Apple keeps growing in popularity, all thanks to the ProMotion displays that support a smoother 120Hz refresh rate. When compared with the traditional 60Hz screens, the 120Hz makes everything feel more responsive. This creates not only a better browsing experience but also a faster way to get things done.
However, certain Safari settings can sometimes prevent users from fully experiencing 120Hz browsing. Good thing this article presents several simple ways to optimize Safari and unlock the full potential of your device’s high refresh rate.
What Is 120Hz Browsing?
Refresh rates determine how many times your screen updates in a single second. A standard 60Hz display refreshes 60 times per second, but a 120Hz display does it twice as fast, and once you see the difference, it’s hard to unsee.
Apple calls their version of this ProMotion, and it doesn’t run at full speed all the time, it adjusts based on what you’re doing, pushing to 120Hz when motion is involved and dialing back when you’re reading a static page.
Devices That Support 120Hz in Safari
While this feature sounds impressive, the reality is that not every Apple product supports it. Only devices with compatible hardware can take advantage of this, including the following:
iPhone Models:
- iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
- iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
- iPhone 17 standard, Air, Pro, and Pro Max
iPad Models
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st generation and later)
- 11-inch iPad Pro (1st generation and later)
- 13-inch iPad Air (M2, 6th generation)
- 11-inch iPad Air (M2, 6th generation)
Mac Devices
- MacBook Pro 14″ (2021, M1 Pro / M1 Max)
- MacBook Pro 14″ (2023, M2 Pro / M2 Max)
- MacBook Pro 14″ (2024, M3 Pro / M3 Max)
- MacBook Pro 16″ (2021, M1 Pro / M1 Max)
- MacBook Pro 16″ (2023, M2 Pro / M2 Max)
- MacBook Pro 16″ (2024, M3 Pro / M3 Max)
How to Enable Smoother 120Hz Browsing in Safari
Here’s how you can adjust your settings to unlock a smoother browsing experience:
Turn on Low Power Mode
- Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode
Keep Your Device Updated
- Settings → General → Software Update
Turn on Motion and Display Settings
- Settings → Accessibility → Motion → Disable Reduce Motion
You should also verify that your display settings are properly configured for ProMotion support.
Use Safari Instead of Third-Party Browsers
While other browsers may support high refresh rates, Safari provides better battery efficiency and smoother system integration on Apple devices.
Additional Tips
To keep Safari running smoothly, you may also do these additional steps:
1 Regularly clear Safari cache and browsing data,
2 Close any tabs that may be running in the background,
3 Occasionally, restart your device, and
4 Maintain enough free storage space
These simple adjustments can improve your overall browser responsiveness.
Common Reasons Why 120Hz May Not Work
There are several reasons smoother browsing may not activate properly, such as:
1 Your device may not support ProMotion,
2 Low Power Mode is enabled,
3 You have an older software version, and
4 Certain websites are still running at lower frame rates
Conclusion
Your browsing experience can vary significantly, and 120Hz allows for a smoother, higher-quality experience, especially on Apple devices. You can enable this by adjusting a few settings in just a couple of clicks. Whether you’re using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can unlock a much better browsing experience in Safari through Apple’s ProMotion technology.
