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A fresh rumor suggests Apple is brewing up some exciting display upgrades for its popular devices. Whispers from an anonymous source hint that a new 90Hz refresh rate technology is in the works, destined for the iPad Air, Studio Display, and iMac. If true, this would be a significant jump from the current 60Hz standard on these devices, offering users smoother scrolling, more responsive gaming, and an overall enhanced visual experience.
This intriguing tidbit emerged from an anonymous tip sent to the Upgrade podcast, hosted by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell. The source claims Apple is developing “a higher refresh rate LCD display with a new liquid motion panel fixed at around 90Hz.” Apparently, the plan is to roll out this technology across multiple product lines, starting with the next generation of the M3 iPad Air, predicted to launch in early 2025. Following the iPad Air, the 24-inch iMac and the Studio Display are also expected to receive the 90Hz treatment, though likely not until late 2025 or even later.
Why the Upgrade?
For those unfamiliar, refresh rate refers to how many times per second a display refreshes the image. A higher refresh rate translates to a smoother, more fluid on-screen experience. While 60Hz has been the standard for many years, the industry is increasingly moving towards higher refresh rates, with many smartphones and high-end monitors already boasting 90Hz, 120Hz, or even 144Hz capabilities.
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Apple has already embraced higher refresh rates with its ProMotion technology, offering up to 120Hz adaptive refresh rates on devices like the iPad Pro, iPhone 13 Pro, and MacBook Pro. This technology dynamically adjusts the refresh rate based on the content being displayed, optimizing for both smooth visuals and battery life. However, ProMotion has so far been limited to Apple’s premium offerings.
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- WHY IPAD AIR — iPad Air with the Apple M4 chip packs even more performance into a beautiful design, and it comes in two portable sizes. It features Apple Intelligence* along with a stunning Liquid Retina display, Touch ID, advanced cameras, and Wi-Fi 7.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The M4 chip delivers advanced graphics and incredible performance for smooth multitasking and complex AI tasks. And with all-day battery life, you can keep working and playing wherever you go.* Choose up to 1TB of storage for apps, music, movies, and more.*
- IPADOS + APPS — Run apps and get more done with the game-changing capabilities and intuitive design of iPadOS. The flexible windowing system lets you control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you create, communicate, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display features advanced technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything look stunning.*
The 90Hz Sweet Spot
The rumored 90Hz refresh rate for the iPad Air, Studio Display, and iMac could represent a sweet spot between performance and affordability. While not as high as ProMotion’s 120Hz, 90Hz still offers a noticeable improvement over 60Hz, making everyday tasks like scrolling and browsing feel more responsive. It also enhances the gaming experience, providing smoother motion and reduced input lag.
What About the Studio Display?
The Studio Display, launched in March 2022, has been a bit of a mixed bag for Apple. While praised for its stunning 5K resolution and impressive color accuracy, the lack of ProMotion and the hefty price tag have left some users wanting more. If this rumor holds true, a 90Hz refresh rate could be just the ticket to boost the Studio Display’s appeal, especially for creative professionals and gamers who crave smoother visuals.
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- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
My Take
Personally, I’m excited about the prospect of 90Hz displays coming to more affordable Apple devices. I’ve used both 60Hz and 120Hz displays, and the difference is significant. While 120Hz is undeniably smoother, 90Hz offers a great balance of performance and efficiency. I think it would be a welcome addition to the iPad Air, Studio Display, and iMac, making these devices even more enjoyable to use.
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Of course, it’s important to remember that this is still just a rumor. Apple hasn’t officially confirmed any plans for 90Hz displays on these devices. However, the source’s claim aligns with industry trends and Apple’s own push towards higher refresh rates. If the rumor proves accurate, it could signal a broader shift in Apple’s display strategy, bringing smoother, more responsive visuals to a wider audience.
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- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Key Takeaways:
- An anonymous source claims Apple is developing 90Hz display technology for the iPad Air, Studio Display, and iMac.
- The new displays are expected to debut in the M3 iPad Air in early 2025, followed by the iMac and Studio Display later that year.
- 90Hz offers a noticeable improvement over 60Hz, providing smoother scrolling, more responsive gaming, and an overall better visual experience.
- This upgrade could significantly enhance the appeal of the Studio Display, which currently lacks ProMotion technology.
What are your thoughts on this rumor? Do you think 90Hz is enough of an upgrade, or would you prefer to see ProMotion on these devices? Share your opinions in the comments below!
Quick Recap
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- Stunning 10.9-Inch Liquid Retina Display with True Tone and P3 Wide Color
- Apple M1 Chip with Neural Engine - 802.11AX Wi-Fi 6 - Stereo Landscape Audio
- 12MP Wide Camera, 12MP Ultra Wide Front Camera - Up to 10 Hours of Battery Life
- Touch ID for Secure Authentication - USB-C Connector for Charging and Accessories
- Support for Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, and Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
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- WHY IPAD AIR — iPad Air with the Apple M4 chip packs even more performance into a beautiful design, and it comes in two portable sizes. It features Apple Intelligence* along with a stunning Liquid Retina display, Touch ID, advanced cameras, and Wi-Fi 7.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The M4 chip delivers advanced graphics and incredible performance for smooth multitasking and complex AI tasks. And with all-day battery life, you can keep working and playing wherever you go.* Choose up to 1TB of storage for apps, music, movies, and more.*
- IPADOS + APPS — Run apps and get more done with the game-changing capabilities and intuitive design of iPadOS. The flexible windowing system lets you control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you create, communicate, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 13-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display features advanced technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything look stunning.*
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