A report yesterday suggested that the two iPhone 17 Pro models could get an anti-reflective display, after Apple’s suppliers managed to overcome production difficulties.I do love anti-reflective displays, and still have very fond memories of my all-time favorite Apple one from way back in 2004, but an iPhone one would have only moderate appeal to me … There was a time when all screens were matte.Then along came glossy screens, Apple and the rest of the tech industry fell in love with them, and now it’s hard to find anything else.
I personally think this was one of the worst things to happen to laptop screens and external monitors.The non-reflective coating was one of the things I adored about the 30-inch Apple Cinema Display launched way back in 2004.Because on a large screen, when you’re doing things like editing photos, it really makes a massive difference.
Apple brought an anti-reflective screen back as an option in the 6K Pro Display XDR in 2019 with what they called nano-texture, but at a whopping $1,000 premium over the standard glossy one.The company then started slowly rolling it out to other products, with the 2020 iMac next in line at a somewhat more reasonable but still eye-raising premium of $500.You can buy inexpensive anti-glare screen protectors for anything from iPhones to Macbooks, but it’s not the same as nano-texture.
Back in 2021, my colleague Chance Miller called on Apple to offer a nano-texture display for both iPad and MacBook, a call the company heeded first with the iPad and later with the MacBook Pro.Zac Hall wanted Apple to go ever further, and nano-texture all the things.A modest majority of you agreed in our poll: Glossy for life: 37% Matte is where it’s at: 51% Other: 12% I do agree that matte is a better option, and if the rumor is true, and I choose to upgrade (c’mon, let me at least that isn’t a done deal!), then I’ll welcome it.
But honestly, I won’t care that much.On a small, handheld screen – even one the size of the Pro Max – reflections aren’t such a big deal as it’s usually trivial to slightly change the angle to remove the problem.Sure, there are still rare occasions when it would make a difference, and perhaps I’m influenced by living in the UK, where the weather is mostly various kinds of cloud, but it’s not something I’d pay extra for, and I won’t be very disappointed if it doesn’t happen.
What’s your view? Big deal, or a small – dare I say, nano – one? Let us know in the comments.Highlighted accessories Anti-glare screen protectors for MacBooks Anker 511 Nano Pro ultra-compact iPhone charger Spigen MagFit case for iPhone 16e – adds MagSafe support Apple MagSafe Charger with 25w power for iPhone 16 models Apple 30W charger for above Anker 240W braided USB-C to USB-C cable You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day.Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.
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