What Is Refresh Rate & Does 120Hz Really Matter?
60Hz vs 90Hz vs 120Hz displays explained — gaming, battery impact, and who actually needs it.

What Is Refresh Rate?
Refresh rate refers to how many times per second a phone’s display updates the image.

Reference
Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S26 5G (Cobalt Violet, 12GB RAM, 512GB Storage), AI Phone, Photo Assist, Creative Studio, 50MP Camera with ProVisual Engine, Powerful Customized Processor and 4300mAh Battery
₹1,07,999.00
View deal →
It is measured in Hertz (Hz). For example, a 60Hz screen refreshes 60 times per second.

Reference
Amazon
REDMI Note 15 5G (Glacier Blue, 8GB RAM 256GB Storage) | 108MP OIS Camera | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | 17.2cm Tough Curved AMOLED Screen | 5520mAh Battery | 45W Fast Charging
₹27,999.00
View deal →
1. Common Refresh Rates on Smartphones
- ✔ **60Hz:** Standard on budget phones

Reference
Amazon
Samsung Galaxy M07 Mobile (Black, 4GB RAM, 64GB Storage) | MediaTek Helio G99 | AnTuTu 624K | IP54| 50MP Camera | 7.6mm Slim | 5000mAh Battery | 25W Fast Charging | 6 Gen OS Upgrades | Without Charger
₹9,999.00
View deal →
- ✔ **90Hz:** Smoother scrolling and animations

Reference
Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 5G Mobile with Galaxy AI (JetBlack, 12GB RAM, 256GB Storage), Ultra Sleek Design with 200MP Camera, Ultra-Smooth Gaming with Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite, Google Gemini
₹1,74,999.00
View deal →
- ✔ **120Hz:** Ultra-smooth experience for gaming and UI
- ✔ **144Hz+:** Rare, mainly gaming-focused phones
2. What Difference Does Higher Refresh Rate Make?
Higher refresh rates make scrolling smoother, animations cleaner, and gameplay more responsive.
The difference is most noticeable when scrolling social media, browsing, or playing fast-paced games.
3. Does 120Hz Matter for Gaming?
- ✔ Competitive games feel smoother
- ✔ Reduced motion blur
- ✔ Faster touch response perception
- ✖ Only games supporting high FPS benefit
- ✖ Requires powerful processor to sustain performance
Godealio buying framework
This guide is built to help Indian buyers make a practical decision on what is refresh rate & does 120hz really matter? without relying only on marketing claims.
Before buying, compare the final checkout price, RAM and storage variant, warranty coverage, bank offer, exchange value and seller rating.
- Check the exact model number and storage variant.
- Prefer higher storage if you plan to keep the phone for 3 years or more.
- Do not judge camera quality only by megapixels.
- Compare final effective price after bank and exchange offers.
Who should use this guide?
This page is useful for buyers who want a simple shortlist, not just a long specification table.
The recommendations are grouped by real-world use cases such as camera, battery, gaming, display, software support and long-term ownership.
Deal checklist before purchase
- Confirm the seller is trusted and return policy is available.
- Check whether charger, cable or case is included in the box.
- Check 5G band support if you use Jio or Airtel 5G.
- Read recent reviews for heating, battery drain and camera issues.
- Compare Amazon and Flipkart prices before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 120Hz better than 60Hz?
Yes, it feels smoother, but the benefit depends on usage and app support.
Does higher refresh rate affect battery?
Yes. Higher refresh rates consume more power, especially without adaptive refresh technology.
Is 90Hz good enough?
For most users, 90Hz offers a noticeable improvement over 60Hz with less battery impact.
Does What Is Refresh Rate Does 120Hz Matter really matter while buying a phone?
It matters only if it improves your daily usage. Compare it with battery, performance, display, camera and software support before deciding.
Should I pay extra for this feature?
Pay extra only if the feature directly improves your use case, such as gaming, photography, video recording, travel or long-term use.
What should beginners check first?
Beginners should first check price, battery, display quality, processor, storage, warranty and service support.
How should I choose from what is refresh rate & does 120hz really matter??
Start with your budget and main use case, then compare battery, camera, storage, software support, service network and final checkout price.
Should I wait for sale offers before buying?
Yes, if the phone is not urgent. Bank discounts, exchange bonuses and festive sale prices can change the value significantly.
What is the safest storage option for long-term use?
For most users, 128GB is the minimum practical option. Heavy camera, video and gaming users should prefer 256GB or higher.