The iPhone 13 is rumored to have a 120 Hz display, but it could have an even higher refresh rate.

Although not yet guaranteed, future iPhone display refresh rates could reach 240 Hz. This is double that of today's top-rated phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21.

The details come from a patent filed by Apple with the USPTO and recently discovered by Patently Apple. The patent specifically mentions use in iPhones, but also mentions use in iPads, Apple Watches, headsets, TVs, or even headsets and cars. Presumably the last two refer to Apple Glasses and Apple Car, respectively.

We have been waiting for Apple to increase the refresh rate of the iPhone; the iPad Pro has had a ProMotion 120Hz display available since 2017, and competitors like the Galaxy S21 and OnePlus 8 Pro already have 120Hz screens. the iPhone 12 line also looked like it would feature 120Hz until a few months before its launch, but Apple seems to have switched to 60Hz due to its impact on battery life.

In a submission titled "Displays with Multiple Refresh Rate Modes," Apple discusses native mode and "high" refresh rate mode, with high mode being 2x, 3x, and 4x the basic mode. The basic refresh rate for most cell phones is 60 Hz, and some now have 120 Hz. However, in addition to these common refresh rates, the patent mentions frequencies of 180 Hz and 240 Hz.

However, there is a catch. The patent text goes on to say that to achieve these higher speeds, the vertical resolution of the display must be reduced and two or three rows of pixels must be combined into one row. This means that you (or your phone in the case of automatic) will have to choose between the best looking image or the smoothest motion.

It is difficult to comprehend the difference a high refresh rate makes. The overall effect is smoother on-screen motion when scrolling through social media feeds or playing games. However, using a refresh rate above 120 Hz puts a strain on the battery life of the phone, unless you use a variable system that uses the lowest possible frequency or a resolution change method suggested by Apple's patent.

This is not the only new display feature that could be seen in the iPhone 13. According to recent leaks, this year's iPhone will feature Apple's first always-on display, allowing users to keep track of time, battery status, and notifications without having to touch the phone.

The iPhone 12 series, especially the iPhone 12 Pro Max, is our top pick for the best phone you can currently buy. iPhone 13 Pro should definitely feature a 120Hz display. However, if this new display technology, which has been patented, is adopted, it will likely draw the attention of Android phones.