iPhone 17 may gain ProMotion on all models, no under-display Face ID on Pro
The iPhone 17 generation could gain ProMotion support across the entire range, an analyst believes, though the future Pro models are not expected to get under-display Face ID.
The display on an iPhone render
Long before the iPhone 16 hit retailer shelves, the rumor mill started to discuss the iPhone 17 generation. In X posts from one analyst, the next range's screens could offer a few more benefits to consumers.
A Thursday conversation between serial leaker Ice Universe and Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young talked about the screen of the iPhone 17 range and their potential features.
Young offered in a series of replies that the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Slim will still have LTPO and 120Hz displays. This is certainly a reference to ProMotion, the adaptive refresh rate used by Pro models.
The mention of LTPO as well as the refresh rate may also indicate the addition of an always-on display.
Young does have a fairly good track record when it comes to display-related supply chain stories and features. His comments also echo earlier rumors about the models.
This includes claims about an always-on display made by Young in April, as well as Ice Universe's leak from July about ProMotion support.
Face ID confusion
Following the initial publication of this story, Young claimed there was a mistake in communication when it came to one feature.
Young offered in a series of replies that under-display Face ID wouldn't be on the iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Slim, but would be in the Pro models. The technology would effectively make the camera invisible to users when not in use, hiding the camera and eliminating any punch-hole gaps in the screen.
In the same thread, Young added that under-display Face ID wouldn't be on the iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Slim, but would be in the Pro models. The technology would effectively make the camera invisible to users when not in use, hiding the camera and eliminating any punch-hole gaps in the screen.
However, Young has since clarified his statement was to the wrong statement since he wasn't following the thread. The confusion was caused by Young responding positively to a post but placing it on another thread discussing under display Face ID and if it was on the iPhone 17 Pro.
Young categorically states he was trying to answer a question about LTPO, "not about under panel Face ID."
He also offers advice to himself: "Guess I should always read the thread before answering my notifications..."
Despite the confusion, the rumor mill has previously claimed that under-screen Face ID was on the way, but not until 2028 at the earliest.
Updated 3:46 Eastern: Clarification of Young's reply confusion.
Rumor Score: Possible
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Comments
And I *think* it’s the only model that can use the new Visual Intelligence feature (ie, the Humane Pin type of functionality) with the side button.
Would be nice if Apple made every iPhone 22% more energy efficient. Batteries, weight, cost could then be reduced (and margins kept). The displays don't need 120 Hz as 90 Hz would be a major improvement. Wonder why it didn't happen this year as the mid-tier Samsung Galaxy A22 (introduced June 2021) offered 90 Hz. Is Samsung mid-tier really 4 years ahead of iPhone just to protecty sales of iPhone Pro? Let us hope iPhone 17, iPad mini, iPad air etc. get VRR on their next update.
The new Pixel 9 with the Tensor is somewhere behind the iPhone SE (2nd generation) 50 spots and 5 to 6 years off the pace. No one cares about the difference between 60Hz or 120 Hz aside from geeks but they do care about battery life and they will care more in the future about the speed of the SOC and the overall performance of the phone that’s why the resale value of iPhones are far beyond the competition.
The 12 Pro iPhone still out performs S24 and the Pixel 9 in software and hardware why because the Qualcomm/Tensor processors are four and five years behind, even with more memory in some cases, tweaking the camera and phoning home pictures back to the cloud for manipulation they can’t make up for using four and 5 year old processors and note the Pixel even throws a bad modem into the mix.
2) If you sporting, say, an iPhone 11, I see no reason why you wouldn't get a new iPhone if you've been wanting one and if yours is feeling a bit slow and outdated. Waiting another year because there will be better and more in it is something you'll chase every... single... year.
2) I believe next year's iPhone will be the first truly new rather than iterative iPhone in five years. New hardware built for AI and more memory to support new these new Apple services and features. IMO it will be the "new iPhone 11", supporting what Apple throws out for the next five years, just as my current phone has for the past 5. I can wait.
2) YoY most* iPhones don't move the needle for me, but that's not because they're YoY upgrades are bad, but rather because they're so evolved that they've plateaued in terms of typical specs. You note that the iPhone 16 series isn't so great compared to the iPhone 15 series. I probably wouldn't notice the performance difference, but that's likely going to be the same for next year with the Phone 17 series over the an iPhone 16 series.
* The only technology change that has meant anything to me was the additional of Satellite SOS since it saves me quit a bit of money per year, is considerably less clunky, and it a much better tool than using SPOT. Now that it has AAAr roadside assistance and iMessage support it's even more amazing. If and when Apple starts charging for this service I'm certain it will be cheaper than SPOT was with their several layers of cost and varying subscription types just to enable.