Iphone 13 Pros Refresh Rate Is It Really Worth Upgrading From The Regular 13

The iPhone 13 lineup introduced subtle but meaningful differences between models—none more debated than the jump from the standard iPhone 13’s 60Hz display to the iPhone 13 Pro’s adaptive 120Hz ProMotion screen. While both phones share the same A15 Bionic chip, camera hardware improvements, and overall design language, the Pro’s higher refresh rate stands out as a premium feature. But does it justify the upgrade for someone already using the base model? The answer depends on how you use your phone and what you value in daily interaction.

Understanding Refresh Rate: Why It Matters

Refresh rate refers to how many times per second your screen updates with new information, measured in hertz (Hz). A 60Hz display refreshes 60 times per second; a 120Hz screen does so twice as fast. This doesn’t just affect gaming—it influences scrolling smoothness, app transitions, and even how natural animations feel during everyday tasks like browsing or typing.

Apple’s implementation of 120Hz on the iPhone 13 Pro, branded as ProMotion, goes further by being adaptive. Instead of running at full 120Hz all the time, it dynamically scales between 10Hz and 120Hz based on content. When you’re reading an eBook or looking at a static photo, it drops to conserve battery. As soon as you start swiping through messages or playing a fast-paced game, it ramps up to deliver buttery-smooth motion.

“High refresh rates reduce perceived input lag and make interfaces feel more responsive—even if raw performance is identical.” — Dr. Mark Tran, Human-Computer Interaction Researcher, Stanford University

Real-World Differences: Smoothness vs. Substance

On paper, 120Hz sounds impressive. In practice, the difference can be subtle—especially if you're not actively comparing side-by-side. However, once experienced, many users report that returning to 60Hz feels “sluggish” or “jarring,” particularly when scrolling social media feeds or navigating iOS menus.

For example, when rapidly flicking through Safari tabs or pulling down Notification Center, the Pro’s screen keeps pace more fluidly. Animations such as opening apps or switching between multitasking views are noticeably smoother. These micro-interactions accumulate over time, shaping your overall perception of responsiveness.

Tip: If you frequently use your phone for content creation, note-taking, or digital art, the reduced latency of a high-refresh display improves precision and comfort.

Performance and Battery: The Trade-Offs

One concern often raised is whether the 120Hz display drains the battery faster. Thanks to Apple’s adaptive refresh technology, the impact is minimized. In typical usage, the difference in battery life between the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro is negligible—often within 5–10% under mixed conditions.

However, power users who keep the screen active for extended periods (e.g., video editing, prolonged gaming, or navigation) may notice slightly quicker depletion. Still, the iPhone 13 Pro packs a marginally larger battery than the standard 13, which helps offset increased demands.

Gaming benefits significantly from the higher refresh rate. Titles optimized for 120fps—such as *Call of Duty: Mobile* or *Asphalt 9*—deliver visibly smoother gameplay. While most iOS games still cap at 60fps due to optimization constraints, the trend is shifting toward higher frame rates, making future-proofing a valid consideration.

Comparison Table: iPhone 13 vs iPhone 13 Pro Display Features

Feature	iPhone 13	iPhone 13 Pro
Refresh Rate	60Hz (fixed)	10–120Hz (adaptive ProMotion)
Brightness (HDR)	800 nits	1000 nits
Peak Brightness	1200 nits	1200 nits
Always-On Display	No	No (introduced later in iPhone 14 Pro)
Touch Response Optimization	Standard	Enhanced with lower latency
Battery Impact (typical day)	Excellent (~17 hrs video playback)	Slightly less (~16 hrs video playback)

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Upgrade Experience

Sarah, a freelance journalist and long-time iPhone 13 user, upgraded to the iPhone 13 Pro after six months, primarily for the camera upgrades. She didn’t expect the display to be the standout feature. Within days, she noticed her eyes felt less fatigued during long writing sessions in Notes. Scrolling through research-heavy Twitter threads felt effortless, and she found herself unconsciously swiping faster—something she hadn’t done before.

“It wasn’t until I lent my old iPhone 13 to my nephew that I realized how much smoother the Pro felt,” she said. “He came back two hours later and asked, ‘Did your phone get slower?’ That told me everything.”

For Sarah, the upgrade wasn’t about specs—it was about comfort and efficiency. The cumulative effect of smoother interactions made her workflow feel lighter, even though no core functionality had changed.

When the Upgrade Makes Sense: A Checklist

Consider moving from the iPhone 13 to the 13 Pro for the refresh rate if:

• You spend more than 3 hours daily on your phone and value fluidity in UI navigation.
• You use styluses (like Apple Pencil with iPad compatibility in mind) or do handwriting/drawing via third-party apps.
• You play mobile games regularly, especially action or rhythm titles.
• You work with video or photo editing apps where timeline scrubbing benefits from smoother motion.
• You’re sensitive to motion judder or screen flicker and prioritize visual comfort.

Tip: Enable 'Limit Frame Rate' in Accessibility settings if you find 120Hz too intense or want to extend battery during travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you turn off the 120Hz refresh rate on the iPhone 13 Pro?

Yes. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and toggle on “Limit Frame Rate.” This locks the display to 60Hz, which can help preserve battery or accommodate sensitivity to rapid motion.

Does the higher refresh rate improve camera performance?

Not directly. However, the improved screen responsiveness enhances the viewfinder experience, making it easier to track moving subjects. Additionally, the Pro models include sensor-shift stabilization and better low-light algorithms, which are separate from the display tech.

Is the difference noticeable without direct comparison?

Initially, maybe not. But after using the 13 Pro for a few days, most users report that the standard 13 feels constrained when revisited. The brain adapts quickly to smoother motion, creating a subconscious preference.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

If you’re deeply invested in the iPhone ecosystem and plan to keep your device for two to three years, the iPhone 13 Pro’s 120Hz ProMotion display offers tangible quality-of-life improvements. It’s not a revolutionary leap like going from 3G to LTE, but rather an evolutionary refinement—one that elevates the tactile pleasure of using a smartphone.

For casual users who mainly text, browse, and stream videos, the standard iPhone 13 remains an excellent choice. The 60Hz screen is perfectly functional, and the money saved could go toward accessories or future upgrades.

But for those who appreciate craftsmanship in software feel—the way an interface responds to a flick of the finger, how naturally a page glides past, or how effortlessly a game renders fast movement—the 13 Pro’s display is more than marketing fluff. It’s a sensory upgrade that subtly enhances every interaction.

“The best technology fades into the background. With ProMotion, you don’t notice the 120Hz—you notice how little you have to think about waiting.” — Lisa Park, Senior UX Designer at a leading iOS development firm

Take Action: Evaluate Your Own Usage

💬 Ready to decide? Try borrowing a friend’s iPhone 13 Pro for a day. Use it for your usual tasks—scrolling, typing, watching videos. Then switch back. Your instincts will tell you more than any spec sheet ever could.