iPhone 17 has a display upgrade that tops the Pixel 10 Pro and could save you a headache

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Apple's iPhone 17 lineup debuted this week with several exciting upgrades, but one underlooked addition could actually be a boon for your eyes.

That upgrade has to do with pulse width modulation (PMW) dimming, the rapid flickering that OLED screens use to control brightness. If the flickering is too slow, it can induce eyestrain and headaches.

Apple introduced OLED displays to its lineup with the iPhone X nearly a decade ago. Now, in 2025, it's adding a feature to deal with PWM dimming.

In August, Google launched a new accessibility mode for its OLED panels in the settings menu as part of the Pixel 10 launch. The new "Adjust brightness for sensitive eyes" option increases the PWM rate from 240Hz to 480Hz, according to testing done by our pals at Android Central. That said, it's not quite fast enough to truly solve the problem.

How to access the new settings

PWM dimming tool in iOS 26 accessibility settings — (Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Apple's take on the issue lets you completely disable PWM dimming entirely on your iPhone 17. In the settings menu, you can navigate to the Display and Text Size section in the accessibility settings of iOS 26.

"Disables pulse width modulation (PWM) to provide a different way to dim the OLED display, which can create a smoother display output at low brightness levels. Disabling PWM may affect low brightness display performance under certain conditions," the setting reads.

Disabling PWM means that the phone won't use the dimming tool; instead, it will use DC-esque dimming to adjust the brightness, which should make it more friendly for everyone's eyes, and not just those who have PWM sensitivity.

It's not clear if this feature is coming to older iPhones and iPads that will be able to access iOS 26.

Not fully implemented yet

Google Pixel 10 pro moonstone review images — (Image credit: Future)

Our friends at Android Central have long held the banner aloft for increased PWM sensitivity on smartphones. We support it, but as AC's Nicholas Sutrich notes, there is room for improvement.

Apple has done a lot of work with the ability to disable PWM in your display, and Google's optional 480Hz is a step in the right direction, though it pales in comparison to OnePlus 13's default 2,160Hz. But it is progress.

If you want a better look at everything Apple's latest devices are capable of you can check out our iPhone 17 hands-on, iPhone Air hands-on, iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max hands-on. Plus, we have hands-on looks at the new Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3 smart watches. Every single one will get a full review in the coming weeks.

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Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.

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