What is refresh rate and how does it affect the image?
The screen refresh rate indicates how many times per second the displayed image is refreshed; the unit of measurement is hertz (Hz). A 60 Hz screen refreshes the frame 60 times per second, while a 120 Hz screen refreshes it 120 times. The shorter the interval between refreshes (e.g., ~8.3 ms at 120 Hz), the faster the information changes on the screen, resulting in less noticeable motion blur. This is particularly evident in fast-paced games or when watching sports. LCD and OLED screens do not have the classic CRT “flicker,” but the refresh rate still defines the maximum possible frame rate (FPS) that the screen can display and affects motion smoothness and input lag.
Common Hz sizes and what they mean in practice
60 Hz
The classic standard for many devices. Perfect for browsing, documents, movies, and everyday tasks, but fast motion may appear more “stuttered,” and response in games may feel slower than at higher frequencies.
90 Hz
A common choice in mid-range phones. Compared to 60 Hz, scrolling, animations, and interface effects are noticeably smoother, although power consumption increases. 90 Hz is rare in monitors – it is more of a mobile screen territory.
120 Hz
A broad standard in flagship phones, tablets, and monitors. A refresh rate that is twice as frequent as 60 Hz ensures extremely smooth motion. Since movies are typically 24 fps, 120 Hz allows for displaying 24p in a “5:5” principle (each frame is repeated five times) without the judder effect. PCs and consoles are increasingly reaching 120 fps, making such a screen a great investment for gaming and high-definition content.
144 Hz
The benchmark for gamers. Reduces input lag and further smooths motion if you reach ~144 fps. Often costs similarly to 120 Hz models but provides additional smoothness in competitive games.
240 Hz and above
Designed for e-sports professionals and the most demanding gamers. A ~4.2 ms refresh interval helps minimize motion blur and lag, but it also requires a very powerful system (240–360 fps). For everyday users, the jump from 144 Hz may be less noticeable.
360 Hz and above
High-end gaming monitors (~2.8 ms per refresh). Relevant only for professionals – the advantage for everyday tasks or movies is minimal.
Refresh rate in different devices
Smartphones
Most modern phones offer 60, 90, or 120 Hz. High-end models (“Samsung Galaxy,” “OnePlus,” “Xiaomi,” “iPhone Pro”) use LTPO technology, allowing dynamic frequency adjustment: statically – up to 10 Hz or even 1 Hz, and in active scenes – up to 120 Hz. This achieves a balance between smoothness and battery life. A fixed 120 Hz typically consumes more power than 60 Hz, making adaptive modes a smarter choice.
Televisions
TVs usually support 60 or 120 Hz (older ones in Europe – 50/100 Hz). 120 Hz is particularly suitable for 24 fps films – it can apply “5:5” without 3:2 “pulldown” judder. Motion “interpolation” by TV manufacturers is not the same as natural Hz – it is software-generated intermediate frames (the so-called “soap-opera” effect). For gamers with PS5/Xbox Series X, a 120 Hz screen with HDMI 2.1 VRR is recommended – it reduces input lag and eliminates “screen tearing.”
Tablets
Trends are similar to phones: high-end models (e.g., “iPad Pro” with ProMotion) offer 120 Hz and adaptive adjustment. A larger screen and battery allow for a smoother experience in creative applications and games, but the energy demand also increases – hence LTPO and VRR are very useful here.
Computer Monitors
For office tasks, 60–75 Hz is usually sufficient. The gaming and “high-performance” segment moves into the 144/165/240/360 Hz range. Variable frequency standards (VESA AdaptiveSync/DisplayPort, HDMI VRR), “NVIDIA G-Sync,” and “AMD FreeSync” eliminate tearing and stuttering and reduce lag. For professionals (design, video), color accuracy, contrast, and resolution are most important; when working with moving images, a higher Hz allows for more accurate assessment of frame transitions.
From LTPO to PWM: what you should know
LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide)
Allows for a wide range of refresh rate adjustments – from very low (1–10 Hz) for static frames to 120–144 Hz for dynamic actions. The result is maximum smoothness when needed and better energy efficiency when the image is static.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR, Adaptive Sync)
The display adapts to the FPS sent by the graphics card: instead of fixed 60/120 Hz, the monitor synchronizes with the actual frame flow. This reduces “screen tearing” and “stuttering,” and in games, it reduces input lag. In the TV world, this is enabled by HDMI 2.1 VRR, while in monitors, it is VESA AdaptiveSync, etc.
G-Sync and FreeSync
Both technologies aim for the same goal – to synchronize the display frequency with the GPU output. “NVIDIA G-Sync” traditionally relies on a special module (which is why monitors are more expensive), but offers extremely stable performance; “G-Sync Compatible” marks compatible models without the module. “AMD FreeSync” is based on the VESA Adaptive-Sync standard and is often cheaper. The choice is usually associated with the available graphics card and the specific monitor’s implementation.
Motion Smoothness and Pixel Response Time
A higher Hz reduces motion “staircasing” and blurring, but that is not enough if pixels change state slowly. A monitor can be 144 Hz, but with ~10 ms transitions, you will see “ghosting.” The optimal combination is high Hz and short response time (1–5 ms).
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) and Eye Comfort
Some screens adjust brightness using PWM (rapidly turning the backlight on/off). A low PWM frequency (~100–200 Hz) can cause discomfort for sensitive individuals; modern screens use DC dimming or very high-frequency PWM to make flickering practically unnoticeable even at low brightness.
Battery Life
The more frequently the image is refreshed, the more energy is consumed. A phone or laptop in 120 Hz mode typically shortens operating time compared to 60 Hz. Therefore, LTPO and VRR are practical ways to automatically reduce Hz when nothing is happening and instantly raise it when you start interacting.
Which frequency is best suited for whom?
For Gamers
For PC/consoles, an optimal start is 120–144 Hz. For e-sports or highly competitive games, choose 240–360 Hz. For consoles (PS5/Xbox Series X), 120 Hz with VRR support is very beneficial. For mobile gaming, a 90–120 Hz phone (some “gaming” models offer 165–240 Hz).
For Movie and Video Content Enthusiasts
For 24 fps content, a 120 Hz screen/TV allows for natural playback (“5:5” without 3:2 “pulldown”). If you mostly watch 30–60 fps broadcasts, the benefit is lower, but 120 Hz still helps reduce visible stutters. It is preferable to have VRR or native 24p support.
For Everyday Users
For everyday tasks (browsing, text, office), 60–75 Hz is sufficient. Brightness, colors, resolution, and diagonal size will be more important for many. 90/120 Hz provides smoother scrolling and a “smoother” interface, but if battery life is a priority, choose a lower or adaptive frequency.
For Professionals
For designers and photographers, color accuracy, contrast, and resolution are more important than Hz itself. For video creators and animators, 120 Hz (and above) allows for clearer assessment of motion transitions and reduces unwanted blurring during editing.
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