What is the maximum refresh rate for a TV?

The maximum refresh rate currently available on TVs is 240Hz. For example, the Samsung Micro RGB R95H supports 2K at up to 240Hz when connected to a compatible PC and used with supported games.

Does a 120Hz refresh rate improve picture quality?

A 120Hz refresh rate improves motion clarity rather than overall picture quality. It can make fast-moving content such as sports, action scenes and games appear smoother and clearer with less motion blur. However, it does not directly improve brightness, contrast, resolution or color accuracy. Select Samsung TVs, such as the Samsung OLED S85H , feature a native refresh rate of 120Hz. To experience the full benefit, the content and connected device must also support a compatible frame rate.

What are the pros and cons of a 120Hz refresh rate?

A 120Hz refresh rate on Samsung TVs delivers ultra-smooth motion clarity and eliminates blur during fast-paced sports, action movies and console gaming. It can also display 24fps movies evenly, helping reduce judder. While conventional high-refresh-rate TVs offer limited benefits for standard broadcasts, Samsung Micro RGB and Samsung OLED TVs use advanced NQ AI Processors and Motion Xcelerator to upgrade even ordinary 60Hz content into fluid, cinematic experiences, making 120Hz a worthy investment for any living room.

Is it worth upgrading from 60Hz to 144Hz?

Upgrading from 60Hz to 144Hz can be worthwhile for high-frame-rate PC gaming, especially in fast-paced genres such as racing and first-person shooters. A 144Hz TV can display motion more smoothly and clearly than a 60Hz model when the game and connected PC support up to 144fps.

Is 165Hz good for gaming?

Yes, a 165Hz refresh rate is well suited to high-performance gaming, especially fast-paced PC games such as racing, first-person shooters and esports titles. It can display motion more smoothly and clearly than lower refresh rates when paired with a compatible PC and game that support up to 165 frames per second. Select Samsung TVs support 4K gaming at up to 165Hz, including the Samsung Micro RGB R95H and Samsung OLED S90H .

Is 60Hz or 144Hz better for gaming?

A 144Hz refresh rate is better than 60Hz for fast-paced and high-frame-rate gaming. It can make motion appear smoother and clearer while helping gameplay feel more responsive, provided the game and connected device support up to 144 frames per second. Samsung Neo QLED QN80H is a strong option for this kind of performance, delivering 4K at 144Hz along with reduced glare for better visibility when gaming in bright rooms.

What is refresh rate on a TV?

Refresh rate helps a TV display fast-moving content smoothly, making it particularly important for watching sports and playing games.

The image was generated with the assistance of AI tools.

TV refresh rate measures how many times the screen updates its image each second, expressed in hertz (Hz).
Higher refresh rates improve motion clarity and reduce motion blur, particularly during sports, action scenes and gaming.
A 60Hz TV works well for everyday viewing, 120Hz is a strong choice for sports and console gaming and 144Hz or 165Hz is suited to high-frame-rate PC gaming.
Samsung Motion Xcelerator sharpens motion clarity and supports refresh rates of up to 120Hz, 144Hz or 165Hz, depending on the TV model.
VRR technologies synchronize the TV’s refresh rate with the device’s frame output, while HDMI 2.1 carries high-resolution, high-frame-rate signals from compatible consoles and PCs.
Samsung Micro RGB R95H, Samsung OLED S90H and Samsung Neo QLED QN80H offer high-refresh-rate gaming features for different viewing environments and gaming setups.

What does refresh rate mean on a TV?

A TV's refresh rate — such as the ultra-smooth 144Hz and 165Hz featured on Samsung Micro RGB and OLED TVs — is the number of times the screen updates its image each second, measured in hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate, especially when paired with motion technologies like Samsung Motion Xcelerator, can make fast-moving scenes appear noticeably smoother and clearer by reducing motion blur.
However, refresh rate does not directly improve brightness, contrast or color accuracy. Instead, it specifically optimizes motion clarity, making it an important specification when watching fast-paced content such as sports or playing video games.

How do TV refresh rates compare?

Common refresh rates found on TVs today include 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz and 165Hz.
A 60Hz TV works well for everyday viewing and content with minimal motion, such as news or drama. A 120Hz TV is better suited to sports, action-heavy scenes and gaming and is widely supported by current-generation consoles.
Gamers looking for even higher performance may want to consider 144Hz or above. Samsung Motion Xcelerator is designed to support smoother, clearer motion at high refresh rates on select Samsung TVs. Depending on the Motion Xcelerator technology and TV model, refresh rates of up to 144Hz or even 165Hz are available. This makes Samsung Motion Xcelerator particularly valuable for high-frame-rate PC gaming and competitive genres such as racing and first-person shooters.

A TV’s native refresh rate refers to the physical refresh rate of its panel. Select TVs support native refresh rates of up to 165Hz when connected to a compatible PC.
The maximum supported refresh rate may vary depending on the TV model, connected device, graphics card and game compatibility.
Depending on the feature and TV model, Samsung Motion Xcelerator supports maximum refresh rates of 120Hz, 144Hz or 165Hz.

What technologies enable high-refresh-rate gaming on a TV?

High-refresh-rate gaming on a TV is supported by three core technologies: Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for frame synchronization, Samsung Motion Xcelerator for smoother, sharper motion and HDMI 2.1 for high-bandwidth data transmission. These technologies work in sync to align your gaming device's frame output with the TV's display panel.

Which technologies optimize motion clarity on Samsung TVs?

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) matches the TV’s refresh rate to the gaming device’s frame output, reducing screen tearing and stuttering for smoother, more responsive gameplay. AMD FreeSync Premium Pro supports low-latency HDR gaming, while NVIDIA-validated G-SYNC Compatible technology helps deliver smooth gameplay with minimal tearing. Samsung OLED TVs support both technologies for PC and console gaming.

A ship is about to take off. With NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro On, the screen is clear. With NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro Off, the screen is jagged.

Motion Xcelerator

Samsung TVs feature Motion Xcelerator, which sharpens motion clarity and makes fast-moving scenes look smoother and more defined. Depending on the TV model and feature set, it can support refresh rates of up to 120Hz, 144Hz or 165Hz — helping to reduce motion blur and keep the picture clear even during rapid on-screen action.

Scene from racing game. The car's movement is so fast and clear that it appears to race out of the screen. 165 Hz.

HDMI 2.1

To transmit heavy, high-resolution data like 4K at 120Hz or 144Hz from a gaming console or PC to a TV, you need the high bandwidth provided by the HDMI 2.1 standard.
To unlock these high refresh rates, the TV, the HDMI port, the connected device and the HDMI cable must all support the HDMI 2.1 specification. Samsung's premium gaming TVs, such as its Micro RGB and OLED series, feature four fully compatible HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing you to connect multiple high-performance consoles and PCs simultaneously without swapping cables.

What is the optimal refresh rate for a TV?

The right refresh rate for your TV comes down to two things: what you watch and how you game. The table below compares recommended uses and key characteristics for 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz and 165Hz refresh rates.

Refresh rates 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz and 165Hz
Refresh rate	Recommended uses	Key characteristics
60Hz	Broadcast TV, streaming and content with relatively little motion	For everyday viewing
120Hz	Console gaming, sports and action or blockbuster movies	Smoothly displays most high-refresh-rate content and games on consoles
144Hz	Competitive PC gaming, fast-paced esports and action-intensive gaming genres	For smoother motion and greater clarity in fast-paced games
165Hz	Ultra-high-performance PC gaming, professional esports (FPS and simulation) and enthusiast setups	Enhanced motion clarity and responsiveness beyond 144Hz in high-frame-rate games

Which Samsung TV is best for high refresh rate gaming?

Samsung's high refresh rate lineup covers a range of gaming needs. Samsung Micro RGB R95H pairs premium picture quality with top-tier gaming performance. Samsung OLED S90H is a strong all-arounder for both PC and console gaming, while Samsung Neo QLED QN80H is a solid pick for bright living rooms. Here's how the three compare:

table
table product	Samsung Micro RGB R95H	Samsung OLED S95H	Samsung Neo QLED QN80H
Maximum refresh rate	4K at 165Hz / 2K at 240Hz	4K at 165Hz	4K at 144Hz / 2K at 240Hz
FreeSync Premium Pro	Yes	Yes	Yes
G-Sync Compatible	No	Yes	No
HDMI 2.1	Yes	Yes	Yes
Recommended for	Users seeking a premium TV with exceptional picture quality and advanced gaming performance	PC and console gamers seeking advanced gaming performance	Users who enjoy gaming and movies in a bright living room
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum refresh rate for a TV?

The maximum refresh rate currently available on TVs is 240Hz. For example, the Samsung Micro RGB R95H supports 2K at up to 240Hz when connected to a compatible PC and used with supported games.
Does a 120Hz refresh rate improve picture quality?

A 120Hz refresh rate improves motion clarity rather than overall picture quality. It can make fast-moving content such as sports, action scenes and games appear smoother and clearer with less motion blur. However, it does not directly improve brightness, contrast, resolution or color accuracy. Select Samsung TVs, such as the Samsung OLED S85H, feature a native refresh rate of 120Hz. To experience the full benefit, the content and connected device must also support a compatible frame rate.
What are the pros and cons of a 120Hz refresh rate?

A 120Hz refresh rate on Samsung TVs delivers ultra-smooth motion clarity and eliminates blur during fast-paced sports, action movies and console gaming. It can also display 24fps movies evenly, helping reduce judder.
While conventional high-refresh-rate TVs offer limited benefits for standard broadcasts, Samsung Micro RGB and Samsung OLED TVs use advanced NQ AI Processors and Motion Xcelerator to upgrade even ordinary 60Hz content into fluid, cinematic experiences, making 120Hz a worthy investment for any living room.
Is it worth upgrading from 60Hz to 144Hz?

Upgrading from 60Hz to 144Hz can be worthwhile for high-frame-rate PC gaming, especially in fast-paced genres such as racing and first-person shooters. A 144Hz TV can display motion more smoothly and clearly than a 60Hz model when the game and connected PC support up to 144fps.
Is 165Hz good for gaming?

Yes, a 165Hz refresh rate is well suited to high-performance gaming, especially fast-paced PC games such as racing, first-person shooters and esports titles. It can display motion more smoothly and clearly than lower refresh rates when paired with a compatible PC and game that support up to 165 frames per second. Select Samsung TVs support 4K gaming at up to 165Hz, including the Samsung Micro RGB R95H and Samsung OLED S90H.
Is 60Hz or 144Hz better for gaming?

A 144Hz refresh rate is better than 60Hz for fast-paced and high-frame-rate gaming. It can make motion appear smoother and clearer while helping gameplay feel more responsive, provided the game and connected device support up to 144 frames per second. Samsung Neo QLED QN80H is a strong option for this kind of performance, delivering 4K at 144Hz along with reduced glare for better visibility when gaming in bright rooms.