Rumor: iPhone Air 2 will not get ProMotion 120Hz display in 2027

The iPhone Air 2 will retain a 60Hz OLED display rather than upgrading to ProMotion 120Hz, according to display supply chain sources speaking to The Elec and DSCC's Ross Young. The decision is deliberate: Apple is keeping the Air 2 at 60Hz to preserve the meaningful feature gap between the Air line and the iPhone 18 Pro line.

LG Display and BOE are confirmed to be supplying the Air 2's 6.7-inch OLED panels using LTPS (Low Temperature Poly Silicon) backplane technology, the same as the original iPhone Air. ProMotion 120Hz requires LTPO (Low Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) technology, which both suppliers are reserving for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max displays.

What is the difference between LTPS and LTPO?

LTPS is the standard OLED backplane used in non-Pro iPhones (iPhone 16, 17, 16e, 18e, Air). It supports fixed refresh rates — typically 60Hz on iPhones, sometimes 90Hz on iPads. LTPS is mature, cheap, and has been Apple's go-to display tech for the non-Pro line for a decade.

LTPO is the more advanced backplane used in Pro iPhones (iPhone 13 Pro and later), iPhone 16 Pro, and the Apple Watch since Series 5. It supports variable refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz, enabling:

• ProMotion 120Hz — the headline feature
• Always-on display — the display can drop to 1Hz when locked
• Lower power consumption — variable refresh rate saves battery when the display is showing static content

LTPO is meaningfully more expensive than LTPS. The panel cost difference is roughly 30-50%, depending on the size and supplier. Apple absorbs the cost on the Pro line and the Apple Watch, but the Air line is positioned as a mid-tier product, and Apple wants to keep the panel cost manageable.

Why is Apple keeping the Air 2 at 60Hz?

Three reasons, in order of importance:

1. Differentiation from the Pro line: ProMotion is one of the most visible "Pro vs non-Pro" features. If the Air 2 had 120Hz, the Pro's only display advantage would be peak brightness (which is hard to notice in daily use). 60Hz vs 120Hz is something buyers notice immediately.

2. Cost: The LTPO panel is meaningfully more expensive. The Air 2 is a thin-and-light phone that is already expensive to manufacture (titanium frame, single 48MP camera with custom sensor, C2 modem). Adding a $30-50 LTPO panel would push the Air 2 closer to Pro pricing.

3. Battery life: The Air 2 has a smaller battery (~3,200 mAh) than the iPhone 18 (~3,561 mAh) due to the thin chassis. A 60Hz display is meaningfully more power-efficient than a 120Hz display, especially when the phone is showing static content like a webpage or a message. Apple has prioritized battery life over smoothness on the Air line.

Is there a chance the Air 2 gets 120Hz late in production?

There is always a small chance Apple changes its mind. Apple evaluates panel options throughout the production cycle, and the LTPO vs LTPS decision is typically made 12-18 months before launch. For a spring 2027 launch, the decision was likely made in late 2025 or early 2026.

If Apple were to add 120Hz, the change would need to happen before panel mass production begins in August 2026. The Elec's source says the panel suppliers have already committed to LTPS production schedules. Switching to LTPO would require renegotiating with LG and BOE and retooling production lines — a 6-12 month process that does not fit the current timeline.

What about the iPhone Air 3 in 2028?

The LTPS → LTPO transition is more likely to happen on the iPhone Air 3 (expected spring 2028) than on the Air 2. By 2028, the cost of LTPO panels will have come down further, and Apple will have more incentive to upgrade the Air line's display.

Apple's typical display upgrade cycle is:

• iPhone Air 1 (2025): 60Hz LTPS
• iPhone Air 2 (2027): 60Hz LTPS (this article)
• iPhone Air 3 (2028, predicted): 90Hz or 120Hz LTPO

The 2028 Air 3 would be the natural moment to add ProMotion, similar to how the iPhone 13 Pro (2021) was when Apple first brought ProMotion to the Pro line. If you want a thin iPhone with 120Hz, the Air 3 in 2028 is the most likely candidate.

What does this mean for buying decisions?

If 120Hz is a top priority for you, the iPhone Air 2 is not the right phone. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max (launching September 2026) are the only iPhones with ProMotion 120Hz displays in 2026-2027. The Air 2 is for buyers who value thinness and design over display smoothness.

If you are on the fence between the iPhone Air 2 and the iPhone 18 (also 60Hz), the choice comes down to:

• Air 2: Thinner (5.5mm vs 7.80mm), lighter (145g vs 171g), more premium materials (titanium vs aluminum), smaller battery, single rear camera
• iPhone 18: Larger battery, dual rear camera (48MP + ultrawide), $300 cheaper starting price

For most buyers, the iPhone 18 is the better value. The Air 2 is for a specific buyer who wants the thinnest, lightest iPhone possible and accepts the trade-offs.

We will update this article if any of the panel suppliers change their production plans or if Apple is reported to be considering a 120Hz upgrade.