Can’t stay away from 120Hz? Get insights into how it really plays out in battery efficiency.
The 120Hz refresh rate is here to stay and while it’s nice to have that smooth scrolling 24/7, many are frustrated with how it eats away the battery. So, we did some digging and found that it isn’t as bad as we thought.
Hype of higher refresh rates
Your smartphone’s display is made up of frames shown to you in quick succession. That succession is the refresh rate that updates visual content every second and is measured in hertz (Hz).
Today, the minimum refresh rate is 60Hz as many smartphones support 120Hz, thanks to newer chipsets. Even some entry-level models can give that super smooth experience.
Speaking of smoothness, 60Hz looks incredibly choppy and broken when compared side by side with 120Hz. You can see the big difference when scrolling social media feeds, App Drawer, Settings menu, and more.
But if you’re just watching a movie, your phone’s refresh rate won’t make the film any smoother. That’s because the content itself was shot at a specific rate, usually 24 frames per second.
Another edge of 120Hz over 60Hz is responsiveness. If you’re a gamer, 120Hz will give a competitive advantage over those who are playing at 60Hz.
Some powerful models can go beyond 120Hz. But that’s usually unlocked by specific game tools to give users a more responsive experience while playing. So, the 120Hz remains the highest average for typical use.
60Hz versus 120Hz
Super smooth and super responsive define the 120Hz experience and every user loves it! Are there any downsides? Yes, like these three:
- More processing, particularly the GPU.
- More heat, thanks to the hardworking GPU.
- More battery consumption, drawn by the GPU.
These are trades as expected. The GPU draws more power as it works a bit harder than usual, leading to higher battery consumption.
But hey, you bought that smartphone with 120Hz refresh rate for a reason! You’re allowed to use it as much as you want. A flagship or flagship killer must be used as intended.
Which saves more battery
Between 60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz, and dynamic refresh rate, which of these can conserve power better? The simple answer is 60Hz because it’s less taxing on the GPU.
If your smartphone supports higher refresh rates, it’s designed to handle that. The battery difference between 60Hz and 120Hz is not massive during normal usage, excluding other factors like brightness level.
If you play games at 120FPS, the battery drain will definitely be immense. Max out the texture, resolution, and frame rates will make the chipset work harder and consume more power.
If you’re an in-between user (casual use plus light gaming), dynamic refresh rate fits. It serves your needs based on what you’re doing and then saves power when the screen is locked.
Here’s a bit of something. The word “dynamic” means the GPU is like following you around whenever you launch an app. Going between apps that support and don’t support 120Hz will force the chipset to dial up and down like a madman.
The chipset doesn’t really mind but the extra effort during switching will increase battery consumption. This means a static 60Hz or 120Hz may consume less than dynamic refresh rate in this specific scenario.
Takeaway
You bought a powerful smartphone for a reason, so maximize it. Go crazy with 120Hz scrolling and 120FPS gaming. A handset with LTPO may even be better as it optimizes refresh rates based on the content displayed.
If there’s anything to worry about, it’s the temperature. A higher refresh rate translates to more GPU activity and more heat.
If you’re living in a cold region, this won’t be an issue at all. But in the tropics and other warmer areas, the smartphone can peak at 40℃ or higher.
Test it out by browsing and watching clips on social media apps at a 40% or higher brightness level for 30 minutes to an hour. Long threads and videos on Telegram can easily do that.
Quick counter? Enable Battery Saver and the refresh rate will drop to 60Hz, reducing power demands and heat.
