OnePlus may be gearing up for a move that’s both exciting and questionable – pushing its upcoming flagship, the OnePlus 15, to a 165Hz display refresh rate. Expected to launch around October, this could sound like a dream upgrade for some, but for most users, the benefits may be far less impactful than the marketing makes it seem.
In simple terms, a refresh rate is how many times your phone’s screen updates per second.
While the jump from 60Hz to 120Hz was a game-changer for smoothness, the leap from 120Hz to 165Hz is far less noticeable in daily use. Social media scrolling, texting, and streaming won’t look dramatically different – the extra 45Hz shines mainly in high-end gaming scenarios.
That’s where the potential downside comes in. OxygenOS, OnePlus’ Android skin, has had issues with adaptive refresh rate optimization in the past. Without proper tuning, the phone might not use the higher refresh rate when it should, wasting battery life without delivering visible benefits. And yes, a higher refresh rate draws more power, meaning you could end up charging more often.
Still, there’s a possible upside – especially for iPhone users. Apple’s standard models like the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are still stuck at 60Hz. If OnePlus raises the stakes, Apple might eventually respond, possibly offering at least 90Hz on future entry-level models like a hypothetical iPhone 17e. This kind of market pressure could push even the slowest movers toward smoother displays.
For everyday users, though, priorities lie elsewhere: bigger batteries, better cameras, stronger build quality, and smarter AI assistants that don’t stumble over simple tasks. A 120Hz panel already feels smooth and satisfying for most people. In truth, 165Hz belongs on specialized gaming phones, where ultra-high refresh rates can deliver real competitive advantages – smoother animations, reduced motion blur, and faster response times.
If OnePlus wants to cater to gamers, this could be a winning move. For the rest of us? It might just be a flashy spec sheet number that looks great in ads but doesn’t change much in our daily experience.