Do MacBook Pro displays support VRR (like adaptive sync)?

[jeanlain]

Oddly, I haven't seen that discussed anywhere.
The "Liquid Retina" displays support up to 120 Hz and you can set different refresh rates in the settings. Also, we know that macOS now supports adaptive sync displays.
So a natural conclusion would be that the screen refresh rates adapts to whatever happens on screen (including games) on these laptops. But I haven't seen that reported anywhere.
Apple has discussed VRR in the context of ProMotion (WWDC sessions), but only for iPads. They also discuss macOS, but only in the context of adaptive sync external displays, not ProMotion displays. Adaptive sync and ProMotion are not synonymous.
So the fact that Monterey supports adaptive sync for external displays does not necessarily mean that MBP ProMotion displays also do.

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't provide us with any tool to report the screen refresh rate on these laptops. The Metal HUD does not.
So how can we tell if the screen refresh rates adapts to a game frame rate?
Note that absence of screen tearing with V-Sync off is not a proof of VRR. It could just mean that Metal enforces V-Sync (which I think it does on iOS).
Intermediate frame rates without screen tearing are not a proof of VRR either. All games and the Metal HUD report intermediate frame rates between 30 fps and 60 fps on my 5k iMac, regardless of V-Sync. And that machine definitely doesn't support VRR.

 

[stradify]

From MacRumors: https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/18/new-macbook-pro-features-120hz-promotion-display/

ProMotion technology also comes to the Mac on this new display, featuring an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz. ProMotion automatically varies the refresh rate to match the motion of a user's onscreen content to help preserve battery life, and makes tasks more fluid and even more responsive. Video editors can also lock in a refresh rate that is optimal for their footage. The combination of the outstanding XDR performance and super-fluid ProMotion technology make this the world's best notebook display.

 

[iMacDragon]

I gather it does, but only if game is running full screen.

 

[diamond.g]

Resurrecting an old thread...

Does macOS have a utility that will show you the screen refresh rate live?

 

[TheRealAlex]

YES 100% Playing Resident Evil 4 Remake on my average M4 Pro with 14 Cores, and 24GB RAM, At nearly MAX Settings VRR fluidly adjusts the Frame rate on the fly as it should between 70 fps to 100 fps.

I didn't intentionally buy a gaming laptop but that's very satisfactory performance.

 

[diamond.g]

YES 100% Playing Resident Evil 4 Remake on my average M4 Pro with 14 Cores, and 24GB RAM, At nearly MAX Settings VRR fluidly adjusts the Frame rate on the fly as it should between 70 fps to 100 fps.

I didn't intentionally buy a gaming laptop but that's very satisfactory performance.

Metal HUD shows this?

 

[TheRealAlex]

Metal HUD shows this?

Duh where have you been ?

 

[diamond.g]

Duh where have you been ?

Most of the YT videos I've seen where someone has the metal hud up shows a fixed 120hz refresh rate. So I am actually surprised. Even in the clip you posted it actually seems like the game is running at 60fps while the refresh rate is 70hz, so is VRR broken in that game?

 

[TheRealAlex]

Most of the YT videos I've seen where someone has the metal hud up shows a fixed 120hz refresh rate. So I am actually surprised. Even in the clip you posted it actually seems like the game is running at 60fps while the refresh rate is 70hz, so is VRR broken in that game?

Welp for me It runs buttery smooth. The app might be broken. But the game plays better than the PS5 version.