ProMotion is Apple’s adaptive refresh-rate display technology, and it runs up to 120Hz. Apple’s developer documentation lists it on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max and later Pro models. It also lists iPhone Air and iPhone 17 and later. Below you’ll find what the name means, which models qualify, and what “up to 120Hz” does and doesn’t promise.
Which iPhones have ProMotion?
Apple’s developer device list gives the coverage at family level:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Apple iPhone 16, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $552.01 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $403.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $262.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Apple iPhone 16e, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $388.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| Family | ProMotion? | What Apple says |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max (2021) | Yes, the first generation | The iPhone 13 Pro specifications list “ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz.” |
| Later Pro and Pro Max generations | Yes | The developer list says “and later” for both. The iPhone 15 Pro (2023) and iPhone 16 Pro (2024) specification pages each confirm adaptive refresh up to 120Hz. |
| iPhone Air | Yes | Named separately in Apple’s developer list. |
| iPhone 17 and later (2025 onward) | Yes | Named in the developer list. The iPhone 17 Pro specifications confirm up to 120Hz. |
| Standard iPhone models before iPhone 17 | Not listed | Apple’s list doesn’t include them. A feature on the Pro model of a generation doesn’t carry over to the standard model. |
Apple’s list is the authority for family coverage. Apple publishes individual specification pages for each model, and I checked the 13 Pro, 15 Pro, 16 Pro and 17 Pro pages. If you’re buying a specific variant, such as a Pro Max or a model that isn’t one of those four, confirm it on that model’s own Apple specifications page.
What ProMotion actually is
ProMotion lets the screen show content at several refresh rates instead of one fixed rate. The ceiling is 120Hz, meaning the display can refresh up to 120 times per second. Apple’s developer documentation lists presentation rates from 10Hz up to 120Hz, with intermediate steps in between.
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- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
“Up to 120Hz” is a maximum
The system changes the rate as it goes, so the display isn’t at 120Hz all the time. The higher rates are most useful for motion, such as scrolling and animations. Lower rates are available when the screen is showing little change.
Apps can’t force a rate
Apple’s documentation says: “The system insulates the ProMotion display’s actual refresh rate from your app — you can’t force a ProMotion display to show your content at any specific rate.” Developers can express preferences, but iOS makes the final decision. So a particular app won’t necessarily run at 120Hz.
Rank #2
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
Power
Apple says lower refresh rates give the system chances to save power, and that higher rates can use significantly more. That’s the reason the rate is variable. Apple’s documentation doesn’t give a typical battery-life saving, so any specific percentage you see elsewhere isn’t coming from Apple’s documentation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choosing between ProMotion models
Every qualifying model offers the same core feature, adaptive refresh up to 120Hz. The differences that matter are generation, screen size and the rest of each model’s display specifications, which you can compare on Apple’s specifications pages. The refresh-rate feature itself has no competing modes to rank.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
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