ProMotion Technology: Explained

Joe Cohen

iPad ProMotion Technology

ProMotion technology is a feature found in some of Apple’s devices, including certain models of the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. It enhances the display, making everything on the screen appear more fluid and responsive. The main advantage of ProMotion is its high refresh rate, which can go up to 120Hz, meaning the display updates 120 times per second. This capability significantly improves the visual experience by making motion on the screen look smoother. 

Unlike traditional displays with fixed refresh rates, ProMotion dynamically adjusts the refresh rate based on the content being viewed. For activities like scrolling text or playing games, the display may refresh at 120Hz. However, when displaying video content or still images, it can reduce the refresh rate to save battery life. This adaptability not only enhances how content looks and feels but also helps extend the device’s battery life by using high refresh rates only when necessary.

Understanding ProMotion Technology

ProMotion is Apple’s adaptive refresh rate technology that makes everything on your screen look smoother and more responsive. It dynamically adjusts the refresh rate of your display, up to 120Hz, based on what you’re doing. This means scrolling feels more fluid, animations are crisper, and even Apple Pencil input is more precise.

How ProMotion Works

Traditional displays have a fixed refresh rate, typically 60Hz, meaning the screen updates 60 times per second. ProMotion, on the other hand, can vary the refresh rate from as low as 10Hz to as high as 120Hz.

When you’re interacting with the screen, like scrolling through a webpage or playing a game, ProMotion ramps up the refresh rate to 120Hz for buttery-smooth visuals. When you’re viewing static content, like reading an email, it lowers the refresh rate to conserve battery life.

Benefits of ProMotion

  • Smooth scrolling and animations: Everything feels more fluid and responsive.
  • Improved gaming experience: Games look and play better with higher frame rates.
  • Reduced motion blur: Moving objects appear clearer and sharper.
  • Enhanced Apple Pencil input: Writing and drawing feel more natural and precise.
  • Longer battery life: Dynamic refresh rates help conserve power.

Devices with ProMotion

ProMotion is currently available on several Apple devices, including:

  • iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (2nd generation and later)
  • iPad Pro (11-inch) (all generations)
  • iPad Pro (10.5-inch)
  • iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max

The Future of ProMotion

Apple is expected to continue expanding ProMotion to more devices in its lineup. It’s likely that future iPhones, iPads, and even MacBooks could feature this technology, offering users a smoother and more responsive experience across all their Apple devices.

Adaptive Refresh Rate Technologies from Other Brands

While Apple calls its technology ProMotion, other brands have their own versions of adaptive refresh rate. These technologies work similarly to ProMotion, dynamically adjusting the refresh rate to optimize for both smooth visuals and battery life.

Some popular examples include:

  • Samsung: Adaptive Motion Smoothness
  • OnePlus: Fluid AMOLED
  • Google: Smooth Display

While the names and specific implementations may differ, the underlying principle is the same: to provide a smoother and more responsive user experience while conserving battery power.

Key Takeaways

  • ProMotion is Apple’s adaptive high refresh rate display technology.
  • It enhances fluidity and responsiveness on the device’s screen.
  • Dynamic adjustment of the refresh rate aids in conserving battery life.

Understanding ProMotion and Its Impact on Displays

ProMotion technology stands out as a game-changer for displays with its adaptive refresh rate and improved user experience.

Fundamentals of ProMotion

ProMotion makes screens refresh faster. Most have a 60Hz refresh rate which means they load 60 times in one second. With ProMotion, this can double to 120Hz. The “Hz” stands for Hertz and measures how often the screen updates.

ProMotion in Apple Devices

Apple introduced ProMotion in the iPad Pro. Later, it featured in the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro. Devices with ProMotion adjust their refresh rates for different tasks.

Benefits of High Refresh Rates

Text scrolls more smoothly on high refresh rate screens. Animation looks closer to real life. When you draw on the iPad Pro, the latency is low. This means you see your pencil strokes without delay. High refresh rates can also make devices seem more responsive, or quick to react.

Technical Advancements

ProMotion can change the refresh rate to save battery life. When the screen doesn’t need to refresh as often, it uses less power. Also, the technology works well with the device’s GPU and processor. This teamwork lets ProMotion adjust to what you’re doing on the screen.