Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Reducing Android’s animation scales can make menus and transitions play faster, which may make an older phone feel more responsive. It changes the pace of visual animations—not the phone’s processing power—and it is not a general fix for every kind of lag.
Which setting can make Android feel less laggy?
The likely setting is Window animation scale or Transition animation scale, found in Developer options on many Android devices. Android’s developer documentation says a lower scale makes the corresponding animation play faster: “A lower scale results in a faster speed.” (Android Developers, updated October 1, 2026.)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
That can make moving between screens or opening and closing windows feel snappier. It does not show that the processor, storage, battery, or internet connection has become faster. The title does not identify the device or the exact control changed, so this is the setting most likely meant—not a verified account of a particular phone’s before-and-after performance.
Recommended Free Tools
How to find and adjust animation scales
- Open Settings and find Build number. On Pixel devices, Android’s guide places it under Settings > About phone. On recent Samsung Galaxy devices, the path is Settings > About phone > Software information. Other devices may use different names or locations.
- Enable Developer options, if needed. On Android 4.2 and later, tap Build number seven times, until the developer confirmation appears. Return to the previous screen.
- Open Developer options. Find Window animation scale and Transition animation scale. On devices following the documented layout, these appear in the Drawing section. The screen and available controls can vary by device and Android build.
- Try a lower scale and judge the feel. Lower values make the respective animations faster. There is no universally best value established by the documentation; choose one that feels comfortable, or restore the original setting if you prefer the default motion.
Some builds also expose Animator duration scale. AOSP’s Settings definitions describe its default as 1 and say that zero makes animator-based animations end immediately. That is a separate control from the two animation scales in Android’s guide, and device labels or availability may differ. (Android Open Source Project, Pie branch.)
#1 Best Overall
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
When animation changes are—and are not—the answer
Use the animation scales as a preference adjustment when the delay you notice is mainly the visual movement between screens, windows, or menus. Faster animation can make those transitions seem more immediate, but it does not establish that other slowdowns have been fixed.
If apps take a long time to launch, the phone freezes, internet use is slow, or the whole device remains unresponsive, changing animation speed is unlikely to address the underlying cause. Android’s animation documentation supports a claim about animation playback speed, not improvements to hardware performance, storage, battery health, or network speed.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
What to check if the phone is still slow
Google’s Android Help recommends working through basic device and app checks when a phone runs slowly (“Speed up a slow Android device”):
- Restart the phone.
- Check for Android system updates and install available app updates.
- Check available storage. Google says a phone can start having issues when less than 10% of storage is free. This is a possible warning threshold, not a guarantee that every phone below it will lag or that freeing space will solve every slowdown.
- Use safe mode to check whether a downloaded app may be causing the problem. Downloaded apps are temporarily turned off in safe mode; if the issue disappears there, an app is a likely cause. The steps for entering safe mode vary by phone.
Google notes that settings and instructions vary by phone, and some guidance applies only to Android 8.0 and later or particular devices. If the problem continues after basic troubleshooting, contact the phone’s manufacturer or carrier. A factory reset removes data and apps; Google advises backing up first, so it should not be a casual first step.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Rank #3
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
