Set Phone Refresh Rate for Smooth Motion & Battery

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Adjusting your phone’s display refresh rate lets you balance buttery-smooth scrolling against battery drain. Most modern phones default to a high 120Hz or 90Hz mode, which looks great but uses more power. This guide shows you how to switch to a lower rate for longer battery life, or enable adaptive modes that automatically change the rate based on what you’re doing.

What You’ll Need

Your phone (Android or iPhone)
Access to the Settings app
Optional: a stopwatch or timer app to test the effect on battery

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Locate the Settings app on your home screen or app drawer. It usually looks like a gear icon.
Find the Display settings. Scroll down and tap “Display” (or “Display & Brightness” on iPhones). This menu controls screen-related options.
Look for “Refresh Rate” or “Motion Smoothness.” On many Android phones, you’ll see an option called “Refresh Rate” or “Motion Smoothness” inside Display settings. On iPhones, go to “Display & Brightness” and look for “ProMotion” (only on iPhone 13 Pro and later models).
Choose your preferred mode. You’ll typically see options like:
- Standard / 60Hz: Uses the least power. Good for basic tasks like reading or texting.
- High / 90Hz or 120Hz: Makes scrolling and animations look smoother. Uses more battery.
- Adaptive / Auto: The phone automatically switches between 60Hz and 120Hz based on what you’re doing. This is often the best balance.
Tap the mode you want. If you see “Adaptive” or “Auto,” choose that for a mix of smoothness and battery savings.
Confirm your choice. Some phones may ask you to confirm or may show a preview. Tap “Apply” or “OK” to save.
Test the difference. Scroll through a webpage or app to feel the smoothness. If you chose 60Hz, you’ll notice slightly less fluid motion but better battery life.
Monitor battery usage. After a day of use, check your battery stats (usually in Settings > Battery) to see if screen usage has decreased.

Common Mistakes

Not checking for an adaptive mode. Many people jump straight to 60Hz, missing the adaptive option that gives you the best of both worlds.
Forgetting that some apps override the setting. Games or video apps may force a higher refresh rate regardless of your system setting. This is normal and not a bug.
Assuming 90Hz is always better than 60Hz. The difference is subtle on smaller screens. If battery life is your priority, 60Hz is the way to go.
Ignoring other battery drains. Screen brightness and background apps often drain more battery than refresh rate. Don’t expect a miracle from this setting alone.

Tips

Use adaptive mode if available. It gives you smoothness when needed (like gaming) and saves battery when you’re just reading.
Set a lower refresh rate for overnight charging. If your phone allows scheduling, you can switch to 60Hz at night to reduce power draw.
Combine with lower brightness. Reducing screen brightness by 20-30% saves more battery than changing refresh rate.
Update your phone’s software. Manufacturers often improve refresh rate management in updates, so keep your OS current.

Troubleshooting

Can’t find the refresh rate option? Some budget phones don’t have this setting. Check your phone’s manual or search online for your specific model. If it’s not there, your screen is likely fixed at 60Hz.
The setting doesn’t stick after restart? Some phones reset to default after a reboot. Go back to Display settings and re-apply your choice.
Screen looks weird or flickers at 60Hz? Try restarting your phone. If it persists, switch back to a higher refresh rate and contact support.
Battery life didn’t improve? Check if you have many apps running in the background. Close unused apps and consider enabling battery saver mode for additional savings.
Adaptive mode isn’t working? Some apps may not support variable refresh rates. Try restarting the app or your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a higher refresh rate really drain battery?

Yes, a 120Hz screen can use up to 20-30% more battery than 60Hz, depending on usage. The extra power goes to driving the display more often.

What’s the difference between 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz?

Hz (hertz) is how many times the screen refreshes per second. 60Hz refreshes 60 times per second, 90Hz 90 times, and 120Hz 120 times. Higher numbers mean smoother motion but more power consumption.

Is adaptive refresh rate worth it?

Yes, for most people. It automatically lowers the rate for static content (like reading) and raises it for scrolling or gaming, giving you smoothness when you need it and battery savings when you don’t.

Can I set a custom refresh rate?

On most phones, no. You’re limited to the preset options (60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz, or adaptive). Some Android phones with developer options allow custom rates, but this can cause instability.

Will changing refresh rate affect app performance?

No, it only affects how the screen refreshes. Apps will run the same; they’ll just look slightly less smooth at 60Hz.

Does refresh rate affect gaming?

Yes, a higher refresh rate makes games feel more responsive. If you game on your phone, consider keeping 90Hz or 120Hz enabled while gaming, then switch to 60Hz for everyday use.

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