Iphone 16 Pro with iOS 26.2 stuttering / low refresh rate after brightness changes

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Level 1

5 points

Iphone 16 Pro with iOS 26.2 stuttering / low refresh rate after brightness changes

Hi everyone,

I’m experiencing a strange ProMotion behavior on my iPhone 16 Pro.

Sometimes, especially after a sudden change in ambient light (for example taking the phone out of my pocket or moving from dark to bright environments), the UI feels like it’s running at ~60–90Hz instead of 120Hz. Scrolling becomes noticeably less smooth.

What’s interesting is that:

Low Power Mode is off
Limit Frame Rate is off
Adaptive Power / True Tone / AOD don’t change the behavior
The issue happens intermittently, not all the time

Workaround:

If I open the Camera app and immediately close it, the UI goes back to full smoothness instantly (as if ProMotion resets to 120Hz).

I’ve already:

Updated to the latest iOS version (iOS 26.2)
Backed up the phone
Fully erased it
Restored from an encrypted Mac backup

The issue still happens, even right after restoring, usually after pocket → screen on.

This makes me think it’s a software state bug where iOS sometimes gets “stuck” in a low refresh rate mode and doesn’t exit it properly, until the Camera forces a display pipeline reset.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any insight would be appreciated.

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Dec 18, 2025 12:55 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 19, 2025 7:23 AM in response to nicolò209

The technical spec: iPhone 16 Pro - Tech Specs

The iPhone 13 Pro, 14 Pro, 15 Pro, and Pro Max versions and higher, and the iPad Pro ProMotion displays are capable of dynamically switching between:

Faster refresh rates up to 120Hz
Slower refresh rates down to 24Hz or 10Hz

This dynamic switching means your app can present smooth, seamless animations and take advantage of power-saving opportunities. Your app may already be capable of taking advantage of these new refresh rates without any changes. Some framework animation features handle frame pacing automatically for you, including Optimizing ProMotion refresh rates for iPhone 13 Pro and iPad Pro | Apple Developer Documentation

Benefits of the iPhone 13, 14, and 15 Pro and Max versions's adaptive refresh rate:

Experience unparalleled smoothness without sacrificing battery life:

One of the biggest advancements in smartphone displays is the jump to high refresh rates. While these displays deliver a buttery smooth experience, especially when scrolling or gaming, they can come at the cost of increased battery drain. The iPhone 13, 14, and 15 Pro and Max versions tackle this issue head-on with their innovative adaptive refresh rate.

This technology allows the display to intelligently adjust its refresh rate between a range of 10Hz to a blazing-fast 120Hz. What does this mean for you? When you're engaged in fast-paced activities like gaming or watching high frame-rate videos, the display will seamlessly switch to 120Hz, ensuring incredible responsiveness and a visually stunning experience.

However, for everyday tasks like reading an email or browsing the web, the refresh rate can drop down to a lower setting like 10Hz. This significantly reduces battery consumption without any noticeable impact on smoothness. It's a win-win situation!

The iPhone 13, 14, and 15 Pro and Max versions prioritize both a stunning visual experience and long-lasting battery life. The adaptive refresh rate is a key feature that contributes to this balance, making it a perfect choice for users who value both

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Answer 2

nicolò209 Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 19, 2025 7:35 AM in response to SravanKrA

Hi, the lag happens on the homepage though.

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