It’s a combination of more RAM (2GB more compared to regular 13), additional GPU core and 120Hz screen that makes 13 Pro feel snappy. It holds up pretty well. Answer from dopedub on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/iphone › promotion display of iphone 13 pro/pro max isn’t true 120hz all the time (even when motion is there)
r/iphone on Reddit: ProMotion display of iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max isn’t true 120Hz all the time (even when motion is there)
February 3, 2023 -
This is sadly true. And I’m not talking about the adaptive nature of the ProMotion display.
For all the iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max users take that test:
Go to the Settings app, start scrolling up and down. It is smooth right? Okay now open Control Center and start screen recording (if you don’t have the screen recording button on the control center, add it for the test). Now before the countdown finishes, close control center and start the scrolling again.
You will notice that until the screen recording starts, the scrolling is “smooth”, but as soon as the countdown finishes and the screen recording starts, the scrolling is noticeably smoother!
You can experience the same thing when swiping between home screen pages, when scrolling on Instagram or Facebook, Safari etc.
For some reason, Apple is limiting the maximum refresh rate of the display to lower than 120Hz (maybe 90-100Hz) and when you recording the screen, the limit unlocks the full 120Hz!
Fun fact: Twitter seems to go up to 120Hz all the time, even without screen recording! And that’s why for months now I have noticed that Twitter app has smoother scrolling than any other app like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube etc!
So if Twitter somehow is forcing the display to go up to 120Hz, why other apps don’t do it? And why even Apple's own apps don’t?!
I’m very disappointed…
Also I don’t now if that’s the case for iPhone 14 Pro models too.
I’m running iOS 16.3
Edit: Twitter may have done that “CADisplayLink” thing you can read bellow, to go up to true 120Hz, as Apple provide instructions to developers.
https://developer.apple.com/documentation/quartzcore/optimizing_promotion_refresh_rates_for_iphone_13_pro_and_ipad_pro
Top answer 1 of 5
58
This isn't news at all. ProMotion is variable refresh rate. On the 13 Pro, thats 10Hz up to 120Hz (on the 14 Pro its 1Hz to 120Hz). When you scroll on Pro Motion, it changes refresh rate on the fly. And it also does an incredibly poor job of it. While Screen Recording, the display is fixed to 120Hz because video files need a constant frame rate to be playable.
2 of 5
23
Reviving this Reddit thread because iOS 17 FINALLY PUSHES full 120hz on iOS, Home Screen and most apps now! I could immediately notice the difference.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 256025102
What is the refresh rate of the iPhone 13 Pro display?
I was wondering if anyone has an app of some sorts to verify the refresh rate of the third party display? Wouldn't consider the phone "as new" if one of the most important functions is missing from the phone. ... My iPhone 13 Pro show 60fps when 13 Pro has a 120fps display I bought a Refurbished iPhone 13 Pro and the screen only goes to 60hz, i tried Testufo.com and it says 120fps but it seems exactly the same as the 60fps (tested with 240fps slow motion video), i also tried scrolling next to a 90hz phone, and the 90hz is waaay smoother.
Videos
18:23
iPhone 13 Pro Review: Better Than You Think! - YouTube
11:53
iPhone 13 Pro Motion 120hz Display Vs iPhone 12 60hz Display... ...
04:12
iPhone 13 Pro Max - 120Hz Screen Refresh Rate TEST! - YouTube
09:21
iPhone 13 120Hz Pro Motion - Is It Worth It? - YouTube
120hz vs 60hz display in iPhone #iphone #apple #ios #techtok #appleiphone #iphone13 #fyp #iphone13pro #iphone15 #phone #tech | TikTok
03:25
60 Hz vs 120 Hz Refresh Rate Test on iPhone - YouTube
ScreenRant
screenrant.com › home › tech › tech features › does the iphone 13 have a 120hz display? know this before you buy
Does The iPhone 13 Have A 120Hz Display? Know This Before You Buy
April 21, 2023 - If that comes as a disappointment, it may be worth upgrading to the iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max. The two Pro variants come with 120Hz displays — making them the first iPhones ever to do so.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/iphone › is the 120hz refresh rate saving the iphone 13 pro?
r/iphone on Reddit: Is the 120hz refresh rate saving the iPhone 13 pro?
May 28, 2025 -
Basically all the iPhone base and pro model that I've seen from my friends and family massively slows down after 1/2 years of use, but the iPhone 13 pro (and the next ones obviously) seems immune to that and it feels snappy as it was when it launched. I guess the reason is the 120hz display since physically decrease the input delay and the response of you're touch. All the 60hz iPhone however have this thing where after some time they start to feel weak and the fps decrease, it's almost they run at 40/50hz and there are slowdown here and there.
It surprises me that the iPhone 13 pro is maybe the only iPhone with the performance to longevity ratio higher among all iPhone, maybe because the display prevent it from being cluttered?
Top answer 1 of 30
164
It’s a combination of more RAM (2GB more compared to regular 13), additional GPU core and 120Hz screen that makes 13 Pro feel snappy. It holds up pretty well.
2 of 30
54
My 13 Pro became noticeably snappier even below 20% after recently upgrading to a new battery. I used to feel clear throttling and UI stutters, like it was dropping to 60 FPS at that level. With the new battery, everything feels stable again - and I never even use Low Power Mode.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255637594
Why is my iPhone 13 Pro screen refresh ra… - Apple Community
issue Dear Apple, Good day, Please help me with an issue with my phone (iPhone 13 pro) The screen refresh rate only display 60 Hz and won't go to 120 Hz. Plus I have a battery issue with my phone, my phone is in his 5th month and the battery is already at 96%. Please help me to get my problem ...
AppleInsider
appleinsider.com › articles › 21 › 10 › 04 › apples-120hz-promotion-display-in-the-iphone-13-pro-what-you-need-to-know
Apple's 120Hz ProMotion display in the iPhone 13 Pro: what you need to know | AppleInsider
October 4, 2021 - Apple's introduction of ProMotion in its iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, but what is it and how is it useful? It turns out, it does a lot more than make the interface smoother.
Quora
quora.com › Why-does-the-iPhone-13-Pros-120Hz-pro-motion-not-seem-as-smooth-like-the-Samsung-S21-Ultras-120-refresh-rate
Why does the iPhone 13 Pro's 120Hz (pro-motion) not seem as smooth like the Samsung S21 Ultra's 120 refresh rate? - Quora
Answer (1 of 5): Firstly, please, please ignore every iSheep that is rambling about iOS 60Hz > Android 120Hz. That’s what the iSheep do - Ignore the realities, and ramble about delusional math they make up in their head, like Arnold Luzon ...
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › IPhone_13_Pro
iPhone 13 Pro - Wikipedia
1 week ago - Major upgrades over its predecessor ... a smaller notch by almost 20%, a new A15 Bionic system on a chip, and a variable 10–120Hz display, marketed as ProMotion....
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254611147
ProMotion display of iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Ma… - Apple Community
The iPhone 13 Pro, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, and the iPad Pro ProMotion displays are capable of dynamically switching between: Faster refresh rates up to 120Hz.
REPART
irepart.com › home › our blog › the evolution of iphone screen refresh rates: from 2007 to now
The Evolution of iPhone Screen Refresh Rates: From 2007 to Now – REPART
The introduction of · ProMotion technology has brought options with refresh rates as high as 120Hz, providing an incredibly responsive experience when navigating applications or playing graphics-intensive games.
CNET
cnet.com › tech › mobile › phones › iphone 13 pro and pro max: 120hz refresh rate, camera upgrades and every other feature announced
iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max: 120Hz refresh rate, camera upgrades and every other feature announced - CNET
September 16, 2021 - It's the first time Apple has brought this feature to the iPhone. ProMotion can ramp up the display refresh rate to 120Hz, or down to a lower rate for still images and text, conserving battery life.
Hindustan Times
tech.hindustantimes.com › latest tech news › mobile › news
iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max not using 120Hz to their fullest | Mobile News (HT Tech)
September 25, 2021 - The feature has been around on the iPad Pro since 2018, offering smoother display experiences with a refresh rate of 120Hz. On the new iPhones, the higher refresh rate makes for smoother scrolling and better gaming experiences.
GSMArena
gsmarena.com › apple_iphone_13_pro-review-2331p3.php
Apple iPhone 13 Pro review: Lab tests - display, battery life, charging speed, speaker
For the iPhone 13 Pros' displays, Apple finally adopted a high refresh rate, a feature that debuted on Android some 4 years ago and is now found across...
DXOMARK
dxomark.com › apple-iphone-13-pro-max-display-test-retested
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Display test - DXOMARK
September 20, 2022 - Touch on the iPhone 13 Pro Max ... 120 Hz refresh rate, but the 13 Pro Max shows no improvement when it comes to smoothness when gaming. Average Touch Response Time Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max ...
Tom's Guide
tomsguide.com › phones › iphones
iPhone 13 Pro tipped for 120Hz display — here's what that means | Tom's Guide
September 14, 2021 - At least two of the those phones — likely the more expensive iPhone 13 Pro models — are supposed to feature displays with an adaptive refresh rate that can automatically ramp up for a smoother, more immersive experience.
Wccftech
wccftech.com › home › software › how to disable and enable 120hz refresh rate on iphone 13 pro models
How to Disable and Enable 120Hz Refresh Rate on iPhone 13 Pro Models
September 24, 2021 - Apple's new iPhone 13 Pro models come with new 120Hz ProMotion displays, this is how you can disable or enable it from Settings.
Notebookcheck
notebookcheck.net › Apple-iPhone-13-Pro-120-Hz-implementation-differs-from-the-competition-by-adjusting-to-touch-input.568784.0.html
Apple iPhone 13 Pro 120 Hz implementation differs from the competition by adjusting to touch input - NotebookCheck.net News
October 4, 2021 - Apple’s new iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max smartphones are the first from the company to feature a 120 Hz refresh rate that it markets as ‘ProMotion’. Like competing displays from Samsung (which also supplies the iPhone 13 Pro panels), ...
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254108042
13 Pro Max, display, 120 Hz (not 120) - Apple Community
Games are not lag. Camera too. When I record the display, everything is good (all 120 Hz) ... issue Dear Apple, Good day, Please help me with an issue with my phone (iPhone 13 pro) The screen refresh rate only display 60 Hz and won't go to 120 Hz. Plus I have a battery issue with my phone, ...
REPART
irepart.com › home › repart iphone 13 pro max soft oled screen assembly replacement (prime, 120hz)
iPhone 13 Pro Max Soft OLED Screen Assembly Replacement with 120 Hz – REPART
REPART iPhone 13 Pro Max Soft OLED Screen Assembly Replacement (Prime, 120Hz)
REPART has brought iPhone 13 Pro Max Soft OLED Screen Assembly Replacement with 120Hz. This high-quality screen boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, 2778*1284 resolution, and 460 PPI for sharp, vibrant visuals. Enjoy a 3D touch experience, 360° full viewing angle, and special features like True Tone and Auto-Brightness support.Frequently Asked Questions Product Clarification Q: Is this an original Apple screen? How does the display quality compare?A: No, this is a high-quality aftermarket screen assembly by REPART, designed to meet OEM specifications with 1:1 fitment for seamless installation. It feat
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Slashdot
apple.slashdot.org › story › 21 › 09 › 14 › 1830208 › iphone-13-pro-and-pro-max-announced-with-high-refresh-rate-120hz-displays
iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max Announced With High Refresh Rate 120Hz Displays - Slashdot
Apple has officially announced the high-end part of the iPhone 13 lineup: the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. It's got a faster A15 Bionic chip, three all-new cameras, and an improved display with up to a 120Hz ProMotion high refresh rate display ...