What is screen refresh rate (60Hz vs 120Hz vs 144Hz)?
Have you ever felt that the display on a smartphone or monitor screen felt smoother when scrolling or playing games? That’s because the device has Refresh rate higher. Refresh rate is one of the important aspects of the visual quality of a screen — both for watching movies, working, or playing games.
In this article, we will discuss in full what is screen refresh rate, how does it affect the visual experience, and the comparison between 60Hz, 120Hz, and 144Hz.
What is a refresh rate?
Simply put, Refresh rate is the number of times the screen updates the image every second. The unit of measurement is Hertz (Hz).
For example, a screen with a refresh rate of 60Hz means the screen Replay the image 60 times in one second. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the movement seen on the screen.
According to the explanation of TECHNO COMPASS, refresh rate plays an important role in displaying image transitions quickly without causing any broken or blur effects, especially in activities such as playing games or watching high-speed videos.
difference between refresh rate and frame rate
Many people often mistakenly interpret the refresh rate as a frame rate. In fact, both have different roles.
Refresh rate (Hz) → Number of image updates by screen per second.
Frame Rate (FPS) → the number of frames (images) generated by the graphics card or processor per second.
In order for the visual experience to be completely smooth, both must be balanced. For example, if you play games at 120 fps, but your monitor is only 60Hz, then the screen will only display 60 images per second. the rest of the frame will be “wasted”, causing an effect Screen Tearing.
Why is refresh rate important?
Refresh rate affects how our eyes capture motion on screen. The higher the number, the more smooth and responsive the view we see.
Here are some of the benefits of high refresh rates:
smoother movement – Suitable for video, animation, and fast games like FPS (First-Person Shooter).
Faster response – Ideal for e-sport competition or professional video editing.
reduce motion blur – The image remains sharp when the object is moving fast.
More comfortable visual experience – The eyes do not get tired quickly when staring at the old screen.
According to The Verge, many users are now starting to switch to screens with high refresh rates not only because of gaming needs, but also for daily visual convenience.
Comparison of 60Hz, 120Hz, and 144Hz
The difference between these three numbers is evident when you use them for intensive activities such as playing games or scrolling social media.
| Refresh rate | Number of refreshes per second | Advantages | Deficiency | suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60Hz | 60 times | Power saving, affordable price | Movement feels less smooth | Daily activities, movies |
| 120Hz | 120 times | Smoother movement, comfortable on the eyes | Higher power consumption | Smartphones, Movies, Casual Games |
| 144Hz | 144 times | Super fast response, minimal blur | Higher price and power consumption | Competitive gaming, video editing |
According to GSMArena, the majority of flagship smartphones now use a 120Hz screen because it is considered an ideal balance between visual subtlety and power efficiency.
Effect of refresh rate on viewing and gaming experience
1. Watching videos and movies
Films are generally recorded at 24 or 30 fps. That is, a high refresh rate like 120Hz does not always make a big difference to watch movies. However, the 120Hz screen can still help display smoother transition effects when upscaling or interpolating frames.
2. Playing games
In the world of gaming, refresh rates are everything.
on screen 60Hz, the player will only see 60 frames per second.
on screen 120Hz or 144Hz, movement feels faster, more accurate, and responsive.
According to IGN Indonesia, professional in-game players such as Valorant, CS2, or PUBG Tend to choose a 144Hz or even 240Hz monitor because it can increase the reaction performance significantly.
3. daily productivity
For regular users, a high refresh rate provides additional convenience when scrolling documents, browsing, or switching between windows. Although not as important as in the game, the difference is still felt especially when multitasking.
Is a high refresh rate always better?
Not always. While a high refresh rate offers better smoothness, there are a few things to consider:
power consumption: 120Hz or 144Hz display drains the battery faster.
Content limitations: Many applications and videos are still under 60 fps.
Device price: The higher the refresh rate, the price also goes up.
Hardware ability: If the processor or GPU is not strong, the increase in refresh rate will not feel optimal.
how to check screen refresh rate
To find out the refresh rate of the screen, you can check it with the following simple steps:
on laptop/pc:
Right click on Desktop → Display Settings
Elect Advanced Display Settings
See the “Refresh Rate” section
On smartphones:
Go to setting > display > Refresh rate (in some brands called “refreshment speed”).
Some smartphones even allow users to switch automatically between 60Hz and 120Hz to save battery.
Recommendation: Which one to choose?
The selection of the best refresh rate depends on the need:
60Hz: Enough for office work, watching, and general activities.
120Hz: Ideal for users who want a smooth visual experience without wasting power.
144Hz: The best choice for competitive gamers and professional video editor.
Based on the report TechRadar, many manufacturers are now developing technology Adaptive Refresh Rate, which allows the screen to adjust the refresh frequency automatically according to the content. That way, users can feel high smoothness without wasting battery.
FAQ about refresh rate
1. Does a high refresh rate make the eyes tired quickly?
No. In fact, a high refresh rate helps reduce flicker and makes the eyes more comfortable, especially when using long time.
2. Do all games support 120Hz or 144Hz?
Not all. Some games are limited by certain FPS, depending on optimization and hardware.
3. Does the refresh rate affect the color quality?
not directly. Color and contrast are more influenced by the type of panel (IPS, OLED, VA), not refresh rate.
4. Is a high refresh rate important on a smartphone?
Yes, especially for users who are active on social media, fast scrolling, or playing mobile games.
5. Is TV with 120Hz better than 60Hz for movies?
Not always. Films are generally recorded at 24 fps, so the improvement is not very significant, except for sport or fast action content.
Conclusion
Refresh rate is the screen speed updating the image per second, measured in hertz (Hz). This figure has a big influence on Smooth appearance and visual comfort.
60Hz Suitable for general needs.
120Hz Offers the best balance between performance and efficiency.
144Hz Ideal for gamers and visual professionals.
In the end, the selection of refresh rates depends on the needs, type of activity, and capabilities of the device. By understanding what a refresh rate is and the difference, you can choose the screen that is most suitable for the best visual experience.
