If this iPhone 17 Air rumor is true, Apple is making an enormous mistake

For the previous few months, the rumor mill has been in full swing concerning the iPhone 17 Air, the supposed ultra-thin iPhone that Apple is anticipated to launch later this yr alongside the remainder of the iPhone 17 lineup.

It is rumored to be the thinnest iPhone ever, with numerous leaks suggesting it may measure wherever between 5mm and 6mm thick. That will make it the thinnest iPhone for the reason that iPhone 6, which was comparatively skinny for its time however notoriously recognized for bending. I will admit that the prospect of Apple lastly altering the iPhone’s design after 5 years of stagnation excites me essentially the most in regards to the iPhone 17 Air. Nonetheless, after studying this newest rumor, I am afraid Apple is likely to be vulnerable to ruining the cellphone.

In accordance with Fixed Focus Digital, a widely known leaker on the Chinese language social media platform Weibo, the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air could have only a “a standard 120hz display, however not ProMotion adaptive refresh fee” (through 9to5Mac).

After I learn this, I used to be stunned instantly. If this leak seems to be true, and the iPhone 17 Air has a 120Hz show with out ProMotion, it will simply be one of many dumbest issues Apple has ever performed.

It dynamically adjusts the show’s refresh fee to avoid wasting battery

Should you’re unfamiliar with ProMotion, it is an adaptive refresh fee know-how that dynamically adjusts the show’s refresh fee primarily based in your actions. If you’re enjoying a sport or scrolling, ProMotion will increase the refresh fee to 120Hz, giving the picture a clean, fluid look. Nonetheless, if the next refresh fee is not vital, it will possibly scale back it to assist preserve battery life.

As an example, for those who’re viewing a static picture in your iPhone, ProMotion can decrease the refresh fee to as little as 1Hz, since there’s no movement on the display to warrant boosting the refresh fee to 120Hz, thus saving battery. Moreover, ProMotion permits the Professional mannequin iPhones to assist All the time On Show (AOD), as that mode is dependent upon an adaptive refresh fee to function with out considerably draining battery life.

ProMotion first appeared on the second-generation iPad Professional in 2017. It wasn’t till 2021 that it made its solution to the iPhone, beginning with the iPhone 13 Professional. This know-how has been included in each Professional mannequin since then.

Final yr, when the iPhone 16 was launched, I used to be stunned that Apple had not but added ProMotion to the usual iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus. So, after I learn the rumor that ProMotion could be included in all iPhone 17 fashions, I felt optimistic that Apple was lastly going by way of with it. Nonetheless, primarily based on this most up-to-date leak stating that the iPhone 17 Air will not embrace ProMotion, it appears Apple might be chopping corners.

Associated

I finally found the PC that made me give up console gaming

I’ve gone over to the fidelity-filled darkish facet, and do not assume I can return.

Battery life might be a serious concern for the iPhone 17 Air

Do not get me mistaken; it is nice that the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air might have 120Hz refresh fee shows. It is a important enchancment over 60Hz, and it’ll make utilizing them so significantly better. Nonetheless, with out ProMotion know-how bundled with that 120Hz show, it looks as if a half-baked effort.

If the iPhone 17 Air would not have a ProMotion show, it theoretically implies that the cellphone will not have the ability to dynamically alter the refresh fee. As I discussed earlier, one of many greatest benefits ProMotion presents is the power to scale down the refresh fee to avoid wasting battery. And on slim smartphones, which do not have giant batteries because of measurement constraints, that is fairly vital.

Whereas it is unclear precisely how giant the battery within the iPhone 17 Air might be, it seemingly will not be as large because the one discovered within the iPhone 17 Professional or the iPhone 17, naturally because of the slim design of the cellphone. For this reason I consider that if Apple decides to not embrace ProMotion on the iPhone 17 Air, it is likely to be one of many stupidest issues it is ever performed.

The iPhone 17 Air goes to be a cutting-edge cellphone; there is no such thing as a doubt about it. Whereas its distinctive slim design is certain to draw a number of consideration, one of many greatest issues individuals could have is battery life. The S25 Edge proves this might be a problem. Eradicating a battery life function like ProMotion would not assist alleviate any of these issues and is simply plain weird.

After all, I need to be very clear that each one my issues are primarily based on Mounted Focus Digital’s leak. Whereas they have been right previously about some issues, equivalent to confirming the title of the iPhone 16e, they’ve been incorrect about others, together with the variety of coloration choices accessible for the iPhone 16. So it is potential this leak will not be true.

Personally, I hope this leak seems to be false as a result of I’d like to see ProMotion on the iPhone 17 Air. However then additionally, understanding Apple, which likes to do silly issues, I can simply see them eradicating it to save cash, and to create a transparent distinction between the iPhone 17 Air and the Professional fashions.

Please, Apple, I encourage you, put ProMotion on the iPhone 17 Air.

Associated

Apple’s next MagSafe charger might bring 45W speeds and Qi2.2 support

A regulatory leak reveals two new Apple MagSafe chargers within the works that assist 45W of wi-fi charging.