Refresh rates impact the games and videos running on everyone’s phone. Regarding their entertainment value, a high refresh rate phone lets you enjoy better gaming performance and video quality.
Understanding the effects of refresh rate and the benefits of higher rates on phones are discussed in detail below:
What Is a High Refresh Rate?
Your phone’s refresh rate is the count of times a screen refreshes per second measured in Hertz (Hz). Standard cellphones have a 60Hz frame rate or a refresh rate of 60 times per second. What is a high refresh rate phone or its difference from standard ones? These phones can achieve a refresh rate of 90Hz, 120Hz, or even 144Hz. Higher frame rates improve visuals, lessen motion blur, and provide a more fluid experience for videos and gaming.
Comparison Between Different Refresh Rate Specifications
The standard is a 60Hz refresh rate, offering standard gaming and video performance. Being the lowest would mean limitations to the refresh rates, like lag during rapid movements or transitions.
Moving up to 90Hz or 120Hz clearly improves performance, delivering smoother scrolling and improved responsiveness. You will notice the difference when playing fast-paced games where the controllable character or object moves at the same rate as your control movement.
At the high end is 144Hz, which pushes display fluidity to the next level with flawless visuals and controls. Videos will seem like real-life recordings, which is a new way of enjoying your favorite movies or shows. 120Hz and 144Hz can also achieve seamless controls, especially when playing games with high graphic settings.
Benefits of High Refresh Rates in Smartphones
While we have mentioned how higher refresh rates can elevate your entertainment experience, a 90Hz-144Hz smartphone has other advantages. Those advantages are discussed in detail below:
Smoother Scrolling and Navigation
Higher refresh rates create smooth on-screen motions. Scrolling through menus, browsers, social media, and other apps is enhanced in responsiveness. With a high refresh rate, you can scroll through your social media updates, find your target music, and go through a page faster.
Enhanced Gaming Performance
Higher refresh rates translate to improved reaction times and a more immersive gaming experience. This translates to better performance in competitive games where seconds matter when moving your characters or executing specific actions.
Improved Video Playback
Videos shot at high frame rates look noticeably better on 90Hz phones. You will notice this when watching sports games or recordings with high-paced action scenes. There are nearly no motion blurs where you cannot see the details on your screen.
More Responsive Touch Input
Additionally, high refresh rates enhance touch responsiveness. The screen's faster registration of touch inputs as it updates more often results in more accurate and instantaneous responses when typing, swiping, or interacting with apps.
A 90Hz phone allows you to type and control mobile apps faster. The lag associated with 60Hz smartphones is no longer noticeable with higher refresh rates. A 144Hz device lets you complete your messages, zoom in on an image, or draw shapes in real time.
Reduced Eye Strain
60Hz phones have a flickering effect on the screen, causing your eyes to adjust constantly. Higher refresh rate phones remove the flicker effect to lessen the strain on your eyes. This benefit can help you work on your phone for longer periods.
Should You Buy a High Refresh Rate Phone?
Your needs and smartphone use will determine whether or not you should purchase a high-refresh-rate phone. Heavy users or those who use their phone for a long time for work or leisure reasons benefit the most from the refresh rate. You can create messages, control presentations, or edit videos with ease. For gaming, players have full control of their character and can see the screen with incredible clarity.
Casual users can also take advantage of the higher refresh rates. You can enjoy their favorite videos without the motion blur and eye strain. You can even go through websites or blogs with a responsive scrolling control.
What to Consider When Choosing High Refresh Rate Phones?
When purchasing a high refresh rate device, there are several factors that lets you take advantage of a 90Hz-144Hz screen. Below are several considerations to take when buying a new phone.
Display Quality
You want a phone with a larger screen that provides Full High Definition (FHD) resolution. This resolution gives you better details on the screen and incredible color accuracy. Combining FHD with a higher refresh rate lets you enjoy your games or videos fully. A great example is Meizu Note 21, which has a 90Hz refresh rate and a 6.74” FHD screen.
Price
Higher refresh rate phones fetch a premium price. If you want a high refresh rate at a low cost, look for phones with 90Hz displays. However, you can also consider phones with the highest possible rate of 144Hz if you are willing to get the best experience regardless of the phone’s price.
Processor Power
Higher refresh rates require phones with better processing power. Look for phones that use the latest processors with speeds of around 2.0GHz to 2.5GHz. A good processing power lets you play high-end mobile games or utilize resource-heavy apps with less lag.
Battery Life
A higher refresh rate uses more charge from your phone due to increased processing power usage. You want a device with a larger battery capacity to enjoy 90Hz-144Hz rates for a long time. Another option for this consideration is to find phones that let you switch refresh rates and save power when using your phone for casual tasks.
Conclusion
Devices that can achieve 90Hz refresh rate or higher offer a better viewing and control experience. A high refresh rate phone lets you enjoy movies and games without motion blur while improving your control for every application. Factoring in the various buying factors can help you find the right phone for your work or entertainment usage.
FAQs
What is a good refresh rate for a phone?
60Hz is the standard refresh rate for all phones, enough for casual activities like watching online videos or reading social media posts. However, for a fully immersive entertainment experience, you want a rate of at least 90Hz or higher. With higher refresh rates, you can enjoy smoother and more detailed motions in your games and movies.
Is a 120Hz refresh rate good?
A 120Hz refresh rate is regarded as outstanding since it is twice the normal output of 60Hz. It dramatically improves the smoothness of scrolling, navigation, and general user experience. This is beneficial for business usage such as sending messages faster and efficiently. Fast-paced games are more fun for players since 120Hz displays lessen motion blur and boost responsiveness.
How does a high refresh rate affect gaming and video playback?
Higher refresh rates of 90Hz—144Hz give players a competitive edge. With better frame rates, they can move their characters, look around their environment, and perform various in-game actions efficiently. On the other hand, watching shows, movies, or any video shot with high-speed cameras is an immersive experience with higher frame rates.
Does high refresh rate damage screen?
A high refresh rate does not damage the screen itself. The concern likely stems from how the faster frame rate affects the liquid crystal on your phone screen. Fortunately, the rate at which your screen refreshes has no effect on its lifespan. You are free to enjoy 144Hz movies or games without worrying about artifacts on your phone’s display.