2020 iPhone could get blazing-fast display upgrade

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iPhone XS gaming
The first iPhone with ProMotion?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The 2020 iPhone lineup could bring a huge display upgrade that will put it on par with iPad Pro in terms of refresh rate.

One leaker says Apple is “considering” 120Hz panels for next year’s handsets. It would be the first time its ProMotion technology has graced an OLED screen since its debut in 2017.

ProMotion makes scrolling pages and using Apple Pencil buttery smooth. And it’s intelligent, too, with the ability to switch between 60Hz and 120Hz refresh rates when necessary to save battery life.

The only problem with ProMotion is that you can only enjoy it on iPad Pro — but that could change next year.

Apple in talks with Samsung and LG

The Twitter leaker known as Ice Universe claims “Apple in considering a switchable 60Hz/120Hz refresh rate screen on the iPhone in 2020.”

Apple is said to be “discussing” the plan with Samsung and LG. Samsung currently manufactures all of Apple’s OLED displays for iPhone, while LG manufactures its LCD screens.

If the move does go ahead, it would be the first time Apple has brought ProMotion to an OLED screen. It would also be a huge upgrade for iPhone.

iPhone playing catch-up

But Apple’s smartphone wouldn’t be the first to offer a super-speedy display. Other handset makers, such as Razer and OnePlus, already offer devices with higher display refresh rates.

The new OnePlus 7 Pro maxes out at 90Hz, like the Asus ROG Phone, but the Razer Phone 2 and the Sharp Aquos 3 both reach 120Hz like iPad Pro.

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