For a practical balance, use your phone’s adaptive refresh option if it offers one: the display can increase its refresh rate when smoother motion is useful and reduce it in other conditions. If battery runtime matters more than smooth scrolling, choose a lower or standard rate instead. The setting depends on the phone: look for Motion smoothness on supported Samsung Galaxy devices, Smooth Display on Pixel phones, or Limit Frame Rate on iPhones with ProMotion.
There is no single best setting for every phone or routine. Adaptive is a sensible first choice if you want high-refresh behavior without pinning the screen at its highest rate. Standard, turning off Smooth Display, or applying a 60 fps cap makes more sense when conserving battery takes priority. These controls work differently across brands, so use the option your device actually offers and do not expect a specific number of extra hours from changing it.
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What changing the refresh rate does
A display’s refresh rate is how often it can update the image, measured in hertz (Hz). A higher rate can make scrolling, animations and supported games look and feel smoother. It does not mean every app or video is producing that many new frames each second; the result depends on the content and the phone’s hardware and software.
Think of refresh rate as a ceiling or rhythm for display updates, not a promise that every activity will look different. A faster setting can be most noticeable while moving through menus, scrolling or watching supported animations. When the content is static, the benefit of keeping a high rate may be less apparent. Adaptive modes are intended to vary the rate with the situation, although the exact behavior depends on the phone.
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There is a trade-off: refreshing the screen more often requires more power. Samsung explicitly notes that higher refresh frequency uses more battery, and describes its 60 Hz Standard mode as the option for best battery life. That does not translate into a dependable number of extra minutes or hours for every phone. The official guidance cited here gives no universal battery-savings percentage, and actual runtime also varies with factors such as brightness, apps, network conditions, battery age and device-specific display behavior.
Refresh settings also differ by device. Some phones let you choose a fixed rate, some adjust it automatically, and Apple’s documented ProMotion control caps the maximum rather than offering a menu of several rates. Use the choices your own Settings menu provides; do not assume every phone has a 120 Hz option.
Choose the setting that fits your priority
| Setting or approach | What it does | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive or automatic | Changes the refresh rate dynamically, within the capabilities of the device. Samsung describes Adaptive as adjusting up to the phone’s supported maximum; Android’s adaptive refresh-rate behavior can use touch boosts and higher rates for animations on supported devices. | You want smoother motion when it helps without keeping the display at its highest rate all the time. |
| Standard or lower fixed rate | Keeps the display at a lower rate. Samsung’s Standard mode is 60 Hz and is described as providing the best battery life. | Battery runtime matters more than the smoothest scrolling or animations. |
| Higher fixed rate | Uses a higher fixed rate where the phone offers it. Samsung says its High mode uses more battery; the maximum varies by model. | You prefer consistently smoother motion and accept the additional power use. |
| 60 fps cap on a ProMotion iPhone | Limits the maximum display frame rate to 60 frames per second. This is a cap, not a choice among several refresh-rate levels. | You want to limit the maximum on a supported iPhone without selecting a lower rate from a multi-option menu. |
| Low Power Mode on a ProMotion iPhone | Limits the display refresh rate to 60 frames per second, while also changing other power behavior. | You want broader power-saving behavior, not only a refresh-rate adjustment. |
Adaptive does not mean the display will always run at the lowest possible rate, nor does it promise a particular battery result. Its behavior depends on the phone, software and content. Treat it as a sensible middle-ground starting point, then choose Standard, turn off Smooth Display, or apply a cap if you would rather prioritize battery use.
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- Choose adaptive if you value smoother motion but do not need the display fixed at its maximum. On supported Android devices, adaptive refresh-rate behavior may use a touch boost or a higher rate for animations. That describes platform behavior, not a guarantee that every Android phone implements the same feature in the same way.
- Choose a lower or standard option if battery runtime is the stronger priority and you are comfortable with less-smooth motion. Samsung identifies Standard at 60 Hz as its best-battery mode. Pixel’s documented battery guidance recommends turning Smooth Display off as a way to reduce battery use.
- Choose a higher fixed option only if your phone offers it and you prefer consistently smooth motion enough to accept the added power use. Samsung says High uses more battery; the available maximum differs by Galaxy model.
- Use an iPhone cap or Low Power Mode for different goals. Limit Frame Rate is the documented refresh-rate cap on ProMotion iPhones. Low Power Mode also limits the display refresh rate to 60 frames per second, but affects other power behavior too.
These choices are not perfectly interchangeable. A Galaxy mode may be a selectable refresh behavior, Pixel’s control is described as turning Smooth Display on or off, and Apple’s control is a 60 fps maximum. Compare the result you want, not just the labels.
Change the setting on a Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings.
- Search Settings for Motion smoothness and open the result. The exact menu location can vary, so searching is a direct way to find the control.
- Choose the mode offered by your phone:
- Standard is 60 Hz in Samsung’s US support guidance and is described there as providing the best battery life.
- High uses a higher fixed refresh rate on supported models. The maximum depends on the device, and Samsung says this mode uses more battery.
- Adaptive dynamically adjusts the screen refresh rate up to the phone’s supported maximum. Samsung’s US guidance describes the maximum as up to 120 Hz for supported devices, not as a universal capability of every Galaxy.
- Return to the display and use it normally. If battery runtime is your priority, choose Standard; if you want a middle ground and Adaptive is available, try it before deciding whether a fixed mode suits you better.
Samsung’s wording describes Adaptive as dynamically adjusting the screen refresh rate, up to 120 Hz. That is a maximum for supported devices, not a statement that every Galaxy reaches 120 Hz or stays there. Some models provide different modes or limits, so the options on your screen take precedence over a general description.
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Galaxy menus can offer different modes or limits depending on the model. Samsung also notes that some combinations of display resolution and power-saving mode can constrain the available refresh setting. Follow the options actually shown on your device rather than treating a support-page maximum as a promise about your model. If a mode is absent, check whether another resolution or power-saving choice is affecting what is offered, then consult the support instructions for your specific device if needed.
For a simple comparison, select Adaptive if available and notice whether motion feels smooth enough in your everyday use. If you prefer battery conservation over that effect, return to Motion smoothness and choose Standard. If you want a consistently higher rate, High may suit you, but Samsung explicitly warns that it uses more battery. There is no official universal percentage to apply to this choice.
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Change the setting on a Google Pixel
- Open Settings.
- Search for Smooth Display.
- Turn Smooth Display off to use the display change Google lists as a way to reduce battery use.
Google’s battery guidance covers Pixel 4 and later, including Pixel Fold. The official guidance cited here identifies turning off Smooth Display as a battery-saving display change but does not provide a full navigation path or a set of user-selectable fixed rates. Search the setting name on your phone rather than assuming a particular menu route or that every Pixel exposes the same choices.
If smooth motion matters more than conserving battery, leave Smooth Display enabled if your Pixel offers it. If runtime is the priority, turn it off and use the phone as usual. The setting is a feature switch in the documented guidance, not an instruction to select a particular fixed Hz value. Do not infer that turning it off sets every Pixel to a specific refresh rate unless your device itself shows that information.
Limit the refresh rate on an iPhone with ProMotion
Use Limit Frame Rate
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Motion.
- Turn on Limit Frame Rate.
On iPhone models with ProMotion, Apple says this setting limits the maximum display frame rate to 60 frames per second. It is a ceiling, not a selector for choosing among several refresh-rate values. Apple documents this option for ProMotion models; do not assume it appears on every iPhone.
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This is the more targeted choice when your goal is to limit the maximum display frame rate without switching on a broader battery mode. Turning on the cap does not provide several intermediate settings; the documented limit is 60 frames per second. If you decide that the cap makes motion less smooth than you prefer, return to the same Motion control and turn it off.
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- On iPhone 15 and later, open Settings > Battery > Power Mode and turn on Low Power Mode.
- On iPhone 14 and earlier, open Settings > Battery and turn on Low Power Mode.
Apple says Low Power Mode limits the display refresh rate to 60 frames per second on iPhone models with ProMotion. It also changes other power behavior, so use Limit Frame Rate when you want the documented refresh-rate cap itself, and Low Power Mode when you want the wider battery-saving mode.
The paths differ by iPhone generation: on iPhone 15 and later the control is within Battery’s Power Mode screen, while on iPhone 14 and earlier it is directly under Battery. If you cannot find the same menu, verify the device generation and use the Settings labels available on your phone. Neither option should be described as a multi-step refresh-rate picker: Limit Frame Rate is a cap, and Low Power Mode is a broader mode that includes that cap on ProMotion models.
Why the same setting may not appear on every phone
- Model support varies. A setting name or maximum shown for one device does not establish that another model supports it. Available refresh modes and maximum rates vary by hardware.
- Software can affect what is offered. Menu wording and available options depend on the model and software version. If a path differs, search Settings for the exact control name used by the manufacturer.
- Other display or power settings can constrain the choice. Samsung notes that some resolution and power-saving combinations can restrict refresh options. Check the choices after changing those settings rather than expecting all modes to remain available.
- The control may be a switch or a cap, not a rate picker. Pixel’s Smooth Display is a feature to turn off, while Apple’s Limit Frame Rate caps the maximum at 60 fps on supported ProMotion models. Those controls are not equivalent to selecting a fixed rate from a list.
If the named setting does not appear after searching, the supported guidance does not establish that a hidden equivalent is available for your model. Use the options shown by your phone rather than trying to force a refresh rate through an unrelated setting.
Also separate the stated maximum from the mode’s everyday behavior. Samsung’s Adaptive description says the rate can adjust up to 120 Hz on supported devices; it does not mean that every device has that maximum or that the display remains there continuously. Android Developers describes adaptive refresh rate on supported devices as including touch boosts and higher rates for animations. Neither description makes the same promise for every phone from every brand.
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How to tell whether the trade-off suits you
Start with the setting aligned to your priority, then assess the phone in your ordinary routine. If you chose adaptive, pay attention to whether scrolling and animations feel smooth enough while battery runtime meets your needs. If you chose a lower rate or cap, check whether the change in motion is acceptable. These are practical comparisons, not a controlled battery test: usage, brightness, network conditions, battery age and the phone’s own display behavior can all affect runtime.
For a fair personal comparison, keep the rest of your routine as similar as practical while you use one setting and then another. Notice two separate things: whether motion feels different in the activities you care about, and whether the phone’s runtime is satisfactory for your needs. This is not a lab measurement, and changes in apps, brightness, network conditions or other use can affect what you observe. Avoid attributing an apparent difference to refresh rate alone when those conditions also changed.
If the display feels less smooth than you prefer, return to the same control and restore Adaptive, enable Smooth Display, or turn off the cap, depending on your device. If runtime remains a concern, a lower refresh option is a reasonable place to start, but no setting guarantees a fixed improvement in hours or percentage. The official guidance cited for these devices describes the trade-off qualitatively rather than publishing a comparable battery-life measurement.
Keep expectations tied to what each manufacturer states. Samsung gives 60 Hz for Standard and says High uses more battery; its Adaptive option changes dynamically up to the supported maximum. Google lists turning off Smooth Display among battery-reducing display changes for eligible Pixel phones. Apple describes a 60 frames-per-second cap for ProMotion iPhones through Limit Frame Rate or Low Power Mode. None of those statements supplies a comparable battery-hours figure across devices.
Official guidance
- Samsung Support (US), How to adjust refresh rate options on your Galaxy phone or tablet, describes Galaxy modes and notes that availability depends on device and settings.
- Samsung Support (New Zealand), How to set the display refresh rate on your Galaxy phone, explains that refreshing more times per second requires more battery power.
- Google Pixel battery help lists turning off Smooth Display as a display change that can reduce battery use for Pixel 4 and later, including Fold.
- Apple Support documents Limit Frame Rate under Accessibility > Motion and the refresh-rate effect of Low Power Mode on ProMotion iPhones.
- Android Developers describes adaptive refresh-rate behavior on supported devices, including touch boosts and higher rates for animations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a higher refresh rate use more battery?
It can. Samsung states that refreshing the screen more times per second requires more battery power and identifies Standard at 60 Hz as its best-battery mode. The amount of runtime difference depends on the device and how it is used; the official guidance here does not give a universal percentage or number of hours.
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Should I use adaptive refresh rate or 60 Hz?
Use adaptive if you want smoother motion when it is useful without fixing the display at its highest rate. Choose Standard or another lower option when battery runtime matters more. Samsung’s Standard mode is 60 Hz; names and choices vary by phone.
How do I make my Samsung Galaxy smoother without leaving it at its highest rate?
Open Settings and search for Motion smoothness. If offered, Adaptive dynamically adjusts the rate up to the device’s supported maximum. Samsung says the maximum differs by model, so do not assume every Galaxy supports 120 Hz.
How do I reduce refresh-related battery use on a Pixel?
Search Settings for Smooth Display and turn it off. Google lists this among display changes that can reduce battery use for Pixel 4 and later, including Pixel Fold. The exact menu route and available controls can vary.
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How do I limit refresh rate on an iPhone?
On a ProMotion iPhone, go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and turn on Limit Frame Rate. Apple says this caps the maximum display frame rate at 60 frames per second; it is not a choice among several rates.
Does Low Power Mode limit refresh rate on iPhone?
Apple says Low Power Mode limits the display refresh rate to 60 frames per second on ProMotion iPhone models. It also changes other power behavior, so it is broader than a refresh-rate-only setting.
Why can’t I find the same refresh-rate option shown in instructions?
Refresh controls and maximum rates vary by model and software. Search Settings for the manufacturer’s exact term—Motion smoothness, Smooth Display or Limit Frame Rate—and follow the modes your device actually offers. On Galaxy devices, some resolution and power-saving combinations can also constrain the available refresh setting.
Will switching to 60 Hz give me a specific number of extra hours?
There is no universal figure supported by the cited guidance. Runtime also depends on brightness, apps, network conditions, battery age and device-specific display behavior. Treat a lower rate as a reasonable battery-priority choice, not a guaranteed hours-saved result.
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For most people who want both smooth motion and reasonable battery use, start with Adaptive on a supported Galaxy or an available adaptive option on another phone. If battery runtime matters more, choose Galaxy Standard, turn off Pixel Smooth Display, or use the 60 fps cap on a ProMotion iPhone. Low Power Mode is the broader iPhone choice. Menu availability varies by model, and none of these settings guarantees a fixed battery-life gain.
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