-land.
Why this screen upgrade is a game-changer
The new iPhone 17 screen will drop to 1Hz refresh rate when in always-on display mode. | Image credit — Apple
Everyone knows that Apple has been dragging its feet on this for a while. Competitors like Samsung have been putting 120Hz displays on their standard Galaxy S phones for generations, making the 60Hz screen on the base iPhone feel dated and, frankly, a bit cheap for a phone at its price point. It's been a clear-cut reason to either spend more on a Pro model or look at the Android competition.
This move finally puts the base iPhone on a level playing field. You no longer have to pay a "Pro" tax to get a core feature that drastically improves the day-to-day feel of using your phone. Everything from flicking through social media to navigating iOS just feels more responsive and modern. This makes the standard iPhone 17 an incredibly compelling option for the average person who wants a fantastic phone but doesn't necessarily need the triple-camera system or LiDAR scanner of the Pro models.
Now that 120Hz refresh rate is available on the standard iPhone 17, do you think that’s the one to get?
Yes, that was the only thing holding me back.
50%
No, there are several other reasons for me to go Pro.
5%
Who cares? Android phones have had this for ages.
45%
It's about time, Apple
Images credit — Apple
My personal take? This is the upgrade many Apple fans have been asking for. Keeping ProMotion as a Pro-exclusive feature for so long felt like an artificial way to push people to the more expensive models, and the user experience on the base iPhone suffered for it. This change isn't a revolutionary leap forward; it's Apple finally fixing a long-standing disparity and catching up with the rest of the industry.
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And for that reason, I think the iPhone 17 is going to be a massive hit. That 60Hz-to-120Hz jump is one of those upgrades you can't unsee once you've experienced it. For anyone holding onto an older, non-Pro iPhone, this is probably the most compelling reason to upgrade in years. We'll be going hands-on with the full lineup as soon as we can, so stick around for our full review.
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Johanna 'Jojo the Techie' is a skilled mobile technology expert with over 15 years of hands-on experience, specializing in the Google ecosystem and Pixel devices. Known for her user-friendly approach, she leverages her vast tech support background to provide accessible and insightful coverage on latest technology trends. As a recognized thought leader and former member of #TeamPixel, Johanna ensures she stays at the forefront of Google services and products, making her a reliable source for all things Pixel and ChromeOS.
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