iPhone 15 base models will get Dynamic Island, but not high refresh rate

Dynamic Island is by far the biggest new feature the iPhone 14 series brings to Apple phones in the last 5 years. The old “notch” has been replaced with a pill-shaped cutout, which via Apple software can be integrated into the user experience for quick access to background apps. Even though Dynamic Island is only available on Pro models this year, it looks like next year we’ll see it transition to the base iPhone 15 models as well.

A trusted source says Apple will offer the iPhone 14 Pro’s new features on the “standard” iPhone 15

According to Ross Young, a display panel analyst, Apple will use “Dynamic Island” style cutout OLED panels on “standard” iPhone 15 models next year as well. This will usher the iPhone into a new “era” where all new models will feature a similar design, and cheaper models will be left without access to newer features.

This strategy is not exactly new. Ever since the iPhone 13 generation, Apple has been bringing the technologies on the iPhone 12 Pro Max models to standard, like the stabilized sensor on the main camera. Today’s iPhone 14 models are basically screen-less 120 Hz and camera-less zoom versions of last year’s iPhone 13 Pro models, using the same processors and cameras. Now, the iPhone 15 will become a sort of iPhone 14 Pro.

Yes, Dynamic Island expected on standard models on the 15. Still not expecting 120Hz/LTPO on standard models as supply chain can’t support it.

– Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) September 18, 2022

Unfortunately, Apple won’t be increasing the screen frequency on the base models for the iPhone 15 generation either. According to Ross Young, the new Dynamic Island phones will still use 60Hz LTPS, not LTPO, screens, as there aren’t enough components in the market at the standards Apple requires to cover the needs of a series of iPhones.

Currently, only Samsung manages to offer 120 Hz LTPO panels for ProMotion on iPhone Pro models. LG and BOE are used as “backup” panel manufacturers, producing screens only for non-Pro variants.