Battery Life is the main reason the iPhone 12 Pro will not have a 120Hz display, says leaker

Jon Prosser (@ says that the main reason why Apple aren’t implementing a 120Hz display into the upcoming iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max is “100% about battery life”.

Prosser goes on to say that the iPhone 12 Pro’s hardware is “more than capable” for a 120Hz display, but in practice, the 120Hz display kills the battery quickly. The 5G components in the iPhone 12 kill the battery quickly too, so having a 120Hz display in addition to the already-intensive 5G components would drain the battery of the iPhone 12 Pro incredibly fast.

I’m told that 120hz not being implemented in iPhone 12 Pro is 100% about battery life.

Hardware was more than capable — but it just eats through battery, and 5G drains enough battery by itself.

It was basically a choice between 120hz or 5G, and they picked 5G. Rightfully so.

— Jon Prosser ()

He goes says that Apple had a choice between implementing a 120Hz display or implementing 5G, and Apple went with the latter. Additionally, 5G can be marketed easily and looks good to all consumers, where as the average consumer wouldn’t care about a 120Hz display.

5G is *much* easier to market. Yes, nerds will love 120hz, but the average customer doesn’t care.

It’s much easier to market “your phone is faster because 5G” than explain display refresh rate.

120hz next year for sure.

— Jon Prosser ()

Even though only a few places across the world have 5G, Prosser reiterates that it’s much easier to market 5G to all consumers. Considering most people own their iPhones for two to three years, when 5G launches in their area, they’ll have an iPhone that supports it.

The Apple “Hi, Speed” event is tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. PDT, 1:00 p.m. EDT, and 6:00 p.m. BST. Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Alongside the new iPhones, Apple may announce two new wireless chargers named “MagSafe” and “MagSafe Duo” and AirPods Studio.