Using a phone case can have both positive and negative effects on heat dissipation when using a high refresh rate like 120Hz. Here's a detailed breakdown:
Negative Effects of Phone Cases on Heat Dissipation
1. Material and Design: Phone cases made from thick materials or those with poor ventilation can trap heat, contributing to overheating issues. Materials like leather, thick plastic, or silicone tend to retain heat, which can exacerbate the problem when using a high refresh rate[3][9].
2. Impeded Airflow: Cases that fit tightly around the phone or lack ventilation can impede natural airflow, preventing heat from dissipating efficiently. This is particularly problematic when the phone is generating more heat due to a higher refresh rate[6][9].
Positive Effects of Phone Cases on Heat Dissipation
1. Specialized Cases: Some phone cases are designed specifically to improve heat dissipation. These cases often feature ventilation or use materials that help to dissipate heat more effectively than standard cases. For example, Lenovo has developed cases with optimized openings for better heat management[6][7].
2. Thermal Absorbing Materials: Using thermal absorbing materials between the phone and the case can potentially enhance heat dissipation. This approach involves placing a heat transfer tape or similar material to help extract heat from the phone[10].
Impact of 120Hz Refresh Rate on Heat
Using a 120Hz refresh rate requires more processing power and can lead to increased heat generation compared to lower refresh rates like 60Hz. This is because the system-on-chip (SOC) works harder to update the screen more frequently, resulting in higher power consumption and heat output[1][5].
Conclusion
While some phone cases can contribute to overheating by trapping heat, others are designed to enhance heat dissipation. To reduce heat when using a 120Hz refresh rate, it's advisable to use a case that is slim, lightweight, and designed for better airflow. Additionally, using specialized materials or cooling solutions can help manage heat more effectively. However, if overheating becomes a significant issue, reducing the refresh rate to 60Hz might be a simpler solution to mitigate excessive heat generation[1][2].
Citations:
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/Xiaomi/comments/y4lqln/my_phone_is_getting_hotter_when_using_120hz_while/
[2] https://gonasho.com/enable-120hz-on-xiaomi-2025-phones/
[3] https://www.ipitaka.com/blogs/news/do-cases-make-your-phone-heat-up-more-easily
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tAE-_H9qiU
[5] https://community.oneplus.com/thread/809358
[6] https://thinborne.com/blogs/tips-how-tos-android-and-apple/will-your-phone-heat-up-quicker-with-a-case
[7] https://www.gizmochina.com/2022/08/19/lenovo-releases-cooling-phone-case-tempered-glass-legion-y70-gaming-phone/
[8] https://r2.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-S/S20-heating-only-while-using-high-refresh-rate/td-p/7795349
[9] https://harperandblake.co.uk/blogs/news/can-phone-cases-cause-overheating
[10] https://xdaforums.com/t/heat-dissipation-through-phone-case.4455163/