Whether you’re looking at the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro, Apple’s newest handsets offer brilliant OLED displays. However, not surprisingly, one of the pairs has a better screen than the other.
Understanding display refresh rates is crucial when it comes to smartphones. Generally, a higher refresh rate means a better display. In the smartphone industry, you’ll primarily encounter two refresh rates: 60Hz and 120Hz. This means the screen’s images are updated 60 or 120 times per second. In addition, some handsets now offer 144Hz and 240Hz — but that’s not yet the case for Apple smartphones.
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This year’s iPhone is available in 60Hz and 120Hz variants, depending on the model you choose. All four were announced at Apple’s big iPhone 15 event on September 12.
Neither the iPhone 15 nor iPhone 15 Plus offer a 120Hz display, just like the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. Instead, their Super Retina XDR displays are limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. But it’s not all bad news.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus still offer a seamless experience despite not having a 120Hz refresh rate. This is thanks to Apple’s various iOS 17 optimizations, which provide a smoother experience compared to other phones with similar refresh rates. These models also come with the Dynamic Island, which was not present in last year’s iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models. Additionally, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus both have brighter displays than their predecessors, now going all the way up to 2,000 nits instead of the previous 1,200 nits maximum.
Apple has once again limited the 120Hz display to its Pro lineup of smartphones. This means that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max do come with a Super Retina XDR display with 120Hz ProMotion technology — just like the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max that came before them. This feature provides an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, resulting in a smoother visual experience versus the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models.
You’re unlikely to notice any differences in the refresh rates between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro unless you compare them. This is similar to comparing smartphone display sizes; you may not be aware of how big or small your display is until you see it next to another device.
Choosing the more expensive iPhone 15 Pro over a regular iPhone 15 model probably won’t depend on your need or desire for ProMotion. The heftier price is also because the Pro models have better cameras and chips, a tougher build quality, more available storage, and other extras.
Pros and cons of screen refresh rates
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Smartphone displays with higher refresh rates offer a more immersive experience for gaming and video watching while also providing smoother scrolling and animations. Some people even believe that higher refresh rates lead to less eye strain.
However, there are a few downsides to consider. First, devices with higher refresh rates consume battery power faster, which can concern users who need their phones to last all day. And not all smartphone content supports higher refresh rates. Finally, some apps may not work well with higher refresh rates, which can result in a less-than-optimal experience.
If you want the absolute best display available on an iPhone, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be the way to go. But if you’re OK living with a 60Hz screen (and you probably are), you can’t go wrong with the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus — even without the 120Hz treatment.
Best phone deals: Save on iPhone 15, Google Pixel 7, and more
It is time. Time for a phone upgrade and a new, hopefully more responsive device. If it's been a while, or you haven't been paying much attention to the smartphone market, you're in for a shock. You may find yourself overwhelmed with all the options that are available to you from brands like Apple, Samsung, Google, and more. To help you determine the best smartphone for you, we've gathered the top phone deals that you can shop right now across different retailers. You're going to have to decide quickly though, because the discounts attached to these devices usually don't last long. Proceed with your purchase as soon as possible so that you don't miss out on the low prices.
Apple iPhone 15 -- Free with Boost Mobile, was $830
Best iPhone deals: Save on iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and more
Looking for great Apple deals on one of the best iPhones? There are plenty out there covering the absolute latest and fastest models as well as older models that will still keep many people happy. If you're keen to see what's out there and how you could save, read on while we take you through all the best iPhone deals available today.Shopping on a tight budget? Consider checking out our list of the best refurbished iPhone deals instead.
iPhone 15 -- free
The Apple iPhone 15 finally brings with it Dynamic Island which we've only previously seen on the Pro range. It's a real game changer at times and is very convenient. Alongside that, the Apple iPhone 15 has the Ceramic Shield front to keep it more protected while its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display promises to be up to two times brighter than the iPhone 14 in the sun. There's also a 48MP main camera with 2x telephoto lens to help you take great shots. The A16 Bionic chip has plenty of processing power to aid with software adjustments. To get the phone for free, sign up to Boost Infinite for $60 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data.
Best refurbished iPhone deals: Get an iPhone for under $200
The Apple iPhone is one of the most popular smartphones on the market, though they don’t come cheap. We've frequently only see iPhone deals when they are paired with new cell carrier contracts, and it’s even less frequent that you come across one of the best iPhones with a significant price drop. One way to land an iPhone at a great price is to shop refurbished. Refurbished iPhones almost all come backed with a functionality guarantee or extended return window nowadays, making a refurbished iPhone as safe of a purchase as shopping new. There are a lot of refurbished iPhones seeing amazing price points right now, and several that are even discounted. If you’re looking to save big on an iPhone, these are the best refurbished iPhone deals you’ll find right now.
iPhone XR -- from $193
iPhone XR Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends / Digital Trends
A refurbished model but one that's unlocked and comes with a full one-year warranty, the Apple iPhone XR is still pretty stylish for its age. It has a large 6.1-inch LCD screen with 1,792 x 828 resolution with Liquid Retina technology ensuring it looks super sharp. Powered by the A12 Bionic chip, it's starting to show its age but still has potential. There's also a 12MP back camera that can shoot 4K videos while the front-facing camera is 7MP and ideal for selfie-taking.
