Samsung’s next flagship Galaxy phone will reportedly have a 120Hz display

Samsung’s next Galaxy flagship will have a screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a new report from SamMobile is claiming. Citing “highly reliable sources,” the publication claims that the Galaxy S11 (or Galaxy S20, depending on which rumors you believe) will use one of Samsung’s own high refresh rate displays, which it has previously manufactured and sold to competitors, but not used in its own handsets.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard rumors that the Galaxy S11 will feature a 120Hz display. Last November, Twitter leaker Ice Universe reported that a hidden 120Hz setting had been found in a beta version of the Note 9’s One UI software. Although the Note 9 itself has just a 60Hz display, the existence of the setting suggests that a 120Hz display is a feature Samsung is considering for its future handsets. Over the weekend, Ice Universe reiterated their prediction.

As the benefits from increasing screen resolution have become more marginal, phone manufacturers are increasingly turning to higher refresh rates to give their phone displays the edge. Last year’s Google Pixel 4 and the OnePlus 7T both featured 90Hz displays, while gaming phones like the Razer Phone 2 and the Asus ROG Phone 2 have gone further with their 120Hz displays. Higher refresh rates have the benefit of making motion and scrolling appear much smoother on a phone screen, which benefits games as well as other software animations. Past a certain refresh rate, diminishing returns inevitably set in, but the point at which it does so is a matter of much debate.

Regardless of whether it ends up being called the Galaxy S11 or Galaxy S20, Samsung’s next flagship is due to be announced on February 11th, where it may or may not be joined by the company’s second foldable smartphone.