The latest smartphones come with higher refresh rates than their predecessors. And, this applies to products from all the prominent manufacturers. Apple had avoided introducing a 120Hz refresh rate on the iPhone for quite some time because it would take up a significant amount of battery life. But, the next iPhone might have a variable refresh rate of up to 240Hz.

From what it seems, Apple has won a patent for a variable refresh rate on the iPhone. And, they can add 120Hz, 180Hz, and 240Hz refresh rates on their phones, according to the patent.

If that is true, the upcoming Apple iPhones can offer you an enhanced visual experience. So, read on for all the crucial information related to this matter.

What do We Know about the Patent?

Apple has not announced anything regarding the new patent that has been in rumours. But, the USPTO (a patent registration authority) had published about the patent. So, that probably means you are going to get a 120Hz refresh rate on iPhones.

But, it is not yet clear when Apple will introduce this feature. Hopefully, they will do that soon as other smartphones already have a 120Hz refresh rate.

Apple had not increased the refresh rate in the recent iPhones as mentioned before. So, the new variable refresh rate is an addition if the next iPhone includes it. Among other things, it will provide you with a smoother display on your device.

The New Refresh Rate would not be Limited to iPhones

From what it seems, the 120Hz refresh rate would not feature only on the iPhone. There are speculations that Apple would also add it to the Apple Watch and iPad. Some speculations also say that the upcoming AR Glass models would include this feature as well.

But, we cannot be sure unless Apple announces anything regarding that after all. So, we have to wait and watch whether these speculations are true.

What is the Refresh Rate & Why is it Important?

Your Apple device displays a specific number that the screen blinks in seconds. It does that to go from one frame to another. These blinks are so quick that you cannot detect them while looking at the screen.

The more blinks per second, the smoother the transition between frames. As a result, you will get a smoother display on your device. The refresh rate is the frequency with which your device’s screen refreshes the images.

You can find a minimum display rate of 60Hz on the current smartphones. This display rate is good enough for most users. But, you can also go for a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate for a smoother experience. It is a crucial factor in your visual experience, after all. And, that makes the refresh rate quite an important aspect of your smartphone. You can notice the difference while scrolling through social media feeds or your apps.

What is the Significance of Variable Refresh Rate in Your iPhone?

Not all users have the same requirements for the refresh rate. And, they might want to reduce or increase their refresh rates. This is where a variable refresh rate can help them. Most of the latest smartphones come with options regarding refresh rates. You have also probably seen this feature on TVs and computers.

The refresh rate can make quite a lot of difference in your gaming experience. You can increase or decrease it as per your requirements. The higher you set it, the smoother the visuals you get, as we have seen. However, it might also mean a higher power consumption.

What Would a 240Hz Refresh Rate Mean for your iPhone?

A high refresh rate has various benefits to offer you. However, it also has some drawbacks, as we shall see. So, you must carefully choose a refresh rate based on its advantages and disadvantages.

Here are some positive as well as negative effects of a high refresh rate on your phone:

Improved Overall Smartphone Experience

As mentioned before, 60Hz is fine for most smartphone users. But, you can always look for an even better experience. In that case, you can go for a 240Hz refresh rate on your iPhone.

Apple will probably introduce this refresh rate on their smartphones sooner or later. And, you can look forward to a significantly enhanced overall experience in the upcoming iPhones.

Smoother Scrolling

You might spend most of your screen time scrolling through the internet. In that case, you will surely benefit from a high refresh rate, and it will provide you with a much smoother scrolling experience.

With a 240Hz refresh rate, the scrolling will be smoother than you have ever experienced. This is one of the most important advantages of a high refresh rate on smartphones.

Better Gaming Experience

The 60Hz refresh rate on current smartphone models is good for mobile gaming. And, the 120Hz option you get on them offers you an even better experience. The upcoming 240Hz refresh rate on iPhones will offer extremely smooth gameplay.

Increased Battery Usage

The latest smartphones can last longer, depending on the model and brand. Their battery usage mainly depends on the functions you perform on them. But, it also depends on other aspects, including the refresh rate.

The higher the refresh rate, the faster your phone will use up its battery. This is the most important disadvantage of a high refresh rate.

Overheating

A high refresh rate uses up more resources on your smartphone. And, that makes the processor work harder, which in turn causes overheating. As a result, you might find your iPhone heating up more often, and this might not be a big issue on devices with strong processors.

Conclusion

It might not be long before you get a variable refresh rate of up to 240Hz on iPhones. Apple has not announced this feature yet, but you must look out for it. The patent that Apple has won will surely benefit them and iPhone users.