5G 'iPhone 12 Pro' could have 120Hz ProMotion display

The "iPhone 12 Pro" will include a 120Hz ProMotion display, a rumor claims, with annual fall iPhone refresh also anticipated to have an improved Face ID system and an upgraded telephoto zoom on the back.

The yearly update to the iPhone lineup is rumored to offer three models across two tiers, similar to the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro ranges. For 2020, it has been suggested the Pro models of the "iPhone 12" could offer something different, in the form of a high-refresh-rate display.

It is claimed by EverythingApplePro that Apple will use a ProMotion display on the Pro model releases for 2020. If true, this would mean the higher-specification 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch models will be able to switch between a 60Hz and 120Hz display mode similar to the iPad Pro's version of the technology, but the 5.4-inch "iPhone 12" will have a normal 60Hz display.

ProMotion offers a few advantages, including smoother movement of items on-screen when engaged at 120Hz, while the switching of refresh rate will allow the iPhone to go down to lower rates to conserve power.

Subscribe to AppleInsider on YouTube

The use of ProMotion in the 2020 iPhones has been rumored before, though it wasn't suggested that the technology would be used on specific models.

While not restricted by tier, there also may be more changes afoot for Face ID. While previous rumors point to a smaller TrueDepth camera array and notch, the alleged leak also claims Face ID will be able to work with a wider field of view, enabling users to be authenticated at more extreme angles than currently possible.

On the back, the rear camera system will be enhanced by LiDAR, such as by speeding up the autofocus system and improving image stabilization, as well as improving Portrait Mode shots. Smart HDR will also be improved to make low-light photography better.

Away from LiDAR, one of the lenses may also receive a tweak. The telephoto lens may have an increased magnification, moving from 2x to 3x, providing a greater level of zoom for users before needing to use the digital zoom feature in the camera app.

35 Comments

GeorgeBMac 11421 comments · 8 Years

About 4 years ago

For me, it boils down to just 2 questions:

1) Will this be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years? (Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)

2) Will the additional features be enough to get me to pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12? The last rumors I've heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G. So for the primary features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost of the base model.

One interesting feature though might be that smart connector on the side. Yes, it might be for the Apple pencil and that would be nice. But, it could also be used to connect to a clam-shell laptop void of motherboard, RAM and CPU and consisting of screen, keyboard, trackpad, external battery and possibly external GPU. It could also serve as a hub with power connector and Thunderbolt ports. Now that would be nice. Really nice.

Compatible Smartphones

NexDock works with smartphones with “desktop mode” feature.

Samsung and Huawei flagship smartphones already support “desktop mode” and it is coming to many other phones with upcoming Android Q (V.10) update.

tobian 155 comments · 9 Years

About 4 years ago

120Hz ProMotion display, and 25GHz BrainCooker Pro.. watch your blood cells forming amazing fractals!

canukstorm 2740 comments · 11 Years

About 4 years ago

GeorgeBMac said:

For me, it boils down to just 2 questions:
1)   Will this be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years?   (Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)
2)   Will the additional features be enough to get me to pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12?   The last rumors I've heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G.   So for the primary features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost of the base model.

One interesting feature though might be that smart connector on the side.   Yes, it might be for the Apple pencil and that would be nice. But, it could also be used to connect to a clam-shell laptop void of motherboard, RAM and CPU and consisting of screen, keyboard, trackpad, external battery and possibly external GPU. It could also serve as a hub with power connector and Thunderbolt ports. Now that would be nice. Really nice.

Compatible Smartphones

NexDock works with smartphones with “desktop mode” feature.

Samsung and Huawei flagship smartphones already support “desktop mode” and it is coming to many other phones with upcoming Android Q (V.10) update.

That's been the most consistent rumor so far

tmay 6455 comments · 11 Years

About 4 years ago

GeorgeBMac said:

For me, it boils down to just 2 questions:
1)   Will this be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years?   (Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)
2)   Will the additional features be enough to get me to pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12?   The last rumors I've heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G.   So for the primary features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost of the base model.

One interesting feature though might be that smart connector on the side.   Yes, it might be for the Apple pencil and that would be nice. But, it could also be used to connect to a clam-shell laptop void of motherboard, RAM and CPU and consisting of screen, keyboard, trackpad, external battery and possibly external GPU. It could also serve as a hub with power connector and Thunderbolt ports. Now that would be nice. Really nice.

Compatible Smartphones

NexDock works with smartphones with “desktop mode” feature.

Samsung and Huawei flagship smartphones already support “desktop mode” and it is coming to many other phones with upcoming Android Q (V.10) update.

Apple isn't going to do this. The best you can expect is to be able to plug an iPhone in to an external monitor and use a bluetooth keyboard with trackpad.

It's really a silly niche to be considering, iPhone apps don't translate well to the desktop, so Apple won't do it, and for the record, there is the iPad family, or various MacBook models.

Thunderbolt has been absorbed into USB 4.0, so expect to externalize GPU and other devices in the distant future, but I don't see the iPhone ever getting this capability.

avon b7 8008 comments · 20 Years

About 4 years ago

tmay said:

GeorgeBMac said:

For me, it boils down to just 2 questions:
1)   Will this be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years?   (Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)
2)   Will the additional features be enough to get me to pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12?   The last rumors I've heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G.   So for the primary features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost of the base model.

One interesting feature though might be that smart connector on the side.   Yes, it might be for the Apple pencil and that would be nice. But, it could also be used to connect to a clam-shell laptop void of motherboard, RAM and CPU and consisting of screen, keyboard, trackpad, external battery and possibly external GPU. It could also serve as a hub with power connector and Thunderbolt ports. Now that would be nice. Really nice.

Compatible Smartphones

NexDock works with smartphones with “desktop mode” feature.

Samsung and Huawei flagship smartphones already support “desktop mode” and it is coming to many other phones with upcoming Android Q (V.10) update.

Apple isn't going to do this. The best you can expect is to be able to plug an iPhone in to an external monitor and use a bluetooth keyboard with trackpad.

It's really a silly niche to be considering, iPhone apps don't translate well to the desktop, so Apple won't do it, and for the record, there is the iPad family, or various MacBook models.

Thunderbolt has been absorbed into USB 4.0, so expect to externalize GPU and other devices in the distant future, but I don't see the iPhone ever getting this capability.

Obviously it's not for everyone but if you are naming a phone as 'pro' there is no reason it can't be useful to many even if it is still a niche.

Options are somewhat limited as the device is still a phone (not a full blown Windows) but options are good and if you don't have a computer to hand it can make life easier.

Samsung's system originally required a special dock and cable. Huawei's (debuted about three years ago) eliminated the need for a dock and the special cable and used standard cables instead. Later they made it wireless. The phone can be used as a trackpad (and now a keyboard I believe)

Given how CPU and WiFi speeds have got much faster since then, I wouldn't rule it out for an iPhone. I think it would be a great feature.

https://youtu.be/oY3EsHIsJtE