Refresh rate is the number of times per second a display updates its image, measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate produces smoother motion on screen.
Refresh rate is the frequency at which a display redraws its image, measured in Hertz (Hz). A 60 Hz display updates its image 60 times per second; a 120 Hz display, 120 times per second. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother on-screen motion appears because each individual frame persists for a shorter duration before being replaced.
**How refresh rate works technically:** When your GPU renders a frame, it sends pixel data to the display. The display holds that frame for a fixed duration (the refresh period) before the next frame arrives. At 60 Hz, each frame displays for ~16.67 milliseconds. At 120 Hz, each frame displays for ~8.33 milliseconds. Lower frame duration means less ghosting (motion blur) and less perceived stutter when scrolling or panning. LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) technology on modern phones allows variable refresh rates, dropping to 10–30 Hz on static content (saving battery) and ramping to 120 Hz during motion.
**Why it matters to buyers:** Scrolling feels buttery-smooth at 120 Hz compared to 60 Hz — web pages, app lists, and social media feeds are noticeably more fluid. Gaming benefits dramatically from higher refresh rates; competitive shooters at 144 Hz offer a reaction-time advantage because opponent movement updates 2.4× more frequently than at 60 Hz. However, the jump from 120 Hz to 144 Hz is marginal for most users; the 60→120 upgrade is the significant leap.
**What to look for:** - Smartphone: 90 Hz minimum for flagship feel, 120 Hz standard in 2024+, gaming phones up to 165 Hz - Gaming monitor: 144 Hz baseline, competitive games benefit from 240+ Hz - Laptop/tablet: 60 Hz budget, 120 Hz comfortable, 165 Hz premium - Adaptive refresh is crucial — fixed 120 Hz drains 25% more battery than 60 Hz, but adaptive LTPO adds only ~5% overhead
Real-world 2026 examples: iPhone 15 Pro maxes at 120 Hz adaptive, Galaxy S24 Ultra reaches 144 Hz adaptive, gaming phones like ROG Phone 8 Pro hit 165 Hz fixed. Competitive esports monitors (BenQ, ASUS) offer 360 Hz for ultra-low latency gaming. Most offices and budget phones remain at 60 Hz.