Major display upgrades still planned for Apple iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Plus models

Reportedly, Apple still intends to hold back bringing display upgrades to non-Pro iPhone models for at least another generation. For context, most Android OEMs offer high refresh rate displays on their sub-$700 smartphones, although it took Google until last year to deliver anything faster than 90 Hz for its smaller Pixel flagship.

By contrast, the iPhone 15 makes do with an LTPS OLED panel that has a fixed 60 Hz refresh rate, as does the larger iPhone 15 Plus. As a result, Apple prevents either device from providing always-on display (AOD) functionality, another feature found on most mid-range Android smartphones. According to The Elec, Apple will not adopt LTPO AMOLED panels for all iPhone models until the second half of 2025.

As a result, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will likely carry over the LTPS OLED panels that grace the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Consequently, it seems that Apple is still targeting the iPhone 17 series for the introduction of 120 Hz ProMotion support across the board, which Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) mentioned almost a year ago. If their display roadmap holds true in other areas, then Apple will look to distinguish the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max from their cheaper siblings with a new under-panel Face ID solution.   

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