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On a supported Samsung Galaxy phone, change display resolution at Settings > Display > Screen resolution. Change refresh rate at Settings > Display > Motion smoothness, then tap Apply if that button appears. Resolution controls the amount of pixel detail; refresh rate controls how often the screen updates. They are separate settings, and the choices shown depend on your Galaxy model and software version.

What you are changing

Galaxy phones expose two different display controls that are often confused:

  • Screen resolution selects the display’s pixel-detail setting. Samsung support documentation illustrates labels such as HD+, FHD+ and QHD+, but a particular phone may show only some of them.
  • Refresh rate determines how often the display updates its image. Samsung defines refresh rate as how often the screen updates each second, measured in hertz (Hz). On Galaxy phones, this control is usually named Motion smoothness.

A resolution change affects detail. A refresh-rate change affects the frequency of updates during motion, scrolling and other animated content. You can change one without changing the other, subject to the limits imposed by your model, selected resolution and power mode.

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Before opening Settings

Check the exact Galaxy model

Samsung does not provide the same display controls on every Galaxy phone. Screen-resolution choices and Motion smoothness modes vary by model, and the same family can have different capabilities across generations or regional variants. Do not assume that a setting shown in a guide or on another Galaxy will appear on yours.

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Expect software-version differences

Menu names, settings and layouts can change with the phone’s software version. The paths below use Samsung’s current labels, but a screen can look different or omit a choice on another version. If you cannot find a menu, identify the model and software version first rather than treating the missing item as a fault.

Understand the labels

Label or term What it represents What to keep in mind
HD+ A lower resolution option shown in Samsung’s example guide Not every Galaxy offers it as a selectable mode.
FHD+ A resolution option shown in Samsung’s example guide Availability is model-dependent.
QHD+ A higher resolution option shown in Samsung’s example guide Some phones restrict high refresh rates when QHD+ (also called WQHD+ on some models) is selected.
Standard A 60 Hz refresh-rate mode Samsung describes it as the battery-conserving choice.
Adaptive A mode that changes the refresh rate dynamically, up to 120 Hz on models that support that ceiling The maximum and behavior are model-specific.
High A mode that can lock the display at a high refresh rate on select models Samsung documentation describes 120 Hz or, on some devices, 90 Hz; it can use more battery.

Change the screen resolution

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Display.
  3. Tap Screen resolution.
  4. Choose one of the resolutions displayed on your phone.

The screen applies the selected resolution according to the controls on your model. If your phone shows a confirmation button, use the button displayed there. Samsung’s support example includes HD+, FHD+ and QHD+; those are examples of menu labels, not a promise that all three are available on every Galaxy.

How to choose among the resolutions shown

If your priority is… What to try What the choice changes
More visible pixel detail Select the highest resolution offered Text and fine elements are rendered at the phone’s highest available pixel-detail setting. On some models, this can affect which Motion smoothness modes remain available.
A lower-detail setting for a particular power or compatibility goal Select a lower option such as FHD+ or HD+ when offered The display uses the lower resolution you selected. The practical result depends on the phone and content; Samsung does not publish a universal battery-saving percentage for these choices.
A middle ground Select the intermediate option shown by your phone This lets you compare detail and compatibility without assuming that another model’s labels or behavior apply to yours.

Resolution labels are relative to the device’s display. “QHD+” in the menu is a setting name, not a guarantee that every Galaxy model uses the same pixel dimensions as another model with the same label.

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Change the refresh rate with Motion smoothness

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Display.
  3. Tap Motion smoothness.
  4. Select the preferred option shown on your phone.
  5. Tap Apply when that button is displayed.

The available choices differ by model. A phone may show Standard and Adaptive, Standard and High, or another combination. Do not treat the absence of a mode as an installation problem until you have checked the model and software version.

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What each Motion smoothness mode does

Mode Refresh-rate behavior described by Samsung Best fit Trade-off
Standard 60 Hz Battery conservation and situations where a fixed, lower refresh rate is acceptable Motion is displayed at the 60 Hz setting rather than at a higher available rate.
Adaptive Changes the rate dynamically, up to 120 Hz on supported models People who want the phone to adjust the rate instead of keeping it permanently at the highest setting It is not a universal 120 Hz lock, and behavior depends on the model and its software.
High Can lock the display at 120 Hz on select models; Samsung also documents devices where High is 90 Hz Consistent high-refresh behavior when the phone offers this mode Samsung warns that a high setting may use more battery than Standard.

Samsung’s figures are ceilings or mode definitions, not a guarantee that every application or situation will visibly run at that rate. A phone described as “up to 120 Hz” can vary the rate in Adaptive mode, while a model with a 90 Hz High option cannot be assumed to support 120 Hz.

How resolution and refresh rate interact

WQHD+ can limit 120 Hz

Some Galaxy devices do not support 120 Hz while the display is set to WQHD+. On those devices, selecting WQHD+ can automatically switch Motion smoothness to Standard. This is a compatibility rule, not evidence that the display setting failed.

If you want the phone’s highest refresh-rate option and the phone has this restriction, return to Settings > Display > Screen resolution and choose a resolution that permits the desired Motion smoothness mode. The exact compatible combinations depend on the model.

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Power Saving Mode can force Standard

Power Saving Mode can force Motion smoothness to Standard. If Adaptive or High disappears, is unavailable, or changes back after you select it, check whether Power Saving Mode is active. The phone may be enforcing Standard while that power mode is enabled.

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Changing one setting may change the other

Resolution and Motion smoothness are separate menus, but the phone can enforce a compatible pair. For example, a WQHD+ selection can trigger Standard on a device that cannot combine WQHD+ with 120 Hz. Check both menus after making a change instead of assuming that the first selection remains untouched.

Choosing a setting for your priorities

Your priority Resolution approach Motion smoothness approach Why
Battery efficiency Use the resolution that meets your detail needs; avoid assuming a particular resolution produces a fixed saving. Standard (60 Hz) Samsung identifies Standard as the battery-conserving mode and warns that higher settings may use more battery.
Highest available detail Select the highest resolution offered, such as QHD+ where available. Use the highest mode that remains available with that resolution. Some phones will not combine WQHD+ with 120 Hz, so detail and refresh-rate priorities may conflict.
Automatic balance Keep the resolution that looks right to you. Adaptive, if offered. The phone dynamically changes the rate, with a ceiling of up to 120 Hz on supported models.
Consistent high refresh rate Choose a resolution compatible with High. High, if offered. High can lock 120 Hz on select devices or 90 Hz on some others, but may use more battery.
Maximum compatibility with power controls Use a resolution that does not trigger a compatibility switch. Standard, especially while Power Saving Mode is active. Power Saving Mode can force Standard, and some high-resolution combinations do the same.

There is no universally best combination. Compare the highest rate supported by your specific model, the resolution you prefer, and whether Power Saving Mode is active. Samsung’s support material does not establish a universal percentage for battery savings or performance improvement, so judge the result on your own phone rather than relying on a number from another model.

What to expect after changing the settings

After a resolution change

Fine details are rendered according to the selected resolution. The menu may return to the Display page or remain open, depending on the software version. Reopen Screen resolution if you need to confirm which option is selected.

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After a refresh-rate change

Motion smoothness controls the display’s update frequency. Standard is 60 Hz; Adaptive can vary up to 120 Hz on supported phones; High may be a fixed 120 Hz or 90 Hz mode, depending on the device. If you selected Adaptive, the rate is intended to change dynamically rather than remain at the ceiling at all times.

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Battery expectations

Samsung describes Standard as battery conserving and says that High may use more battery. Those descriptions do not specify a fixed number of hours or a percentage because battery life also depends on the phone, software, workload and other settings. Treat the modes as a choice between motion smoothness and battery efficiency, not as a guaranteed battery test.

If Screen resolution or Motion smoothness is missing

  1. Confirm the menu path. Start in Settings, open Display, and look specifically for Screen resolution or Motion smoothness. Samsung’s labels are not interchangeable: refresh rate is not normally called “screen resolution.”
  2. Identify the exact model. The phone may simply lack a selectable resolution or high-refresh mode. Samsung says available settings vary by device.
  3. Check the software version. Samsung notes that menu names, settings and layouts vary by software version. Use the version information on your phone when comparing instructions, and do not assume another version’s screenshots match yours.
  4. Check Power Saving Mode. If Motion smoothness is limited to Standard, Power Saving Mode may be enforcing that mode.
  5. Check the selected resolution. On some devices, WQHD+ prevents 120 Hz and can automatically switch Motion smoothness to Standard.
  6. Recheck both menus after every change. A compatibility rule can alter the other display control, so verify the active resolution and Motion smoothness mode separately.

A software update cannot be treated as a promise that a particular option will appear. Samsung’s guidance is to account for the model and software version; hardware and model-specific limits still determine which choices are offered.

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Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Looking for refresh rate under Screen resolution

Refresh rate is controlled through Motion smoothness, not the Screen resolution page. Open the two menus separately.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

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Assuming every phone has HD+, FHD+ and QHD+

Samsung’s US support guide shows those three labels as examples. They are not a universal list for all Galaxy phones. Use only the choices actually displayed on your device.

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Expecting Adaptive to stay at 120 Hz

Adaptive is a dynamic mode. Its documented ceiling is up to 120 Hz on supported models, not a promise of a constant 120 Hz.

Expecting High to mean 120 Hz on every phone

Samsung documents 120 Hz on select devices and a 90 Hz High option on some devices. Read the value shown on your phone instead of transferring the specification from another Galaxy.

Changing to WQHD+ and assuming High will remain enabled

Some devices automatically move to Standard when WQHD+ is selected because 120 Hz is not supported at that resolution. Check the Motion smoothness page after changing resolution.

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Comparing battery claims from another model

The official descriptions identify direction—Standard is battery conserving and High may use more—but do not provide a universal percentage. Your model, software and usage determine the result.

A quick procedure for testing your preferred combination

  1. Open Settings > Display > Screen resolution and note every option your phone offers.
  2. Select the resolution that matches your detail priority.
  3. Open Settings > Display > Motion smoothness and note which modes remain available after the resolution change.
  4. Select Standard, Adaptive or High according to your priority and tap Apply when shown.
  5. Return to both menus and verify the active selections, especially if you chose WQHD+ or use Power Saving Mode.
  6. If the available choices do not match another guide, record your model and software version before troubleshooting further; the difference may be intentional.

When to use each control

Use Screen resolution when detail is the issue

If your question is whether the phone is using HD+, FHD+ or QHD+, use Screen resolution. This is the control for pixel-detail level.

Use Motion smoothness when motion is the issue

If your question concerns scrolling or animated movement and the available update frequency, use Motion smoothness. Standard is 60 Hz; Adaptive and High are higher-refresh choices only where the model provides them.

Check both when you want a specific combination

High resolution and high refresh rate are not guaranteed to coexist. Check the pair after every change because WQHD+ and Power Saving Mode can impose Standard on affected devices.

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Key facts at a glance

  • Resolution path: Settings > Display > Screen resolution.
  • Refresh-rate path: Settings > Display > Motion smoothness; tap Apply where displayed.
  • Standard is 60 Hz.
  • Adaptive can change dynamically up to 120 Hz on supported models.
  • High can be 120 Hz on select models or 90 Hz on some devices.
  • Higher refresh-rate modes may use more battery; Samsung describes Standard as battery conserving.
  • Some phones cannot use 120 Hz at WQHD+ and may switch automatically to Standard.
  • Power Saving Mode can force Standard.
  • Model and software version determine which menus and choices appear.

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