Apple’s latest software update, iOS 18, has introduced a significant change that iPhone users weren’t informed about—limiting the iPhone’s refresh rate to 80Hz. This unexpected adjustment was uncovered by a tipster who shared video evidence showing the iPhone’s display rarely touching the advertised 120Hz, particularly during rapid scrolling.
Apple’s ProMotion technology, first seen in the iPhone 13 Pro series, enabled displays to dynamically adjust between 10Hz and 120Hz, providing a smooth user experience. However, with iOS 18, many users have noticed their devices are no longer achieving the fluidity promised by this feature. The refresh rate counter in the video appears to confirm this, showing that the display is capped at 80Hz during most tasks.
If anyone still doesn’t understand this, please watch this video. When scrolling through the list, iOS18 is always locked at 80Hz, and 120Hz is rarely seen.
source：weibo 孙斌1990 pic.twitter.com/lAJ10vBRad— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) September 23, 2024
It’s speculated that Apple implemented this limitation to improve battery life, similar to other power-saving techniques found in iOS 18. For instance, performance cores experience delayed turbo boosts to reduce energy consumption, which impacts benchmark scores. However, these changes have come without transparency, leaving users in the dark about their device’s altered capabilities.
While Apple’s goal of enhancing battery efficiency is understandable, it’s clear that many users would prefer the option to retain full 120Hz functionality, especially given the high price of these premium devices.
For now, users are encouraged to test their own iPhones running iOS 18 and report any similar behavior. A clear understanding of this adjustment can help Apple address concerns about performance degradation and provide users with the necessary choices regarding their device settings.
Source: Ice Universe
