Do you force the Pixel 4's 90Hz display to be on all the time?

By Joe Maring
published

Google Pixel 4
Google Pixel 4 (Image credit: Daniel Bader / Android Central)

One of the hallmark features of the Pixel 4 is its 90Hz display. Similar to what we've seen in phones from OnePlus and Razer, the 90Hz panel on the Pixel 4 makes everything on its screen look and feel ridiculously smooth.

It's a feature we're thrilled that Google included, but unlike other phones, the Pixel 4's 90Hz functionality comes with a few odd catches. Specifically, the 90Hz disengages when the brightness goes below 75%, and some apps like Google Maps are blacklisted from using the fast refresh rate at all.

It is fairly easy to force the 90Hz functionality at all times using a toggle in the developer options, but doing so will eat away at your battery life. Taking a look through the AC forums, this is a route a lot of our members are taking.

I have been using forced 90hz since Tuesday on the XL, battery life has been good. No idea the difference though, sorry.

Lobwedgephil

I'm going to leave it on 90 and see how the battery fairs, too nice to have it off 80% if the time!

dtones39

I don't force 90Hz. I keep my display brightness pretty high (around 83%) and have read that keeps it at 90Hz more. I haven't had any issues and like the way it runs as is, without forcing it. I did force 90Hz to investigate something else, but that didn't solve an issue I had, and it ended up being something else.

qnet

I forced 90hz on my XL and have not noticed any battery issues. Really impressed with the phone so far.

cporta

What about you? Do you force the Pixel 4's 90Hz display to be on all the time?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Joe Maring
Joe Maring

Joe Maring was a Senior Editor for Android Central between 2017 and 2021. You can reach him on Twitter at @JoeMaring1.

5 Comments
  • I was testing the battery life by forcing it on one day, then not the next. After using it at 90hz, it's so dang noticeable when it's running at 60hz, it's hard not to keep it at 90hz. There's definitely a battery hit, for me it's been about a 6-8% greater drain than when it's not forced, and that's after 9 hours off the charger and about 3.5 hours of SOT (and dark mode enabled).
  • Chris, 3 and a half hour SOT is totally unacceptable for me. My s10+ gives me 7to8hrs SOT. And no it's not 90hz but the display is excellent. The 128gb XL would set me back the same price. Plus my s10+ is feature packed. For myself there's no way I would even consider the pixal. But if your a fan I understand your likes! Simple design great cameras, android10. They offer much but still overpriced!
  • I should have clarified, but that was at 50% battery, not a full drain. If it was 3.5 hours of SOT for a full charge, I don't care how much I love this phone, it would be going back.
  • Forced it on a few days back. Haven't noticed a difference from 60 but I also feel like I'm the only one who got a pixel 4 who's battery life doesn't suck.
  • If it were me, I'd probably be spoiled and keep it at 90 unless I had to. What is odd is tying it to such a high brightness level. Indoors, my brightness stays between 15% and 50%. I don't see 80% brightness unless outdoors.