"Apple Fans Beware: iPhone 15 Pro Models Won't Have High Refresh Rate Displays"

Apple is set to release its iPhone 15 Pro models, which will be faster, more curvaceous, and more expensive. However, this price hike may push buyers towards the standard iPhone 15 models, which may come as a shock to them.

A recent leak from the historically reliable insider yeux1122 reveals that Apple will again make its ProMotion 120Hz displays exclusive to its iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models, breaking away from industry trends. This marks the third consecutive year that Apple has limited high refresh rate (HRR) panels to its most expensive iPhones, which seems increasingly unjustifiable.

High refresh rate displays have become mainstream in recent years, with budget-friendly options such as Samsung's $299 Galaxy M33 and RealMe's $199 Narzo 50 offering 120Hz displays. However, Apple continues to limit its 120Hz 'ProMotion' displays to its $1,000 iPhones due to two factors: implementation and marketing.

Apple uses LTPO panels for ProMotion, which is crucial as standard screens quickly drain battery life when operating at 120Hz, whereas cheaper 120Hz phones use them. LTPO panels offer a variable refresh rate, which can drop as low as 1Hz when the screen is static to reduce battery consumption. Although some cheap 120Hz phones fit bigger batteries, Apple prefers its premium implementation. Additionally, Apple only offers its always-on display on iPhones with LTPO panels, which means that iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models may miss out on this feature for another year.

Marketing is also an issue, and Apple hasn't branded any tech as 'Pro-' since ProMotion's launch in 2017. Currently, ProMotion is only used for Pro-branded products such as MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and iPhone Pro. Rebranding ProMotion could confuse buyers and muddle the company's carefully delineated product lines.

Unfortunately, this doesn't help iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus buyers who want high refresh rates at cheaper prices, as we now know that won't change for at least another year. However, the introduction of an updated design, a locked-down version of USB-C, and some new colors may provide some consolation.

Although Apple never discusses new products before announcing them, certain devices tend to arrive around the same time each year, providing clues about what to expect. Leaks and rumors suggest that 2023 could be a year of firsts for Apple, such as its long-rumored mixed-reality headset, the first iPhone with USB-C, and the first 15-inch MacBook Air. Bloomberg reports that other products such as AirPods, the Apple TV, and the iPad may not see significant changes this year.

The introduction of a mixed-reality headset would mark an entirely new product category for Apple, while other updates suggest that Apple is optimizing its devices to compete with Android and Windows competitors, which offer bigger screens and universal USB-C charging.

Here are some more features of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models that have been rumored or speculated:

Improved camera system: It's expected that the iPhone 15 Pro models will have significant upgrades to their camera systems, potentially including larger sensors, improved zoom capabilities, and even under-display camera technology.

A15 chip: The iPhone 15 models are likely to be powered by a new A15 chip, which is expected to offer improved performance and efficiency compared to the A14 chip in the current models.

Larger batteries: There have been rumors that the iPhone 15 models will have larger batteries than their predecessors, which could offer improved battery life.

Wi-Fi 6E support: The iPhone 15 models may also support the new Wi-Fi 6E standard, which offers faster speeds and improved performance in congested areas.

Touch ID under-display: There have been rumors that Apple is working on under-display Touch ID technology, which could be included in the iPhone 15 models as an alternative to Face ID.

Always-on display: While the Pro models are expected to continue to have always-on displays, there have been rumors that the standard iPhone 15 models may also include this feature.

Smaller notch: It's been speculated that the notch on the front of the iPhone 15 models may be smaller than on previous models, potentially allowing for more screen real estate.

Improved MagSafe: Apple's MagSafe technology, which allows for wireless charging and accessory attachment, may be improved in the iPhone 15 models with stronger magnets and better alignment.

ProRes video recording: The iPhone 15 Pro models may be capable of recording ProRes video, a high-quality video format typically used by professionals.

It's important to note that none of these features have been confirmed by Apple, so we won't know for sure what the new iPhones will include until they are officially announced.