Iphone 15 Pro Refresh Rate | 120Hz Settings And Limits

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The Iphone 15 Pro refresh rate can hit 120Hz with ProMotion, then drop lower on still screens to cut power use.

The Iphone 15 Pro Refresh Rate is one of those specs you feel more than you read. When it’s running high, scrolling looks clean, animations feel tight, and touch feels closer to instant.

At the same time, ProMotion is built to change speed on the fly. So you can stare at a screen that says “120Hz” online, then swear your phone looks like 60Hz five minutes later. Both can be true.

This article shows what the Iphone 15 Pro can do, why it shifts, and the settings that make it feel fast or capped.

Iphone 15 Pro Refresh Rate Settings In iOS That Change The Feel

Apple doesn’t give you a simple “120Hz on/off” switch. Instead, iOS uses ProMotion when it makes sense, then dials it down when it doesn’t. A couple of system settings can still clamp the top speed.

Two Toggles That Cap You At 60

  • Turn Off Low Power Mode — Low Power Mode can limit ProMotion models to 60 frames per second, so scrolling can feel less fluid.
  • Turn Off Limit Frame Rate — In Settings > Accessibility > Motion, “Limit Frame Rate” caps ProMotion to 60 fps for accessibility reasons.

If you want Apple’s spec line in one place, the iPhone comparison page lists ProMotion with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz for the 15 Pro. Apple’s iPhone compare specs is a simple place to confirm the 120Hz ProMotion line.

Settings That Change Motion Without Forcing 60

Some options can make the phone feel different without locking it to 60Hz. That’s worth knowing so you don’t chase the wrong fix.

  • Try Reduce Motion — This changes some animation styles and transitions, so the phone can feel snappier or calmer based on what you like.
  • Try Reduce Transparency — Less blur can make menus feel sharper, especially if you prefer simple visuals.
  • Try Increase Contrast — Higher contrast can make movement easier to track, which people sometimes mistake for a refresh change.

What 120Hz Means On Iphone 15 Pro In Real Use

A refresh rate is how many times the screen can redraw each second. 60Hz redraws 60 times. 120Hz redraws 120 times. When motion is on screen, a higher ceiling can make frames land closer together.

Still, refresh rate isn’t the same as app frame rate. If a game or app is only outputting 60 frames per second, the screen can still refresh at 120Hz, yet you won’t see 120 distinct frames. You’ll see steadier timing and lower input delay, not double the detail.

Places You’ll Notice The Difference Fast

  1. Scroll A Long Web Page — Text stays more readable during fast flicks, and the stop feels less “bouncy.”
  2. Swipe Between Home Screens — Icon motion looks cleaner, with fewer tiny judders.
  3. Open The App Switcher — The card stack animation is a quick way to spot 120Hz.
  4. Type In Notes Or Messages — Cursor movement and typing animations can feel more responsive.

When It Can Look Like 60Hz Even On A Pro

ProMotion changes speed. If what’s on screen is static, iOS may run a low refresh rate to save power. If motion is gentle, it may sit between low and high instead of jumping to the ceiling.

What You’re Doing What You May See Why It Happens
Reading a still page Lower refresh rate Less movement needs fewer redraws
Fast scrolling Higher refresh rate More motion benefits from tighter frame spacing
Watching 24/30 fps video Matched playback Refresh can align to the video cadence
Low Power Mode on 60 fps cap Power saving rules can clamp the ceiling
Limit Frame Rate on 60 fps cap Accessibility setting forces a lower max

How ProMotion Picks A Refresh Rate On Iphone 15 Pro

ProMotion on iPhone uses a display that can shift its refresh rate. On Iphone 15 Pro, iOS raises refresh during fast motion, then drops it during still moments. That’s why the phone can feel smooth in one app, then calm in the next.

That shifting is why the phone can feel smooth in one moment, then calm in the next. The point is simple: spend power when motion is on screen, then stop wasting power when it’s not.

Common Patterns You’ll See

  • Still Screen Drops Low — Lock screen, reading, and idle moments can run at low refresh rates.
  • Scrolling Jumps Up — Flicks and fast UI movement can push refresh higher.
  • Video Matches Frame Rate — 24 fps and 30 fps content can lead to refresh choices that fit playback timing.
  • Heat Or Power Rules Step In — A warm phone or power-saving mode can limit what the system allows.

Check If Your Iphone 15 Pro Is Actually Running Above 60Hz

If the phone feels locked to 60Hz, start with checks you can finish in minutes. You’re trying to answer one question: is iOS clamping the max, or is an app just outputting 60 fps?

Do These Quick Checks First

  1. Confirm Low Power Mode Is Off — Open Settings, go to Battery, then switch Low Power Mode off.
  2. Confirm Limit Frame Rate Is Off — Open Settings, go to Accessibility, tap Motion, then switch Limit Frame Rate off.
  3. Restart The Phone — A clean reboot can clear a stuck UI process that feels jittery.

Use A Simple Visual Test

A quick test is to open a long page in Safari and flick-scroll fast, then stop and watch how clean the text looks during the motion. If it looks sharp during the flick and the stop feels tight, you’re seeing high refresh behavior.

If you want a number readout, web testers like TestUFO can show the frame rate your browser is presenting. Results can vary with brightness, tab load, and thermal state, so treat it as a sanity check, not a lab instrument.

If It Still Feels Like 60Hz

  • Close Heavy Apps — Games, camera apps, and navigation apps can keep the phone warm and push it into a lower-performance mode.
  • Let The Phone Cool — Give it a few minutes off a charger, out of direct sun, and out of a hot pocket or case.
  • Update iOS — Display behavior can change across iOS releases, and updates can fix bugs tied to refresh behavior.
  • Reset Accessibility Motion Settings — If you toggled motion options for comfort, revisit Motion and set them back to your preference.

Games And Apps: Refresh Rate Versus Frame Rate

Many people say “refresh rate” when they mean “frame rate.” Refresh rate is the screen. Frame rate is the app. They link up, yet they aren’t the same thing.

On Iphone 15 Pro, a 120Hz screen can still show a 60 fps game. You’ll get smoother input timing, but the game won’t magically draw 120 distinct frames.

Ways Apps Can Hold You At 60

  • In-Game FPS Caps — Plenty of games default to 60 fps to cut heat and battery drain.
  • Battery Saver Modes — Many apps have their own low-power toggles that limit frame rate.
  • Graphics Presets — Higher resolution or effects can drop frame rate even on fast chips.
  • Screen Recording — Some apps change behavior when recording, and the result can shift frame timing.

Get The Best Motion In Games Without Guessing

  1. Check The Game’s Video Settings — Look for “FPS,” “Performance,” or “Frame Rate” options and pick the highest mode that stays stable.
  2. Play While Off The Charger — Charging adds heat, and heat can bring frame rate down.
  3. Use A Lighter Case — Thick cases trap warmth, which can lead to lower sustained performance.
  4. Watch For Thermal Dimming — If brightness drops on its own, the phone is hot and performance may follow.

Battery And Heat: What Changes The Iphone 15 Pro Refresh Rate

ProMotion is meant to save battery by dropping low when it can. Still, running near 120Hz more often costs more power than living at 60Hz. Add heat into the mix and the phone may clamp things down to stay within safe temperatures.

Settings That Often Change What You Feel

  • Turn Off Always-On Display — If you don’t need it, turning it off can reduce background display draw on the lock screen.
  • Lower Brightness A Bit — High brightness can add heat, which can trigger performance limits during heavy use.
  • Use Wi-Fi When You Can — Cellular radios can add heat, especially with weak signal.
  • Pick Shorter Gaming Sessions — A hot phone can drop frames even if the display can refresh faster.

A Practical Way To Trade Smoothness For Battery

If you want more battery on a long day, you don’t need to live in Low Power Mode. You can try the 60 fps cap directly with Limit Frame Rate, then turn it back off when you want the full feel again.

That gives you a clean A/B test: 60 fps cap on, scroll a few screens, then cap off and scroll again. You’ll know right away what your eyes prefer.

Refresh Rate Misunderstandings That Waste Time

Refresh rate talk gets messy fast. These are the mix-ups that lead people in circles.

  • “120Hz Should Be On All The Time” — ProMotion is adaptive. Expect it to move up and down.
  • “A 60Hz Reading Means My Screen Is Broken” — A still screen can sit low by design, and many apps output 60 fps.
  • “A Screen Protector Kills 120Hz” — A normal protector won’t change the panel’s refresh capability, though a rough surface can change how scrolling feels.
  • “Low Power Mode Only Changes Battery Stuff” — It can change display behavior, too, so motion can feel different right away.

One-Page Checklist To Get The Refresh Rate You Want

If you want a fast path, run this list from top to bottom. Stop when the phone feels right.

  1. Turn Off Low Power Mode — Battery > Low Power Mode off.
  2. Turn Off Limit Frame Rate — Accessibility > Motion > Limit Frame Rate off.
  3. Reboot After Any Big Change — A restart can clear odd UI timing.
  4. Test With Scroll And App Switcher — Fast flick scroll and the app switcher animation show high refresh quickly.
  5. Check Game FPS Settings — Set the game to its highest stable frame rate mode.
  6. Let The Phone Cool — Heat can bring motion down during heavy use.
  7. Use The 60 fps Cap As A Battery Tool — Turn Limit Frame Rate on when you want longer battery, then turn it off again.

Once those are set, the Iphone 15 Pro Refresh Rate does its job on its own. You’ll feel 120Hz when motion calls for it, and you’ll get lower refresh rates when the screen is still and you want to save power.