Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro: 60Hz screen frequency – why not 90/120Hz and how to improve smoothness?

Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro

How much hertz does the Mi 8 Pro screen have?

90 Hz

120 Hz

60 Hz

In this article, we will discuss the specifications of the Mi 8 Pro display, compare it with other models of the Mi 8 series, explain why Xiaomi did not equip this flagship with a high refresh rate, and give practical tips for optimizing the screen, and learn how to check the actual refresh rate and what to do if the image “brakes” or “shakes”.

If you are considering or already owning the Mi 8 Pro, this information will help you avoid disappointment and make the most of your smartphone experience. And for those who are comparing models, we have prepared a table with the frequencies of the entire Mi 8 lineup.

Technical characteristics of the screen Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro

Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is equipped with AMOLED-display diagonal 6.21" with a resolution of 2248×1080 pixels (Full HD+).It is one of the best screens in the Mi 8 line, but its key feature is not the refresh rate, and the technology Super AMOLED from Samsung, which provides:

• 🌓 Deep black (pixels completely turned off)
• 🎨 Wide color gamut (DCI-P3 ~96%)
• ☀️ High brightness (up to 600 nits in peak mode)
• 🔋 Energy efficiency (less battery consumption compared to the IPS)

However, the screen refresh rate is fixed at 60Hz. This means that the picture is updated 60 times per second – the standard for most smartphones in 2018. For comparison, modern flagships (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) offer 120Hz and even 144Hz, which makes animation and scrolling noticeably smoother.

It’s important to understand that 60Hz is not a drawback, but a feature of the generation. In 2018, high-frequency screens were rare even among top-end devices. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S9+ also had 60Hz, and the OnePlus 6T — the first mass-produced smartphone with 90Hz — was released only at the end of the same year.

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If you're used to 90/120Hz, going to 60Hz can seem "braking." To adapt, try turning off animations in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (5 times press) → For developers → Animation Scale (select 0.5x)).

Why doesn’t the Mi 8 Pro have a 90 or 120Hz?

The lack of a high refresh rate for the Mi 8 Pro is due to several factors:

1. Release year: 2018 was not yet the era of high-frequency screens; the mass adoption of 90 Hz only began in 2019-2020 (for example, OnePlus 7 Pro, ROG Phone 2).
2. Hardware limitations: The Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, despite its power, has not been optimized to handle high refresh rates without loss in performance and autonomy.
3. AMOLED vs. LTPO: Modern dynamic-frequency screens (e.g. in the Mi 11 Ultra) use LTPO technology, which allows for smoothly adjusting Hz from 1 to 120. In 2018, LTPO was only available on the Apple Watch.
4. Target audience: Xiaomi positioned the Mi 8 Pro as a premium smartphone with a focus on design (underscreen fingerprint scanner) and camera, rather than gaming or multimedia.

In addition, 60Hz is a trade-off between smoothness and autonomy. High refresh rates put a strain on the processor and battery. For example, the Mi 9 Pro 5G (2019) with 90Hz discharged 15-20% faster than the Mi 8 Pro for similar tasks.

Comparison with other models of the Mi 8 series

The Mi 8 lineup features three main models: the Mi 8, Mi 8 SE and Mi 8 Pro. All of them have the same screen frequency of 60 Hz, but differ in other parameters.

As you can see from the table, the Mi 8 Pro doesn’t have a screen frequency advantage, but it does outperform the Mi 8 SE by having a brighter, more contrasting display. If you’re looking for smoothness, you should look at newer models, such as:

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G (90 Hz, 2019)
• 📱 POCO F2 Pro (60 Hz, but with optimizations for gaming)
• 📱 Black Shark 2 (120 Hz, specialised for gaming)

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If you choose between the Mi 8 series, screen frequency should not be the deciding factor – they are all limited to 60Hz.

How to check the actual screen refresh rate?

Sometimes users doubt that their Mi 8 Pro really works at 60Hz.

1. Through Developer Settings: Activate Developer Mode (click 5 times on the MIUI Version in Settings → About Phone), then go to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Show the screen refresh rate. Turn on this option – the current Hz indicator will appear in the upper right corner.
2. Using apps: Install tools like Display Tester or Screen Refresh Rate from Google Play, which will show the current and maximum screen frequency, and help test the smoothness of animations.
3. Visual test: Run a high frame rate video (like 120 FPS) on YouTube. If the screen is 60Hz, you will see "shaking" or blurring when moving fast.

Important: some custom firmware (for example, based on AOSP) can simulate high frequency due to rendering optimization, but the real hardware frequency remains 60 Hz. If the indicator in the developer settings shows 90 Hz, this is a software “cheat”, and some support.

Activate Developer Mode |Enable Hz display in settings |Install Display Tester |Compare with Reference Video 120 FPS-->

Can I improve the screen’s smoothness by 60 Hz?

While the hardware frequency of the Mi 8 Pro screen is fixed, there are several ways to make the interface visually smoother:

• ⚡ Disable animations: In the developer settings (Animation Scale) select No Animation or 0.5x. This will speed up the transitions between windows.
• 🔄 Use lightweight launchers: Replace the standard MIUI Launcher on Nova Launcher or Lawnchair – optimized for smoothness.
• 🎮 Enable Performance Mode: In Settings → Battery → Select Performance Mode High Performance (the battery load will increase!).
• 🔧 Update MIUI: Recent versions of the firmware (for example, MIUI 14) optimize work with 60 Hz due to an improved task scheduler.

It’s also worth considering that some games and apps may restrict FPS on 60Hz screens. For example, in PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile, the maximum graphics settings will be automatically reduced to avoid a frame gap.

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If you play the Mi 8 Pro, try enabling Forced GPU Rendering mode in the developer settings.This may increase FPS in some games, but will increase the device's heat.

Frequent Mi 8 Pro screen problems and their solutions

Mi 8 Pro users sometimes encounter screen artifacts that are not related to refresh rates but are related to other factors, and these are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Warning: If the screen starts flashing or showing vertical stripes, this may be a sign of the plume detachment (a common problem in the body). AMOLED-displays after 2-3 years of use, in which case repairs are required at the service center.

If problems persist after all manipulations, we recommend resetting to factory settings or reflashing the device to a clean version. MIUI (You can find firmware instructions on the official Xiaomi forum or on resources like 4PDA.

Should I Buy the Mi 8 Pro in 2026?

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is still the right choice for those looking for a powerful smartphone at a budget price, but before buying it, you should weigh the pros and cons, especially if the screen frequency is important to you:

• ✅ Pluses: 💪 Powerful Snapdragon 845 processor (still pulls modern games on mid-range settings) 📸 Excellent camera (the main module 12 MP with optics Sony) IMX363) 🔋 Good autonomy (battery 3000 mAh) + optimization MIUI) 🎨 Premium design (glass case, underscreen scanner)
• ❌ Cons: 🐢 Screen. 60 Hz (compared to modern ones) 90/120 Hz) 🔄 No official support for new versions of Android (last Android) 10) 📶 Absent. 5G (but for most tasks LTE enough) 🛠️ Possible problems with AMOLED-post-screen 3–4 years

If you are critically interested in a high refresh rate, consider alternatives:

• 📱 POCO F3 (120Hz, Snapdragon 870, ~20 000 ₽)
• 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (120Hz, Dimensity 1080, ~25 000 ₽)
• 📱 Xiaomi 11T (120Hz, Snapdragon 888, ~30 000 ₽)

⚠️ Note: In the secondary market, the Mi 8 Pro is often sold with a worn-out battery or damaged screen. AMOLED (No broken pixels or yellowness) Battery capacity (via AccuBattery) Underscreen scanner operation (often fails)

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The Mi 8 Pro in 2026 is a good choice for the secondary market, unless you need 90+Hz and 5G. For new challenges (games, multimedia), it is better to consider models with 120Hz.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the screen Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro