Tech Desk 
Aug 22, 2025
Google is rolling out a thoughtful display option on the Pixel 10 series specifically for screen-sensitive users. The new option, named "Adjust brightness for sensitive eyes", also increased the display PWM (pulse-width modulation) rate to lessen strain and discomfort when using the display.
The acronym PWM stands for pulse-width modulation and is used by most, if not all, smartphone displays to adjust brightness. It works by flashing the display quickly, in a manner that is undetectable to the human eye, thus allowing you to decrease or raise brightness.
Most users will go through their entire smartphone experience and never notice; however, low PWM rates can lead to headaches, eye strain or even nausea for some individuals; therefore, PWM, namely the frequency, is important for users with sensitive eyes.
Historically, Google Pixel phones have offered an extremely low PWM rate around 240 Hz, which is low in comparison to some competitors.
With the Pixel 10, Google has doubled PWM frequency to 480 Hz while using the sensitive eyes setting. While it doesn't measure up to 3,000 Hz or above devices from manufacturers like Honor, it's sure a large progress update for Pixel users that suffer with low PWM flicker.
Google describes the setting simply as “Adjust emission frequency to improve viewing experience for sensitive eyes.”
While the upgrade might not grab headlines like camera or performance boosts, it highlights Google’s focus on accessibility and user comfort.
