165 Hz refresh rate phones: 4 models

What is it?

What is 165 Hz and what does it do?

165 Hz means the screen refreshes 165 times a second; it is the level above 120 Hz found on gaming phones. The difference shows only in games that can produce that many frames a second; in menus and scrolling it is hard to tell from 120 Hz.

The maker's figure is the screen's upper limit; the phone runs lower in daily use and full speed is mostly chosen in a game mode or in settings. Battery drain rises markedly at this rate; touch sampling rate is a separate value and does not enter this page.

Decision table

165 Hz Refresh Rate: which one for what?

The 4 models on this page are scored only against each other, for the use you pick. Scores come from the spec sheets; no price and no advertising go in.

What will you use it for? Gaming Photo / Video Battery Life Daily Use

Leads for Gaming: OnePlus 1585%

Leads for Photo / Video: OnePlus 15T76%

Leads for Battery Life: Redmi K90 Ultra85%

Leads for Daily Use: OnePlus 1572%

#3#4#1#2
Redmi K90 UltraRedmi
6.83" · Snapdragon 8 Elite · 50 MP
85% 61% 85% 72%
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Gaming
- 165Hz display
- Current model — 3 months on the market
Good for gaming?
Why it ranks here
- Current model — 3 months on the market
Is the camera good?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Battery Life
- 8550 mAh battery — top of the pool
- Current model — 3 months on the market
How long does the battery last?
Why it ranks here
- Current model — 3 months on the market
#2#1#2#4
OnePlus 15TOnePlus
6.32" · Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 · 50 MP
85% 76% 79% 68%
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Gaming
- 165Hz display
- Current model — 6 months on the market
Good for gaming?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Photo / Video
- 85mm telephoto reach
- Current model — 6 months on the market
Is the camera good?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Battery Life
- 7500 mAh battery — top of the pool
- Current model — 6 months on the market
How long does the battery last?
Why it ranks here
- Current model — 6 months on the market
#4#3#3#3
OnePlus 15ROnePlus
6.83" · Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 · 50 MP
79% 61% 73% 69%
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Gaming
- 165Hz display
- Current model — 9 months on the market
Good for gaming?
Why it ranks here
- Current model — 9 months on the market
Is the camera good?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Battery Life
- Current model — 9 months on the market
How long does the battery last?
Why it ranks here
- Current model — 9 months on the market
#1#2#4#1
OnePlus 15OnePlus
6.8" · Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 · 50 MP
85% 70% 55% 72%
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Gaming
- 165Hz display
- Current model — 11 months on the market
Good for gaming?
Why it ranks here
- 85mm telephoto reach
- Current model — 11 months on the market
Is the camera good?
Why it ranks here
- Current model — 11 months on the market
How long does the battery last?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Daily Use
- Current model — 11 months on the market