Avoiding Apple iPhone 13 Pro Battery Drain During ProMotion Usage

The Power of ProMotion and How It Affects Battery Life

Every time you open a scrolling page or watch a video on your iPhone 13 Pro, the screen’s refresh rate shifts between 60 Hz and 120 Hz. This feature, called ProMotion, gives you a smoother experience. It can also be the source of noticeable battery drain if you don’t manage it carefully. The good news is that you can keep the benefits of ProMotion while minimizing its impact on your battery with a few simple habits and settings changes.

Why ProMotion Can Drip Your Battery

ProMotion works by allowing the display to refresh at a variable rate that matches the content. When you scroll, the rate jumps to 120 Hz, giving silky‑smooth motion. When the content is static, it drops back to 60 Hz, which saves power. The problem arises when the phone struggles to keep up with demanding content or background processes, causing the display to stay near its maximum refresh rate for longer than necessary.

The battery impact comes from a combination of:

• Higher pixel updates that consume more energy
• Increased processor activity to drive the higher refresh rate
• Constant sensor polling to decide when to boost or lower the rate

If your phone is already under load, the energy cost of 120 Hz can become significant.

Keep the Refresh Rate in Check

The iPhone 13 Pro automatically chooses the refresh rate, but you can still influence it indirectly by controlling what happens on your screen.

Limit Full‑Screen Applications

• Choose apps that are optimized for 60 Hz
• Close background apps that run heavy animations

Reduce Animation Intensity

Some apps, especially games and social media feeds, use heavy animations. Turning off unnecessary motion in the Settings menu can help:

• Settings → Accessibility → Motion → Reduce Motion

When you toggle this, the system uses less graphical processing power, which indirectly helps the display stay at a lower refresh rate.

Disable “Auto‑Play” in Video Apps

Apps like YouTube or Instagram often auto‑play videos at 120 Hz. Turning off auto‑play reduces the demand on the display:

• In the YouTube app, tap your profile → Settings → Auto‑play
• In the Instagram app, go to Settings → Account → Data Saver → Disable auto‑play

Brightness Management

Brightness is one of the biggest battery killers on any smartphone, and it works hand‑in‑hand with ProMotion.

• Use Adaptive Brightness: Settings → Display & Brightness → Brightness → Adaptive
• Manually lower brightness in bright environments; you can do this quickly by pulling down the Control Center and sliding the brightness bar.

A dimmer screen requires less power to refresh at 120 Hz, so your battery benefits.

Leverage Dark Mode

Dark Mode uses darker pixels, which consume less energy on OLED screens. Switching to Dark Mode helps:

• Settings → Display & Brightness → Appearance → Dark

In addition to the battery benefit, Dark Mode reduces eye strain in low‑light situations.

Manage Background App Refresh

Background App Refresh allows apps to update content even when they’re not visible. While useful, it can keep the processor busy, forcing the display to stay at a higher refresh rate.

1. Open Settings
2. Scroll to Background App Refresh
3. Turn it off completely or selectively enable only for essential apps

By reducing background updates, you keep the processor idle longer, allowing the display to stay at 60 Hz for extended periods.

Keep iOS Updated

Apple’s firmware updates frequently include power‑saving optimizations and better ProMotion handling. Install updates as soon as they become available:

• Settings → General → Software Update

These patches can bring subtle improvements that add hours to your battery life.

Turn On Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode reduces background activity, slows down the processor, and decreases screen brightness. It also forces the display to stay at 60 Hz more often:

• Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode

Activate this mode when you need extra endurance, such as during long flights or while traveling.

Use Battery‑Efficient Apps

Some apps are designed to be energy‑friendly. Look for “Battery Saver” features within apps or choose alternatives that have a lower pixel load.

For example:

• Use a lightweight news app rather than a feature‑rich aggregator
• Opt for reading mode in browsers that strips unnecessary graphics

Calibration and Health Checks

If you notice persistent battery drain even after applying all the above measures, consider:

• Calibrating the battery: Let the phone drain to 0 %, then charge it to 100 % without interruption. Repeat twice a month.
• Checking for overheating: High temperatures accelerate battery degradation. Keep your device out of direct sunlight and avoid heavy usage on hot days.

If the battery still drains quickly, consult an Apple Store or authorized service provider.

Monitor Battery Usage

Apple provides a built‑in battery usage report that shows which apps consume the most power. Review it regularly:

1. Settings → Battery
2. Tap on “Show Usage” to view per‑app statistics

If an app shows unusually high consumption, consider uninstalling or replacing it.

Avoid Excessive Screen Recording and Streaming

Screen recording and high‑resolution streaming (4K video) push the display to its limits. Use lower resolution or stop recording when you’re not actively using the feature. Turning off unnecessary background services during recording can also reduce battery usage.

Practical Checklist for Everyday Use

Below is a quick reference you can keep on hand:

• Use Dark Mode by default
• Reduce Motion in Accessibility
• Turn off Auto‑Play in video apps
• Keep brightness under 50 % in bright conditions
• Disable Background App Refresh for non‑essential apps
• Activate Low Power Mode when battery is low
• Update iOS whenever possible
• Monitor battery usage monthly
• Avoid heavy screen recording unless necessary

By following these steps, you can keep the benefits of ProMotion while limiting its drain on your iPhone 13 Pro battery.

When to Seek Professional Help

If after applying all these optimizations you still experience rapid battery drain, consider:

• Battery replacement: Batteries lose capacity over time. Apple offers battery replacement services for the iPhone 13 Pro.
• Hardware inspection: A malfunctioning display or faulty component can cause extra drain.

Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for a diagnostic test.

Bottom Line

ProMotion offers a superior visual experience, but it can take a toll on your battery if left unchecked. By managing brightness, limiting background activity, using Dark Mode, and applying Apple’s power‑saving features, you can keep the display running smoothly while extending your phone’s life between charges. The key is to make subtle adjustments that together create a significant difference over the long haul.