Which do you prioritize most when buying a device these days? Do you prefer extending battery life by 1-2 days with just a 90Hz-120Hz refresh rate, or a 144Hz+ display that makes everything run as smoothly as possible? Why do you make that choice?
High refresh rate or the balanced approach?
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90Hz is already smooth, but I'd go for something with 120Hz for my daughter. Since she’ll be watching videos non-stop, I want the refresh rate to be high enough to keep her happy.
As a hobby photographer, I always prioritize practical everyday usability and stable performance—so I’d rather have a 120Hz refresh rate than 144Hz. Why? Because when using social media, navigation apps, or even typing text, the difference in higher Hz is barely noticeable. On the other hand, battery consumption increases significantly, especially during prolonged use. My previous smartphone with 120Hz easily lasted a full day, while a test device with 144Hz had me plugged in by afternoon—so for me, the trade-off isn’t worth it.
It’s similar when comparing a high-resolution e-ink e-reader to a color tablet: sure, the tablet has more features and a more vibrant display, but for hours of reading without eye strain, I prefer the e-ink solution. The same logic applies to refresh rates—sometimes less is more if the benefit doesn’t justify the effort.
I once had a similar dilemma when buying a gaming laptop. Back then, all the new models were boasting 144Hz displays, while older models with 60-90Hz were much more energy-efficient. I thought long and hard about it, but in the end, I went for the 144Hz laptop because the difference in smoothness is just massive—especially in modern games or when scrolling through pages. The trade-off is that the battery lasts at most 3-4 hours instead of 6-7, but that’s not a big deal for me since I mostly use it plugged in.
Later, I ran into the same choice with smartphones—I had a Poco X3 NFC with 120Hz, which devoured battery life like a beast, and games did feel smoother. But once I found a smarter balance with the Mi 11 Lite, which has an adaptive 90-120Hz refresh rate, I realized it’s way better for everyday use. Now, I’m all for flexibility—if a device can adapt based on the workload, that’s the best option.