A device includes a display client configured to output pixel data at a display and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a composition of one or more layers for display at the display client. The processor is further configured to select a video mode or a command mode as a selected mode, based on the determined composition. Pixel data for each frame to be displayed is output to the display client when operating in the video mode. Pixel data for frames that include different pixel data for at least one pixel than a previously output frame is output to the display client when operating in the command mode. The processor is further configured to output an instruction to operate in the selected mode.