What Is Screen Refresh Rate (Hz)? Explained Simply
Some phones scroll like butter, others stutter. Often it comes down to a single number — the refresh rate, measured in hertz.
Refresh rate is how many times per second your screen redraws the image. It is measured in hertz (Hz): a 60 Hz screen refreshes 60 times a second, a 120 Hz one twice as often.
Why it matters
The more often the screen refreshes, the smoother motion looks. You notice it most when scrolling a feed, gaming or watching fast video — text stops smearing and animations feel softer. Move from 60 Hz to 120 Hz and everyday browsing instantly feels livelier.
The trade-off is power. A screen running constantly at 120 Hz can draw 20–30 % more battery than a 60 Hz panel.
What the numbers mean
- 60 Hz — the long-standing default. Perfectly fine for calls, messages and everyday use.
- 90 Hz — a middle ground, common on mid-range phones. Noticeably smoother than 60 Hz.
- 120 Hz — today's higher-end standard. The smoothest daily feel.
- 144 Hz and up — found on gaming phones; the real-world gain over 120 Hz is small.
LTPO — the best of both worlds
Pricier flagships use LTPO panels that change the rate automatically — from as low as 1 Hz on a still photo up to 120 Hz when scrolling. You get smoothness when you need it and battery savings when the image is static. Cheaper 120 Hz screens often jump between just two values (60 and 120 Hz) and save less.
What to look for when buying
A big number alone guarantees nothing. Check:
- whether the rate is adaptive (LTPO) or fixed;
- the lowest value the range drops to (1 Hz saves more than 60 Hz);
- whether the high rate works in every app or only in the system interface.
Tellingly, not every expensive phone offers a high rate. The base Apple iPhone 15 stayed at 60 Hz despite its premium price. The Google Pixel 9 reaches 120 Hz but only switches between 60 and 120 Hz. The Samsung Galaxy S24, meanwhile, uses a true adaptive 1–120 Hz LTPO panel. When picking a smartphone, look past the headline number to how cleverly it is managed.
