When Apple unveiled the four new iPhone models last fall, it quickly became clear that there were fewer differences between the standard and Pro models than had been the case in previous years. Some Pro fans were actually so impressed with the base iPhone 16 and 16 Plus that they decided to save money and go with the cheaper option.
There are of course advantages to going Pro, and one of them concerns the display. The 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max have slightly larger screens than their non-Pro equivalents with slightly narrower bezels around the edge, but more importantly, they are better equipped: as has been the case since the iPhone 13 , they are equipped with ProMotion and can dynamically increase their refresh rate up to 120 Hz, while standard screens are capped at 60 Hz. (Pro handsets also feature screens always-on, which is a related benefit: ProMotion allows the phone to save battery life by significantly reducing the refresh rate when performing operations that don't require a high refresh rate.)
However, if the latest report is accurate, Pro phones may soon lose this advantage, not in the sense of removing it, but also in the sense that it would be given to cheaper handsets. A new rumor claims that all four iPhone 17 models will have screens with higher refresh rates, which almost certainly refers to a ProMotion upgrade.
The leak (via MacRumors) originally came from Digital Chat Station on Chinese social media site Weibo, and while Weibo can sometimes be a questionable source of information, this particular user has a history; As MacRumors notes, they made specific predictions about a few features and design elements of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 15 ahead of these launches.
Additionally, this claim both makes sense and matches what we've heard so far about late 2025 iPhones. As early as February 2024, we heard reports that the entire iPhone 17 lineup would feature LTPO screens; it's the screen technology, unlike LTPS on non-Pro iPhones, that enables ProMotion, and likely means we can also expect always-on displays across the board next fall.
But that leaves Apple in a tricky position. How will it differentiate the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max from their more affordable siblings? Early signs hint at a new part-aluminum, part-glass design (the top half will be aluminum and the bottom half glass, apparently) and a redesigned camera bump, but customers will have to see more than that. They want to get started. the premium price tags of these models.
For all the latest news and rumors, check out our regularly updated iPhone 17 superguide. But if you can't wait that long for a new phone, get a good deal on the current range with our roundup of the best iPhone deals.
