Screen refresh rates are a key factor in the smoothness of the image, responsiveness of the interface, and even autonomy of the smartphone. On Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices with support for 90 Hz, 120 Hz, or 144 Hz, users often face the question of how to correctly switch between modes to balance performance and battery life. In this article, we will examine all the ways, from standard MIUI settings to hidden capabilities for advanced users.
It’s important to understand that not all models support high frequencies. For example, the budget Redmi Note 12 is limited to 90 Hz, while the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra or POCO F6 Pro offer up to 144 Hz. We will also reveal why sometimes the 120 Hz option disappears from the menu and how to return it without resorting to a reset.
If you notice that the screen frequency has gone down or is not working properly after the MIUI update, at the end of the article you will find a section with solutions to typical problems, including bypassing restrictions on models with MediaTek processors, where the adaptive frequency often turns off automatically.
1. Which Xiaomi devices support high screen frequency
Before you try to change the frequency, make sure your device is technically capable of doing so. Here are the key series and models with support for 90Hz and above:
- 📱 Flagship series: Xiaomi 13/14 (Pro/Ultra), Mix 4/Fold 3 — before 120–144 Hz with adaptive adjustment.
- 🎮 Gaming smartphones: Black Shark 5/6 Pro, POCO F5/F6 Pro — 144 Hz with technology support MEMMC Smart Refresh and.
- 💰 Mid-segment: Redmi K60/K70, POCO X6 Pro — 120 Hz (sometimes with a restriction on the 90 Hz in some regions).
- 📉 Budget models: Redmi Note 12/13 Pro+ — 120 Hz, but without adaptive mode.
A full list of supported devices can be found on Xiaomi’s official website in the specifications section of a particular model.Please note that even if your smartphone is on the list, some firmware (especially global versions of MIUI for Europe) can artificially limit the maximum frequency to 60 Hz due to certification.
2. Standard method: change frequency through MIUI settings
The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI options, which are relevant for MIUI 12-14 versions:
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to the Screen (or Display in English).
- Select the screen refresh rate (could be called Refresh Rate).
- From the available options (60 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz or 144 Hz) choose the right one.
Some devices (such as the POCO F4 GT) also have an additional adaptive mode (Auto-Select) that automatically adjusts the frequency depending on the content, which is the best option for balancing between smoothness and autonomy.
Check the current version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone
Make sure the battery is more than 30% charged.
Close all background applications for proper test operation
Restart the device if the frequency has previously changed ADB-->
⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-high frequency can accelerate pixel burnout during prolonged display of static elements (for example, navigation bar). It is recommended to turn on 120 Hz only when actively using.
3. Hidden Settings: How to unlock 120Hz on unofficial firmware
If the MIUI menu does not have the 120Hz option, although your device supports it, the problem may be regional restrictions or customized firmware, in which case unlocking through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will help.
For this:
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB-tools and execute the command:
adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 120To apply the changes, restart the device. If the command does not work, try an alternative:
adb shell settings put global min_refresh_rate 1
adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 120These commands force a minimum frequency of 1 Hz (for adaptive mode) and a maximum of 120 Hz. On some devices (for example, Redmi K50 Gaming), you may also need to turn off the battery limit:
adb shell settings put global force_fps 120What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
4.Screen frequency issues: why 120Hz was missing and how to get it back
Users often face a situation where the previously available 120Hz frequency suddenly disappears from the menu.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Option 120 Hz in gray | Power saving mode activated | Turn off the battery → Power saving mode |
| Frequency resets at 60 Hz after rebooting | Failure in MIUI settings | Reset the screen settings: Settings → Screen → Reset |
| 120Hz is not available on the menu | MIUI update resets settings | Check the firmware version and apply ADB-teams (section 3) |
| The screen flickers at 120Hz | Conflict with shell or drivers | Turn off Adaptive Brightness or Update the Firmware |
On devices with MediaTek processors (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the frequency may be limited due to overheating.
- 🔧 Cleaning the cache through Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
- ❄️ Use of a cooling cover or stand.
- 🔄 Retraction to the previous version MIUI (If the problem occurs after the update).
💡
If the screen starts to "shake" when scrolling after changing the frequency, try turning off the window animation option in the developer settings (set the value Animation disabled). AMOLED-panel.
Adaptive frequency: how it works and whether to include
Adaptive refresh rate (Auto-Select or Smart Refresh) is a technology that dynamically adjusts Hz depending on the content.
- 📺 When watching video – 48-60 Hz (meets the standard for movies).
- 🎮 In games – 90-120 Hz for maximum smoothness.
- 📖 Reading 30-60 Hz to save battery.
In practice, adaptive mode saves up to 15-20% of charge compared to a fixed 120 Hz, while maintaining smoothness where it is critical.
- ⚡ Nana AMOLED-In screens (such as Xiaomi 13), adaptive frequency can cause flickering when switching abruptly.
- 🔋 On devices with LCD (for example, POCO X5 Pro) battery savings are less noticeable.
- 🎯 Not all applications correctly support dynamic Hz change (for example, some games forcefully block 120 Hz).
To check if the adaptive frequency is working, use the Refresh Rate Tester app from Google Play. It shows the current frequency in real time.
💡
Adaptive mode is most effective on flagship models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 processors (for example, Xiaomi 14), where the transitions between frequencies occur smoothly and without delay.
6.The effect of screen frequency on autonomy: tests and recommendations
High screen refresh rates directly affect battery consumption. According to tests from DXOMARK, switching from 60 Hz to 120 Hz increases screen power consumption by 20-25%, which means that when used actively, a smartphone can discharge 1.5-2 hours faster.
Optimization recommendations:
- 🔋 Use 60Hz while standing by or reading.
- ⚡ Switch to 90-120 Hz for gaming, video or graphics only.
- 🌙 Activate the Dark Theme on AMOLED-This reduces battery load by 10-15%.
On large-battery models (like the POCO F5 with 5000 mAh), the difference is less noticeable, but on compact devices (like the Xiaomi 13 Mini), high frequency can become critical.
⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek Dimensity (e.g. Redmi) K60E) with prolonged use of 120 Hz can trigger the processor trottling, which leads to a drop in the processor. FPS In this case, it is recommended to fix the frequency at 90 Hz or use adaptive mode.
7. Alternative methods: applications and custom firmware
If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party tools.
- 📱 SetEdit: Allows you to manually edit system settings, including screen frequency. Requires root rights.
- 🔧 Custom firmware: LineageOS or Pixel Experience often offer advanced display settings. note that this voids the warranty.
- 🖥️ ADB AppControl: A PC utility that makes it easier to manage hidden parameters MIUI manually.
When using custom solutions, be careful:
- Not all the scalings are properly supported LTPO-screens (for example, on Xiaomi Mix Fold 3).
- Changing the frequency through root can cause artifacts or even screen failure (especially on cheap ones). LCD-panel).
- Some banking applications (for example, SberBank Online) stop working on uncertified firmware.
If you decide to experiment with custom firmware, pre-create a backup via TWRP or Xiaomi Backup. Instructions for installing TWRP for Xiaomi are available on the XDA Developers forum.