Google Pixel 10 (Pro) may get long-overdue display upgrade to reduce headaches and eye strain

Chinese smartphone manufacturers, like Xiaomi and OnePlus, are increasingly opting for very high PWM frequencies exceeding 2,000 Hz to prevent visible flickers in their phones' AMOLED displays. In contrast, users of the Google Pixel 9 (approx. $599 on Amazon) still have to contend with a relatively noticeable PWM frequency of 120 Hz, whilst our testing revealed that the Pixel 9 Pro’s screen flickers at a slightly higher 240 Hz.

This flickering can be a source of discomfort, especially on the lower-priced pixel 9 model, which exhibits a flicker amplitude of 22.2%. Sensitive individuals may experience complaints such as severe headaches after looking at displays with PWM flickers for a prolonged period, though other users may not notice it at all. Speaking to AndroidCentral, Google has now acknowledge this issue and said users can expect updates later this year.

It’s unclear whether Google can raise the PWM frequency on existing Pixel phones through a software update. However, the company’s statement at least suggests that the upcoming Pixel 10 series might feature displays with reduced flickering. Google could potentially alleviate or even eliminate flickers by employing higher PWM frequencies or DC dimming. Another possibility is the introduction of a special display mode to minimise screen flickers, but this approach is associated with lower peak brightness levels on some devices. Overall, these developments suggest that the Pixel 10 series may finally cater to users sensitive to PWM flickering.