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 predicted to launch later this 12 months alongside the remainder of the iPhone 17 lineup.

It is rumored to be the thinnest iPhone ever, with numerous leaks suggesting it may measure anyplace between 5mm and 6mm thick. That might make it the thinnest iPhone because the iPhone 6, which was comparatively skinny for its time however notoriously identified for bending. I am going to 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 may be prone to ruining the telephone.

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

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

It dynamically adjusts the show’s refresh fee to save lots of battery

In case you’re unfamiliar with ProMotion, it is an adaptive refresh fee expertise that dynamically adjusts the show’s refresh fee based mostly in your actions. While you’re enjoying a sport or scrolling, ProMotion will increase the refresh fee to 120Hz, giving the picture a easy, fluid look. Nonetheless, if a better refresh fee is not essential, it will possibly scale back it to assist preserve battery life.

As an example, if you happen to’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 determined by 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 approach to the iPhone, beginning with the iPhone 13 Professional. This expertise has been included in each Professional mannequin since then.

Final 12 months, 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, once I learn the rumor that ProMotion can be included in all iPhone 17 fashions, I felt optimistic that Apple was lastly going by way of with it. Nonetheless, based mostly on this most up-to-date leak stating that the iPhone 17 Air will not embrace ProMotion, it appears Apple could possibly be chopping corners.

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Battery life will likely be a significant concern for the iPhone 17 Air

Do not get me unsuitable; it is nice that the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air could have 120Hz refresh fee shows. It is a vital enchancment over 60Hz, and it’ll make utilizing them so a lot better. Nonetheless, with out ProMotion expertise 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 signifies that the telephone will not have the ability to dynamically modify the refresh fee. As I discussed earlier, one of many largest benefits ProMotion presents is the power to scale down the refresh fee to save lots of battery. And on slim smartphones, which haven’t got massive batteries as a consequence of dimension constraints, that is fairly necessary.

Whereas it is unclear precisely how massive the battery within the iPhone 17 Air will likely be, it probably will not be as huge because the one discovered within the iPhone 17 Professional or the iPhone 17, naturally because of the slim design of the telephone. That is why I consider that if Apple decides to not embrace ProMotion on the iPhone 17 Air, it may be one of many stupidest issues it is ever finished.

The iPhone 17 Air goes to be a cutting-edge telephone; there isn’t any doubt about it. Whereas its distinctive slim design is certain to draw loads of consideration, one of many largest considerations folks may have is battery life. The S25 Edge proves this will likely be a difficulty. Eradicating a battery life function like ProMotion would not assist alleviate any of these considerations and is simply plain weird.

In fact, I need to be very clear that every one my considerations are based mostly on Mounted Focus Digital’s leak. Whereas they have been right up to now about some issues, resembling confirming the title of the iPhone 16e, they’ve been incorrect about others, together with the variety of colour choices accessible for the iPhone 16. So it is attainable this leak is probably not 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, realizing Apple, which likes to do silly issues, I can simply see them eradicating it to economize, 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.

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