The Race for Faster Screen Refresh Rates: Are They Noticeable?

OLED monitors are breaking records with their refresh rates, now matching and sometimes surpassing the performance of LCD monitors. At CES 2024, new OLED monitors boasting refresh rates of 360Hz and even 480Hz were showcased, proving that the pursuit of speed in display technology is relentless.

Historically, the competition between manufacturers to offer the highest specs has sometimes led to features that offer minimal practical benefit to consumers. Whether it was computers with higher 'megahertz' or cameras with more megapixels, consumers have often been presented with specs that exceed the practical needs of most users.

At the recent CES event, major brands like Samsung, Dell, MSI, and Asus introduced high-speed 27-inch OLED monitors with refresh rates soaring to 360 and 480Hz. These screens promise improved motion clarity due to OLED's quicker pixel response times, but this presents consumers with a puzzling question: Can we actually perceive these enhancements?

When experts dive into the mechanics of OLED and LCD displays, they find that on a Hz-for-Hz basis, OLED could offer a two-fold motion clarity advantage over LCD. Higher refresh rates can improve the gaming experience by reducing motion blur and input lag, but the real benefit depends on whether these changes are perceptible and valuable enough to warrant their cost.

Content creators like Linus Tech Tips and YouTubers like Optimum have conducted tests, suggesting that even to the experienced gamer, the benefits of higher refresh rates like 240Hz are tangible. As technology advances, competitive gamers, especially those in the esports arena, show a preference for the highest available frame rates to gain an edge in gameplay. However, the utility of such high-refresh-rate monitors extends beyond gamers, influencing how all users experience screen technology.

Early impressions from tech reviewers about high-refresh-rate OLED monitors are positive, yet, it remains to be seen whether the average consumer will embrace these premium features. The reality is that monitor upgrades are influenced not only by a display's capabilities but also by the user's hardware setup and preferences for graphic quality versus performance.

Over time, as we become accustomed to higher-quality displays, even small improvements become noticeable once we revert to older technology. Similar to the way some can discern the difference between high and standard internet speeds or between gourmet and ordinary coffee, nuances in display technology may become more pronounced with habitual use.

The necessity of ultra-fast refresh rates is questionable for the general population, but as costs decrease and technology becomes more accessible, it's likely that high-refresh-rate monitors will become commonplace. One day, we might reflect on 240Hz displays as we now do on the once-standard 60Hz screens—outdated and far surpassed by newer technology.

OLED, monitor, refresh