News
- The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air are again rumored to have 120Hz refresh rates
- However, this time we're hearing that they might not have ProMotion screens
- That would likely mean they don't have a variable refresh rate, which could be bad news for battery life
We’ve long expected that the entire iPhone 17 series will get 120Hz displays, with numerous sources saying the base model will finally leave 60Hz screens in the past. However, a new leak complicates this claim slightly.
According to reputable leaker Fixed Focus Digital (via 9to5Mac), the base iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Air will indeed have 120Hz screens, but unlike on the Pro models, these won’t be ProMotion displays.
You see, Apple equips its Pro models with ProMotion screens, which, as well as being able to reach 120Hz, are also able to dial all the way down to 1Hz. This means the refresh rate is never higher than it needs to be, so battery can be conserved when a high refresh rate isn’t needed.
And with a 1Hz refresh rate, they can also support Apple’s always-on display feature (which would use a lot of battery if the refresh rate were stuck at a high level). But according to this source, the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air won’t have a variable refresh rate.
No always-on, and not enough enduranceThe iPhone 16 Pro Max has a variable refresh rate (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)So, that would likely mean the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air still won’t support Apple's always-on display feature, but more troublingly, it could also mean a reduction in battery life for both models. That’s especially worrying for the iPhone 17 Air, which by virtue of being slim will probably have quite a small battery to begin with.
But that makes me doubt this rumor a bit. It could make sense for Apple to do this with the base iPhone 17, as it would be a spec upgrade, but one that still keeps it behind the Pro models. The battery hit on the Air, however, would surely be too big a sacrifice.
So, I'm hoping that this rumored upgrade is either totally wrong or will only come to the base iPhone 17, as in the iPhone 17 Air’s case, it might end up being more of a downgrade than just equipping it with a 60Hz screen.
You might also like- Upgraded MagSafe chargers have been spotted in filings
- The iPhone 17 could support up to 50W wireless charging
- Price hikes for the new models have been predicted
We're counting down the weeks until the iPhone 17 reveal, which should be sometime in September, and a couple of new leaks have caught our attention. In short: there's good news and there's bad news.
First up, the positive news is that Apple's flagship phone series might be getting a boost in terms of its wireless MagSafe charging, compared to the iPhone 16 range.
As spotted by 91mobiles, Apple has submitted regulatory filings in Taiwan for two new MagSafe charger models, with model numbers A3502 and A3503.
Crucially, the chargers support the Qi 2.2 standard, and that means a big jump in wireless charging power: 50W, as opposed to the 25W that the current iPhones max out on (the current MagSafe tech is limited to Qi 2.0).
The Qi 2.2 standard also brings with it improved efficiency, to cut down on heat generation and energy loss, as well as better magnetic alignment – so these new MagSafe chargers should snap into place better than ever before. The signs are promising that the new models will offer improved charging speeds for the iPhone 17.
Price risesCurrent iPhones, like the iPhone 16e, have stayed at their original price (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)Less encouragingly, 9to5Mac reports on a prediction from the analysts at Counterpoint Research, which suggests the starting price of an iPhone will go up this year – primarily because of the ongoing US tariff situation.
Some of that tariff cost is going to be passed on to consumers by Apple, Counterpoint Research says, though it doesn't specify what the price hike might be, or which models could be most affected. Up until now, Apple has resisted raising the prices of its current lineup, including the recently launched iPhone 16e.
Of course, this is all unofficial for now, and the tariff situation might look a lot different in September 2025, but you might want to start saving up. The iPhone 16 starting price was set at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399 when it launched last September.
Rumors of an iPhone 17 price hike have been swirling all year, so this latest prediction isn't really a surprise. Insider sources and analysts from Samsung Securities have both speculated that the iPhone 17 could cost more than its predecessor – not just because of tariffs, but also because of new costs to Apple and new features in the handset.
You might also like- Marks and Spencer CEO received communication from a ransom gang
- This follows a devastating attack earlier in 2025
- The email confirms a link between the M&S and Co-op attacks
Marks and Spencer was amongst the British retailers that suffered devastating cyberattacks earlier in 2025, with services and stores facing disruption, as well as online orders being suspended.
In the midst of all this, reports from the BBC claim company CEO Stuart Machin was personally sent emails by the attackers goading him and inviting him to begin negotiating the ransom fee.
"We have marched the ways from China all the way to the UK and have mercilessly raped your company and encrypted all the servers," the hackers wrote. "The dragon wants to speak to you so please head over to [our darknet website]."
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“Let's get the party started”The group, who call themselves “DragonForce” also claimed responsibility for the Co-op attack, which came around a similar time - making this email the first official link between the two incidents.
Little is known so far about the group themselves, but the emails confirm this was a ransomware attack, something that M&S have so far refused to comment on.
It was sent through a London-based Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) employee, and it appears as though this employee was also hacked as part of the wider attack - and the Indian IT service is investigating whether it was the origin for the M&S cyberattack.
The email indicated a knowledge of the firm’s cyber insurance, taunting the firm; "we know we can both help each other handsomely : ))". The email also contained a link to begin ransom negotiations; "let's get the party started. Message us, we will make this fast and easy for us."
We reached out to Marks and Spencer for comment, which it declined, offering the following;
“We cannot comment on details of or speculation on the cyber incident, and we have been advised not to.”
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