A method for refreshing a display. The method includes refreshing even and odd columns of a display panel at a first frame refresh rate where for each frame, even and odd columns are refreshed. Upon entering a display idle period, a low power display refresh is performed. The low power display refresh includes: refreshing the even columns of the display during even frames while circuitry driving odd columns are not used, and refreshing the odd columns of the display during odd frames while circuitry driving the even columns are not used. Refreshing the even columns and refreshing the odd columns are performed at a second frame refresh rate that is slower than the first frame refresh rate.