Screen refresh rate is one of the key parameters that affects the smooth display of content on smartphone. From 60 Hz to 144 Hz —the difference is noticeable to the naked eye: page scrolling, animations, and even simple gestures become more responsive. But not all users know that this setting can (and sometimes needs) to be changed manually.

In this article we will look at how to change the screen refresh rate on devices running Android - from budget Redmi to flagship Samsung Galaxy S24. You'll learn where to look for settings for different brands, what limitations may arise, and how to avoid common mistakes. And also - why a high frequency does not always mean a better experience and when you should return to standard 60 Hz.

Before you start setting up, check whether your smartphone supports dynamic frequency change. For example, Google Pixel 8 Pro automatically adapts to the content, and OnePlus 12 allows you to choose between fixed values. If there is no option in the menu, it means the hardware is limited 60 Hz.

What is the screen refresh rate and why change it

The refresh rate is measured in hertz (Hz) and shows how many times per second the screen updates the image. The higher the value, the smoother the picture. For example:

  • 📱 60 Hz is the standard for most budget smartphones. Enough for watching videos and surfing, but scrolling may seem “ragged.”
  • ⚡ 90 Hz is the gold standard for the mid-range segment. Noticeably smoother, but does not drain the battery as much as 120 Hz.
  • 🎮 120 Hz+ —an option for gamers and enthusiasts. Ideal for dynamic games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact), but reduces battery life by 15–25%.

It is worth changing the frequency in three cases:

  1. If you play mobile games - high frequency gives advantage in reaction.
  2. If it is important to you smoothness of the interface (for example, when using gestures frequently).
  3. If you want save battery power - reduction up to 60 Hz extends work by 10–30%.
📊 What refresh rate do you use?
60 Hz (enough)
90 Hz (balance)
120 Hz+ (maximum smoothness)
Automatic (LTPO)
I don’t know which one I have
⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones (for example Samsung Galaxy A54) forced switching on 120 Hz may cause overheating or image artifacts. If the screen starts to flicker, return to standard settings.

How to find the current screen refresh rate

Before changing anything, check the current value. You can do this in two ways:

Method 1: Through Android settings (for most devices)

Open Settings → Display. Look for items like:

  • 🔍 "Screen refresh rate" (Xiaomi, POCO, Realme)
  • 🔍 "Movement and gestures → Refresh rate" (Samsung One UI)
  • 🔍 "Display → Advanced settings" (Google Pixel)

If there is no such item, your smartphone only supports 60 Hz.

Method 2: Using third-party applications

Utilities like Display Info or DevCheck show the current frequency in real time. Download them from Google Play:

  1. Open the application and go to the tab "Display".
  2. Find the line "Refresh Rate" —the current value will be there.
  3. To check the dynamic frequency (LTPO), scroll the screen - the value should change.
Why does the application show 60 Hz, although the settings show 120 Hz?

This is normal! Many smartphones automatically reduce the frequency for static images (for example, when reading text) to save battery. Dynamic content (videos, games) will be displayed at the maximum frequency.

On devices with LTPO screens (for example, iPhone 13 Pro or Oppo Find X6) the frequency can fluctuate from 1 Hz to 120 Hz. Such displays independently adapt to the content, and it is impossible to manually change the settings.

The settings interface differs depending on the manufacturer. Below are the current paths for top brands (if your model is not on the list, look for similar menu items).

Brand Path to settings Available frequencies
Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO Settings → Display → Refresh rate screen 60 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz (depending on the model)
Samsung (One UI) Settings → Device care → Battery → Advanced → Refresh rate 60 Hz, 120 Hz (or "Adaptive")
Google Pixel Settings → Display → Screen refresh rate 60 Hz, 90 Hz (on Pixel 6 Pro+ - up to 120 Hz)
OnePlus/Oppo/Realme Settings → Display and brightness → Refresh rate 60 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz, 144 Hz
Huawei/Honor Settings → Display and wallpaper → Screen refresh rate 60 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz (on flagships)

☑️ Preparing to change the frequency

Done: 0 / 4

Features for Samsung Galaxy

On devices with One UI 5.0+ (for example, Galaxy S23), the option may be hidden. To find it:

  1. Open Settings → Device care → Battery.
  2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Advanced".
  3. Find "Screen refresh rate" and select the desired value.

On some models (for example, Galaxy A52), the option appears only after disabling the mode "Adaptive battery".

For smartphones with pure Android (Pixel, Motorola)

B Google Pixel 7/8 and Motorola Edge the easier way:

  1. Go to Settings → Display.
  2. Select "Screen refresh rate".
  3. Options: 60 Hz (battery saving) or 90 Hz (smoothness).

On Pixel 6 Pro and newer with Selecting "Adaptive" frequency will automatically decrease to 10 Hz when viewing static images, which significantly saves battery.

What to do if there is no option to change the frequency in the settings

If you do not find the item "Update frequency" in the menu, the reasons may be as follows:

  • 🔧 Your smartphone not hardware supports higher frequency 60 Hz (relevant for budget models like Samsung Galaxy A14 or Redmi 9A).
  • 🔋 Enabled energy saving mode —it blocks high frequencies.
  • 📦 Manufacturer hid the option in the firmware (often found on Chinese devices for the domestic market).
  • 🛠️ Installed custom firmwarewhich does not support dynamic frequency.

Solutions:

  1. Check the screen model via AIDA64 ("Display" tab). If indicated 60Hz —hardware limitations.
  2. Disable power saving in the battery settings.
  3. Update the firmware —sometimes the option appears after the update.
  4. Use ADB commands (only for advanced users!).
💡

On some smartphones (for example Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro), the frequency 120 Hz is available only with unlocked bootloader. Check this in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times).

⚠️ Attention: Changing frequency via ADB or the engineering menu (##4636##) may cause the screen to malfunction. If you are not sure, do not experiment!

How to enable 120 Hz or 144 Hz on unofficially supported devices

Some smartphones (for example, Realme GT Neo 2 or POCO F3) have hidden support for high frequencies, but the manufacturer does not activate it by default. You can enable it via ADB or engineering menu.

Method 1: Via ADB (for advanced users)

Required:

  • 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB drivers.
  • 📱 Enabled USB debugging on the smartphone.
  • 🔌 Cable USB-Type C (preferably original).

Instructions:

  1. Connect your smartphone to the PC and open command line (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux).
  2. Enter the command to check the connection: 
    adb devices

    The serial number of the device should appear.

  3. Set the desired frequency (for example, 120 Hz): 
    adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 120
  4. Reboot your smartphone.

To return 60 Hz, use: 

adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 60

Method 2: Through the engineering menu (risky!)

This method works on devices with processors Qualcomm Snapdragon:

  1. Open dialer and enter: 
    ##36446337##
  2. Go to the tab "Display".
  3. Find the parameter "Refresh Rate" and set the desired value.
  4. Save the settings and reboot the device.
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect settings in the engineering menu can lead to loss of warranty or screen breakdownFor example, POCO X3 NFC forced. turning on 144 Hz without support leads to artifacts when scrolling.
💡

If after the changes the screen begins to flicker or stripes appear, immediately return to standard settings and restart the smartphone.

How the refresh rate affects battery life and performance

High refresh rate is not only pros, but also cons. Let's look at how it affects key aspects of the smartphone's operation.

1. Battery life

The higher the frequency, the faster the battery discharges. Approximate losses:

  • 🔋 60 Hz → basic autonomy (100%).
  • ⚡ 90 Hz → –10–15% from the total operating time.
  • ⚡⚡ 120 Hz → –20–25% (at Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra - up to 30%).
  • ⚡⚡⚡ 144 Hz → –30–40% (relevant for ASUS ROG Phone).

On smartphones with LTPO displays (for example, iPhone 15 Pro or Oppo Find X7) losses are less due to dynamic adjustment.

2. devices

With prolonged use 120 Hz+ the processor and graphics chip work more intensely, which leads to:

  • 🌡️ An increase in temperature by 5–10°C (especially in games).
  • 🔄 Throttling — forced reduction of performance for cooling.

For example, OnePlus 10 Pro when 120 Hz in Genshin Impact heats up to 45°C, while on 60 Hz - up to 38°C.

3. Performance in games

In most mobile games (Call of Duty Mobile, Honor of Kings) high frequency gives an advantage:

  • 🎯 Smoother picture - easier to aim.
  • ⚡ Reduced input lag (delay between pressing and action).

However, some titles (for example, PUBG Mobile) limit FPS at the level 90, therefore 120 Hz will not give an increase.

Why does screen frequency not affect scores in benchmarks (AnTuTu, Geekbench)?

Performance tests measure processor and GPU power, not display smoothness. However, in real scenarios (games, scrolling) the difference is noticeable.

Optimal settings for different usage scenarios

There is no universal advice - it all depends on your tasks. Below are recommendations for specific situations.

Scenario Recommended frequency Why
Regular use (social networks, instant messengers) 60 Hz or Adaptive Saves battery without loss of comfort.
Watching videos (YouTube, Netflix) 60 Hz or 90 Hz Most videos were shot in 24–60 FPS, high frequency does not provide advantages.
Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact, COD Mobile) 90–120 Hz Smoothness is critical for response, but watch the heat.
Reading (books, articles) 60 Hz Static content does not require high frequency.
Multitasking (frequently changing applications) 90 Hz Interface animations become noticeably smoother.

On devices with LTPO (for example, Google Pixel 8 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra) it is better to leave "Adaptive mode" —the system itself will choose the optimal value.

💡

If you often switch between tasks, create quick settings widget for the screen frequency. On Xiaomi this is done through Settings → Notification panel → Add tile "Refresh frequency".

Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing the refresh rate, problems may occur. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

1. The screen flickers or artifacts appear

Causes:

  • 🔧 Incompatibility of the firmware with the selected frequency.
  • 🔌 Problems with the cable (if connected to the monitor via HDMI or USB-C).
  • 🛠️ Damage to the matrix (important after falls).

Solutions:

  1. Return the standard frequency and reboot the device.
  2. Update the firmware to the latest version.
  3. If the flickering remains, contact the service center.

2. battery

If after turning on 120 Hz the smartphone is discharged in 4-5 hours:

  • 🔋 Switch to 90 Hz or Adaptive mode.
  • 📵 Disable 5G i NFC —they additionally load the processor.
  • 🌙 Activate dark theme (on AMOLED screens saves up to 15% battery).

3. Applications do not support high frequencies.

Some apps (for example, TikTok or Instagram) limit FPS at 60. To make them work at 90/120 Hz:

  1. Enable developer mode (tap 7 times on the build number in Settings → About phone).
  2. Activate the option Force peak refresh rate (if available).
  3. Use ADB command: 
    adb shell settings put global force_high_refresh_for_all_apps 1
⚠️ Attention: Forcing high frequency on for all applications may cause overheating and accelerated dischargeDisable the option after testing.

4. Frequency is reset after reboot

If the settings are not saved:

  • 📲 Check does it reset them battery optimizer (disable for system applications).
  • 🔄 Update the firmware - in older versions there were bugs with saving settings.
  • 🛠️ Do reset settings (without deleting data) in Settings → System → Reset.
❓ Is it possible to enable 144 Hz on any smartphone?

No. The frequency depends on the hardware support screen. For example, ASUS ROG Phone 7 supports 165 Hz, but Samsung Galaxy A34 only 120 Hz. manufacturer's official website.

❓ Why did the option to change the frequency disappear after the Android update?

This could be a bug firmware. Try:

  1. Clear application cache "Settings" (Settings → Applications → Settings → Memory → Clear cache).
  2. Roll back to the previous software version (if available).
  3. Contact manufacturer support.
❓ Does the refresh rate affect the quality of the camera?

No, screen frequency and shooting quality are different things, however. (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) at 120 Hz can be observed lag in viewing photos due to the load on the processor.

❓ How to check if 120 Hz really works?

Use the smoothness test:

  1. Download the application Refresh Rate Test from Google Play.
  2. Run the test - an animation will appear on the screen indicating the current frequency.
  3. Compare with the declared value in the settings.

If the application shows 60 Hzdespite the settings, it means that the smartphone does not support the selected value.

❓ Is it worth buying a smartphone with 144 Hz?

Depends on your tasks:

  • ✅ Yesif you are a gamer or often work with dynamic content.
  • ❌ No, if you use a smartphone for social networks, calls and reading, the difference between 90 Hz and 144 Hz will be invisible, and the battery will drain faster.

The optimal choice for most is 90–120 Hz with support LTPO (adaptive frequency).