Disable Variable Refresh Rate on S24

[KJ718]

My S24 Ultra's refresh rate constantly bounces between 120Hz and 24 Hz, while in use. Is there any way to disable that? I get the need for a low refresh rate when in AOD mode, but I'd prefer a more stable refresh rate while looking at the phone. I know you can set it to 60Hz, but then it still drops to 24. I am getting noticeably more eye strain looking at this phone than any other phone. Do I have to downgrade to a 24FE? 

[arianwen27]

Settings, display, motion smoothness, standard. That sets it to be always 60hz

Though the bigger issue, it shouldn't swap in a way you can notice. As in, the refresh rate changes should be when you have no way to notice them. So there shouldn't be a need to disable it

[Joeeye]

It's not noticeable outside of you using a frame rate monitor. The point is to save battery and this is how it's able to do so. Why would you want to disable that?

[Tourbillon De La Vie]

Or with Goodlock and display assistant app. That's if on ui 7

[KJ718]

I was hoping that would do it, but that just set 60 as the max. It still drops down to 24 once you stop scrolling. 

[KJ718]

Migraines. I can't look at my phone for longer than a few minutes without getting a headache. Never had that issue with the S23U and I can use my work phone fine. The only thing the S24U has that the other phones don't support is refresh rates below 60Hz. 

[KJ718]

Yay! This will be the answer once I can get one UI 7. 

[arianwen27]

Oh wait you've absolutely right. Sorry for the longest time I swear that setting used to lock you at 60. I just checked now and it does indeed allow it to drop below 60 when nothing is going on. Erm, I know it's physically possible. There used to be an app on github that made 90hz work on the s20.

I'm not aware of any app that allows you to lock it at 60, but theoretically it should be possible if someone made it.

[Joeeye]

The S23, S22 and S21 all support refresh rates below 60Hz. You must be very mistaken as the only S series that had a fixed 120 Hz was the S20 Ultra.

Your migraines may be related to PWM, an issue very few people suffer. You may want to try using different settings like dark mode, adaptive colour tone, eye comfort shield or different brightness levels to see if this helps. The S24 has a much higher PWM than the S23. Generally a higher PWM is better for people who tend to suffer from PWM, so it is unusual to be more affected by this higher refresh rate, but still possible.

[KJ718]

I think you're right about the PWM. I used a fast shutter on my camera to check the PWM flicker and it's terrible when you set the brightness lower. The difference might be that the S24 (and S25) have much brighter screens, so they have to dim them more aggressively using PWM. That's probably why I didn't have the same issue with the S23 and S22... Wish Samsung would enable DC dimming. Guess I'll have to trade in my S24 in for a vacuum or something lol