Samsung's Galaxy S27 Pro and Ultra May Finally Ditch PWM Flicker
Samsung has been the undisputed king of smartphone displays for years, yet one stubborn omission has quietly annoyed sensitive users: DC dimming. According to fresh leaks, the Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra might finally change that. If true, it would mark a rare moment where Samsung plays catch-up on a comfort feature that some rivals already offer, and it says a lot about how the company is segmenting its next flagship family.
What the leak actually says
The rumor claims the Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra will be Samsung's first smartphones to offer DC dimming, at least in some capacity. A hybrid approach may still be required, where medium to high brightness levels use DC while low brightness switches to PWM. This fits into a wider S27 display split: the Pro and Ultra are said to get Samsung's latest M16 OLED material formula, while the regular S27 and S27 Plus would use M14+. The Privacy Display feature introduced on the Galaxy S26 Ultra is also expected to stick around on the S27 Pro and S27 Ultra.
Why DC dimming matters for your eyes
PWM, or Pulse Width Modulation, adjusts brightness by flickering the light source on and off very quickly. It works because of how our eyes perceive light, but some people are sensitive to the flicker and can experience eye fatigue or even headaches. DC dimming instead adjusts the voltage input to the light source, eliminating that flicker. It is much harder to implement, especially on modern displays with variable refresh rates and LTPO tech, which is why many brands use a hybrid approach. Even so, the payoff is real comfort for users who notice PWM.
The bigger picture: Samsung isn't alone
It would be easy to frame Samsung as the villain here, but Apple iPhones also lack DC dimming, offering only a smooth PWM mode in settings. Likewise, hardware 10-bit color support is missing on iPhones, while some competitors already offer 12-bit color. The source notes that economy of scale cuts both ways: in ultra-high-volume models, saving even cents per unit adds up fast. So while the S27 Pro and Ultra may finally address flicker, the broader industry still treats true DC dimming and high-bit color as premium or niche additions rather than baseline expectations.
Key Takeaways
- Leaks suggest Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra will be Samsung's first phones with DC dimming.
- A hybrid approach may still be needed, with PWM at low brightness levels.
- The S27 Pro and Ultra are also tipped to get M16 OLED material, while the base S27 and S27 Plus get M14+.
- Privacy Display, introduced on the S26 Ultra, is expected to remain on the S27 Pro and Ultra.
- Apple iPhones also lack DC dimming and hardware 10-bit color, so Samsung is not alone in holding back.
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