Android 15 finally implements true variable refresh rate (Thoughts?)

[840quadra]

I find this really interesting.

Android 15 finally implements true variable refresh rate support, but there's a catch

Android 15 adds an adaptive refresh rate (ARR) feature that enables the display refresh rate to adapt to the frame rate of content.

www.androidauthority.com

Have had the fact that Android supports variable refresh and iOS doesn’t thrown at me for YEARS by friends on Android (not knowing I also have been Android faithful since mid nexus days) and it turns out the tech was totally missing!

Truth be told I have noticed a bit of “jank” over the years, but attributed it to low RAM on my system.

IIRC, all IOS devices with Pro Motion have had true hardware support for variable refresh since day one.

 

[MarkX]

Well, I've learned something new today.

 

[shenfrey]

oooh, I wonder if this is why scrolling feels much smoother now compared to last year.

I had a pixel 8 pro for a little while and I found the scrolling experience in some apps to be a bit of a stuttery mess. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has been smooth as silk.

 

[Vegastouch]

Got to ask about an issue. I put this in the P8 thread as well but trying to get an answer if I can.
This has been happening to my P8 and my Wife said it happens to hers too. She is still on Android 14, mine is on Android 15.

Phone sitting there and all the sudden it starts playing audio from a video for about 5 or so seconds and stops. The video does not show just the audio plays.

Mine always seems to be a video clip of Howard Stern and thought it was because I was using the SXM app that day. I don't use it everyday. Turned SXM on for 5 seconds today, then swiped it away.
I don't know what clips hers are but she watches a ton of YouTube.

Has this type of thing been happening to anyone else? Anyone know why or how to fix it or is aware of this issue?

I did a search on the Internet but mostly I see people say audio cuts out.

 

[Technerd108]

It is true that Android before 15 used to switch modes using custom software. But custom software also allowed for variable refresh rate. The distinction is that now it is implemented in the OS but Android OEM'S still have to use the feature which not all will.

Apple designs software much differently than Google with Android. Android is open source to some extent which means improvements and features are being developed by different groups working together while Apple develops it's software with specific devices they make.

Both development processes have their advantages and weaknesses. Overall I think Apples approach is more well thought out and they develop with a longer future cycle for their hardware.

All that being said I don't think it matters in the end of Android supported true variable refresh rate or not since OEM'S implemented custom software which mostly did the same thing and now it is in Android at the OS level and future Android devices and older should all be able to take advantage of this feature.