LG Display has announced that it has started mass production of a new type of laptop screen that can drop its refresh rate all the way down to 1Hz. This is the first time such technology is being used in laptops at scale, and it focuses mainly on improving battery life without affecting performance.

The new panel uses what LG calls Oxide 1Hz technology. The main idea is simple. The screen automatically changes its refresh rate depending on what you are doing. If you are reading emails, browsing documents, or looking at static content, the display drops to 1Hz. This reduces power usage because the screen is not constantly refreshing.

Optimizing your refresh rate to save on battery

Of course, when you are watching certain content, gaming, or anything else that requires fluid motion, the refresh rate supports up to 120Hz. This ensures smooth visuals and better responsiveness. Normally, high refresh rate screens keep running at high speeds even when not needed, which wastes battery. This new system avoids that problem.

“We will deliver differentiated customer value through a 1-120Hz variable refresh rate that integrates world class technology.”

Source: Jae-won Jang, Head of LG Display’s Medium Display Product Planning Division

LG says this technology can improve battery life by more than 48% compared to traditional laptop panels. That’s a big jump, especially for users who rely on their laptops for long hours without charging. With AI features and heavier workloads becoming more common, power consumption is going up, so this kind of improvement matters more than ever.

To make this possible, LG developed new circuit designs and used special materials that reduce power leakage when the screen is running at low refresh rates. This allows the panel to switch between modes efficiently without affecting performance. LG says it’s a “world’s first” as the company has “developed its own circuit algorithms and panel design technology” resulting in “dramatically improved battery efficiency”.

The first laptops to use these panels will come from Dell, specifically in its premium XPS lineup. LG is also planning to expand this technology further. The company aims to bring the same 1Hz capability to OLED panels by 2027, which could push efficiency even further.

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Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.