ProMotion is Apple's adaptive refresh rate technology built into iPad Pro and iPhone 15 Pro models. Rather than refreshing the screen at a fixed rate like traditional 60Hz displays, ProMotion dynamically adjusts the refresh rate anywhere between 10Hz and 120Hz depending on what you're viewing and how you're interacting with the device.
The key benefit is power efficiency. When you're reading static text or viewing a still image, the display drops to lower refresh rates, consuming less battery. When you're scrolling through social media, playing games, or using apps with smooth animations, it ramps up to 120Hz for fluid motion.
Why this matters for buyers: ProMotion creates noticeably smoother interactions compared to standard 60Hz displays, particularly when scrolling and panning. For creative professionals using drawing apps or video editing software, the higher refresh rate provides more responsive feedback. The variable nature also helps extend battery life compared to displays stuck at 120Hz all the time.
Common confusion points: Having a 120Hz display does not automatically mean ProMotion. A standard 120Hz display refreshes at that rate constantly, draining the battery faster. ProMotion's intelligence is in the variable adjustment.
What you should consider: ProMotion is most noticeable during everyday scrolling and when using creative apps. If you primarily read emails and messages, the difference feels less dramatic. Check whether your intended use involves scrolling-heavy apps or content creation to determine if the feature justifies the cost difference versus non-ProMotion models.