How to turn on 120 Hz Smooth display on a Google Pixel 10a

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.260905.009)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Display and touch › Other display controls

Real screenshots

3 of 3 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Find Smooth display

   Open Settings and tap Display and touch. Scroll to the bottom, past Adaptive tone, Night Light, Colours and Touch, to Other display controls. Smooth display says it automatically raises the refresh rate up to 120 Hz for some content. Ours was off.

   Done

2. 

   Turn it on

   Tap the switch. Scrolling and animations now run at up to 120 Hz when the content allows it.

   Done

3. 

   Turn it off again to save battery

   Smooth display uses more battery. If battery life matters more than smooth scrolling, tap the switch again. It is off when it is grey with a cross, as ours was before we turned it on.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Smooth display greyed out? Check whether Battery Saver is on under Settings, Battery. Google says Battery Saver disables Smooth display. Source: Manage screen & display settings on a Pixel phone
• Which Pixels go up to 120 Hz? Google's tech specs list Smooth Display at 60 to 120 Hz for the Pixel 10a. Google's display page lists the Pixel 7 and 7a at up to 90 Hz, so on those the same switch stops at 90 Hz. Source: Pixel phone hardware tech specs · Source: Manage screen & display settings on a Pixel phone

If this does not work

• Doesn't look any smoother? It raises the rate only for some content, such as scrolling. A still screen stays at the lower rate to save battery. Source: Manage screen & display settings on a Pixel phone
• Battery draining faster? Turn Smooth display off again. Google says it increases battery usage. Source: Manage screen & display settings on a Pixel phone

About this guide

The Pixel 10a has a 60 to 120 Hz screen, but on our phone Smooth display was switched off, so it stayed at the lower rate.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.260905.009), in Dark mode. We switched Smooth display on for the picture and back off afterwards.

In short: Settings, Display and touch, Other display controls, Smooth display on.