In April 2020, a wave of rumors claimed the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max would be the first iPhones with Apple’s 120Hz ProMotion display. The buzz made sense at the time, since Apple had already used the technology on the iPad Pro. This guide revisits that rumor, explains what Apple actually shipped, and shows why high refresh rate displays still matter in 2026.
What the 2020 Rumor Claimed
The rumor said Apple would split the iPhone 12 lineup into four models across two tiers. The two affordable models would keep the standard 60Hz display, while the two ultra-premium models would get a 120Hz ProMotion panel with variable refresh rate support. That would have been a big deal, because ProMotion adjusts the refresh rate based on what is on screen.
The reports also suggested the Pro models would differ from the cheaper iPhones in other ways, including faster 5G support and camera upgrades. Apple had used this tiered strategy for years, so the idea of a display upgrade reserved for the Pro models felt realistic.
What Apple Actually Shipped
When the iPhone 12 series launched in October 2020, the 120Hz rumor did not come true. All four iPhone 12 models shipped with 60Hz displays, including the Pro and Pro Max. Apple saved ProMotion for the next generation instead.
ProMotion finally arrived with the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max in September 2021. Since then, every Pro iPhone has shipped with a 120Hz display, and it has become a defining feature of the premium lineup. For a full breakdown of what the iPhone 12 rumors got right and wrong, check our iPhone 12 leaks retrospective.
How ProMotion Works
ProMotion is Apple’s name for an adaptive refresh rate display. Instead of running at a fixed speed, it switches between 10Hz and 120Hz depending on the content. Static pages drop to the low end to save battery, while scrolling and gaming jump to the full 120Hz.
This variable approach is what makes 120Hz practical on a phone. A display locked at 120Hz all the time would drain the battery quickly. By scaling dynamically, ProMotion delivers smooth motion when you need it and efficiency when you do not.
Why Refresh Rate Still Matters in 2026
High refresh rate screens are now standard across the phone industry, not just on iPhones. Many Android phones ship with 120Hz or even 144Hz panels, and games and apps are increasingly built to take advantage of them. If you game on your phone, the difference between 60Hz and 120Hz is easy to see. Our list of games that support 144Hz refresh rate on mobile shows how many titles benefit from a fast screen.
For everyday use, a 120Hz display makes scrolling feel noticeably smoother and reduces motion blur. It is one of those upgrades that is hard to appreciate until you try it, and hard to give up once you have.
How to Get the Most From Your iPhone Display
If you own a recent Pro iPhone, ProMotion runs automatically, so there is nothing to enable. You can still take steps to keep the display feeling fast, like reducing animations and managing background apps. Simple tweaks like these are covered in our guide to basic iPhone hacks.
If you are on an older iPhone and planning an upgrade, a 120Hz display is one of the strongest reasons to move to a current Pro model. Paired with better cameras and longer battery life, it makes daily use feel noticeably smoother.
FAQ
Did the iPhone 12 Pro have a 120Hz display? No. All iPhone 12 models shipped with 60Hz displays. ProMotion arrived with the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max in 2021.
What is Apple ProMotion? ProMotion is Apple’s adaptive refresh rate technology. It switches between 10Hz and 120Hz based on what is on screen to balance smoothness and battery life.
Which iPhones have 120Hz displays? Every Pro iPhone since the iPhone 13 Pro includes ProMotion. Standard iPhone models have continued to use 60Hz displays.
Does a 120Hz display drain battery faster? Not necessarily. Because ProMotion is adaptive, it only runs at high refresh rates when the content benefits from it, which keeps battery impact low.
The 2020 rumor cycle also produced plenty of speculation about other phones. If you enjoy comparing what was rumored against what shipped, our Pixel 4a leaks roundup from the same period is a fun follow-up read.
