Understanding Refresh Rates: 60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz Displays (What Customers Will Notice)

GET MORE TIPS HERE

Customers might not walk in asking for “refresh rate,” but they’ll say things like: “This phone feels smoother,” “Why does this one look faster?” or “Is 120Hz worth it?” If you can deliver phone refresh rate explained in plain English, you’ll help customers choose the right device, justify upgrades, and set realistic expectations about battery life.

Phone Refresh Rate Explained: What 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz Mean

Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen updates. It’s measured in Hz (Hertz). The higher the refresh rate, the smoother motion looks on the display.

• 60Hz: The screen refreshes 60 times per second (standard on many budget and older phones).

• 90Hz: Smoother scrolling and animations than 60Hz, often found in mid-range phones.

• 120Hz: Very smooth motion, common on premium phones and gaming-focused devices.

Dealer translation: Higher Hz doesn’t make the phone “more powerful.” It makes the screen look smoother—especially when scrolling, swiping, and gaming.

120Hz vs 60Hz: What Customers Actually Notice

The jump from 60Hz to 120Hz is usually the most noticeable display upgrade customers can feel instantly. Here’s where they’ll see it:

• Scrolling: Social media feeds, web pages, settings menus feel smoother and more “premium.”

• Animations: App transitions and swiping look cleaner with less blur.

• Gaming: Supported games can run at higher frame rates, making gameplay feel more responsive.

Important expectation-setting: Some customers won’t notice a huge difference if they don’t scroll much, if they keep battery saver on, or if the phone is set to “standard” refresh rate by default.

Display Refresh Rate vs Frame Rate (Quick Customer Clarification)

Customers often mix these up:

• Display refresh rate (Hz): What the screen can show.

• Game/app frame rate (FPS): What the content is producing.

A 120Hz display can show up to 120 frames per second, but only if the app/game supports it. If a game runs at 60 FPS, it will still look good—but it won’t magically become 120 FPS just because the screen is 120Hz.

Battery Impact: The Tradeoff Dealers Should Explain

Higher refresh rates can use more battery because the screen is updating more often. But the real-world impact depends on the phone’s display tech and settings.

Adaptive Refresh Rate (Best of Both Worlds)

Many newer phones use adaptive refresh rate, which automatically adjusts between lower and higher Hz depending on what’s on the screen. For example, it might drop to 60Hz (or lower) when reading a static page, then jump to 120Hz when scrolling.

Dealer script: “If the phone has adaptive refresh, you get the smoothness when you need it without draining the battery all day.”

When Battery Drain Is Most Noticeable

• Heavy scrolling sessions (social media, browsing)

• Gaming at high frame rates

• High brightness + 5G + 120Hz together

Dealer tip: If a customer is battery-focused, show them how to switch refresh rate modes in display settings.

Gaming Benefits: Who Should Buy 120Hz?

Not every customer needs 120Hz. Here’s how to recommend it:

• Gamers: 120Hz is a real upgrade for supported games (smoother motion, faster response).

• Power users: People who live on their phone all day will love the smoother feel.

• Everyday users: 90Hz is often the best value—noticeably smoother than 60Hz without always being premium-priced.

• Budget shoppers: 60Hz is fine if they prioritize battery, price, and basic use.

Dealer Demo: How to “Sell” Refresh Rate in 30 Seconds

If you want a fast in-store demo that closes the gap, do this:

1. Open the same long web page or social feed on two phones (60Hz vs 120Hz).

2. Scroll up and down quickly on both.

3. Ask: “Do you see how this one looks smoother?”

Then tie it to their use case:

• “If you scroll a lot, you’ll feel this every day.”

• “If you game, this helps with responsiveness.”

• “If you want battery over smoothness, we can keep it on 60Hz.”

Need reliable inventory sources for premium display phones and gaming accessories?

Browse our phone distributors and stock screen protection from our accessories directory.

The Bottom Line for Wireless Dealers

Phone refresh rate explained: 60Hz is standard, 90Hz is smoother, and 120Hz is premium-smooth—especially for scrolling and gaming. The main tradeoff is battery, but adaptive refresh rate helps a lot on newer phones.

When you match refresh rate to the customer’s habits (scrolling, gaming, battery priorities), you’ll sell the right device with confidence—and reduce buyer’s remorse.