Apple's 2020 iPhones could be getting 120Hz displays

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Next year's iPhones could have twice the refresh rate

(Image credit: Future)

We've seen ultra-smooth 120Hz displays before in gaming-centric handsets like the Razer Phone and Razer Phone 2, but now a tweet from reliable tipster Ice Universe is claiming that Apple's 2020 iPhones could be doubling their screen refresh rates from the current 60Hz-capable iPhone XS. 

According to Ice Universe's tweet, the Cupertino company is "considering a switchable 60Hz/120Hz refresh rate screen on the iPhone in 2020". It also states that Apple "is discussing with Samsung and LG," which are known to be the two biggest suppliers of smartphone AMOLED displays in the world.

By "switchable 60Hz/120Hz", it's presumed that next year's iPhones will switch to a 60Hz refresh rate whenever static images are displayed in order to conserve battery.

If true, it won't be the first time Apple has released mobile devices to market with 120Hz displays – all of its 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPads released since 2017 have boasted ultra-fast refresh rates, albeit without the benefits of OLED technology, such as individually-lit pixels, perfect blacks and low power consumption. Instead, the tablets sported LED Retina ProMotion displays. 

Of course, Apple is currently preparing for the launch of this year's iPhone 11 handsets in September, so it'll likely be a long while before we hear any concrete details about next year's model.

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Stephen Lambrechts
Stephen Lambrechts
Senior Journalist, Phones and Entertainment

Stephen primarily covers phones and entertainment for TechRadar's Australian team, and has written professionally across the categories of tech, film, television and gaming in both print and online for over a decade. He's obsessed with smartphones, televisions, consoles and gaming PCs, and has a deep-seated desire to consume all forms of media at the highest quality possible. 

He's also likely to talk a person’s ear off at the mere mention of Android, cats, retro sneaker releases, travelling and physical media, such as vinyl and boutique Blu-ray releases. Right now, he's most excited about QD-OLED technology, The Batman and Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga.