Corey Gaskin / Digital Trends
Samsung is holding a Samsung Unpacked event on February 11, and a number of highly anticipated devices are expected. The next generation of Samsung Galaxy Fold seems likely, as does the next entry in Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S series — which will either be named the “Galaxy S11” or the “Galaxy S20.” However, it’s more than just the naming scheme in question — two notable leakers have had a public Twitter disagreement on whether Samsung’s next major flagship will use a 120Hz display.
Rumors of the next Galaxy S using a super-smooth 120Hz display date back to late 2019, and it was expected to be one of the defining features of the new range. However, leaker Ice Universe sent out a couplet of tweets, including a now-deleted tweet (still viewable via 91Mobiles) stating Samsung has removed the ability to access 120Hz on the Galaxy S20’s displays.
This was immediately rebuffed by another leaker, Max J., who pointed out OnePlus’s next phone is heavily rumored to be packing a 120Hz display — and since Samsung makes OnePlus’s AMOLED panels, it’s well within Samsung’s abilities to create 120Hz displays. Max then went on to post another tweet, maintaining Ice’s tweet is based on pure rumor and questions Samsung’s ability to suddenly shift to 60Hz panels with a month until the new range’s big reveal.
It is a RUMOR! They would have no time to develop and produce new 60Hz panels for the S20 Series.
I'm pretty sure the 120 Hz have already been produced or are in mass production. Stopping the entire production, recycling the "old" panels and making new would be a hell of a mess https://t.co/cqvrk7EM1u
— Max J. (@Samsung_News_) January 9, 2020
To give Ice Universe full credit, they deleted the tweet before Max J. replied, posting another tweet explaining their reasons for doing so, and underlining the fact this is just a rumor, and it’s worth waiting for facts. Still, Ice doesn’t seem happy about the rumors, referring to themselves as an “unhappy cat”.
Of course, if 120Hz mode has been blocked, it could simply be part of Samsung’s final tests for the S20 range. As 91Mobiles mentions, the change seems to have been made in the latest test version of the phones, and could simply be part of routine checks. Still, it’s not a good sign if Samsung is still testing 120Hz capabilities so close to launch. If 120Hz mode is blocked in the Galaxy S20 at launch, it could well be re-enabled in a software patch later down the line — especially if the hardware already supports it, as Max J. suggests.
We don’t have long to wait to find out for sure. Samsung Unpacked will hit on February 11, and we’re likely to hear even more on the run-up to the big date. We’ll bring you more leaks as we hear them.