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06 Numbers and Powers

Razer Phone 120 Hz: Which Games Support It?

Card No. 06·39801 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Yes—games can use the Razer Phone’s 120 Hz display, but support depends on the individual game and its settings. The screen’s refresh rate does not make every game run at 120 frames per second: a title must allow a high frame-rate mode, and the phone must be able to sustain it.

What 120 Hz means on the Razer Phone

The original Razer Phone, released in 2017, was notable for a 5.7-inch IGZO LCD with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The Razer Phone 2 also offered a 120 Hz display. Refresh rate describes how often the screen can update each second; 120 Hz means up to 120 updates per second, compared with the 60 Hz common on many phones of that period.

Refresh rate and frame rate are related, but they are not the same thing. Refresh rate is a display capability. Frame rate (fps) is how many distinct images a game renders each second. If a game renders at 60 fps, a 120 Hz screen can still display it, but it cannot create 60 extra game frames that were never rendered. If a game renders at 30 fps, the motion remains limited by that output even if the panel refreshes more often.

Which games can run at high frame rates?

There is no single permanent list of games that work at 120 Hz on every Razer Phone. Support can depend on the game’s version, device compatibility, graphics settings, and whether the developer has enabled a high-fps mode for that particular model. Some games offer a 90 or 120 fps option; others cap gameplay at 60 fps or lower.

Fast-paced games are often the ones where higher frame rates are most noticeable, including competitive shooters, racing games, and action titles. That does not mean a particular shooter or racing game automatically supports 120 fps on this phone. Check the game’s own graphics or display settings for labels such as “Frame Rate,” “FPS,” “High,” or “Ultra.” The names and available choices vary by game.

  • Look for an explicit high-frame-rate setting inside the game, rather than assuming the phone’s screen setting enables it.
  • Check the game’s current device-support information or release notes if the option is missing.
  • Distinguish a 120 Hz display option from a game setting that explicitly targets 90 or 120 fps.

How to enable and check the display

Start by checking the phone’s display controls. On Razer Phone software, display settings may include refresh-rate choices, though the exact labels and menus can differ with software version and device. If available, select 120 Hz or the highest refresh rate, then open the game and inspect its graphics settings. Enable the highest frame-rate option the game provides, if one is available.

  1. Open the phone’s Settings and look under the display-related options for refresh rate.
  2. Select 120 Hz, if that choice is present and you want to prioritize smoothness.
  3. Launch the game and inspect its graphics, performance, or frame-rate menu.
  4. Choose a high-fps mode and, if necessary, reduce visual quality settings to help maintain performance.
  5. Play a representative section and assess smoothness and heat; a menu showing “120 Hz” alone does not prove that gameplay is rendering at 120 fps.

Some Razer Phone software versions also include tools for managing display behavior by app. If your software offers such controls, use them to check whether the game is being assigned a particular refresh rate. Do not assume that a tool or menu documented for one Razer Phone model or software build appears identically on another.

Why a game may not reach 120 fps

Even when a game exposes a high frame-rate option, performance depends on more than the screen. The game’s engine, graphics workload, processor and graphics hardware, temperature, and background activity all matter. A demanding scene may run below the selected target, while a lighter game may stay smoother. A setting is a target or permitted mode, not a guarantee that every moment will hit the same fps.

Heat can also affect sustained performance. Long sessions, high screen brightness, and demanding graphics can make the phone warm; as devices manage temperature, performance may change. Battery-saving settings can prioritize endurance over peak performance, and running other apps in the background can use resources. If frame pacing becomes uneven, try closing unnecessary apps, lowering demanding graphics options, and letting the phone cool before another long session.

Game updates may change supported devices and frame-rate choices. An option that appeared in one version might move, be renamed, or disappear after an update. If the game offers no high-fps mode, changing the phone’s refresh rate cannot force the game to render faster.

What higher refresh rates feel like

When a game actually renders more frames and the display refreshes at a matching rate, movement can appear smoother and on-screen actions may feel more responsive. This can be useful when tracking moving targets or steering through a fast course. The benefit is most apparent when the game produces stable high frame rates; fluctuating output can feel less consistent than a lower, steady rate.

Not every player will notice the same improvement. Game style, eyesight, touch response, and the amount of time spent playing affect perception. Higher refresh rates also use more power than lower-refresh operation in many situations, so choosing 120 Hz can shorten battery life. If battery endurance matters more than fluid motion, a lower refresh setting may be a sensible trade-off.

Razer Phone 120 Hz versus 120 fps

A common misconception is that “120 Hz” in the phone’s settings means every game is running at 120 fps. It does not. The refresh-rate setting describes the panel’s update capability; the game’s fps depends on what the software renders and what the hardware can sustain.

Likewise, a game that runs at 60 fps is not incompatible with a 120 Hz display. It can still play normally, and other screen activity may benefit from a faster refresh rate. The practical question is whether a specific game both offers a high-fps mode and performs well enough on the phone to make use of it. An fps counter, when available from the game or a legitimate system tool, is more informative about rendering than the refresh-rate selection alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every game support 120 Hz on the Razer Phone?
No. The display supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, but each game determines its available frame-rate modes. Many titles are capped below 120 fps or do not provide a setting to change the cap.

Does choosing 120 Hz mean a game runs at 120 fps?
No. It selects the display’s refresh rate, where supported. The game must render frames at a high enough rate, and actual performance can vary with scene complexity and device conditions.

How can I tell if a game supports 120 fps?
Check the game’s graphics or frame-rate settings for an explicit 90 or 120 fps option. A phone display setting that says 120 Hz is not proof that the game itself is rendering at that rate.

Why is the 120 fps option missing?
The game may not support that mode on the device, the current game version may not offer it, or the option may depend on other graphics settings. Check the game’s support information and update status.

Will using 120 Hz drain the battery faster?
It can use more power than a lower refresh rate, particularly during sustained gaming. Battery impact varies with the game, brightness, settings, and device condition.

Can the Razer Phone make a 60 fps game run at 120 fps?
No. A display cannot create additional unique frames from a game that renders only 60 per second. The game needs its own higher-frame-rate mode to provide more frames.

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