Apple is shaking things up for the upcoming iPhone 17 with a splash of fresh color and a long-awaited display upgrade-though it’s not all roses just yet.
According to leaks from Apple’s internal testing, the standard iPhone 17 may arrive in two new color options: Purple and Green. However, only one of these will make it to launch. Purple is reportedly the favorite internally, but fans are already rooting for the vibrant Lime Green to break Apple’s somewhat repetitive color cycle. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro could debut a Sky Blue variant, which, while branded as “fresh,” has some critics pointing out its resemblance to the older iPhone 14’s blue hue.
But beyond colors, what really has users buzzing is the screen update. The iPhone 17 and the all-new iPhone 17 Air-a model expected to replace the iPhone Plus-are rumored to feature a 120Hz display for the first time. While this is a welcome upgrade, it’s important to note these displays will not include Apple’s ProMotion tech, which allows for adaptive refresh rates down to 1Hz using LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) technology. That exclusive feature remains locked to the Pro models.
The 120Hz jump is still significant, especially considering Apple has lagged behind Android rivals in this area. Competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23+ offered similar high refresh rate displays without LTPO, and most users didn’t complain. Still, for a company that touts innovation, some see the lack of ProMotion in the base models as another sign Apple is keeping its best features for the highest payers.
Design-wise, expect little change. Apple seems committed to its current aesthetic, and while new colors are exciting, they won’t disguise what is essentially the same chassis under a new coat of paint.
Will the new colors and higher refresh rate be enough to sway customers? That might depend more on what’s missing than what’s new.