iPhone 17: 120Hz LTPO Across All Models — What Experience Upgrades Does It Bring?

The iPhone 17 series ushers in a significant display upgrade by bringing the 120Hz LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) refresh rate technology to all its models, not just the Pro versions as before. This leap to a uniform high refresh rate display promises smoother screen interactions and improved battery efficiency, marking a notable milestone in the iPhone’s evolution.

Smoother Screen Interaction and Visual Experience

The 120Hz refresh rate essentially doubles the standard 60Hz rate found in previous standard iPhone models. This means scrolling through apps, animations, and videos become significantly more fluid and responsive. Users will enjoy a silky smoothness, particularly noticeable in fast-paced content and gaming. With LTPO technology, the display can dynamically adjust the refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz, optimizing for the content being viewed and the activity state of the phone, thereby delivering smooth visuals without unnecessary power consumption.12

LTPO Technology: Balancing Performance and Power Efficiency

LTPO displays are a key enabler for this adaptive refresh rate. Unlike traditional OLED or LCD tech, LTPO can drastically reduce power draw by lowering refresh rates during static content viewing (like reading emails or looking at photos) and ramping up to 120Hz when needed. This translates to better battery life compared to non-adaptive high refresh rate screens. Apple’s inclusion of LTPO in all iPhone 17 models means users benefit from both elevated screen fluidity and extended battery longevity, a win-win balance.123

Battery Life Compared to Previous Models

Before iPhone 17, only the Pro models had access to the 120Hz ProMotion displays, while the base iPhones stuck to 60Hz. This invariably meant a notable difference in both visual experience and battery life optimization between models. The iPhone 17’s standard models now catch up by adopting LTPO high refresh rate displays, promising improved battery endurance despite the higher refresh rates. Industry testing shows that typical power consumption increase from 60Hz to 120Hz can range from about 10-30%, but thanks to LTPO’s dynamic scaling, the overall impact is minimized, maintaining respectable battery life for daily use.45

What Has Changed from the iPhone 16?

The iPhone 16 series’ base models were locked to a 60Hz OLED display, causing a less fluid scrolling and visual experience compared to Pro counterparts. The switch in the iPhone 17 to a 6.3″ LTPO OLED with 120Hz refresh rate marks a fundamental upgrade in display tech for the whole lineup, accompanied by slimmer bezels and increased brightness. These changes not only improve usability but also make the base model much more competitive against rivals who have long adopted high refresh rates across all tiers.46

The Significance of High Refresh Rate Proliferation

Apple’s decision to bring the 120Hz LTPO display to all iPhone 17 models ended a long-standing distinction that often left non-Pro users feeling like they missed out on key display advancements. This move emphasizes uniform user experience quality and brings Apple on par with other flagship smartphones that have adopted high refresh rate displays broadly. More than just a specs upgrade, this ensures smoother user interaction, less eye strain, and a more enjoyable media consumption experience for every iPhone owner.

Conclusion

The iPhone 17’s full-series adoption of the 120Hz LTPO display is a meaningful step forward for Apple’s smartphone lineup. It dramatically enhances screen fluidity and responsiveness, while LTPO technology smartly conserves battery life by adapting refresh rates in real time. Compared to previous generations, especially the iPhone 16 base model, this upgrade significantly uplifts everyday user experience and positions the iPhone strongly in the competitive high-refresh-rate smartphone market.