Xiaomi Mi 10S: How much hertz does the screen have and how does it affect the smartphone?

Xiaomi Mi 10S is the flagship smartphone of 2021, which is still the current choice for gamers, media enthusiasts and just demanding users. One of the key parameters affecting the smoothness of the interface and comfort of use is the frequency of screen refresh. But how many hertz does the Mi 10S? The answer is not as obvious as it seems: the official specs and real capabilities of the device can diverge, especially after firmware updates.

In this article, we will discuss:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Official and real values of the screen frequency Mi 10S (including hidden regimes).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง How to check the current frequency and manually switch it through the settings or engineering menu.

If youโ€™re planning to buy or already own the Mi 10S, this information will help unlock the full potential of its display โ€“ without the myths and marketing gimmicks.

How much Hz does the Xiaomi Mi 10S have?

According to the manufacturer, Xiaomi Mi 10S fitted AMOLED-It's a 6.67 screen with 90 Hz refresh rate, and it's on Xiaomi's official website and most retailers' specifications, but there's a few nuances:

First, 90 Hz is a maximum value that is not available in all modes. For example, when watching videos or in some applications, the frequency can automatically decrease to 60 Hz to save battery power. Second, in some firmware (especially custom ones), users have found the ability to overclock to 120 Hz, but this is not guaranteed and fraught with consequences.

For comparison:

ModelScreen typeMax. frequency (Hz)Adaptive frequency
Mi 10SAMOLED90Yes (60/90)
Mi 10AMOLED90Yes (60/90)
Mi 10T / 10T ProIPS LCD144Yes (30/60/90/144)
Mi 11AMOLED120Yes (60/120)

Important: In MIUI 13+ firmware, the Mi 10S has an option called Adaptive Upgrade Rate, which dynamically adjusts Hz depending on the content, saving up to 15% of battery power without a noticeable loss of smoothness.

๐Ÿ“Š What screen frequency do you prefer in your smartphone?
60 Hz (enough for everyday tasks)
90 Hz (optimal balance)
120 Hz and above (maximum smoothness)
It doesnโ€™t matter if the battery lasts longer.

How to check the current screen frequency on the Mi 10S

To find out how much hertz is currently in use, you don't need to install third-party apps. MIUI has built-in tools:

  1. Open the Settings โ†’ Display.
  2. Find the screen refresh rate (in some versions of MIUI it may be called screen smoothness).
  3. The current value will be highlighted (e.g. 90Hz or Auto).

If this item is missing, your firmware is not capable of manual switching.

  • ๐Ÿ” Use the app. CPU-Z (Display section or DevCheck.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š From the engineering menu (code ##4636###) go to the Hardware info tab, where the current frequency can be displayed.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the settings show โ€œAutoโ€ but the screen seems less smooth than usual, try manually setting 90Hz. Sometimes the adaptive algorithm works incorrectly, especially in games.

How to manually change the screen frequency (including hidden modes)

By default, the Mi 10S offers a choice between 60Hz and 90Hz. However, some firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or PixelExperience) have additional options available.

Method 1: Using standard MIUI settings

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Display โ†’ Screen refresh rate.
  2. Choose 90Hz for maximum smoothness or 60Hz for battery savings.
  3. If Auto mode is available, turn it on โ€“ the system will adjust the frequency to the content.

Method 2: Acceleration to 120 Hz (unofficially)

โš ๏ธ Note: This method requires an unlocked bootloader and a custom core (e.g. Perseus or FrancoKernel) to be installed.Incorrect actions can result in loss of warranty or damage to the screen (overheating, artifacts).

  1. Install a custom core with overclocking support (see the instructions on the XDA Developers forum).
  2. Download the Kernel Audiutor or EX Kernel Manager app.
  3. In the Display section, search for the Refresh Rate option and select 120 Hz.
  4. Reset the device.

Make a backup of data through TWRP|

Check the processor temperature (not higher than 40ยฐC in idle)|

Make sure the battery is >50% |

Turn off adaptive brightness |

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Method 3: ADB-commands for forced activation of 90 Hz

If there is no switching option in the settings, you can try activating it via ADB:

adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 90


adb shell settings put global min_refresh_rate 90

Once you've completed the commands, restart your smartphone. To return the adaptive mode, use:

adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 90


adb shell settings put global min_refresh_rate 60

What if the screen starts to flicker after overclocking?
If you see artifacts or flickering after the frequency change, return the standard settings immediately. This may indicate that the screen driver is unstable. In extreme cases, reset via Settings โ†’ System โ†’ Reset (without deleting data).

Mi 10 and Mi 10T: Which Smartphone Is Smoother?

On paper, the Mi 10T, with its 144 Hz, seems like the undisputed leader, but in practice it's more complicated.

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Mi 10S (AMOLED, 90Hz: more saturated colors, better viewing angles, but limited maximum frequency.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Mi 10T (IPS LCD, 144 Hz: Record smoothness in games (e.g. in the PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty, but worse contrast and power consumption.
  • โš–๏ธ Mi 10 (AMOLED, 90 Hz: identical 10S on the screen, but without support for adaptive frequency in old firmware.

For Mi gamers. 10T It definitely wins, but if you are more interested in autonomy and image quality, Mi 10S It might be the best choice, AMOLED-The screen lessens the eye load with prolonged use.

Tests show that the difference between 90 Hz and 144 Hz is only noticeable in dynamic scenes (for example, when scrolling through the tape on social networks or in shooters). 10T minimally.

๐Ÿ’ก

If youโ€™re not into mobile gaming, the difference between 90Hz and 144Hz wonโ€™t justify overpaying for the Mi 10T. For most users, the Mi 10S offers the optimal balance.

The Effect of Screen Frequency on Autonomy and Performance

The higher the refresh rate, the faster the battery runs out, which is an axiom. But how critical is the drop in autonomy when you use 90 Hz instead of 60 Hz?

According to the results of tests GSMArena, Mi 10S in 90 Hz mode loses about 20-25% of autonomy compared to 60 Hz.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Primary 60 Hz: up 7-8 active screen hours (social networks, messengers).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Primary 90 Hz: 5-6 hours (falling on ~2 hour).
  • ๐ŸŽฎ In games (e.g. Genshin Impact): the difference is 30% โ€” s 90 Hz smartphone will discharge for 2.5-3 hourly 3.5-4.

In addition, high frequency can lead to:

  • โšก Overheating (especially when combined with gaming or charging).
  • ๐Ÿข Trottling (automatic performance reduction) under prolonged load.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Accelerated degradation AMOLED-Matrixes (although this is a controversial point โ€“ modern screens are designed for millions of refresh cycles).

โš ๏ธ Warning: If you notice that the smartphone has become overheated or discharged quickly after turning on 90 Hz, check the background processes through Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Battery use: Sometimes it's not Hz that's to blame, but optimized apps (like Facebook or TikTok).

Optimizing screen frequency for different scenarios

To get the most out of the Mi 10S without sacrificing autonomy, use these guidelines:

๐ŸŽฎ For gamers.

  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Enable 90Hz in the screen settings.
  • ๐ŸŽ›๏ธ In the game settings (for example, PUBG Mobile) select Extreme or HDR + 90 FPS (if maintained).
  • โ„๏ธ Use a cooling stand or a game controller with a cooler (e.g. Black Shark FunCooler Pro).

๐Ÿ“บ For watching videos and streaming

  • ๐ŸŽฌ Turn on Auto Mode โ€“ Most videos have frequency 24-60 Hz, therefore. 90 Hz won't give you any advantage.
  • ๐Ÿ”Š On YouTube or Netflix, set the permission no higher. 1080p โ€” This will reduce the load on the processor.

๐Ÿ”‹ For maximum autonomy

  • ๐Ÿ“‰ Set 60 Hz and turn on a dark theme (AMOLED Save charge on a black background).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Turn off Adaptive Frequency if you notice frequent switching between modes.
  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Activate Battery Mode in Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Power regimens.

๐Ÿ’ก

If you often watch 24-frame content (such as movies), turn on Force in your developer settings. 4x MSAA and disconnect HW-It'll reduce the load on the overlays. GPU.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Mi 10S users sometimes experience frequency issues, and here are some of the most common ones and ways to fix them:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The screen spontaneously switches between 60 and 90 HzAdaptive algorithm failure or application conflictTurn off Adaptive Frequency or reset screen settings
Forced 60Hz in gamesManufacturer restriction or graphics settings in the gameCheck the game settings (for example, in Call of Duty you need to manually enable High FPS Mode)
Screen flickering at 90HzUnstable custom core or damaged display cableReturn the standard firmware or contact the service center
No 90Hz option in the settingsOutdated firmware or regional restrictionsUpdate MIUI to the latest version or install xiaomi.eu

โš ๏ธ Note: If the frequency switching option is missing after the firmware update, try resetting the settings via Settings โ†’ System system โ†’ Resetting settings โ†’ Resetting all settings (without deleting data) This often helps to return hidden features.

Can the Xiaomi Mi 10S include 120 Hz without custom firmware?
No, standard MIUI firmware does not support 120 Hz. Maximum - 90 Hz. To overclock you will need to unlock the bootloader and install a modified core, which voids the warranty.
Why does the frequency drop to 60 Hz in some applications?
This is due to power optimization. For example, in YouTube or Chrome, the system automatically reduces the frequency if the content does not require high smoothness (for example, static pages or low FPS videos). To turn this off, set a fixed 90 Hz in the settings.
Is it harmful to use 90Hz for a screen all the time?
Modern. AMOLED-The screens are designed for billions of refresh cycles, so 90 Hz will not cause harm for several years of operation, but it can speed up battery discharge and increase heat generation. If you don't notice the difference between 60 Hz and 90 Hz, you'd better use a more gentle mode.
How to check if 90 Hz is working?
Install the Refresh Rate Test app (available on Google Play) that shows the current refresh rate in real time, and you can also shoot screen video to another high-FPS camera, which is smoother at 90Hz than at 60Hz.
Will the Mi 10S support higher frequencies after the updates?
The screen frequency is limited by the hardware capabilities of the display and drivers. Xiaomi has not released any updates that unlock 120 Hz for the Mi 10S, so count on it.