Modern devices are coming with unique and advanced features to enhance user experience. These days, refresh rates have grabbed everyone’s attention. Earlier, buyers were only bothered about the basic specs of phones, such as the display type, resolutions, and HDR capabilities. But that’s not the case with modern buyers.
They are looking for more advanced features, including a refresh rate. And why not? It helps users, especially gamers, enjoy games and videos beyond their imagination. Though most phones come with a refresh rate of 120Hz or beyond that, there are some downsides that you cannot overlook. With the right information, you can transform disadvantages into advantages in no time. For that, we recommend you to read this article until the end. Here, we have explained different refresh rates, including what does 60Hz, 90Hz,120Hz, 165Hz, 185Hz, and 240Hz mean. So, let’s get started…
Table of Content
- What Is Refresh Rate on Phone?
- How do Screen Refresh Rates work on Your Phone?
- Apple iPhone
- Samsung Galaxy
- Google Pixel
- FAQs
- Should you buy a high refresh rate phone?
- What is a good refresh rate for a phone?
- Does 120Hz use more battery?
- How do we measure the refresh rate of a smartphone?
- What refresh rate is necessary for optimal gaming performance?
- Why am I not able to play a game on my phone that offers a 120Hz refresh rate?
- Launch the iOS settings app
- Scroll down the screen and tap Accessibility
- Tap the option Motion
- Enable Limit Frame Rate to allow the phone to perform on 60Hz.
- Open the Settings app
- Tap the option Display
- Select Motion Smoothness
- Select Adaptive to personalize the refresh rate
- Choose Standard to use your phone at 60Hz or High to harness the maximum refresh rate
- Hit the option Apply to confirm the new settings.
- Open Settings on your Pixel Phone
- Scroll down the screen to look for the option Display
- Tap Display to open the next page
- Swipe the toggle bar to the right side to automatically switch the phone between 60Hz and 90Hz
- Disable it whenever you wish.
What Is Refresh Rate on Phone?
Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), is the number of times your phone’s display updates or changes the image each second. This is a crucial factor that determines how smooth and seamless your screen is. For instance, a smartphone with a 60Hz refresh rate means the display updates with new images 60 times per second. 90Hz means 90 times per second. 120Hz means 120 times per second which is double when compared to 60Hz. 165Hz, 185Hz, and 240Hz are the highest refresh rates that offer smoother images you can experience when playing heavy title games and streaming high-speed videos.
Remember, faster refresh rates result in a low-latency and lag-free experience. Refresh rate is only one factor. Besides this, there are many factors that contribute to a smooth screen experience. But it’s worth noting that the technical limitations of games and videos can prevent you from harnessing the screen’s full potential.
Your smartphone’s entire screen does not get updated at once. Instead, every horizontal row of pixels constantly refreshes until the phone’s processor updates the whole display within a specific time period. In other words, your smartphone’s fast processor updates and refreshes the content, but it takes time to complete the cycle of one refresh.
How do Screen Refresh Rates work on Your Phone?
The higher refresh rates of 120 Hz or beyond make images snappier and smoother. A high refresh rate is considered the best for streaming video content, such as web series or playing fast-paced games. They generate higher frame rates and quicker response times on the phone to redefine your mobile gaming experience. However, you can’t benefit from this if your game does not support the higher frame rates. For instance, Netflix content is streamed between 24 and 60 frames per second (not more than this).
Presently, new game or video developers have started to develop games that can support more than 30 frames per second. So, start scrolling for the games that support higher frame rates on the web search. Currently, YouTube streams videos at 60 frames per second. It can provide benefits to smartphone or iPhone users with devices featuring 120Hz or higher refresh rates. Some of the most popular devices that feature a refresh rate of 120Hz include Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, and Google Pixel Pro 9.
Undoubtedly, a higher refresh rate enhances user experience. However, it is worth noting that they also drain your battery faster than you can imagine. If you switch their refresh rates to 60Hz or 90Hz, you can significantly notice a sharp decline in battery usage. Therefore, it is suggested that you use your phone at 60Hz or 90Hz with the help of your device’s adaptive feature. It will greatly improve the battery life of your phone. Moreover, you are suggested to buy the higher refresh rates phones that come with AMOLED panels. Phones with AMOLED panels are powered by low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) backplane technology to enhance the phone’s battery.
Lower refresh rates are prevalent due to their benefits in enhancing battery life and providing a smooth scrolling experience. If you’re engaging in a game that doesn’t support a 120Hz refresh rate, it’s an opportune moment to conserve energy. To reduce the refresh rate to 48Hz and save energy, please follow these steps:
1. Apple iPhone
On the iPhone, the adjustable refresh rate capabilities are known as ProMotion. This feature is available on the latest iPhone models, including iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max.
If you possess any of these models, then make sure the ProMotion feature is enabled. If the ProMotion feature is enabled, it will automatically adjust the frame rates for your phone. The higher frame rates will function for specific applications or games. Other than this, you can easily switch the refresh rate to 60Hz. Follow these steps to enable the low refresh rate, turn on the 60Hz on your iPhone, and improve the battery life…
You can turn off the 60Hz anytime by disabling the Limit Frame Rate. This will allow the ProMotion feature to adjust the refresh rates automatically.
2. Samsung Galaxy
Another phone that comes with adjustable refresh rate features is Samsung Galaxy. Samsung Galaxy models come with high-end features. The latest Samsung Galaxy phones, such as S23 Ultra, S24Ultra, etc., offer exceptional features.
If you own any of these models, then you should know that they allow you to personalize the refresh rates. And the best thing is that it is very easy to adjust the refresh rate according to your preferences. Here are the steps you need to follow to personalize the refresh rate on Samsung Galaxy devices. Take a look…
Note: If your phone is in the power-saving mode, it will function at 60Hz. This is because it limits the background network usage and syncing.
3. Google Pixel
Even Google Pixel users can enjoy the power of personalizing refresh rates on their devices. Like the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel phones have started to go beyond the ceiling of 90Hz. Some of the most popular Google devices that offer refresh rate personalization options include Pixel6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro.
All these devices hit the refresh rate of 120Hz. They come with Smooth Motion, which allows the display settings to be adjusted based on the screen’s actions. However, you can limit the refresh rate manually if you wish to do so. Look at the following steps to enable the low refresh rates (60Hz or 90Hz) on top-end Pixel phones:
Let’s now take a look at some of the frequently asked questions pertaining to refresh rates. Read on…
FAQs
Q1. Should you buy a high refresh rate phone?
Without a doubt, all new smartphones available in the market support a refresh rate of more than 60Hz. There are other things that also matter the most when buying a phone, such as color gamut, contrast, brightness, resolution, HDR, etc. These factors significantly impact the phone’s screen quality.
The refresh rate of 60Hz is ideal for casual users; however, if you indulge in virtual gaming or are a virtual game enthusiast, then you should choose the phone with 120Hz. It will redefine your experience by making animations more fluid and lag-free. However, it’s vital to keep in mind that higher refresh rates decline the phone’s battery life.
Q2. What is a good refresh rate for a phone?
Well, it is very personal. Also, it depends on your preferences, usage, and budget. However, the standard refresh rates of 60Hz or 90Hz are highly preferable because they ensure good battery life, immersive experience, and smooth scrolling. For gamers, the refresh rate of 60Hz won’t be sufficient; therefore, they are suggested to opt for a higher refresh rate, such as 120Hz.
Q3. Does 120Hz use more battery?
The quickest answer is Yes. Yes, 120Hz uses more battery. This usually happens because the processor needs to work more to generate high frame rates and superior image quality. So, if you use your phone a lot (meaning for everything, including reading emails, planning travel, shopping online, etc.), then you will have to think before choosing your device.
Q4. How do we measure the refresh rate of a smartphone?
The refresh rate of a smartphone is measured in Hertz (Hz). It represents how many times the processor updates the content with a new image every second. Refresh rate plays an important role in defining your phone’s visual experience.
Q5. What refresh rate is necessary for optimal gaming performance?
90 to 120 Hz is considered the ideal refresh rate for a good gaming experience on the phone. A good or higher refresh rate provides high frame rates with fast responsive time. This helps gamers to have an immersive gaming experience even when indulging in heavy-titled virtual games.
Q6. Why am I not able to play a game on my phone that offers a 120Hz refresh rate?
Currently, contemporary devices feature elevated refresh rates. Additionally, contemporary game developers create games that are capable of supporting higher refresh rates on modern smartphones. Ensure that the refresh rate set on your phone aligns with the frame rate of games and videos. Otherwise, a significant portion of the high refresh rate goes wasted. Moreover, you forfeit the opportunity to fully relish your game.
The Bottom Line
So, this is all about the different refresh rates and how you can personalize it on your device just with a few steps. All in all, refresh rates—measured in Hertz (Hz)—play a significant role in defining your device’s visual experience. From the standard 60Hz to the ultra-smooth 240Hz, higher refresh rates provide sharper, more fluid visuals, which are especially beneficial for gaming, video playback, and fast-paced tasks.
However, the ideal refresh rate depends on your usage needs, and device capabilities. While casual users may find 60Hz or 90Hz sufficient, gamers and professionals often require 120Hz or higher for enhanced responsiveness and clarity. Understanding refresh rates helps you make informed decisions when choosing a display, ensuring the best performance for your specific requirements.
