Why the iPhone 17’s Biggest Upgrade Might Just Be Its Screen — And Why It Matters More Than You Think
Apple’s iPhone 17 is just around the corner this fall, and if you’re like me—or many others—you’re already counting down the days. Even though it won’t officially launch for another two months, rumors about this new model have been swirling for almost a year. People are talking about a revamped selfie camera, faster MagSafe charging, and even new colors like purple or green. There’s even chatter that Apple might switch up its usual once-a-year release schedule to twice a year.
But honestly, what most of us are really looking forward to is the iPhone 17’s screen upgrade. The iPhone screen has always been one of Apple’s signature features, and yet, with the iPhone 16, the base model still stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate display—something that feels outdated in 2025. These days, almost every phone out there—even those costing less than $300—come with 90Hz or 120Hz screens, which make scrolling smoother and gaming more immersive. Meanwhile, Apple’s base iPhone has lagged behind, with only the Pro versions enjoying the high-refresh-rate treatment.
For many of us, that’s been a bit frustrating. The Pro Motion tech that Apple introduced with the iPhone 13 Pro back in 2021 is great, but the fact that regular iPhones have stayed stuck at 60Hz makes it feel like you’re missing out. From what we’ve heard, the iPhone 17 might finally fix that—and it’s about time.
There’s also talk that the screen size will grow. The base iPhone has held steady at 6.1 inches since the iPhone 12, but last year’s iPhone 16 Pro stepped up to a 6.3-inch display with thinner bezels. Rumors say the iPhone 17 base model will also jump to 6.3 inches, matching the Pro’s size. That’s great for watching videos and browsing more content at once, but it might disappoint those who prefer smaller phones. For example, my friend Jack—a designer living in San Francisco—likes to use his phone one-handed, and a bigger screen can make that trickier. But if Apple manages to keep the overall size similar by shrinking the bezels, it could be the best of both worlds.
What really excites me, though, is the possibility of a high-refresh-rate screen on the base model. Remember when the Razer Phone debuted in 2018 with a 120Hz screen aimed at gamers? Back then, most phones were stuck at 60Hz, and the difference was huge. Now, 120Hz is everywhere, even on budget phones. So Apple finally bringing this to the iPhone 17 base model would be a huge step forward. There’s also speculation it might support LTPO technology, allowing the refresh rate to adapt between 1Hz and 120Hz to save battery—and that could unlock an always-on display feature, which has so far been exclusive to the Pro models.
Durability is another factor. The iPhone 16 Pro introduced an upgraded Ceramic Shield glass, which uses nano-ceramic crystals embedded in the glass to make it tougher and more scratch-resistant. My friend Lisa, a college student in New York, bought an iPhone 15 Pro Max last year, and after six months, her screen had noticeable scratches. Meanwhile, my iPhone 16 Pro’s screen looks almost flawless. Now there are rumors the iPhone 17’s screen might get an even better coating, possibly similar to the anti-reflective layer on Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra. That could make the screen less prone to glare and fingerprints. While this is still unconfirmed and might be hard to mass-produce, it’s a welcome hope—especially for people like Lisa who carry their phones everywhere.
Apple is also facing some serious challenges right now: a US Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit, criticism about falling behind in AI technology, and threats from former President Trump about tariffs if manufacturing doesn’t move back to the US. So the iPhone 17 launch is more than just a product update—it’s a key moment for the company’s future.
The base iPhone’s upgrade is particularly important. For years, the regular models have been seen as less exciting, with most new features reserved for the Pro versions. But customers want more now—they want flagship-level experiences without paying flagship prices.
On a more personal note, my friend James in Los Angeles, a video content creator, relies heavily on his iPhone to shoot and edit videos. He upgraded to the iPhone 16 last year, and while he appreciates the camera improvements, what really matters to him is screen smoothness. Editing video clips and scrolling through timelines feels choppier on a 60Hz screen. A jump to 120Hz on the iPhone 17 would make his workflow much smoother and more enjoyable.
All in all, the iPhone 17’s screen upgrade—bigger size, higher refresh rate, and better durability—could be the biggest step forward for the base model in years. As excited as we are, we’ll have to wait for the official reveal to know the full story. Until then, it’s all about anticipation.
If you’re a phone enthusiast or thinking about upgrading, I’d love to hear: what are you most hoping Apple brings to the iPhone 17? Drop your thoughts below!