Sketchy rumor claims 120Hz LTPO iPhone not due until 2021

Apple's 2020 iPhone "Pro" lineup may sport the company's ProMotion display technology, but one self-proclaimed expert suggests that they'll lack a key battery optimization feature.

Rumors of a 2020 iPhone capable of achieving variable 60Hz and 120Hz display refresh rates stretch back to July 2019. Recently, notable leaker Jon Prosser claimed the technology, dubbed ProMotion by Apple, will indeed arrive on this year's so-called "iPhone 12 Pro" models.

But Ross Young, founder and CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, claims that Apple's upcoming Pro smartphones won't have low-temperature polycrystalline oxide backplanes (LTPO) — a technology he suggests is essential for displays with variable refresh rates up to 120Hz.

No LTPO for iPhone 12, while Samsung will have it on Note 20, Note 20+ and Galaxy Fold 2. 15%-20% power/battery life advantage for Samsung...
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) May 11, 2020

LTPO, which Apple already uses in the Apple Watch Series 5, is a power-saving backplane technology. Young said that the first iPhones with LTPO-equipped displays aren't going to arrive until 2021.

Young didn't outright claim that ProMotion requires LTPO, but he did suggest that the lack of LTPO could mean reduced battery life compared to flagships equipped with both the low-power backplane and a variable refresh rate. Prosser, in his leaks, did mention that Apple could implement ProMotion on the "iPhone 12" in software if the feature ends up consuming too much battery life.

It's worth noting that there are currently smartphones with 120Hz refresh rates on the market without LTPO. The iPad Pro lineup, which has a 120Hz ProMotion display, also lacks LTPO technology.

If and when it's adopted on a future iPhone, LTPO could pave the way for an always-on display feature similar to the Apple Watch Series 5.

5 Comments

netrox 1497 comments · 12 Years

About 4 years ago

is 120 even necessary on a small screen?

fastasleep 6450 comments · 14 Years

netrox said:

is 120 even necessary on a small screen?

Why would the size of the screen matter? You still read scrolling text on it.

GeorgeBMac 11421 comments · 8 Years

I'm confused: Is LTPO needed for 120Hz refresh or simply for better battery life?

The article mentions Young saying "a technology he suggests is essential for displays with variable refresh rates up to 120Hz."

But then it points out the iPads already have 120Hz without it.

Then it suggests that Apple Watch 5 uses it -- but for as Young suggests, better battery life in an "always on" display.

Actually, this whole thing sounds like somebody (Young) pushing a technology using whichever justifications he can come up with.

CloudTalkin 916 comments · 5 Years

GeorgeBMac said:

I'm confused: Is LTPO needed for 120Hz refresh or simply for better battery life?
The article mentions Young saying "a technology he suggests is essential for displays with variable refresh rates up to 120Hz."

But then it points out the iPads already have 120Hz without it.

Then it suggests that Apple Watch 5 uses it -- but for as Young suggests, better battery life in an "always on" display.

Actually, this whole thing sounds like somebody (Young) pushing a technology using whichever justifications he can come up with.

Confusion. That's what happens when an author throws together a mishmash of quotes and tweets and doesn't really add any explanatory contributions. Still, you got it right. LTPO is not needed for 120Hz refresh. It is there to contribute to better battery life. The iPads and Android phones don't need LTPO for the same reason: they all have big ass batteries. They all could benefit from it, yes, but don't need it as much as an iPhone would. iPhones typically have the smallest battery capacity of all the flagships so LTPO + variable refresh rate will definitely be beneficial in maintaining the current battery life levels.

The article mentions Samsung will be using LTPO on the upcoming Note 20. Even with giant batteries, that 120Hz refresh rate is a power drawing monster. In the S20, Samsung limited 120Hz to 1080p to help mitigate the battery drain and maintain current battery life levels. LTPO will help them get past that self imposed limitation.

CloudTalkin said:

GeorgeBMac said:

I'm confused: Is LTPO needed for 120Hz refresh or simply for better battery life?
The article mentions Young saying "a technology he suggests is essential for displays with variable refresh rates up to 120Hz."

But then it points out the iPads already have 120Hz without it.

Then it suggests that Apple Watch 5 uses it -- but for as Young suggests, better battery life in an "always on" display.

Actually, this whole thing sounds like somebody (Young) pushing a technology using whichever justifications he can come up with.

Confusion. That's what happens when an author throws together a mishmash of quotes and tweets and doesn't really add any explanatory contributions. Still, you got it right. LTPO is not needed for 120Hz refresh. It is there to contribute to better battery life. The iPads and Android phones don't need LTPO for the same reason: they all have big ass batteries. They all could benefit from it, yes, but don't need it as much as an iPhone would. iPhones typically have the smallest battery capacity of all the flagships so LTPO + variable refresh rate will definitely be beneficial in maintaining the current battery life levels.

The article mentions Samsung will be using LTPO on the upcoming Note 20. Even with giant batteries, that 120Hz refresh rate is a power drawing monster. In the S20, Samsung limited 120Hz to 1080p to help mitigate the battery drain and maintain current battery life levels. LTPO will help them get past that self imposed limitation.

Thanks!