Yes, but less than the marketing suggests. A 120Hz screen makes scrolling and menus look smoother and moving objects easier to follow, and it trims a few milliseconds off the delay between your swipe and what you see. In the game itself you only get that benefit if the game draws more than 60 frames per second. Many casual and 2D arcade games run at 60, and on those a 120Hz screen makes the menus smoother but not the gameplay.
Refresh rate, frame rate and touch sampling: what’s the difference? #
Phone makers blend three numbers together:
| Term | What it measures | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh rate (Hz) | How many times per second the screen redraws | Sets the upper limit on smoothness |
| Frame rate (fps) | How many new images the game produces per second | Decides what you actually see |
| Touch sampling rate (Hz) | How often the screen checks for your finger | Affects how quickly a tap registers |
The math is simple. At 60Hz the screen shows a new image every 16.7 milliseconds; at 120Hz, every 8.3 milliseconds. If a game renders 60 frames per second on a 120Hz screen, each frame is shown twice and the result looks the same as on a 60Hz screen.
Does 120Hz help in casual and arcade games? #
It depends on what you’re looking for.
Motion clarity: yes, if the game renders above 60 fps. Traffic sliding across the screen and logs drifting down a river look sharper with more frames in between, which makes speed and gaps easier to judge.
Reaction time: slightly. The best case is about 8 milliseconds saved per frame. Compare that with the few tens of milliseconds people gain by reacting to a sound instead of a sight, which we cover in does playing with sound help your score. It’s real, but small.
Menus and scrolling: always. The system interface and most app menus take advantage of 120Hz, so the phone feels smoother everywhere.
Our own game is a good example of the limit. Capybara Crossing runs its game loop about 60 times a second, so cars, trains and logs don’t gain extra in-between frames on a 120Hz screen. What decides your score there is timing and reading the lanes, and it plays the same on a 60Hz budget phone as on a flagship.
Which phones have a 120Hz screen? #
On iPhone, Apple’s adaptive refresh technology, ProMotion, goes up to 120Hz on the iPhone 13 Pro and later Pro models, and on every iPhone 17 model, including the standard iPhone 17 and the iPhone Air. Earlier non-Pro iPhones run at 60Hz.
On Android, 90Hz and 120Hz screens are common at almost every price point, including many budget phones. Check the display section of your phone’s spec sheet. A high refresh rate on a budget phone is still worth having for scrolling, even if its processor can’t hold 120 fps in demanding 3D games.
How do you turn on 120Hz? #
iPhone #
ProMotion works automatically, but two settings can cap it at 60Hz:
- Low Power Mode. While it’s on, iOS limits the screen to 60Hz to save battery.
- Limit Frame Rate. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and make sure Limit Frame Rate is off.
Android #
The setting’s name depends on the manufacturer:
- Samsung: Settings > Display > Motion smoothness, then choose Adaptive or High.
- Google Pixel: look for Smooth Display in the display settings.
- Other brands: look for Refresh rate, Screen refresh rate or a similar option under Display.
To see the current refresh rate as you play, many Android phones offer a “Show refresh rate” overlay in Developer options.
Is 120Hz worth the battery cost? #
Usually, for everyday use. Higher refresh rates use more power, but adaptive panels save a lot by dropping the rate when nothing on screen is moving. The iPhone 17’s screen can drop as low as 1Hz, which is also what makes its always-on display possible.
Gaming is where the cost shows. A game rendering at high frame rates keeps the screen and processor busy, which means more heat and a faster-draining battery. If a phone gets too warm, it may cut the refresh rate or frame rate to cool down, which is why games sometimes feel smooth at first and then stutter. For a long trip, Low Power Mode or your Android battery saver trades smoothness for hours of play. Our guide to stopping games from draining your battery has more tips.
What matters more than 120Hz in casual games? #
For tap-and-swipe games, these usually make a bigger difference than refresh rate:
- Touch responsiveness. A cracked or badly fitted screen protector, or a phone running hot, can make taps feel laggy. See how to fix touch screen lag in Android games.
- Screen size. A bigger screen shows gaps in traffic more clearly. We compare playing arcade games on a tablet or a phone.
- Sound and haptics. Hearing and feeling each hop confirm your input faster than watching for it.
- A steady grip. Playing one-handed in portrait with your thumb resting near the middle of the screen reduces missed swipes.
Frequently asked questions #
Does a 120Hz display drain your battery faster? #
Yes, somewhat, especially in games that render at high frame rates. Adaptive displays reduce the cost by lowering the refresh rate whenever the screen is static, so everyday use is affected less than gaming.
Can a budget phone run casual games at 120Hz? #
Many budget Android phones have 120Hz screens, and simple 2D games may run at high frame rates on them. Demanding 3D games often can’t hold 120 fps on budget processors and will drop frames or run hot.
Why does my phone drop back to 60Hz while gaming? #
Usually because of heat or a power-saving mode. Phones cut the refresh rate to cool down or save battery, and on iPhone, Low Power Mode always caps it at 60Hz. Some games also lock themselves to 60 fps.
Will 120Hz improve my high score? #
Only a little, and only in games that render above 60 fps. Practice, timing and knowing a game’s patterns matter far more than the extra frames.