As the smartphone industry continues to evolve, display quality has become just as important as performance and camera capabilities. While brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Vivo have been actively improving screen technologies—particularly with regard to eye comfort—Google has historically lagged behind in one key area: PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming.
However, that might be about to change with the Google Pixel 10 series.
Before diving into what Google is planning, let’s understand the issue. PWM dimming is a method used in OLED displays to control brightness levels. Instead of adjusting the actual light output, OLED screens rapidly turn pixels on and off. This flickering happens at a certain frequency—measured in hertz (Hz)—and is usually too fast for the eye to notice.
However, some users, especially those sensitive to flickering screens, can experience eye strain, fatigue, or even headaches when exposed to displays with low PWM frequencies. This issue becomes worse when screen brightness is reduced, which is when PWM dimming becomes more aggressive.
Chinese manufacturers have taken note of this and made tangible improvements, with high PWM dimming rates (often over 1920Hz) and third-party low blue light certifications now becoming standard across flagship phones. Google, on the other hand, has not prioritized this aspect—until now.
According to recent reports, Google is finally planning to address this with the Pixel 10 series, expected to launch later this year. The upcoming phones could be the first Pixel devices to feature a high-frequency PWM dimming display, marking a major improvement in screen comfort for sensitive users.
While Google hasn’t officially confirmed the exact specifications or the frequency range, industry insiders suggest this shift is likely aimed at aligning with growing user demand for more eye-friendly displays, especially in premium smartphones.
This may not sound like a headline-grabbing feature at first glance, especially when compared to camera or processor upgrades, but it’s hugely important to a specific subset of users. Pixel phones, despite their software excellence, have often been criticized for causing discomfort to people sensitive to screen flicker due to their low PWM rates.
If the Pixel 10 series does bring a notably higher PWM dimming rate, it would represent a meaningful step forward in accessibility and user comfort—areas that are increasingly gaining relevance in today’s competitive smartphone market.
While details about the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro are still under wraps, we can expect other expected improvements such as:
Google’s move to improve PWM dimming on the Pixel 10 series may seem like a minor change on paper, but it reflects a broader shift in focus toward user health and comfort. For users who have previously avoided Pixel devices due to flicker sensitivity, this could be the sign they’ve been waiting for.
As always, the devil will be in the details, but if Google gets this right, the Pixel 10 could be its most user-friendly flagship yet.
Disclaimer: This article is based on unofficial reports and leaks. Specifications and features mentioned may change upon the official release of the Pixel 10 series.
Via: (Source), Image Credits: Google Pixel 9
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