Much is already known about the coming iPhone 12 family: the number of phones, display size and types and even most of the design. But one thing that rumors are still going on over and over again is if any or all of the new iPhones will have 120Hz refresh rate displays.High refresh rate is the theme of 2020 flagships with 120Hz becoming the new standard, and 90Hz is seen as acceptable. With the release of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra behind us, all eyes are now on Apple and its Fall event.
But Apple’s good oil machine does not seem to be working as smoothly this year. The release of the iPhones will be delayed by a few weeks and component vendors seem to be at least part of the problem. This also applies to the mentioned 120Hz displays. Apple managed to secure the 120Hz display panels, according to insiders, but another essential part is missing that will complete the package – the display driver IC (integrated circuit).
Ross Young, CEO of DSCC (Display Supply Chain Consultants) today shared some insights on the matter, which were in line with his previous comments. According to his tweet (shown below) Apple does not have its hands on 120Hz driver ICs, which means it will have to delay the launch of the iPhone 12 even further or come up with another solution, Young says “Will be difficult”.
Heard that Apple can get 120Hz Pro panels, but not 120Hz driver ICs. That they will or should come up with a fix that will be tricky, wait for 120Hz driver ICs and the launch may be significantly delayed than with 60Hz launch. We hear that they will start with 60Hz.
Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) August 24, 2020
Simply put, the display driver is the part that interprets the data from the phone’s GPU and tells the display what each pixel should do and when. Of course, for a 120Hz display you need a driver that can do its job twice as fast.
De ProMotion display, as Apple calls the 120Hz display on the iPad Pro, was expected to be one of the most important new features of the iPhone 12, but now it seems that iPhone users will have to wait until late 2021 for the to experience smoothness.
