iPhone 17 Models Include Toggle to Disable Screen Flickering (PWM)

[MacRumors]

The iPhone 17 models include an Accessibility setting to disable pulse width modulation (PWM), according to information found in the iOS 26 release candidate.

There will be a toggle located in the Display and Text Size section of the Accessibility settings on the iPhone 17, labeled "Display Pulse Smoothing." Users will be able to turn PWM on, or turn it off. A description:

Disables pulse width modulation 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.

We have confirmed that the PWM toggle is available on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. It's also likely available on the iPhone Air.

Pulse width modulation is used for adjusting the brightness of a display. PWM is designed to quickly switch LED or OLED pixels on or off to control the brightness that people perceive. Some users are bothered by PWM and can see a flickering at lower brightness levels.

Affected users often complain of eye strain, headaches, and other symptoms, but it is a technology that display makers use because it is energy efficient. The iPhone 17 models could provide those who are bothered by PWM with a fix.

Update: This article has been updated to clarify that the setting to turn off PWM is available on all iPhone 17 models.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Models Include Toggle to Disable Screen Flickering (PWM)

 

[arc of the universe]

for many, this is a game changer

 

[drumcat]

This is huge. Great find!

 

[JPack]

Couple nice wins today for Apple along with the hypertension feature being available for S9/10.

 

[Rogifan]

I honestly don’t know what this is as I’ve never had any issue with iPhone displays and my eyes.

 

[macduke]

This is great for people who need it, but quite possible the most niche setting ever added to an iPhone!

 

[lakerchick4life]

This is making me lean towards the pro even though its 300 bucks more than the 17..I have the iphone 13 and the screen size is hurting my eyes and the screen itself hurts my eyes, need something better so this might help

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Why is screen flickering a default feature?

 

[JCCL]

Wow. This is HUGE for those that are sensible to this.

 

[Cayden]

Why is screen flickering a default feature?

Because the vast majority of people can’t visually see the flickering, and it provides much better color and brightness accuracy and control.

 

[MikhailT]

Why is screen flickering a default feature?

Read the article.....it's in there. Pretty much A LOT of electronic devices flickers, we just can't see it because they do so at a frequency we don't see.

Disables pulse width modulation 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.

 

[Royksöpp]

Great, now there's one less thing for all 10 of you to complain about.

 

[Droid3214]

Omg!!!! This is huge!!!

 

[madrigal77]

I know a decent amount of people have trouble with PWM, so I'm happy for them.

 

[Homme]

Zollotech will have a field day with this with the amount of times he talks about PWM

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't have this problem but, I am thrilled for those who do and can take advantage of the new feature.

 

[GMShadow]

This is making me lean towards the pro even though its 300 bucks more than the 17..I have the iphone 13 and the screen size is hurting my eyes and the screen itself hurts my eyes, need something better so this might help

I’d wait and see if it’s also an option on the regular 17, you may not need to spend the extra cash.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Read the article.....it's in there.

This is MacRumours you are talking about... We skim headlines. We don't read articles.

 

[Harthag]

Great, now there's one less thing for all 10 of you to complain about.

It affects many people. Why do you think "flicker free" monitors and TVs became a thing several years ago? Why have OLED TV manufacturers worked to eliminate flicker? Many Android phones, including the Pixel 10 Pro finally, have this option to reduce PWM flicker. This feature is huge and I'm very happy to see Apple doing this.

 

[kemal]

With my eyesight, you would think I have the PWM low brightness sensitivity. Nope. Glad this has been added for others!

 

[novagamer]

WHAT.

Damn it I don't want this phone at all.

Apple should spread this to all of their products, it doesn't affect me that much but I do see it occasionally especially in dark mode and it is annoying when it happens.

This means they're taking note of the issue which is amazing especially for those who are bothered by it even worse than I am.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Finally! I really wanted the Air model but if it means I can use a phone again then I’m going Pro.

 

[ant the ninja]

Woah! This is huge. I remember tons of threads about people having issues with the switch to OLED. Glad people can take advantage of the newer phones because of this.

 

[Homme]

WHAT.

God damn it I don't want this phone.

But… Why lol

 

[Johnny907]

This is great for people who need it, but quite possible the most niche setting ever added to an iPhone!

No, no it’s not. What a horrible take.