If this iPhone 17 Air rumor is true, Apple is making a huge 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 might measure anyplace 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 identified for bending. I will admit that the prospect of Apple lastly altering the iPhone’s design after 5 years of stagnation excites me probably the most concerning the iPhone 17 Air. Nonetheless, after studying this newest rumor, I am afraid Apple is likely to be vulnerable to ruining the telephone.

In line 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 screen, however not ProMotion adaptive refresh charge” (by way of 9to5Mac).

Once I learn this, I used to be shocked 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 carried out.

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

For those who’re unfamiliar with ProMotion, it is an adaptive refresh charge expertise that dynamically adjusts the show’s refresh charge primarily based in your actions. If you’re taking part in a recreation or scrolling, ProMotion will increase the refresh charge to 120Hz, giving the picture a easy, fluid look. Nonetheless, if the next refresh charge is not needed, it may scale back it to assist preserve battery life.

As an illustration, when you’re viewing a static picture in your iPhone, ProMotion can decrease the refresh charge to as little as 1Hz, since there’s no movement on the display screen to warrant boosting the refresh charge to 120Hz, thus saving battery. Moreover, ProMotion permits the Professional mannequin iPhones to help All the time On Show (AOD), as that mode relies on an adaptive refresh charge 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 option to the iPhone, beginning with the iPhone 13 Professional. This expertise has been included in each Professional mannequin since then.

Final yr, when the iPhone 16 was launched, I used to be shocked that Apple had not but added ProMotion to the usual iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus. So, once I learn the rumor that ProMotion could be included in all iPhone 17 fashions, I felt optimistic that Apple was lastly going by with it. Nonetheless, primarily based on this most up-to-date leak stating that the iPhone 17 Air will not embody ProMotion, it appears Apple may very well be reducing corners.

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Battery life can be a serious 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 charge shows. This can be a important 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 like a half-baked effort.

If the iPhone 17 Air would not have a ProMotion show, it theoretically implies that the telephone will not be capable to dynamically regulate the refresh charge. As I discussed earlier, one of many largest benefits ProMotion affords is the flexibility to scale down the refresh charge to avoid wasting battery. And on slim smartphones, which do not have giant batteries as a result of measurement constraints, that is fairly essential.

Whereas it is unclear precisely how giant the battery within the iPhone 17 Air can be, it possible will not be as massive because the one discovered within the iPhone 17 Professional or the iPhone 17, naturally as a result of slim design of the telephone. Because of this I imagine that if Apple decides to not embody ProMotion on the iPhone 17 Air, it is likely to be one of many stupidest issues it is ever carried out.

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

In fact, I wish to be very clear that every one my considerations are primarily based on Mounted Focus Digital’s leak. Whereas they have been appropriate prior to now about some issues, akin to confirming the title of the iPhone 16e, they’ve been incorrect about others, together with the variety of coloration choices obtainable for the iPhone 16. So it is attainable 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, realizing 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.

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