Google Pixel 10 May Finally Fix Long-Standing Screen Issues

Google might finally be addressing a long-standing issue with its Pixel displays in the upcoming Pixel 10 series.

A new report suggests that the Pixel 10 Pro could feature brighter screens and a significantly improved PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) refresh rate, something that iPhones and Galaxy devices have already adopted years ago.

PWM refers to how a display controls its brightness. When the rate is low, it can cause eye strain or even headaches for some users. Although not everyone is affected, the issue has been a known problem for sensitive users. Until now, Pixel devices have had a PWM rate lower than many flagship phones, such as the iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, both of which boast a 480Hz PWM, which helps reduce eye strain.

In the past, some Pixel users have had to rely on software modifications to mitigate this issue, but Google had not directly addressed it – until now. The new report claims that the Pixel 10 Pro could see the PWM refresh rate jump to 480Hz, doubling the 240Hz rate found on the Pixel 9 Pro. This would bring it in line with devices from Apple and Samsung.

However, this change might not apply to all Pixel 10 models

. While the Pixel 10 Pro is expected to get the upgraded PWM rate, the base Pixel 10 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will reportedly stay at 240Hz, making this improvement exclusive to the Pro model.

On the brighter side, all Pixel 10 models may feature significantly brighter displays. The base Pixel 10 could reach an HDR brightness of 2,000 nits, an increase from 1,800 nits. The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL might reach 2,250 nits, up from 2,050 nits, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold could see 1,850 nits on its main display and 2,050 nits on its outer screen. These numbers represent a modest 10% increase compared to previous models.

While these brightness numbers are promising, they only reflect the figures stated in the software. Actual real-world brightness might vary depending on content. As a reference, the Pixel 9 Pro had a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, meaning these new figures might not indicate the maximum brightness achievable in practice.

It’s important to keep in mind that this information is based on an unconfirmed report. If these changes come to fruition, they would significantly improve the Pixel lineup, especially for those sensitive to display flicker. However, the fact that the improvements might not be consistent across all models could be a point of contention.