60 Hz, 90 Hz or 120 Hz: does refresh rate matter for mobile gaming?

Refresh rate matters for mobile gaming, but only when the game itself can run at more than 60 frames per second. A 90 Hz or 120 Hz screen can show smoother motion and feel more responsive, yet 120Hz gaming only pays off if the game supports a high frame rate and your phone can hold it without overheating. Otherwise a 60 Hz screen shows the same picture.

Refresh rate and frame rate, defined

Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen redraws, measured in hertz (Hz). A 120 Hz screen redraws 120 times a second.
Frame rate is how many new pictures per second the game produces, measured in frames per second (fps).

The screen can only show new frames as fast as the game makes them. If a game produces 60 fps, a 120 Hz screen simply shows each frame twice. You get no extra smoothness.

What a higher refresh rate gives you

When the game can keep up, a higher refresh rate brings real benefits:

Smoother motion. Fast camera turns and moving objects look less jerky.
Shorter time between frames. At 60 Hz, a new frame can appear about every 16.7 ms. At 90 Hz, about every 11.1 ms. At 120 Hz, about every 8.3 ms. That means what you see is a little more up to date.
A more responsive feel. Combined with a fast touch response, controls can feel tighter.

These gains are most noticeable in fast games, like shooters and racing games, and less so in slow strategy or puzzle games.

When 120Hz gaming does not help

A high refresh rate gives little or nothing when:

The game is capped at 60 fps. Many games limit frame rate, either on all phones or on certain models.
Your phone cannot reach the frame rate. If a game only manages 45 fps on your phone, a 120 Hz screen will not change that.
The phone is throttling. As it heats up, frame rate drops, and the extra refresh rate goes unused.
Battery saver is on. Many phones cap the refresh rate at 60 Hz in power-saving mode. See why you should turn off battery saver before gaming.
The screen setting is on standard. Some phones ship with the high refresh rate turned off.

The cost: battery and heat

A higher refresh rate uses more power, because the screen and graphics chip both work harder. That means more battery drain and more heat, which can bring on thermal throttling sooner. For long sessions on a mid-range phone, a steady 60 fps can feel better than a 90 or 120 fps that drops halfway through.

How to set it up for games

Check your phone's display settings. On most phones, open Settings and search for "Refresh rate" or "Motion smoothness". Choose the highest option, or an adaptive option that raises the rate when needed.
Check the game's settings. Look for a frame rate option under Graphics. Choose a higher setting only if the phone holds it steadily.
Confirm what you are getting. Phones with adaptive refresh rate may drop to 60 Hz in some apps. Our post on how to check your phone's real refresh rate shows how.
Watch the temperature. If the phone heats up fast at the highest frame rate, try one step lower.

90 Hz vs 120 Hz

Most players notice the jump from 60 Hz to 90 Hz more than the jump from 90 Hz to 120 Hz. Both are smoother than 60 Hz when the game supports them. If your phone has 90 Hz and the game supports 90 fps, you already get most of what 120Hz gaming promises.

Refresh rate is not touch sampling rate

Phones also list a touch sampling rate, which is how often the screen checks for your finger. It is a different number from the refresh rate, and it affects how quickly taps register rather than how smooth motion looks. If controls feel slow, our guide to touch response settings is the place to look.

Should you buy a phone for 120Hz gaming?

If you mostly play fast competitive games that support high frame rates, a phone with a high refresh rate and good cooling can be worth it. If you mostly play games that are capped at 60 fps, a high refresh rate screen will help scrolling and everyday use more than gaming. Check the frame rate options in the games you play before deciding.

How CyberBoost shows your refresh rate

CyberBoost shows the display's current refresh rate on its live HUD while you play, so you can see whether the screen is really at 90 Hz or 120 Hz or has dropped to 60 Hz. It does not measure or change a game's frame rate. Its pre-game checks include refresh rate, with a one-tap link to the display setting.

Frequently asked questions

Does 120 Hz increase FPS in games?

No. The game decides its frame rate. A 120 Hz screen can only display up to 120 frames per second if the game produces them.

Why does my 120 Hz phone show 60 Hz in games?

The phone may be using an adaptive mode, battery saver may be capping it, or the game may request 60 Hz. Check display and battery settings first.

Does high refresh rate drain the battery a lot?

It uses more power than 60 Hz, though the amount varies by phone. For long gaming sessions, the extra heat can matter as much as the battery.

Is 90 Hz good enough for gaming?

Yes, for most players. It is noticeably smoother than 60 Hz in games that support higher frame rates.