Does the 120Hz refresh rate significantly affect battery life on the Xiaomi 14

Battery Life Impact

1. Increased Power Consumption: Higher refresh rates, such as 120Hz, generally require more power compared to standard 60Hz settings. Tests have shown that switching from 60Hz to 120Hz can lead to a 10% to 30% increase in power drain, depending on the activity (e.g., browsing or gaming) [1][3].

2. Adaptive Refresh Rate Technology: The Xiaomi 14 features an LTPO OLED panel, which allows for more granular control of the refresh rate. This technology enables the device to dynamically adjust the refresh rate from as low as 10Hz up to 120Hz based on user interaction and content type. For instance, it can drop to lower rates during static content viewing, which helps mitigate battery drain [4].

3. Real-World Usage: In practical scenarios, while using the device with a mix of activities, the Xiaomi 14 shows an Active Use Score of nearly 14 hours, indicating good overall battery endurance despite the high refresh rate capability [4]. The phone's efficiency is further enhanced by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and HyperOS, which optimize performance and power consumption [4].

Recommendations

- Adjust Settings for Battery Conservation: Users who prioritize battery life may consider switching to lower refresh rates during less demanding tasks or when battery percentage is critical. The adaptive features of the Xiaomi 14 allow for this flexibility without sacrificing user experience significantly [1][2].

- Monitor Application Support: Some applications may not fully utilize the 120Hz refresh rate, potentially leading to unnecessary power consumption when they default to lower rates. The MIUI 14 update aims to enhance support for this feature across more applications [2].

In summary, while the 120Hz refresh rate does increase power consumption, Xiaomi's adaptive technology helps balance performance and battery life effectively. Users can manage their settings based on their daily needs to optimize battery performance.