Pro Motion is a variable refresh rate that matches your screen to what you're watching

Pro Motion is Apple's name for a display that changes how many times per second it refreshes — anywhere from 24 times per second up to 120 times per second, depending on what's on screen. Instead of refreshing at a fixed rate like older monitors, a Pro Motion display speeds up when you need it and slows down when you don't, which reduces power use and can make motion look smoother.

The technology itself is not new — other manufacturers call it variable refresh rate or adaptive refresh rate — but Apple added it to iPad Pro in 2017 and later to MacBook Pro and Mac Studio displays. If you're shopping for a monitor to use with an Apple device, Pro Motion is worth understanding because it changes how the screen performs and what you'll pay for it.

Key Takeaways

  • Pro Motion adjusts refresh rate between 24 and 120 times per second based on what's displayed, rather than staying fixed at one rate.
  • The main benefit is smoother scrolling and motion in everyday tasks like reading web pages or moving windows around your desktop.
  • Pro Motion uses less battery power than a display locked at 120 Hz all the time, which matters most on laptops and tablets.
  • Pro Motion monitors cost more than standard displays, and you only see the benefit if your device and software both support it.
  • Not all apps take advantage of Pro Motion — it works best with system-level scrolling and Apple's own applications.

How the refresh rate changes during normal use

When you're reading a document or email that isn't moving, Pro Motion drops the refresh rate down to 24 Hz or lower. The screen still looks sharp because nothing is changing. The moment you scroll, the display ramps up to 120 Hz to make that motion appear fluid. When scrolling stops, it drops back down again.

This happens automatically without you doing anything. The device measures how much of the image is changing from one frame to the next and adjusts accordingly. If you're watching a video that plays at 24 frames per second (like a movie), Pro Motion locks to 24 Hz to match. If you're playing a game that runs at 60 frames per second, it locks to 60 Hz.

The switching happens so fast — sometimes dozens of times per second — that you don't notice the refresh rate changing. What you notice instead is that scrolling feels smoother than it does on a fixed 60 Hz display, and the screen doesn't flicker or stutter when you move windows around.

Why Pro Motion saves battery on portable devices

Refreshing the screen uses power. A display that refreshes 120 times per second uses more energy than one that refreshes 60 times per second. On a laptop or tablet running on battery, that difference adds up over hours of use.

Pro Motion saves battery because it only runs at high refresh rates when motion is actually happening. If you're reading an article for five minutes without scrolling, the screen is refreshing at 24 Hz instead of 120 Hz — that's a significant power saving. Over a full day of mixed use, the battery lasts longer than it would with a display locked at 120 Hz.

This is why Pro Motion matters more on iPad Pro and MacBook Pro than it does on a desktop monitor plugged into power. On a desktop, you're not limited by battery, so the main benefit is the smoother feel of scrolling and motion.

What you need to actually see the benefit

Pro Motion only works when three things are true: your device supports it, your display supports it, and the software you're using supports it. If any one of those is missing, you won't see the smoother motion.

Apple devices that have Pro Motion built in include iPad Pro (2017 and later), MacBook Pro (2021 and later), and Mac Studio. If you're using an older Mac or iPad, your device can't use Pro Motion even if you buy a Pro Motion monitor.

On the software side, system-level scrolling in Safari, Mail, and other Apple apps works with Pro Motion automatically. Third-party apps like Chrome or Slack may not take full advantage of it. Games that are optimized for high frame rates see the biggest benefit, but many games don't use Pro Motion yet.

Pro Motion versus standard 60 Hz displays

A standard monitor refreshes 60 times per second, all the time. This is the baseline for most displays and works fine for everyday tasks. The difference between 60 Hz and Pro Motion is noticeable when you scroll — motion looks slightly smoother on Pro Motion — but it's not dramatic. Many people don't notice the difference in casual use.

The trade-off is cost. A Pro Motion display costs significantly more than a standard 60 Hz display with the same size and resolution. If you're buying a monitor mainly for email, web browsing, and documents, a standard 60 Hz display does the job and saves you money.

Pro Motion makes the most difference if you spend a lot of time scrolling through long documents, working with design software that involves moving objects around, or playing games. If your work is mostly typing and clicking, the benefit is smaller.

Pro Motion on external monitors and displays

If you have a MacBook Pro or iPad Pro with Pro Motion and you connect it to an external monitor, the external monitor does not automatically get Pro Motion. The monitor itself has to support variable refresh rate technology — which Apple calls Pro Motion when it's on their displays, but other manufacturers call it by different names like FreeSync or G-Sync.

Apple's own Pro Display XDR and Studio Display both support Pro Motion when connected to compatible Macs. Third-party monitors with variable refresh rate support can work with Mac devices, but compatibility varies and you may need to check the monitor's specifications and your Mac's documentation.

If you're using an older external monitor without variable refresh rate support, your Mac will still work fine — it just won't get the Pro Motion benefit on that external display.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Pro Motion make a noticeable difference for my everyday work?

If your work involves a lot of scrolling through documents or web pages, you'll notice smoother motion. If you mostly type, click, and stay in one place on screen, the difference is subtle. The benefit is real but not dramatic for most office tasks.

Do I need Pro Motion if I'm not a gamer?

No. Pro Motion helps most with scrolling and motion, which gamers and designers notice more than office workers do. For email, web browsing, and documents, a standard 60 Hz display works perfectly well.

Can I use a Pro Motion monitor with a device that doesn't support it?

Yes, but you won't see the Pro Motion benefit. The monitor will work normally, refreshing at a fixed rate. You're paying extra for a feature your device can't use.

Does Pro Motion work with all apps?

System-level scrolling in Safari, Mail, and Apple's built-in apps works with Pro Motion automatically. Third-party apps like Chrome, Slack, and most others may not fully take advantage of it yet, though support is improving.

How much battery does Pro Motion actually save?

The amount varies depending on what you're doing. If you're reading static content without scrolling, the savings can be significant. If you're constantly scrolling or watching video, the savings are smaller because the display stays at higher refresh rates.