Apple’s standard iPhone has at last crossed the 120Hz finish line. With the iPhone 17, the company brings an adaptive high‑refresh display to its mainstream model, catching up with a trend Android phones kicked off as early as 2017 and Apple’s own premium phones adopted in 2021.
The new 6.3-inch LTPO OLED panel ramps between 1Hz and 120Hz, promising smoother scrolling, more responsive gaming, and an always‑on display that sips power. It arrives alongside upgraded durability and brightness, addressing the biggest criticism of recent base iPhones: a flagship price tethered to a 60Hz screen while even budget Android handsets moved on.
Apple brings 120Hz to the standard iPhone
On paper, the display package hits the right notes. The LTPO (low‑temperature polycrystalline oxide) backplane enables a true 1–120Hz range, dynamically lowering refresh for static content to preserve battery, then spiking to 120Hz when you flick through feeds, scroll maps, or fire up a 120fps title. The difference is immediately visible in UI fluidity and touch responsiveness.
Hardware refinements extend beyond refresh. Apple cites “Ceramic Shield 2” for improved front glass toughness and introduces an anti‑reflective coating meant to cut glare in harsh light. Peak outdoor brightness climbs to a claimed 3,000 nits, up from 2,000 nits on the prior generation—putting the base iPhone’s readability in bright sun on par with the brightest panels marketed today. Real‑world luminance will depend on thermal limits and content, but the spec bump is substantial.
Seven years late: why the delay?
Apple’s timing isn’t just stubbornness. High refresh was a deliberate Pro‑line differentiator for several cycles, and there were practical hurdles. Analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants have long noted that LTPO manufacturing adds complexity and cost; scaling it to the enormous volumes a base iPhone demands requires maturing yields and diversified supplier capacity. Waiting also helps Apple hit tight battery life targets without ballooning device size.
There’s a business angle, too. By holding 120Hz back, Apple preserved a clear reason to upsell buyers to Pro models. Bringing it to the standard model now suggests the supply chain, cost structure, and power efficiency are finally aligned—without forcing a price move that would dilute the entry into the flagship lineup.
Android paved the high‑refresh path
The milestone echoes a well‑documented arc on the Android side. The gamer‑centric Razer Phone made headlines in 2017 with a 120Hz LCD. By 2019, the OnePlus 7 Pro and Pixel 4 popularized 90Hz, and Samsung’s Galaxy S20 family went all‑in on 120Hz in 2020. Within a couple of years, the tech filtered down: devices such as the Poco X3 and Galaxy A52 brought 120Hz to midrange budgets, albeit often on LCDs or OLEDs without broad adaptive ranges.
Flagships then layered in LTPO. Phones like the Galaxy S21 Ultra and subsequent premium models from multiple brands adopted 1–120Hz (or near‑equivalent) behavior, enabling always‑on displays with minimal standby drain. The iPhone 13 Pro family joined that club in 2021, but until now, Apple’s non‑Pro buyers were stuck at 60Hz despite paying premium prices.
What buyers should expect
Day to day, a 120Hz screen feels faster, even though it doesn’t change CPU performance. Scrolling text remains legible at speed, animations look more natural, and competitive games that support 120fps can feel more responsive thanks to reduced perceived latency. The LTPO backplane matters because it curbs the power penalty, dialing down to 1Hz for static widgets or an always‑on lock screen.
The brighter, less reflective panel should improve outdoor usability, a frequent pain point for mobile photographers, commuters, and anyone relying on maps in direct sun. Combined with tougher front glass, the overall display experience finally aligns with what buyers expect in this price tier on both ecosystems.
Bottom line
High‑refresh displays stopped being an Android novelty years ago. With the iPhone 17, Apple brings the standard iPhone up to speed—adding 120Hz, adaptive LTPO tech, a brighter panel, and tougher glass in one sweep. It’s late, but meaningful. For many shoppers who avoided the Pro line just to get a smoother screen, the last big reason to step up has finally disappeared.