A fresh rumor has emerged suggesting that Apple is working on developing a new 90Hz display technology, which could soon make its way to several of its products, including the iPad Air, 24-inch iMac, and Studio Display. This speculation, which originates from an anonymous tip to the Upgrade podcast, hosted by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell, points toward the possibility of Apple enhancing the refresh rate for these devices in the near future.
Currently, all three of these products—the iPad Air, 24-inch iMac, and Studio Display—feature displays with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. However, the new rumor hints that Apple is planning to introduce a 90Hz display panel with a unique "liquid motion" technology, potentially beginning with the next generation of the iPad Air powered by the M3 chip. Following that, the new display technology may be extended to the 24-inch iMac and the Studio Display.
The Rumor: A Higher Refresh Rate Coming to Key Devices
The source behind this leak claims that Apple is in the process of developing an upgraded display for the M3 iPad Air, which will feature a 90Hz refresh rate, a noticeable step up from the current 60Hz screens. Here’s the full quote shared with the Upgrade podcast:
"I have news on screen improvements for the next generation of the M3 iPad Air. Apple is working on a higher refresh rate LCD display with a new liquid motion panel fixed at around 90Hz. They’re also working on expanding it to other models or products like a 24-inch iMac and a next-gen studio display."
The "liquid motion" reference seems to suggest that Apple may be focusing on a more fluid, smoother motion for its displays, which could have benefits for video playback, gaming, and general user interface interactions.
Context: A Step Up from 60Hz, but Not Quite 120Hz
Currently, the iPad Air, 24-inch iMac, and Studio Display all use 60Hz panels. If this rumor proves true, a 90Hz refresh rate would offer a smoother visual experience compared to the current models, though it would still fall short of the 120Hz refresh rate available on higher-end Apple devices, such as the iPad Pro and iPhone 14 Pro models.
The refresh rate refers to how many times per second a display can redraw the image on screen. A higher refresh rate can improve the smoothness and responsiveness of interactions, such as scrolling through websites, playing video games, or watching high-frame-rate video content. While 60Hz has been the standard for many years, 90Hz is seen as a sweet spot between 60Hz and the more premium 120Hz, offering noticeable improvements without the power drain associated with 120Hz panels.
For reference, Apple’s ProMotion technology, which enables 120Hz refresh rates, is already available on devices like the iPad Pro and iPhone 14 Pro. However, this would mark the first instance of Apple introducing a display with a 90Hz refresh rate, which would offer a smoother experience than 60Hz displays while potentially being less taxing on battery life and performance than a 120Hz screen.
Product Impact: iPad Air, iMac, and Studio Display
According to the leak, the M3-powered iPad Air will be the first to receive the new 90Hz display. The iPad Air is expected to be updated in early 2025, and an upgrade to the screen would be a welcome improvement for users who appreciate the iPad Air’s affordability but have been longing for a smoother visual experience.
Beyond the iPad Air, the next-generation 24-inch iMac and Studio Display may also benefit from the same display improvements, though it’s unclear when these products will be updated. The 24-inch iMac was recently refreshed in 2023, so its next iteration may not come until late 2025, or possibly even later. Similarly, Apple has not announced an immediate refresh for the Studio Display, which debuted in 2022, but it could also see a 90Hz display upgrade in a future iteration.
Apple's Focus on Display Technology
Apple has a history of continuously improving the display technologies used in its products, from the Retina displays that revolutionized smartphone screens to the introduction of ProMotion and OLED panels in higher-end models. Moving to a 90Hz refresh rate for the iPad Air, 24-inch iMac, and Studio Display would be in line with Apple’s tradition of gradually enhancing user experience, especially in the area of display technology, without necessarily pushing for the highest refresh rate available.
While ProMotion (120Hz) has been a standout feature on Apple’s more premium devices like the iPhone 14 Pro and iPad Pro, a 90Hz display could be a practical middle ground for more affordable products. The benefits of a 90Hz display—improved smoothness for day-to-day use and gaming—could significantly improve the user experience without adding the extra cost or battery demands associated with 120Hz panels.
When Could These Displays Arrive?
Based on the information available, the next-generation iPad Air, which is expected to be released in early 2025, is likely the first product to feature the rumored 90Hz display. However, the timing of updates for the 24-inch iMac and Studio Display remains more uncertain. The iMac was recently updated, which means that its next refresh could be well over a year away. Similarly, while the Studio Display was introduced in 2022, it may not see a refresh until later in 2025 or beyond.
Given the timing of product cycles and Apple’s usual approach to rolling out display improvements gradually, it's likely that the 90Hz display will first appear on the iPad Air and then extend to the iMac and Studio Display in subsequent updates.
Analyst Opinions and Market Impact
Industry analyst Ross Young, known for his accurate display-related predictions, previously reported that all iPhone 17 models would come with ProMotion displays and support for 120Hz refresh rates. However, this 90Hz development for Apple’s other devices appears to be a novel move, as there haven’t been widespread reports or leaks about similar updates for non-iPhone products.
The introduction of a 90Hz display could help Apple compete more effectively in markets where smoother displays are becoming an increasing expectation, especially as Android devices with higher refresh rates become more common. Devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S series and Google's Pixel devices have been pushing higher refresh rates, and Apple’s move toward 90Hz could make its more affordable products more competitive in this area.
The Bottom Line: A Small but Significant Upgrade
If the rumors prove accurate, the addition of 90Hz display technology to the iPad Air, 24-inch iMac, and Studio Display would be a notable improvement over the current 60Hz screens. While not as dramatic as the jump to 120Hz, a 90Hz refresh rate would offer users a smoother, more fluid experience that is especially noticeable in tasks like scrolling, watching video, or playing games.
Given the timing of product cycles and Apple's typical approach to introducing incremental improvements, it’s likely that we’ll see the first 90Hz display in the M3 iPad Air in early 2025, followed by potential updates to the 24-inch iMac and Studio Display later. Whether this rumor is true remains to be seen, but it would undoubtedly be a welcome enhancement for users of these Apple products
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