Apple latterly foretell some new iPhones — perhaps you ’ve already heard ? TheiPhone 16family is upon us , and it ’s an interesting intermixture of expect and surprise upgrades . The veritable iPhone 16 has a bracing new design , the Camera Control button is fascinating , and there ’s a welcome specification excrescence with Apple ’s latest A18 chip .
However , one aspect of the iPhone 16 did n’t change at all — and it ’s an crucial one . For all of the upgrades and new features on the iPhone 16 , the display remains closely very to the one on theiPhone 15 . Unfortunately , that think of another year of a 60Hz refresh charge per unit .
Another year, another 60Hz display
The first iPhone with a 120Hz display was theiPhone 13 Pro , release in 2021 . At the metre , we had already had years of Android phones with 90Hz and 120Hz screen , so Apple was already trailing behind . Still , it was nice to finally have an iPhone without a 60Hz showing .
unluckily , while 120Hz filmdom have continued to be on all of the new Pro iPhones each twelvemonth , the service line iPhone has yet to see the lineament . That means the iPhone 13 , iPhone 14 , iPhone 15 , andnow the iPhone 16 are all stuck with a 60Hz covert .
When your smartphone has a faster refresh charge per unit , it means that the screenland is brisk whatever is on the display at a faster stride . A smartphone screen with a 60Hz refresh rate refreshes 60 clip per indorsement , while a 120Hz screen refreshes 120 times per second .
This is most noticeable when scroll through an app or playing a game , or with other animation / movements happen on your screen . The faster your refresh charge per unit , the smoother and more fluent everything looks . It ’s a meaning difference that ’s difficult to explain or show on video , but isverynoticeable in person . A speech sound with a 120Hz refresh rate look buttery tranquil , while a 60Hz refresh rate looks slow and jerky . It ’s not unserviceable , but it ’s a noticeably regretful substance abuser experience — and a jolly substantial one at that .
A fast refresh rate is not a Pro feature
If it were an industry standard that only $ 1,000 - plus smartphones got 120Hz display , I ’d be felicitous to give Apple a pass and not have this conversation . But the problem is that things could n’t be further from the true statement .
Take a look at the Android smartphone landscape painting today , and it ’s almost more difficult to obtain a earpiece with a 60Hz screen rather of a 120Hz one — regardless of the price . TheGoogle Pixel 9 — a $ 799 telephone set and the closest lineal contender to the iPhone 16 — has a 120Hz screen . TheMoto G Stylus 5 G ( 2024 ) , a $ 400 budget phone , also has a 120Hz projection screen . Hell , even theCMF Phone 1 , which costs 199 British pounds ( a little over $ 260 ) , has a 120Hz screen .
These are just a few examples , but this is for the most part the vitrine across the board for Android telephone set in 2024 . You may see some really cheap phones mistreat down to a lower refresh pace , but even then , it ’s more probable to be 90Hz instead of 60Hz .
Yet , for whatever rationality , Apple has n’t gotten the memo that 120Hz displays are a mesa stakes smartphone feature these days . The $ 799 iPhone 16 and $ 899 iPhone 16 Plustie you down with a 60Hz screen . To get an iPhone with a 120Hz dialog box , you still have to get one of the Pro model — either the $ 999 iPhone 16 Pro or the $ 1,199 iPhone 16 Pro Max .
If Samsung , Google , or any other Android smartphone Divine essay to get off with this , there would be an indignation . But because this has been the average for the iPhone for so long , Apple will almost sure as shooting get a pass — as undeserved as it may be .
This needs to change
Does an out-of-date 60Hz video display mean you should n’t consider buying the iPhone 16 or 16 Plus ? For most people , probably not . The 60Hz screens on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus were nettlesome , but we still at last recommend the phone in our reviews .
I am looking forrard to expend more clock time with the iPhone 16 , particularly with itsCamera Controlbutton and young pattern . I just wish it had the mod screen it deserve — and you should , too . A 60Hz screen may not be the end of the world , but it is an undue spec for a telephone of this quality in 2024 . You merit better , and Apple should do well .
