How to get screen refresh rate on Android?

screen-refresh-rate-android

We explain what steps you must follow to activate the refresh rate indicator on Android to see this value in real time. Surely if you have decided to buy a mobile phone, one of the specifications that has been on your mind is the refresh rate. Previously, this was a figure that only varied on high-end phones. However, now many manufacturers are marketing devices with a rate higher than 60 Hz, even in the mid-range. Want to find out what refresh rate your phone panel has?

Here we show you a very simple trick so that the Android refresh rate indicator appears on the screen. This way you will be able to know at all times, as you use the phone, at what speed the images that appear on the panel are updated. On the other hand, we also talk about the reasons for activating this indicator and why you are interested in knowing it.

What is the refresh rate in Android?

Let’s start with the most basic. Let’s talk about what is the refresh rate in Android. This specification, which, as we have commented, has gained some relevance in recent times. This is a value expressed in hertz (Hz) that refers to the screen refresh rate.

Cell phone panels are actually turning off and on constantly. Thanks to this system, the human eye is capable of viewing the movement of the elements and the animations of the system on the screen. A panel that refreshes at 60 Hz turns off and on 60 times per second. When projecting a still image, this value is not very important. However, if the elements on the panel are moving, perhaps due to system animations or because a game has been opened, the panel refresh rate has a significant influence.

The standard refresh rate is 60 Hz. It is the one that most terminals bring. When a dashboard is updated this frequently, it displays the content more than correctly. However, having a higher refresh rate, for example, 90 Hz or 120 Hz, provides a superior fluidity sensation. This is especially necessary if you are going to use the device to play games, especially if you are going to do it with titles that include a lot of action.

What is the use of seeing the refresh rate in Android?

Viewing the refresh rate of your Android mobile in real time will be useful in three specific situations:

  • Adaptive refresh rate. When your device has an adaptive system when it comes to updating the content of the panel, knowing this value will allow you to know when it refreshes at 60 Hz and when it does so with a higher value.
  • Know the refresh rate of your phone. If you are not sure what the panel update rate is, turning on the indicator will allow you to reveal this data.
  • Verify that the refresh rate is the same in all applications. When asking our device to report the refresh rate in real time, we have discovered that in some applications it does not stay at 120 Hz. For example, we now know that with the camera application, the rate drops to 60 Hz. Other apps might force the refresh rate to drop and this is one way to bring it up.

If you already know this value and your phone does not have an adaptive panel refresh rate, following the steps below will not help you much. Because you will always see the same number on the screen. Now, if you like to poke around and find out more about the hidden features of Android, keep reading.

How to activate the refresh rate indicator on Android?

Android offers the possibility of enabling an indicator that informs you of the refresh rate of the panel in real time. It is available in the developer options. If you have not gone to them before, you should probably activate them. How is it done?

This is how you activate developer options in Android:

  1. Go to the Device Information section in the phone settings. Sometimes it is shown under other names. For example, in MIUI it is About phone.
  2. Tap repeatedly on the build number. Again, there may be variations. On a Xiaomi you must repeatedly tap on the MIUI Version field.
  3. At the bottom of the screen you will see a message indicating that you are a few steps away from being a developer.
  4. Keep tapping until the confirmation message appears.

Now that the developer options are enabled, go to Additional Options or System, depending on the customization layer your phone has, and tap on Developer Options. If you cannot find this section, use the settings search engine that you will see at the top of the list of preferences. Then follow these steps:

  1. Go into Developer Options.
  2. Locate the Show Refresh Rate parameter.
  3. Tap on the slider to activate it.
  4. In the upper left corner of the screen, an indicator will appear that shows you the refresh rate in real time.

If your device has a variable refresh rate, the value will increase or decrease as you move through the menus. Remember that the higher the refresh rate, the more battery the panel will consume.