Recent rumors surrounding the iPhone 17 have focused mainly on two versions: the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Rumors say the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be the ultra-slim phone that replaces the Plus version, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be Apple's best product in 2025 with many exclusive features.
iPhone 17 will see many interesting upgrades.
Not all consumers will choose these models, however. Some may not like the compromises that come with the iPhone 17 Air, while others may not like the size or starting price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. For those customers, the base iPhone 17 will be a great alternative, just as the base iPhone 16 did this year.
If the rumors are true, the base iPhone 17 could be the biggest upgrade in years. In particular, Apple is said to be bringing ProMotion to the cheapest iPhone in the upcoming lineup, something fans have been waiting for for a long time. If that happens, the iPhone 17 will have a 120Hz refresh rate display, which is on par with its competitors.
This comes as a leaker known as Digital Chat Station on Weibo said that the standard version of the iPhone 17 will support a high refresh rate. Previously, the base, mini, and Plus models of the iPhone only had 60Hz OLED panels. If this information is correct, Apple will upgrade the display of the base iPhone 17 model to 120Hz.
The upgrade to 120Hz screen alone is definitely appreciated.
Additionally, many rumors say that all iPhone 17 models will be equipped with LTPO displays that provide a ProMotion experience. ProMotion technology not only supports a 120Hz refresh rate, but also has the ability to adjust this rate from 1Hz to 120Hz depending on the content displayed, which helps save battery significantly.
If the iPhone 17 Air supports ProMotion, the lineup will have three models with 120Hz displays. This would force Apple to equip the base model with 120Hz panels so that the product does not fall behind the competition.
Many Android devices, including mid-range ones, already come with 120Hz OLED panels. This is one of the main reasons why Apple decided to upgrade the displays on non-Pro iPhone models. To meet production demands, Apple needs to ensure that its suppliers have enough capacity to produce 120Hz panels.
The iPhone 17 has many more valuable upgrades than the iPhone 17 Air.
According to recent reports, Apple suppliers including LG Display and Samsung Display are preparing to meet the demand for OLED panels for the iPhone 17 series, with Samsung Display expected to take the lion's share of orders. Apple currently sells more than 200 million iPhones a year, of which nearly 40% are brand new models.
