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What is Hz? Why Scroll Speed Feels Smoother at 120 Hz 

8 min read
If you’ve ever picked up a new phone and thought scrolling suddenly feels silky, that’s refresh rate at work. The industry conversation around 60 Hz vs 120 Hz screens has grown, especially with brands like Samsung, Apple, and Google bringing 120 Hz refresh rates to all their newest models. 
Family sitting around a wooden table using a smartphone, tablets, and a laptop.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what Hz really means, compare 60 Hz vs 120 Hz, , how it affects daily use, and what the newest Goole Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and iPhone device upgrades mean for you. 

*Product pricing and availability are subject to change. Visit our website for the latest offers on phones, devices, and accessories. 

What is Hz (refresh rate)? 

Hertz (Hz) is a unit of frequency - how many times something happens per second. In displays, it measures how often the screen refreshes the picture. 

  • A 60 Hz display redraws the image 60 times per second, meaning each frame lasts about 16.6 milliseconds.
  • A 120 Hz display refreshes 120 times per second, so each frame lasts about 8.3 milliseconds.

That shorter frame interval gives your eyes more frequent updates, which reduces motion blur and makes fast movements look more natural. 

Difference between refresh rate vs. frame rate (FPS): 

  • Frame rate (FPS): how many frames your app, video, or game produces. 
  • Refresh rate (Hz): how many frames your display can show per second. 

If your game outputs 60 FPS on a 120 Hz display, the phone can only show the same frame twice. To get full benefit, the content and display must support higher frame rates. 

Think of it this way: FPS is like the water coming out of the faucet. Refresh rate is how often your glass gets filled. The smoother the cycle, the less chance of “stutter.” 

What is Hz scroll speed? 

A common misconception is that "Hz scroll speed" is a thing – it’s not. Scroll speed is determined by how fast you swipe or scroll, not by the screen’s refresh rate.  

The refresh rate (measured in Hz) simply controls how many times per second the screen refreshes the image, which affects how smooth motion looks, not how fast it actually happens. That said, on higher refresh rate displays, like 120Hz, scrolling can look faster – not because the content is moving more quickly, but because it’s being updated more frequently. This tricks your brain into perceiving the scroll as being faster, even though the actual scroll velocity hasn’t changed. We’ll take a closer look below. 

Why “scroll speed” feels smoother at 120 Hz 

When you swipe on your screen, your phone processes two things at once: 

  1. Your finger input (scroll speed). 
  2. The display’s redraw rate (Hz). 

On a 60 Hz screen, the device only has 60 opportunities per second to update the animation, so rapid swipes can look a little “choppy.” On a 120 Hz screen, there are twice as many refresh slots, so transitions and UI animations look more fluid.

Important clarification: As mentioned earlier, scroll speed itself doesn’t change. What changes is the visual quality of that motion. A 120 Hz screen doesn’t move content faster - it just renders each movement in smaller steps, so your eyes perceive a smoother transition. 

This is most noticeable when: 

  • Quickly scrolling through long articles or social feeds. 
  • Playing fast-paced games. 
  • Switching between apps or swiping home screens. 

4 reasons why refresh rate matters 

Refresh rate influences 4 main aspects of your experience: 

  1. Motion clarity: Fast-moving text or images stay readable instead of blurring. 
  2. Responsiveness: Gestures and taps feel more immediate because the display updates more quickly. 
  3. Eye comfort: Higher refresh rates can reduce perceived flicker, which may reduce fatigue for some users. 
  4. Gaming performance: Competitive players benefit from higher refresh rates paired with high FPS content for faster reaction times. 

For most everyday users, the jump from 60 Hz to 120 Hz is similar to the difference between SD vs HD video: once you’ve experienced it, going back feels noticeably rough. 

3 trade-offs of a faster refresh rate  

A faster refresh rate isn’t always better - there are 3 main trade-offs: 

  1. Battery life: Higher Hz consumes more power because the screen and GPU are working harder. 
  2. Heat & efficiency: Updating twice as often means more processing cycles. 
  3. Adaptive refresh rates: Modern phones like iPhone 17, for example, use LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) panels that can dynamically shift refresh rates from 1 Hz to 120 Hz depending on the activity:
    • Reading a static page → drops to 10 Hz or lower to save battery. 
    • Gaming or scrolling → ramps to 120 Hz for smooth motion. 

This balance allows smoother visuals without a major hit to battery life. 

60 Hz vs 120 Hz phones: Can you tell the difference? 

Yes, you can tell the difference between 60 Hz vs. A 120 Hz phones, and most people will notice it immediately. 

  • At 60 Hz, scrolling through social media sites can look a little jumpy if you flick quickly.
  • At 120 Hz, the same swipe looks fluid, with animations broken into more visible frames.

Do most new phones feature 120 Hz? 

Most newer flagship phones, including the latest models from Apple, Samsung, Google, and other feature 120 Hz. For example, every phone in the iPhone 17, Samsung Galaxy S25, and Pixel 10 series feature high-refresh-rate displays across their lineups: 

  • 120Hz adaptive refresh is supported across all models, delivering smooth scrolling and fluid animations.
  • Low-power refresh modes (as low as 1Hz) are available on most flagship models, helping conserve battery during static content and always-on display use.
  • Improved touch responsiveness most models now pair high refresh rates with enhanced touch-sampling for quicker feedback and more responsive interactions.

When you compare the120 Hz screens to the 60 Hz screens on older or entry-level phones, the difference is clear: 

  • Animations, gestures, and scrolling feel more natural. 
  • Gaming and video playback look more cinematic. 
  • Power management balances smoothness with efficiency. 

Upgrading to a phone with a faster refresh rate delivers visible changes you’ll will notice on a day-to-day basis. 

6 FAQs about refresh rate 

  1. Does 120 Hz drain battery? 
    Slightly, yes - but adaptive refresh keeps it efficient. 
  1. Is 120 Hz better for your eyes? 
    It can be. Smoother transitions reduce flicker perception, which may reduce strain for long sessions. 
  1. Do all apps support 120 Hz? 
    No. If an app is capped at 60 FPS, the display can’t show extra frames. But UI elements and the latest phones’ system animations do take advantage of it. 
  1. Can you disable 120 Hz? 
    Yes. In settings, you can limit motion or reduce refresh rate. 
  1. Why do some phones still ship with 60 Hz? 
    Cost and battery life. Some entry-level models often use 60 Hz because it’s cheaper and simpler. 
  1. Is a 120 Hz phone overkill? 
    Not anymore. With more apps, games, and system updates optimized for high refresh, it’s becoming the default. 

Final thoughts on 60 Hz vs 120 Hz displays 

A higher refresh rate doesn’t change scroll speed, but it makes every swipe and animation look smoother and more natural. With iPhone, Samsung, Google and other popular brands delivering 120 Hz across  their latest model, more people can enjoy a display that feels faster, clearer, and more responsive. 

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