The iPhone 14 Pro Models Have 90 Hz Displays – Here‘s Why the Faster Refresh Rate Matters

The only iPhones currently equipped with 90 Hz display refresh rates are the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Their screens leverage Apple‘s ProMotion technology to dynamically vary the refresh rate from 10 Hz up to 120 Hz depending on usage, delivering a big leap in smoothness and responsiveness compared to 60 Hz models.

For iPhone shoppers wondering if these faster ProMotion displays are worth the upgrade, this 2650 word guide will dive into the differences between 60 vs 90/120 Hz screens and whether paying a premium for higher refresh rates makes sense based on how you use your iPhone.

What iPhones Have 90 Hz or 120 Hz Displays?

First, to quickly summarize which iPhone models have refresh rates higher than the standard 60 Hz:

• iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max: Up to 120 Hz variable refresh rate with ProMotion

• iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max: Up to 120 Hz variable refresh rate with ProMotion

• iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max: 60 Hz standard refresh rate

• iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max: 60 Hz standard refresh rate

No non-Pro iPhone models have yet upgraded beyond the 60 Hz screens Apple has utilized for years. Even the latest iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus stick with 60 Hz displays.

So if you want an iPhone with a 90 Hz or 120 Hz refresh rate, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are currently your only options. Expect this to remain the case in the near future as well based on rumors suggesting the iPhone 15 in 2024 will also reserve 120 Hz ProMotion for Pro variants.

Why Do Higher Refresh Rates Matter for iPhones?

Displays with refresh rates of 90 Hz, 120 Hz or even higher refresh the on-screen image more frequently each second compared to standard 60 Hz screens. This results in smoother apparent motion and much more fluid animations. It may seem minor on paper, but the difference in real world use is quite noticeable.

For example, with a 120 Hz display:

• Scrolling text becomes astoundingly smooth, with far less jittering
• Touch response feels instantaneous, with lag dramatically reduced
• System animations like closing apps have buttery smooth motion
• Video games really come alive with much higher frame rates

Apple‘s ProMotion technology also allows the refresh rate to dynamically adjust based on current usage down to as low as 10 Hz. So you get the benefits of faster speeds when needed without the battery life penalty of staying at 120 Hz unnecessarily.

Overall, while not necessarily revolutionary, the faster refresh rates make using the iPhone feel significantly more responsive and immersive. The subtle difference even makes 60 Hz devices feel laggy in comparison after your eyes adjust.

Key Benefits of 90 Hz/120 Hz iPhone Displays

Here‘s a closer look at some of the main benefits higher refresh rate displays provide:

Smoother Scrolling

One of the most immediately noticeable improvements is how much smoother text and images scroll at 90 or 120 Hz. Side by side with 60 Hz, the higher refresh rates appear dramatically more fluid and natural when browsing websites or feeds.

There‘s almost a “buttery” smoothness to scrolling on the ProMotion displays that makes everything feel effortless. Comparatively, 60 Hz scrolling seems choppy and disjointed.

Snappier Responsiveness

Thanks to a combination of the faster screen and enhanced touch sampling rates up to 240 Hz, devices with 90/120 Hz displays feel extremely snappy and responsive.

Actions like launching apps, opening menus, and interacting with elements have virtually no discernible lag. Everything reacts instantly on screen to your touch. It delivers a much more immersive, real world feel.

More Fluid Animations

System animations like closing an app, pulling up Control Center, or swiping between Home screens animate beautifully at up to 120 FPS.

Transitions happen seamlessly with smooth motion that seems almost lifelike. On 60 Hz iPhones, these same animations can look staggered and disjointed in comparison.

Lifelike Video Game Visuals

For mobile gamers, higher refresh rates are massively beneficial, enabling frame rates up to 2x or more versus 60 Hz. Fast-paced 3D games become incredibly fluid and realistic with the faster graphics.

This reduced input lag and instant on-screen response provides a real competitive edge multiplayer games. Motion just feels far more natural and lifelike at 90 or 120 FPS.

More Future Proofing

While not many apps and services currently take full advantage of 90/120 Hz device capabilities, having a high refresh rate display future proofs your iPhone for more immersive content down the road.

Refresh Rate Impacts on Battery Life

A common concern around displays with faster refresh rates is the potential impact on battery life. Pushing out more frames per second can require more power, especially for static content.

However, thanks to ProMotion‘s variable refresh rate, the impact on battery is quite minimal for iPhones with 90/120 Hz displays. Dropping down to 10 or 24 Hz for showing static content counterbalances the higher power draw when peak rates are activated as needed.

In fact, Apple claims the iPhone 14 Pro models actually have better battery life than the iPhone 13 Pros, despite the addition of the Always-On display. Clearly the variable refresh rate helps efficiently balance performance and power draw.

60 Hz vs 90/120 Hz Display Comparison

Here is a detailed comparison highlighting the differences between 60 Hz and 90/120 Hz displays:

Feature	60 Hz Display	90/120 Hz ProMotion Display
Smooth Scrolling	Choppy and jittery	Extremely smooth and fluid
Touch Responsiveness	Noticeable minor lag	Instant with no discernible lag
Animation Smoothness	Can appear staggered	Seamless, natural motion
Video Playback	Most content at native frame rate	No difference for 60 FPS video
Gaming Performance	Up to 60 FPS, moderate input lag	Up to 120 FPS, extremely low input lag
Battery Life Impact	Minimal impact	Variable rate mitigates impact
Viewing Experience	Baseline expected experience	Noticeably more responsive and immersive
Price Premium	Standard on base models	$100-200 upcharge for Pro models

While not a night and day difference, the faster refresh rate delivers a substantially smoother and snappier experience, especially for gaming and scrolling. Static content like video sees little benefit though. And the upgrades come at a price premium on Pro iPhones.

ProMotion Coming to Non-Pro iPhones Soon?

Based on the latest rumors and leaks, Apple currently has no plans to bring 120 Hz ProMotion displays to non-Pro iPhone models in the near future.

The upcoming iPhone 15 series in 2024 is expected to once again reserve 120 Hz LTPO screens for just the Pro models. The standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will remain limited to 60 Hz displays.

This will mark 4 straight years of ProMotion being restricted to the premium Pro tier iPhones. The earliest speculation points to potential 120 Hz displays in 2024 on non-Pro models, meaning a few more years of faster refresh rates carrying a $100-200 price premium.

Is a 90/120 Hz Display Worth the Pro Price Bump?

Given the price differential, deciding if a 90 or 120 Hz display merits paying up for the Pro iPhones comes down to a few key factors:

Worth the Upgrade For

• Competitive gamers wanting max frame rates
• Those who care deeply about responsiveness
• People who scroll and read a lot on their iPhones
• Any user wanting to “future proof” for upcoming 120 Hz content

May Not Be Worth It For

• Casual gamers who play simpler titles
• Users focused on productivity, messaging, email
• Video streamers viewing 60 FPS or lower content
• Budget-focused buyers who don’t need pro features

Ultimately it‘s a personal decision based on your usage, priorities and budget. Gamers and scroll-heavy users will appreciate the difference the most. But more casual users may be perfectly satisfied sticking with 60 Hz iPhones given the premium price tag ProMotion demands.

ProMotion and the iPhone 15: What to Expect

If you can hold off upgrading for now, the expected iPhone 15 launch in September 2023 could bring an even more advanced version of ProMotion to the next gen Pro models.

Rumors indicate the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will adopt low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) displays, allowing them to not just vary the refresh rate, but also lower the screen brightness significantly for the Always-On display.

This should provide an enhanced version of ProMotion and allow lowering refresh rates down to just 1 Hz for further power savings. Meanwhile, the non-pro iPhone 15 models will remain stuck at 60 Hz based on current leaks.

So iPhone 15 Pro buyers can expect an even more capable ProMotion display, while standard models won’t see higher refresh rates just yet. For the foreseeable future, 90/120 Hz will provide key differentiation to justify the Pro’s premium pricing.

Conclusion: Smoother ProMotion Displays Carry a Premium

If silky smooth scrolling, instant touch response, and immersive gameplay are necessities, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max deliver with their variable refresh rate ProMotion displays. For all other iPhone models, 60 Hz remains the status quo.

Paying the $100-$200 premium ProMotion demands comes down to personal preferences and use cases. But almost universally, the faster 90-120 Hz screens provide a noticeably more refined experience that makes using your iPhone feel like a premium upgrade.