Apple is apparently developing display technology with a refresh rate of up to 90Hz, which could be used in the next iPad Air models. Apple’s iPad, iPad Mini, and iPad Air models all have LCD panels with a 60Hz refresh rate, and the Air series may be updated with a higher refresh rate.
The upgraded display technology may potentially make its way to the 24-inch iMac and Apple’s Studio Display. Apple is also said to be working on equipping the iPhone 17 series with 120Hz displays.
According to Mike Hurley and Jason Snell, hosts of the Upgrade podcast (via 9to5Mac), an unidentified source informed them that Apple is developing a new screen technology that will be utilized to equip the company’s next-generation iPad Air with a 90Hz display. The current generation Air model has a 60Hz screen and Apple’s M2 CPU, however, its successor could include the M3 chip.
According to the source, the iPad Air would be the first Apple product to use the alleged 90Hz display. The company is reportedly “working on expanding it to other models or products like a 24-inch Mac and a next-generation Studio Display.”
While Apple has typically limited access to high refresh rate screens to its ‘pro’ smartphone and tablet models, recent reports suggest that the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Slim/Air could feature a 120Hz screen.
Most smartphone vendors sell phones with 120Hz refresh rates at cheaper prices than the conventional iPhone, so it’s not a surprise that Apple would want to reduce the technical gap on its standard iPhone models.
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Given that Apple only released the M2 iPad Air model earlier this year, these statements should be taken with a grain of salt. The company is also very secretive about its upcoming products, so we won’t see concrete details regarding the purported display advancements for Apple’s next iPad Air, Studio Display, and 24-inch iMac models until the company unveils them.
