“Users will be able to switch between 120Hz and 60Hz in order to preserve battery life, as per the leak”
2020 iPhone models will reportedly come with 120Hz displays. Earlier this year, a rumour suggested that the upcoming 2019 iPhones would feature a display with 120Hz refresh rate. Now, there’s a new report that suggests Apple would use 120Hz displays in the 2020 iPhones. Notably, the current-generation iPhone XS and the XS Max ship with a 60Hz display, like most smartphones. For those who are unaware, a display with a higher refresh rate provides faster animations, smoother scrolling, and is more pleasant on the eyes. It seems possible now that the 2020 iPhones will indeed get 120Hz displays.
According to a tweet by tipster Ice Universe, Apple could include a switchable display on the 2020 iPhones. The display will have a refresh rate of 120Hz, but users would be able to switch it back to 60Hz if they prefer. As per the tipster, the company is in talks with OLED display manufacturers LG and Samsung to source these displays. Apple already ships 120Hz displays with its products. Case in point, the iPad Pro comes with a display called ProMotion, which has a refresh rate of 120Hz.
The 2017 iPad Pro, both the 12.9-inch and the 10.5-inch variants, features a 120Hz display. These displays can consume a lot of battery, therefore, Apple made sure that the screen doesn’t run at 120Hz all the time. When viewing an image, the ProMotion display drops its refresh rate to 24Hz. While watching a video, the refresh rate is switched to 48Hz. The 2020 iPhones could also feature a ProMotion display with automatic refresh rate or switchable refresh rate.
While a screen with a higher refresh rate is great, it does consume a lot of battery. The Razer Phone was one of the first to feature a 120Hz display. Most recently, the OnePlus 7 Pro has a 90Hz screen, which can be switched to 60Hz to preserve battery. The upcoming Huawei Mate 30 Pro is rumoured to feature a 90Hz screen. If the 2020 iPhones do come with a 120Hz display, Apple will surely increase the battery capacity as well. A great display is no good for the consumer if the battery needs to be charged every now and then.
