IPhone 17 ProMotion: Why I’m Not Upgrading
Here’s a breakdown of the main points from the text:
ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate) is a desirable feature: The author and many others appreciate the smoother experiance a 120Hz display provides, making interactions feel more responsive.
Apple limits ProMotion to Pro models: currently, you need to spend $1,000+ to get an iPhone with a ProMotion display. This is a point of frustration for the author.
Author’s Loyalty: The author has held onto their iPhone 12 specifically because newer, cheaper iPhones haven’t offered ProMotion, despite other improvements (like the Dynamic Island, better cameras, and USB-C).
Apple’s ”Trickle-Down” Strategy is Slow: The author believes Apple is lagging behind competitors in making features like ProMotion available on more affordable models. Android phones, even entry-level ones, are increasingly offering high refresh rate displays.
Past Predictions: Display analyst Ross Young correctly predicted that ProMotion wouldn’t come to regular iPhones until 2024 at the earliest, citing supply chain issues.
Competitor Example: Google offered a 90Hz OLED display on the $700 Pixel 5 in 2020, while Apple’s iPhone 12 (starting at $799) did not have a high refresh rate.
Future Outlook: Rumors suggest all* four 2025 iPhone models (iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and a new iPhone 17 Air) will finally include ProMotion displays.
In essence, the article argues that Apple’s slow rollout of desirable features like ProMotion to its cheaper iPhone models is a disadvantage and a source of frustration for loyal customers.
