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 relating to the iPhone 17 Air, the supposed ultra-thin iPhone that Apple is anticipated to launch later this 12 months alongside the remainder of the iPhone 17 lineup.

It is rumored to be the thinnest iPhone ever, with varied leaks suggesting it might measure anyplace between 5mm and 6mm thick. That may 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 liable to ruining the cellphone.

In accordance 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 greatly surprised instantly. If this leak seems to be true, and the iPhone 17 Air has a 120Hz show with out ProMotion, it might simply be one of many dumbest issues Apple has ever completed.

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

For those who’re unfamiliar with ProMotion, it is an adaptive refresh charge know-how that dynamically adjusts the show’s refresh charge primarily based in your actions. While you’re enjoying a sport 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 crucial, it may well scale back it to assist preserve battery life.

As an illustration, for those who’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 assist At all times On Show (AOD), as that mode is determined by 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 solution to the iPhone, beginning with the iPhone 13 Professional. This know-how has been included in each Professional mannequin since then.

Final 12 months, 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, after 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, primarily based on this most up-to-date leak stating that the iPhone 17 Air will not embrace ProMotion, it appears Apple may very well be slicing corners.

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Battery life shall be a serious concern for the iPhone 17 Air

Do not get me flawed; it is nice that the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air could have 120Hz refresh charge shows. This can be a vital enchancment over 60Hz, and it’ll make utilizing them so a lot better. Nonetheless, with out ProMotion know-how bundled with that 120Hz show, it looks as if a half-baked effort.

If the iPhone 17 Air does not have a ProMotion show, it theoretically implies that the cellphone will not be capable of dynamically regulate the refresh charge. As I discussed earlier, one of many largest benefits ProMotion affords is the power to scale down the refresh charge to save lots of battery. And on slim smartphones, which do not have giant batteries resulting from measurement constraints, that is fairly essential.

Whereas it is unclear precisely how giant the battery within the iPhone 17 Air shall 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 cellphone. That is why I imagine that if Apple decides to not embrace ProMotion on the iPhone 17 Air, it is likely to be one of many stupidest issues it is ever completed.

The iPhone 17 Air goes to be a cutting-edge cellphone; there is no such thing as a doubt about it. Whereas its distinctive slim design is certain to draw quite a lot of consideration, one of many largest considerations folks could have is battery life. The S25 Edge proves this shall be a difficulty. Eradicating a battery life characteristic like ProMotion does not assist alleviate any of these considerations and is simply plain weird.

After all, I need to be very clear that every one my considerations are primarily based on Fastened Focus Digital’s leak. Whereas they have been appropriate up to now about some issues, equivalent to confirming the identify of the iPhone 16e, they’ve been incorrect about others, together with the variety of colour choices out there for the iPhone 16. So it is potential this leak might 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, figuring out 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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