A small but potentially eye-saving feature has appeared in the iPhone 17 lineup, discovered by MacRumors in the iOS 26 release candidate.
Users can now disable pulse width modulation (PWM), the technology behind OLED screen dimming that can cause flickering at low brightness.
What’s the PWM Toggle?
In iOS 26, the new setting appears in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size under the label “Display Pulse Smoothing.” With this toggle, you can:
- Disable PWM to reduce flicker and create a smoother display experience at low brightness.
- Leave PWM enabled for standard brightness control and energy efficiency.
Apple notes that turning PWM off may slightly affect low-brightness performance, but for those sensitive to flicker, it’s a welcome option.
Which iPhones Get It?
MacRumors has confirmed the toggle on:
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
It’s likely that the iPhone Air also includes this feature, though that hasn’t been verified yet.
PWM has long been a double-edged sword: it helps OLED displays save power, but some users notice eye strain, headaches, or general discomfort at lower brightness levels.
This new Accessibility toggle is Apple quietly giving control back to users who prefer comfort over efficiency — a thoughtful touch that many will appreciate, even if it flies under the radar.
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