iPhone 13 Pro Models Might Feature 120Hz Displays, Report Says

Apple’s latest flagship smartphone lineup, the iPhone 12 series, features all the best that the company has to offer in a handset at the moment. All four feature more powerful processors when compared to the previous generation, improved camera features and the addition of the new MagSafe charger.

Interestingly, while other smartphone makers already churn out handsets with 120Hz displays, Apple still hasn’t released one that has the coveted feature. The iPhone 12 series’ displays look good, but they don’t have the same refresh rates as that of their rivals, such as those from Samsung.

Apple fans looking to get their hands on an iPhone that has a 120Hz display will have to wait for next year’s flagship – or two of the higher-end models, to be exact. A report from South Korean tech site The Elec (via Gizmodo) said the Cupertino tech giant will be using LTPO technology for two iPhone models for release next year. Per the tech site,

“Two out of the four models launching next year will use low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LPTO) thin-film transistors (TFT). LPTO technology is needed for the screens to reach 120Hz refresh rate.”

LTPO technology will be used on the displays for the iPhone 13 Pro models, presumably. This means they might offer higher refresh rates compared to the non-Pro models – something that could set them apart from the cheaper, more affordable variants.

The report added that these display panels will be supplied by Samsung Display, LG Display and BOE. Samsung will supply Apple with the most number of panels, about 130 million to 140 million displays, followed by 30 million to 40 million panels from LG Display.

BOE will cover the remaining orders – about 10-20 million units – if it reapplies and passes the iPhone maker’s quality assurance reviews. It has already failed this twice.

Does this mean fans should already rejoice now that a report from the supply chain has spilled the beans? Not yet. Apple is known for waiting some time for technologies to mature before using them on its devices. It also has not yet confirmed reports.

That said, it’s easy to understand that Apple will eventually equip its iPhones with displays capable of higher refresh rates.