Apple’s recent announcement of the introduction of 120 Hz refresh rate displays in the upcoming standard iPhone 17 series, scheduled for release in 2025, represents a notable — albeit belated — development in the smartphone industry.
Notably, Xiaomi first implemented this technology in the Redmi K30 in 2020, marking a five-year gap between the two manufacturers’ adoption of high refresh rate displays.
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The gradual evolution of the iPhone
The standard iPhone 17 is expected to be equipped with a 120-inch OLED display protected by Ceramic Shield glass. Unlike the Pro series, which will feature Apple’s adaptive refresh technology ProMotion, the standard model is expected to offer a fixed frequency of 60/120 Hz.
Additional features include an Apple A18 processor made using TSMC‘s 3nm N3E process technology, 8 GB of RAM, a 48-megapixel main camera, a proprietary Wi-Fi 7 chip, and reportedly improved MagSafe charging capabilities.
Xiaomi’s early adoption and wider availability
Xiaomi’s introduction of 120 Hz displays on the Redmi K30 smartphone back in 2020 signaled the company’s strategic commitment to advanced display technologies.
Unlike Apple, which initially limited high refresh rate screens to its flagship Pro models only, Xiaomi has extended this feature to a wider range of products, making premium display capabilities available to a broader consumer group.
Consequences for consumers
Apple’s adoption of 120 Hz technology in the standard iPhone lineup can be interpreted as a confirmation of Xiaomi’s earlier investments in display innovation.
Consumers switching from Xiaomi to Apple devices will now have comparable levels of display smoothness, bridging a long-standing gap in user experience.