Sketchy rumor says iPad Air, iMac, and Studio Display could be updated to 90Hz

AppleInsider

A rumor with no solid background claims that the current 60Hz displays on devices such as the iPad Air and iMac will be replaced by 90Hz ones on future releases.

The current iPad Air

It's more than two years since the Apple Studio Display was first released, and it has not been updated since. Now it's rumored that it will get a refresh that sees its 60Hz display updated to 90Hz, alongside the same change in the iMac and iPad Air.

"I have news on screen improvements for the next generation of the M3 iPad Air," says the rumor from an anonymous source. "Apple is working on a higher refresh rate LCD display with a new liquid motion panel fixed at around 90Hz."

"They're also working on expanding it to other models or products like a 24-inch iMac and a next-gen studio display," it continues.

As spotted by 9to5mac, the rumor was sent anonymously to the hosts of the Upgrade podcast. Consequently there is no way to determine its validity, or assess the track record of the leaker.

Apple is expected to release an update iPad Air in early 2025, but there has been no other claim about its screen. The iMac is unlikely to see another update soon, and there have been no rumors about a forthcoming Studio Display.

Rumor Score: Unlikely

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apple4thewin

90fps sounds odd for the max frame rate 

DAalseth

Agreed. 90fps is strange. For those of us that just use our systems for writing, art, the web, you tube, Excel, and such it will make no difference and so wouldn’t be a reason to upgrade. On the other hand the serious gamer types that want the top of everything will sneer at it because it’s not 120, 180, 240, whatever number they are chasing this month. 90 really is just neither fish nor fowl. There would be no advantage to moving to that refresh rate. 

danox

DAalseth said:

Agreed. 90fps is strange. For those of us that just use our systems for writing, art, the web, you tube, Excel, and such it will make no difference and so wouldn’t be a reason to upgrade. On the other hand the serious gamer types that want the top of everything will sneer at it because it’s not 120, 180, 240, whatever number they are chasing this month. 90 really is just neither fish nor fowl. There would be no advantage to moving to that refresh rate. 

What’s the point of having 120 Hz with a lowly 4K screen, 120 Hz means relatively little in that most people can’t see the difference the limits of human perception, whatever curated screen Apple comes up with it will be better than most of the computer industry and it will cost more however it won’t satisfy the gamer boys 120 Hz is all they care about. 

User of an 11 pro iPhone, M4, iPad Pro, and Apple XDR monitor all curated by Apple. The only difference I noticed between the three is when I compare them to non-Apple devices and most don’t compare not just the screen itself, but the overall fit and finish.

DAalseth

danox said:

DAalseth said:

Agreed. 90fps is strange. For those of us that just use our systems for writing, art, the web, you tube, Excel, and such it will make no difference and so wouldn’t be a reason to upgrade. On the other hand the serious gamer types that want the top of everything will sneer at it because it’s not 120, 180, 240, whatever number they are chasing this month. 90 really is just neither fish nor fowl. There would be no advantage to moving to that refresh rate. 

What’s the point of having 120 Hz with a lowly 4K screen, 120 Hz means relatively little in that most people can’t see the difference the limits of human perception, whatever curated screen Apple comes up with it will be better than most of the computer industry and it will cost more however it won’t satisfy the gamer boys 120 Hz is all they care about. 

User of an 11 pro iPhone, M4, iPad Pro, and Apple XDR monitor all curated by Apple. The only difference I noticed between the three is when I compare them to non-Apple devices and most don’t compare not just the screen itself, but the overall fit and finish.

I agree completely. The only reason to bump them up, certanly something like an iPad, would be to chase a number. 

9secondkox2

Makes sense. Apple roduxts ate ALL premium. The standard fare gets upgrades too. Doesn’t have to be limited to Pro - though Pro level will always have superior specs.