Apple introduced its first 120Hz ProMotion display on the 2017 iPad Pro, yet eight years later the company still reserves this smoother refresh rate for its premium models. While the base iPhone 17 finally gained 120Hz this year, four years after the iPhone 13 Pro, Apple's mid-range devices like the iPad Air and MacBook Air remain stuck at 60Hz.

This limitation feels increasingly outdated given the price points. The iPad Air starts at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch version, while the MacBook Air begins at $999. These aren't budget devices, yet they use the same 60Hz displays found on Apple's entry-level iPad. Meanwhile, the iPad Pro with its 120Hz display costs $400-600 more, creating a pricing gap that few consumers cross-shop.

For a company that prides itself on delivering premium user experiences, maintaining 60Hz displays on mid-range products seems like a cost-cutting measure that impacts daily usability. A 120Hz display makes interactions feel faster and more responsive, even if users can't articulate why. With most $999 Windows laptops now offering 120Hz panels, Apple's reluctance to upgrade its mid-tier displays appears increasingly out of step with industry standards.