Xiaomi Mi Pad 5: how many hertz on the screen is 90 or 120?

Introduction: Why screen frequency is important for a tablet

When choosing a Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 tablet, one of the key parameters is the refresh rate of the screen. This indicator directly affects the smoothness of animation, sensor responsiveness and comfort during long-term use. But with the Mi Pad 5, the situation is not so clear: there are mentions of both 90 Hz and 120 Hz in the characteristics. Let's understand where the truth and where the marketing move.

The debate about the Mi Pad 5 screen frequency began immediately after the device was announced in 2021. Xiaomi official sources pointed to 120 Hz, but tests by independent experts showed different results. In this article, we will analyze the technical specifications, check the real metrics and explain how frequency affects the experience of using the tablet – from watching videos to playing games and drawing.

Official characteristics: what Xiaomi claims

According to the manufacturer, Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 fitted IPS-diagonal 11 inch and resolution 2560×1600 The presentation materials and the official website indicate the frequency of the update. 120 Hz. But here's the nuance: it's about the maximum frequency that the screen can support in ideal conditions.

It's important to understand that 120 Hz is not a constant, but actually the frequency changes dynamically depending on the use case.

• 📺 When watching video – automatically decreases to 60 Hz to save charge.
• 🎮 In games, it can reach 90-120 Hz, but depends on the optimization of the application.
• 📝 When reading or working with documents – often drops to 60 Hz.

Moreover, in some regions (e.g. Europe) Mi Pad 5 was sold with a software-limited frequency of up to 90 Hz. This is due to certification and power requirements, so you should check the specific version of the device before buying.

Real Tests: What Independent Tests Show

Several technology publications have tested the Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 with specialized tools such as UFO Test and Display Tester.

Interesting fact: in the Chinese version of the Mi Pad 5, 120Hz is available out of the box, whereas in the global versions it has to be activated manually through the engineering menu, due to differences in firmware and local regulators.

💡

To check the actual screen frequency, install the Display Tester app from Google Play. In the Refresh Rate section, you will see the current value in hertz.

It's also worth considering that even with 120Hz support, not all apps can run at this frequency. For example, YouTube and Netflix are limited to 60Hz because of the high frequency of the app. DRM-contention.

How to Change the Screen Frequency by Hand

If your Mi Pad 5 defaults to 60Hz or 90Hz, but you want to unlock 120Hz, follow the instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Tablet and 7 times click on the MIUI Version.
2. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → For developers.
3. Find the screen refresh rate (or Force Peak Refresh Rate in English firmware).
4. Set a 120Hz value and restart the device.

Activate the Developer Mode

Check the MIUI version (must be at least 12.5)

Make a backup copy of the data

Charge the tablet at least 50%-->

⚠️ Attention: Compulsory inclusion 120 Hz can increase battery consumption 15-20%. If you notice overheating or rapid discharge, return the settings to the factory.

For custom firmware users (e.g. LineageOS), the process may be different. In some builds, the screen frequency is adjusted via file. /sys/class/drm/card0-DSI-1/refresh_rate, But it requires root rights and command line knowledge.

Comparison with competitors: 90 vs 120 Hz

To understand how important the difference between 90Hz and 120Hz is, compare the Mi Pad 5 to other popular tablets:

• 🍎 iPad Air (4th generation): 60 Hz – smoothness is enough thanks to the optimization of iPadOS, but the difference from 120 Hz is noticeable when scrolling.
• 🤖 Samsung Galaxy Tab S8: 120 Hz (LTPO) — dynamic frequency from 10 Hz to 120 Hz, which saves battery.
• 📱 Lenovo Tab P12 Pro: 120 Hz (OLED) — A deeper black color, but possible OLED-Bern-in.

In practice, the difference between 90 Hz and 120 Hz is only noticeable in dynamic scenes.

• 🎮 In shooters (for example, Call of Duty Mobile) high frequency gives an advantage due to a smoother picture.
• 🖌️ Drawing: When working in Adobe Fresco or Krita, lines are smoother due to lower latency.
• 📜 Reading: When flipping PDF Or electronic books, there is almost no difference.

If you use a tablet primarily for office work or content, the difference between 90Hz and 120Hz will be minimal. But for gamers and artists, 120Hz can be a deciding factor.

Problems and Limitations: What You Need to Know

Despite the claimed 120Hz, the Mi Pad 5 has a few nuances that are rarely talked about:

⚠️ Attention: Some batches of tablets (especially early releases) show screen flickering when running at 120 Hz. This is due to unstable voltage of the display module.

Other common problems:

• 🔋 Overheating: With prolonged operation at maximum frequency, the back panel can heat up to 40-42°C.
• 🔄 Unstable frequency: In some applications (e.g. Chrome), the frequency spontaneously drops to 60 Hz.
• 🛠️ Limitations MIUI: In global firmware there is no option of manual frequency selection - only automatic mode.

If you encounter screen artifacts, try the following steps:

1. Update the firmware to the latest version through Settings → System Update.
2. Reset the screen settings: Settings → Display → Reset to factory.
3. Turn off the Adaptive Frequency function in the developer settings.

💡

If the jitter of the screen does not disappear after the update, contact the service center. This may be a defect of the display plume or controller, which is covered by the warranty.

Optimizing frequency for different tasks

To maximize the capabilities of the Mi Pad 5 screen, adjust the frequency to specific scenarios:

To automate frequency switching, you can use applications like SetEdit (requires root) or Tasker with the Display Refresh Rate plugin, for example, you can configure the rule: "If the Call of Duty application is running, install 120 Hz."

If you use a multi-tasking tablet frequently (such as a split screen with notes and a browser), 90Hz is the best option, providing smoothness without a critical impact on autonomy.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions