Review of Phones With Highest Refresh Rate Displays
High refresh rate displays have become a defining feature of modern smartphones, offering smoother scrolling, more responsive touch interactions, and enhanced gaming experiences. As of October 2025, several flagship and mid-range phones push the boundaries with refresh rates of 120Hz, 144Hz, or even higher. This blog post reviews some of the top smartphones with the highest refresh rate displays, exploring their performance, features, and how they stack up for everyday use and gaming.
What is Refresh Rate and Why It Matters
The refresh rate of a display, measured in Hertz (Hz), indicates how many times per second the screen updates its image. A higher refresh rate results in smoother visuals, reducing motion blur and improving responsiveness. For gamers, a high refresh rate paired with a low touch sampling rate can make a significant difference in fast-paced titles like Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact. For regular users, it enhances the fluidity of animations, scrolling, and navigation.
Most modern flagship phones offer 120Hz displays, while some push to 144Hz or beyond. Variable refresh rate technologies, like LTPO, allow screens to dynamically adjust between low and high refresh rates to save battery, making them practical for daily use.
Top Phones with High Refresh Rate Displays in 2025
Below is a curated list of smartphones that stand out for their high refresh rate displays, based on their specs, performance, and user experience.
1. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz (LTPO, 1-120Hz adaptive)
- Display: 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1440 x 3200 pixels
- Key Features:
- Adaptive refresh rate optimizes battery life.
- Vibrant colors and deep blacks with HDR10+ support.
- 240Hz touch sampling rate for responsive gaming.
- Review: The Galaxy S25 Ultra continues Samsung’s legacy of premium displays. Its 120Hz LTPO panel is buttery smooth, with excellent color accuracy and brightness for outdoor use. The adaptive refresh rate ensures efficiency, dropping to 1Hz for static content like reading. Gamers will appreciate the low latency, though some competitors offer higher refresh rates for niche use cases. The S25 Ultra is a well-rounded choice for users seeking a balance of performance and battery life.
2. OnePlus 13
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz (LTPO 3.0, 1-120Hz adaptive)
- Display: 6.8-inch AMOLED, 1440 x 3168 pixels
- Key Features:
- Ultra-smooth animations with OxygenOS optimizations.
- 300Hz touch sampling rate for competitive gaming.
- High brightness for sunlight readability.
- Review: The OnePlus 13 delivers a stellar 120Hz AMOLED display with LTPO 3.0 technology, making it highly efficient. Its touch response is among the best, catering to gamers who need precision. The display’s color calibration is slightly less vibrant than Samsung’s but remains excellent for media consumption. For those prioritizing gaming and smoothness, the OnePlus 13 is a strong contender, though it doesn’t push beyond 120Hz.
3. ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2448 pixels
- Key Features:
- Highest refresh rate on a mainstream phone.
- 720Hz touch sampling rate for ultra-low latency.
- Gaming-centric features like AirTriggers and accessory support.
- Review: The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is a gaming beast, boasting a 165Hz refresh rate that outpaces most competitors. This makes it ideal for high-frame-rate mobile games, providing unmatched fluidity. The AMOLED panel offers rich colors and deep contrast, though its resolution is lower than some flagships. Non-gamers may find the gaming-focused design and software less appealing, but for esports enthusiasts, this phone is unmatched.
4. Xiaomi 15 Pro
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Display: 6.73-inch AMOLED, 1440 x 3200 pixels
- Key Features:
- 144Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth visuals.
- LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates.
- Excellent color accuracy with Dolby Vision support.
- Review: The Xiaomi 15 Pro’s 144Hz display is a standout, offering a slight edge over 120Hz panels in smoothness. Its AMOLED screen delivers vibrant colors and supports Dolby Vision for an immersive media experience. The touch sampling rate is high, making it great for gaming, though not quite at the level of the ROG Phone 9 Pro. Battery efficiency is impressive thanks to LTPO, making this a versatile option for power users.
5. iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz (ProMotion, 1-120Hz adaptive)
- Display: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 1320 x 2868 pixels
- Key Features:
- ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates.
- Exceptional brightness and HDR performance.
- Optimized for iOS animations and gaming.
- Review: Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 120Hz ProMotion display that feels incredibly fluid, especially with iOS’s polished animations. While it doesn’t match the 144Hz or 165Hz of competitors, Apple’s optimization ensures a seamless experience. The display excels in brightness and color accuracy, making it ideal for media and professional use. Gamers may wish for a higher touch sampling rate, but for most users, this is a top-tier display.
Comparison and Considerations
| Phone | Refresh Rate | Display Type | Resolution | Touch Sampling Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | 120Hz | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 1440 x 3200 | 240Hz |
| OnePlus 13 | 120Hz | AMOLED | 1440 x 3168 | 300Hz |
| ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro | 165Hz | AMOLED | 1080 x 2448 | 720Hz |
| Xiaomi 15 Pro | 144Hz | AMOLED | 1440 x 3200 | 480Hz |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 120Hz | Super Retina XDR | 1320 x 2868 | 240Hz |
Key Considerations:
- Gaming: The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro leads with its 165Hz refresh rate and 720Hz touch sampling rate, making it the best choice for competitive gamers.
- Battery Life: LTPO displays (Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Apple) dynamically adjust refresh rates, offering better efficiency than fixed high refresh rates.
- Everyday Use: For non-gamers, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max provides a premium experience with vibrant displays and optimized software.
- Value: The Xiaomi 15 Pro offers a 144Hz display at a potentially lower price point than Samsung or Apple, making it a great value option.
High refresh rate displays have transformed the smartphone experience, and in 2025, the options are better than ever. The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is the king of gaming with its 165Hz display, while the Xiaomi 15 Pro offers a compelling 144Hz option for a broader audience. For those seeking a balanced experience, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max deliver with their 120Hz LTPO displays and polished ecosystems. When choosing, consider your priorities—gaming, battery life, or overall versatility—and pick the phone that best fits your needs.
