OnePlus Refresh Rate: How to Choose the Right One

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Choosing the right refresh rate on your OnePlus phone balances smooth scrolling against battery life. This guide walks you through the options available on current OnePlus models, explains what each setting does, and helps you pick the one that fits how you use your phone.

What You’ll Need

A OnePlus phone with a high refresh rate display (most models from the 7 Pro onward).
Battery level above 20% to avoid low-power mode interfering with settings.
Access to the Settings app (usually a gear icon on the home screen or in the app drawer).

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the gear icon, or find the Settings app in your app list.
Go to Display & Brightness. Scroll down and tap “Display & Brightness” (on some models it’s just “Display”).
Find the Screen Refresh Rate option. Look for “Screen refresh rate” or “Refresh rate” near the top of the display settings. On some OxygenOS versions, it may be under “Advanced” or “More settings.”
Tap the option. You’ll see a list of choices. Common options are:
- Standard (60Hz) – Uses the lowest refresh rate.
- High (90Hz) – A middle ground.
- Ultra high (120Hz) – The highest available on most OnePlus models.
- Auto select – The phone switches between 60Hz and 120Hz based on what you’re doing.
Choose your preferred mode. For most users, “Auto select” is the best balance. If you want maximum smoothness at all times, pick the highest refresh rate. If you prioritize battery life, choose “Standard.”
Confirm your selection. The screen will briefly flicker or adjust; that’s normal. Your choice is saved immediately.
Optional – Adjust per-app settings (if available). Some OnePlus models let you set refresh rate per app. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Screen refresh rate > “Per-app refresh rate” (or similar). Toggle which apps can use the high refresh rate.

Common Mistakes

Assuming 120Hz is always better. Higher refresh rates consume more battery. If you’re away from a charger, you might want to drop to 60Hz.
Ignoring auto mode. Auto select is smart; it uses 120Hz when you’re scrolling and drops to 60Hz for static content like reading an article. Forcing 120Hz all the time wastes battery with no visible benefit.
Not checking app compatibility. Some apps (like video players) may lock the refresh rate to 60Hz regardless of your setting. That’s normal and not a bug.
Forgetting to update. Older OxygenOS versions had bugs with refresh rate switching. Make sure your phone is updated to the latest software.

Tips

Use auto select as your default. It gives you the best of both worlds.
Turn on high refresh rate for gaming. If your OnePlus has a “Pro Gaming” mode or a per-app setting, enable 120Hz for games that support it to get smoother motion.
Adjust for battery emergencies. When your battery is low, switch to 60Hz temporarily to extend usage.
Check if your model supports 90Hz. Some OnePlus models (like the 7 Pro) max out at 90Hz, not 120Hz. The settings will only show what your hardware supports.
Use the refresh rate test in settings. Some OnePlus phones have a built-in test that shows a scrolling animation; you can visually compare 60Hz vs 120Hz.

Troubleshooting

The option is grayed out. This usually happens when battery saver mode is on. Turn off battery saver (Settings > Battery > Battery saver) and try again.
I don’t see the refresh rate option at all. Your phone might not have a high refresh rate display (older models like the OnePlus 6 or 6T don’t). Check your model number in Settings > About phone.
The screen flickers after changing the refresh rate. This is rare but can happen if the display driver glitches. Restart your phone. If it persists, try switching to a different refresh rate and back.
Auto select seems stuck at 60Hz. Some apps (like Google Maps) force 60Hz. That’s by design. If it happens everywhere, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Screen refresh rate and manually select “High” or “Ultra high” to test.
Battery drains faster after selecting 120Hz. That’s expected. If the drain is extreme, check for apps that keep the screen active (like navigation) and consider using auto select.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a higher refresh rate damage the screen?

No. Running at 120Hz does not physically damage the display. It just uses more battery because the screen refreshes more often.

Can I set different refresh rates for different apps?

On many OnePlus models, yes. Look for “Per-app refresh rate” in the display settings. If your model doesn’t have it, you can use auto select, which achieves a similar effect automatically.

Will 120Hz make my phone run faster?

It makes the UI feel faster and smoother, but it doesn’t increase processing speed. Apps will open at the same speed; scrolling and animations will look more fluid.

Does 60Hz save a lot of battery compared to 120Hz?

Yes, typically you can expect 10-20% better battery life with 60Hz, depending on usage. The exact difference varies by model and screen brightness.

Why does my OnePlus sometimes drop to 60Hz even when set to 120Hz?

This is normal. The phone may temporarily reduce the refresh rate to manage heat or when the screen is static. Some apps also force 60Hz. Auto select does this intentionally.

Is there a way to force 120Hz in all apps?

On some models, you can use Developer Options to force peak refresh rate. Go to Settings > About phone > tap “Build number” 7 times to enable Developer Options, then go to Settings > System > Developer options and enable “Force peak refresh rate.” This may cause more battery drain.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.