Apple’s Base IPhone 17 Could Get A Display Upgrade

Apple usually reserves the latest technology for its more expensive iPhones. However, after a few years, Apple brings it to the lower-end models. The good news is that if you have been holding off on buying an iPhone, the iPhone 17 could finally getting get a display upgrade in the form of ProMotion.

iPhone 17 ProMotion upgrade

For those unfamiliar, ProMotion is basically an Apple marketing term to denote that the display has a 120Hz refresh rate. As it stands, only the iPhone Pro and Pro Max models have it. Apple’s base and Plus iPhones use a standard 60Hz refresh rate. However, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter, Apple will upgrade the base iPhone 17 with a ProMotion display.

This is a nice upgrade for those who don’t want to splurge on Apple’s more expensive Pro or Pro Max models. However, it also shows how “lazy” Apple has been with its upgrades. In the Android world, the vast majority of smartphones, including those in the budget category, have a 120Hz refresh rate.

This isn’t the first time we’re hearing this rumor, so Gurman’s newsletter basically corroborates previous reports. That being said, it’s no surprise that Apple continues to nickel-and-dime customers for as long as it can. But if you’re a diehard Apple fan, then this upgrade is a welcome one.

New iPhone lineup

Apple is launching its new iPhone 17 models later this year, possibly around September. The lineup this year is slightly different from last year. Instead of the base, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max models, Apple could ditch the Plus model in favor of the iPhone 17 Air. Apple is also rumored to change the Pro Max model name to Ultra, if the rumors are accurate.

The iPhone 17 Air is Apple’s latest model. It will feature an ultra-thin body, making it Apple’s thinnest iPhone  to date. Rumors also suggest that it serves as a testbed for future Apple products, such as the company’s foldable iPhone expected to arrive in 2026.

Due to the thin body, Apple needs to figure out a way to rearrange the components. This includes the phone’s battery life. We expect that these technological advances will carry over to the foldable iPhone, which is also rumored to be pretty thin.