The upcoming iPhone 17 series is generating considerable buzz regarding its display technology, specifically whether all models will support Apple’s ProMotion technology and Always-On Display (AOD) features. These two enhancements significantly improve user experience by enabling smoother visuals and persistent information visibility without draining battery life.
ProMotion Technology on iPhone 17 Models
ProMotion is a display technology that dynamically adjusts the screen refresh rate up to 120Hz for smooth animations and responsiveness, while lowering it to as little as 1Hz to conserve battery when static images are displayed. This technology was first introduced on the iPad Pro in 2017 and later appeared on iPhone Pro models starting with the iPhone 13 Pro.
For the iPhone 17, multiple reports suggest a major shift: ProMotion will no longer be exclusive to the Pro models. According to leaks from supply chain sources and prominent leakers such as Digital Chat Station, all iPhone 17 models—including the standard and possibly a slim variant—are expected to feature ProMotion support. This marks a significant upgrade from the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, which use LTPS panels capped at 60Hz refresh rates, to LTPO OLED panels across the entire iPhone 17 lineup enabling adaptive refresh rates.
This means users of the standard iPhone 17 will experience smoother scrolling, more fluid gaming, and enhanced video playback similar to the Pro models, without the battery penalty of a constant high refresh rate. However, there is some conflicting information from a leaker with a mixed track record who claims the iPhone 17 will have a fixed 120Hz display without true ProMotion adaptive refresh capabilities, but this claim lacks strong corroboration and contrasts with the majority of reports[1].
Always-On Display Support
The Always-On Display feature leverages the low refresh rate capability of LTPO panels to show key information such as time, widgets, notifications, and battery status even when the screen appears off. This feature debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro models and has been tied closely to ProMotion technology due to its power-efficient refresh rate scaling.
Industry rumors and analyst insights indicate that the iPhone 17 standard models will also gain Always-On Display support, enabled by the adoption of LTPO OLED panels. This would be the first time Apple brings AOD to the non-Pro iPhone line, enhancing usability by allowing glanceable information without unlocking the phone[3].
Summary
- ProMotion on All Models: The iPhone 17 series is widely expected to feature ProMotion technology across all models, moving beyond the Pro-only limitation of previous generations. This upgrade will deliver smoother user interface interactions and better battery efficiency through adaptive refresh rates.
- Always-On Display: Alongside ProMotion, Always-On Display support is likely to be introduced on all iPhone 17 variants, enabled by the power-efficient LTPO OLED panels.
- Display Panel Upgrade: The shift from LTPS to LTPO OLED panels for all models is a key enabler for these features, marking a significant display technology advancement for the iPhone lineup.
While some conflicting reports exist, the consensus from multiple credible leaks and supply chain information strongly supports that Apple will bring both ProMotion and Always-On Display to every iPhone 17 model, making 2025 a landmark year for iPhone display technology enhancements.
This expansion of premium display features to all models aligns with Apple’s historical pattern of gradually trickling down Pro features to standard models over time, enhancing the overall user experience across its product range.
[1] https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/06/03/iphone-17-will-not-get-a-promotion-display-new-conflicting-rumor-claims
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/1b17zi5/iphone_17_and_iphone_17_plus_to_feature_promotion/
[3] https://zeerawireless.com/blogs/news/iphone-17-update-8-features-you-should-know-120hz-screen-wireless-future-more