Hz
(Hertz)
The unit of frequency measurement equal to one cycle per second. For example, 30 Hertz means 30 times per second.
This measurement is commonly used for the frequencies of radio waves, sound waves, and much more.
In phones specs, it is common to see Hz as a measure of how often a display refreshes the images it displays. 30 or 60 Hz is common, but 90 Hz and higher can look smoother, particularly when displaying content with very fast motion, such as fast-paced games.
For gaming, Hz can also refer to how many times a second a device checks for changes to a touch surface such as the display. This can improve response time.
Hertz is usually abbreviated Hz, and is named after Heinrich R. Hertz.
Last updated Jan 15, 2022 by Rich Brome
Editor in Chief Rich became fascinated with cell phones in 1999, creating mobile web sites for phones with tiny black-and-white displays and obsessing over new phone models. Realizing a need for better info about phones, he started Phone Scoop in 2001, and has been helming the site ever since. Rich has spent two decades researching and covering every detail of the phone industry, traveling the world to tour factories, interview CEOs, and get every last spec and photo Phone Scoop readers have come to expect. As an industry veteran, Rich is a respected voice on phone technology of the past, present, and future.
