Unveiled Info: Potential Surprise in Display for Google Pixel 10
In a significant move towards addressing display-related issues, Google has introduced a new accessibility option called "Adjust brightness for sensitive eyes" on the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro. This feature aims to reduce flicker and eye strain for users sensitive to it by increasing the display's PWM dimming rate from 240Hz to 480Hz.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the company's latest foldable device, also features this mode for its screen. With this update, the Pixel 10 Pro aligns its PWM rate with flagship devices such as the iPhone 16 series and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, although some phones offer even higher PWM rates or different dimming approaches.
This is the first time Google has acknowledged the issue of PWM dimming and taken concrete steps to address it. The company plans to provide further updates later this year regarding potential improvements to PWM dimming across its device lineup.
Google's move follows Motorola's lead, who has included a "flicker-reduction" feature on every single OLED-equipped phone since the Motorola Edge Plus 2023. Other brands like OnePlus, Honor, Nothing, and a few others have prioritised eye health over display quality tests.
However, it seems that Samsung, along with Google, has been silent on the issue of PWM dimming. Some users have reported experiencing serious headaches when using Pixel displays, highlighting the need for more companies to address this issue.
Interestingly, user-selectable options and customization have long been staples of the Android world, and it's always good to see Google considering options for users who need them, not just things we might want.
While the Pixel 10 is expected to either stick with 240Hz PWM dimming or upgrade to 480Hz as the default display configuration, there is a growing expectation that Google could upgrade the PWM rate across the board and at all brightness levels, following the lead of companies like Vivo, who offer "Full PWM" modes at rates as high as 2140Hz.
Rooting a modern phone to change the PWM rate may violate app security protocols, making it an unofficial solution for now. Xiaomi and OnePlus offered a similar dimming option a year after Motorola, but have yet to offer that option outside of China.
The latest Razr 2025 phones from Motorola also offer a "flicker-reduction" feature, providing a potential alternative for those sensitive to PWM dimming. Google is investigating the issue further and plans to provide updates later this year, offering hope for a more comfortable user experience for those sensitive to display flicker.
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- Google's introduction of the "Adjust brightness for sensitive eyes" feature on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold extends to smartphones, aligning the Pixel series with flagship devices like the iPhone 16 series and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in terms of PWM dimming rates.
- In addition to smartphones, the discussion around PWM dimming rates has extended to other gadgets, with companies like Vivo offering high PWM rates as high as 2140Hz in their devices, highlighting the ongoing focus on eye health in the realm of technology.
