Samsung is developing a new display refresh rate technology for mobile devices. A new patent application by Samsung describes a display technology that can apply different refresh rates simultaneously across multiple screen areas.
This could be the next evolutionary step in Samsung's refresh rate technology for mobile displays. The Galaxy S20 was the first to adopt a fixed 120Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy S21 Ultra and later the Galaxy S22 featured upgraded AMOLED displays with a variable refresh rate, meaning that the AMOLED panels can adapt the refresh rate according to the on-screen content to save battery life.
Samsung is now seemingly working on the next evolutionary step beyond its variable refresh rate technology. The recent patent describes “A method of driving display with multiple refresh rates” and an “electronic device that drives a plurality of display areas of a display with different driving frequencies.” (via GalaxyClub)
The next step beyond variable refresh rate
In other words, Samsung's future refresh rate technology might be able to render one part of the display at 30Hz or 60Hz, and another portion at 120Hz.
In theory, the system allows for a high refresh rate of 120Hz to be used only partially, where it matters, all the while displaying other bits of content in the same scene at a lower refresh rate. This refresh rate technology could lead to further advancements in terms of battery life.
It's worth noting that the patent was submitted quite a while back, in early 2021, but was only published today by KIPRIS. With that in mind, there's no telling when this technology might become available. The Galaxy S23 sounds like a great contender for this new tech, but the latter might not yet be ready.
Furthermore, patent applications don't always reveal products that will make it into production, so whether or not Samsung can pull off this “magical” refresh rate technology in practical terms remains to be seen.
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