Refresh Rate – Why the iPhone 13 Pro feels faster

So why are most screens still 60Hz? It’s still a relatively new technology. Whilst it has only just become a feature of the iPhone, some android phones and monitors have included it for a while now. The other reason is cost. Higher refresh rate displays are naturally more expensive than slower counterparts. The cheapest high refresh rate monitor at Currys is currently £170, in comparison to £90 for the cheapest standard refresh rate monitor. That’s a difference of £80, which would quickly add up if you were buying multiple monitors for the office, for example.

Buying a new monitor won’t instantly make everything feel smoother; your computer needs to be able to supply enough frames per second (fps) for the monitor to take advantage of this. This won’t be an issue in most situations, but if the software you’re using is quite graphics intensive, it won’t feel smoother if the fps is still low.

A new high refresh rate TV won’t necessarily feel smoother for the exact same reason. British TV tends to be broadcast at 25 fps so unless the content you are watching is of a higher fps, it won’t appear any different. When watching Netflix, the fps milage may vary—a lot of it is filmed at different fps, so some of your favourite shows may feel smoother to watch on a high refresh rate TV.

Ultimately, a higher refresh rate will only be useful depending on your situation. If you’re in a position where you would benefit from more Hz then certainly give it a try. The new iPhone’s buttery smoothness could then be experienced across all your displays.