The smartphone industry has increasingly prioritized high screen refresh rates, such as 120 Hz, as a primary marketing metric. While this technical specification is measurable and provides a smoother visual experience, its practical necessity for everyday tasks remains a subject of debate.
Technically, 120 Hz displays reduce motion blur and input lag compared to 60 Hz panels. Research, including studies by Claypool et al. and tests by Blur Busters, confirms that users can distinguish between these refresh rates, particularly in dynamic scenarios like gaming or stylus input.
However, the practical benefits are limited in common use cases. Most content, such as web text or standard video, does not benefit from higher frame rates. Furthermore, independent tests by sources like AnandTech and GSMArena indicate that 120 Hz modes can reduce battery life by 10% to 25% during active use.
The industry's push for higher refresh rates is linked to the concept of planned obsolescence. As hardware performance reached a plateau, manufacturers needed a quantifiable, easily comparable feature to stimulate device upgrades and differentiate new models from older, still-functional hardware.
This strategy aligns with the 'evaluability hypothesis' proposed by Christopher Hsee, which suggests that consumers prioritize easily comparable numerical metrics when evaluating products side-by-side, even if those metrics have little impact on their actual daily experience.
