GoKawiilHadlee Simons / Android Authority
With the launch of the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung has grabbed headlines thanks to its new Privacy Display technology on the S26 Ultra. While it’s an interesting innovation, it also highlights areas where the company continues to lag behind.
Samsung’s integrated hardware in the S26 Ultra’s display adjusts pixel viewing angles for extra privacy. Yet it still hasn’t adopted basic display and software changes that could improve the experience for users who are sensitive to display flickering. Considering the impact on usability, this is a major letdown.
Do you think it's time Samsung introduced more eye-care features to its smartphone displays? 72 votes Yes. 69 % No, I think other features are more important. 31 %
Why PWM dimming matters
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming is a method to control display brightness by rapidly switching LEDs on and off. This differs from DC dimming, which controls brightness by controlling the current delivered to each LED.
While the rapid on-off cycling of PWM dimming isn’t consciously perceptible, lower frequencies have been associated with discomfort, including eyestrain, headaches, and nausea. This is due to the flickering it causes, especially at lower brightness levels, which can affect people with PWM sensitivity. While you may not consciously perceive this flickering, your eyes and nerves may still detect it.
This discomfort is most apparent at lower PWM frequencies, which is why high-frequency PWM dimming is important to many people. When high-frequency PWM dimming is unavailable, users can switch to DC-like dimming or use accessibility features to reduce flicker.
Samsung doesn’t give users many options
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