Apple’s recent update, iOS 18, has caused frustration among users of the iPhone Pro series. The ProMotion display, known for its smooth performance, now seems to be limited to 80 Hz. Users are noticing a drop in display quality, sparking criticism. The ProMotion is a key feature on iPhone Pro models, first introduced with the iPhone 13 Pro. It allows refresh rates of up to 120 Hz, offering a smooth experience when scrolling or using apps. This technology was a major advantage for these models, making them stand out from iPhones without ProMotion. However, with iOS 18, users have noticed a change in the iPhone ProMotion display. According to a popular and authoritative tech blogger, Ice Universe, the refresh rate is now capped at 80 Hz, leading to a less fluid display.
Don't confuse the elegance and fluency of animation. For example, the animation of iOS 18 is still elegant, but it is not smooth. Anyone can feel that iOS 18 still limits the refresh rate of most scenes to 80Hz. For Android users who are used to 120Hz, iOS 18 looks really not… pic.twitter.com/5RHeTWzHf8
— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) September 22, 2024
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Battery Life vs. Display Quality
One possible reason for this change could be to save battery life. A lower refresh rate uses less power, which could help extend the time between charges. While this might benefit battery life, it comes at a cost. Users who value the smooth display are not happy with the trade-off. A well-known leaker, Ice Universe, posted a video showing the difference in refresh rates on iOS 18. The lower rate is most noticeable during fast movements on the screen.
Apple’s lack of transparency has only added to the frustration. The company did not inform users about the change, even though it impacts a key feature of the Pro models. Many iPhone users are upset by the reduced display performance and feel that they should have been told about this change before updating to iOS 18.
Benchmarks suggest that iOS 18 includes other steps to save power, such as lowering the performance of the phone’s processor. While this might help extend battery life, it could also slow down the overall performance of the device.
It is unclear if Apple will address this issue in a future update. Until then, users of the iPhone Pro models may want to hold off on updating to iOS 18 if they care about keeping the smooth display performance that ProMotion provides. What do you think? Do you prefer a longer battery life or a smoother display? Let us know your thoughts!