A new Apple patent, published by the US Patent and Trademark Office, describes an iPhone display that can refresh at two, three, or even four times its native refresh rate when a high refresh rate is enabled.
All modern iPhones have 60Hz refresh rates, but since 2017 iPad Pro models have been equipped with ProMotion technology, which allows refresh rates up to 120Hz. Earlier, it was rumored that the iPhone 12 will automatically switch between 60Hz and 120Hz depending on the content being displayed. Now, this feature is expected in the iPhone 13.
The device’s ability to switch between 60 and 120 Hz is not new, but Apple’s patent describes the iPhone’s ability to boost refresh rates to 180 or even 240 Hz. Rumors suggest that Apple will address the increased power consumption issue with the iPhone 13’s low-power display technology LTPO, which delivers 120Hz without significantly impacting battery life.
Rumors have surfaced this week that along with a 120Hz refresh rate; the iPhone 13 lineup will also support an always-on screen that displays date, time, battery level, notifications, and more.
Gizchina News of the week
Apple finally defeated Samsung in the global smartphone market
Apple overtook Samsung to become the world’s leading smartphone brand amid record sales of iPhone smartphones. The company showed a huge jump in the last quarter of last year, while Huawei‘s position weakened greatly.
According to Counterpoint Research, shipments of iPhone smartphones increased 22% in the previous quarter. The surge is driven by the release of the iPhone 12 lineup, which supports fifth-generation networks. Also, sales of previous models did not fall, the demand for which is stable after the price decline.
The company has shipped 90 million smartphones and has more than 23% market share. Analysts note that Apple has strengthened its position in the premium segment of smartphones in China. According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, two of the top three selling premium smartphones in China are from Apple.
The second place in the quarter belongs to Samsung, which received about 19% of the market. The third place went to Xiaomi, followed by Oppo and Vivo, which took the fourth and fifth places, respectively. Huawei dropped to 6th place.
If we consider the results for the year, then Samsung is in the lead; Apple is second, Huawei is third, followed by Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and Realme. The latter was the fastest growing brand in the past year.
Counterpoint Research’s data is broadly consistent with estimates by another analyst firm, IDC, which we have already published.
