I’m prepared to purchase the iPhone 17 Air, even when meaning coping with a number of compromises Apple must make to create a thinner iPhone than ever earlier than. By that, I imply I’m prepared for a single-lens digital camera, doubtlessly worse battery life than what you’d count on from a typical 6.6-inch iPhone, and a single speaker on the underside.
I’d even be prepared to make use of a 60Hz show relatively than one which helps ProMotion. In any case, I did that for 2 years with the iPhone 14 Professional. That really might need helped me get used to the iPhone 16 Plus’s 60Hz display. I had no downside transitioning to a non-ProMotion display throughout my two-month stint with the iPhone 16 Plus.
Nevertheless, it appears to be like just like the iPhone 16 would be the final technology by which the non-Professional iPhones lack 120Hz refresh fee assist. We now have already seen a sequence of reviews saying that Apple will deliver LTPO tech to all iPhone 17 fashions, together with the iPhone 17 Air, and there’s one other story out that seemingly confirms this improvement.
LTPO is a key show tech that enables Apple to supply dynamic refresh charges on ProMotion units with OLED panels. The refresh fee adapts to what’s exhibiting on the display, dropping as little as 1Hz in some situations relatively than staying at 120Hz, no matter what you may be doing. The good thing about dynamic refresh fee screens is that they preserve battery life.
On that word, that’s most likely a method I improved battery life on the iPhone 14 Professional, as my refresh fee strikes between 1Hz and 60Hz relatively than the total 120Hz.
My show preferences apart, loads of iPhone customers have rightly referred to as out Apple for proscribing the ProMotion shows to the Professional fashions. In the meantime, many Android distributors ship mid-range telephones that assist 120Hz refresh charges.
Fortunately, all iPhone fashions will get ProMotion screens, beginning with the iPhone 17 sequence. Korean web site DT penned the newest report that claims Apple suppliers are getting ready to fulfill Apple’s OLED panel wants for the iPhone 17.
The report says that each one 4 iPhone 17 fashions will use LTPO OLED panels, which suggests that the iPhone 17 Air will assist 120Hz refresh charges. The story doesn’t single out the ultra-thin iPhone or the opposite three fashions, as a substitute specializing in the suppliers.
If the data is correct, LG Show would be the massive winner of Apple’s iPhone 17 display orders. The Korean firm had a ten% share of orders final yr, which grew to 30% this yr. LG’s share will proceed to rise subsequent yr when it’s going to account for 40% of Apple’s OLED panel wants.
Chinese language firm BOE is outwardly the large loser, as it’s unable to fabricate the LTPO panels Apple desires for the iPhone 17.
Samsung will proceed to get the lion’s share of OLED panels for the iPhone, possible accounting for 60% of orders.
The lack of OLED panel distributors to fulfill Apple’s manufacturing wants may clarify why Apple has stored utilizing LTPS 60Hz OLED panels in non-Professional handsets thus far, however that’s simply hypothesis from this iPhone consumer. Apple sells over 200 million iPhones yearly, so its show wants dwarf these of rivals.
The DT story implies that provide is a matter, because it explains that LG won’t construct new manufacturing strains to accommodate a bigger inflow of orders from Apple. As an alternative, LG will retool its iPad Professional OLED display manufacturing line to fabricate iPhone shows.
Apple’s M4 iPad Professional hasn’t been promoting in addition to anticipated, so LG’s transfer is smart. Whereas the Korean firm received’t affirm such modifications, it did say in the course of the Q3 earnings report that it plans to adapt its manufacturing infrastructure to market circumstances.
LG adapting to Apple’s wants could have an undesirable facet impact. The report says LG’s investments in a next-gen provide facility of OLED panels for tablets and laptops shall be barely delayed. Curiously, Apple is anticipated to make use of OLED panels in additional merchandise, together with the iPad mini, MacBook Air, and a foldable Mac/iPad set to launch someday within the subsequent 4 years.
Again to the iPhone 17, the report doesn’t point out display sizes for the 4 telephones. I’d count on Apple to stay with the 6.1-inch, 6.3-inch, and 6.9-inch display sizes for the iPhone 17, 17 Professional, and 17 Professional Max, respectively. Rumors say the iPhone 17 Air ought to function a 6.6-inch show.
