Just as the eyes are a window into a person’s soul, the display of a smartphone tells you a lot about the device from the moment you turn it on. So, what kind of story will the iPhone 14 displays tell when Apple unveils its new models to a waiting world this fall?
The screens on the iPhone 13 have proven to be one of Apple’s current smartphone lineup’s many strengths. The screens on all four iPhones are bright and colorful, with the iPhone 13 Pro models standing out in particular due to their adaptive 120Hz refresh rates. This means that Apple’s Pro phones can adjust the refresh rate of their displays, ramping up to 120Hz for things like games or scrolling and scaling down to 10Hz for more static activities.
So far, rumors have suggested that the upcoming phones will be more of the same. However, digging deeper into the rumors reveals some expected improvements to the iPhone 14 displays, which could translate into noticeable improvements for Apple’s handsets. And the pressure is on Apple as the phone maker’s main rivals, particularly Samsung, have focused on display upgrades for their own handsets, hoping to dethrone Apple’s offerings as the best phone overall.
Here’s what we know so far about the displays, including any changes Apple might be planning for fast-refreshing displays on its new phones.
Display Sizes
With one major exception, the screens of the various iPhone 14 models are expected to remain largely unchanged.
The iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max should have the same screen sizes as the iPhone 13. That means the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro will have 6.1-inch displays, while the Pro Max will retain the 6.7-inch display found on the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
However, that may not be the only 6.7-inch phone in Apple’s lineup any longer. According to rumors, Apple will add a 14 Max, to its lineup this year — a cheaper 6.7-inch phone that will lack some of the premium features found in Apple’s Pro lineup. The idea is to provide iPhone fans with a more affordable way to get one of the best big phones.
That would put an end to Apple’s mini iPhone model, which was introduced with the iPhone 12 released in 2020 but never caught on, even with the 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini. That means fans of smaller screens will have to settle for the iPhone SE (2022) or hope that Apple keeps an older mini model in its lineup at a lower price.
Another change to the 14 Pro model displays is that they are expected to lose the notch that has been associated with the iPhone since its debut in 2017. Instead, the front camera and Face ID sensors appear to be housed in two cutouts on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. When compared to recent Pro models, this will free up a little more screen space on both phones.
Refresh Rates
As previously stated, the iPhone 13 Pro models now have a dynamic refresh rate that can scale between 10Hz and 120Hz. The standard iPhone 13 continues to run at the more traditional 60Hz rate.
Will the iPhone 14 bring any changes? According to one leak, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max may offer 90Hz refresh rates, similar to how Google handles its Pixel flagships. (The Pixel 6 Pro has a 120Hz screen, while the Pixel 6 only has a 90Hz display.) That would undoubtedly be an improvement over the iPhone 13’s fixed 60Hz refresh rate. Read more; Apple has Released iOS 15.2 Developer Beta 4
The problem is that other leakers have debunked this rumor. Instead, they advise the iPhone 14 to keep the 60Hz panels found on current base model iPhones. According to an older report from Apple’s supply chain, at least one iPhone 14 model is using an LTPS display with a 60Hz refresh rate, which we assume is the iPhone 14.
A 90Hz refresh rate would make scrolling on the iPhone 14 appear much smoother than on previous models, so it’s definitely a feature we’d like to see. However, until more reports back up this change in refresh rates, we must assume that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will offer the same 60Hz rates as Apple’s less expensive flagships.
We have better news for the iPhone 14 Pro, as the upcoming phones are expected to keep the 120Hz displays introduced with the iPhone 13 Pro. LTPO displays — short for low-temperature Polycrystalline oxide — were introduced in those phones, allowing iPhones to adjust their refresh rate based on on-screen activity.
According to rumors, the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max will include a new version of LTPO that improves power efficiency. The OnePlus 10 Pro received such an upgrade earlier this year, and it can now scale down to 1Hz, just like the Galaxy S22 Ultra. If the iPhone 14 Pro models get a new and improved LTPO technology, they could have the same 1-120Hz refresh rate as other top flagship phones.
If that feature is implemented, it may pave the way for another change to the iPhone 14 Pro’s display. Apple’s Pro models are rumored to include support for always-on displays, a feature that has long been available on the best Android phones. The iOS 16 update, which will be available this fall, will include support for customizable lock screens and widgets that can be placed on your lock screen. Clearly, such a feature would pave the way for an always-on display on phones that can reduce their refresh rate to avoid draining their batteries.
Other Display Features
While display refresh rates receive the most attention, the battle for the best smartphone display has also been fought on other fronts. Screen brightness has grown in importance, and it is expected to be a key feature displays.
Apple touted the brightness of the phone’s Super Retina XDR OLED panels when it released the iPhone 13 models last year. The iPhone 13 had a maximum outdoor brightness of 800 nits, while the Pro models had a maximum outdoor brightness of 1,000 nits. (On the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, we measured 795 and 1,024 nits, respectively.)
Samsung has released its own flagship update since the release of the iPhone 13. The Galaxy S22 models also have bright displays, with a peak brightness of 1,300 nits for the S22 and 1,750 for the Galaxy S22 Plus and Galaxy S22 Ultra. We didn’t record any numbers that exceeded those maximums with our light meter, but the screens on the S22 lineup are generally brighter than the iPhone 13.
Will Apple respond in kind when it is unveiled? We haven’t heard any rumors about it. However, given how phone manufacturers are now competing in the area of brightness, we wouldn’t be surprised if the iPhone 14 debuts with some improvements in that area. Read also; Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs. Apple iPhone SE 3
iPhone Display Outlook
Don’t expect a significant change in screen sizes or refresh rates for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 14 release. However, enough significant changes appear to be in the works for us to believe that displays will remain an important feature on Apple’s next phones. And as we get closer to the iPhone 14 release date, some surprises may emerge.
