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Comprehending Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Its Operation

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iPhone 17 Screen Outshines Pixel 10 Pro with Notable Improvements

It appears that Apple has exceeded expectations this time around.

For the past seven years, the majority of iPhone models have come with an OLED screen. This was a long-anticipated transition for some users who had already enjoyed the vibrant colors and deep blacks seen in Android devices utilizing the technology. While this significantly improved picture quality, it also presented an unwelcome surprise for some: headaches and eye strain due to PWM dimming.

This year, Google introduced a new accessibility feature meant to assist users who experience discomfort with OLEDs, but unfortunately, the company didn’t address what users truly required. As it turns out, Apple was working on a solution as well, and according to Mac Rumors, the iPhone 17 series includes a new accessibility option that completely disables PWM dimming.

The new feature, located in the Display and Text Size section of accessibility settings in iOS 26, states, “Disables pulse width modulation (PWM) to offer an alternative method for dimming the OLED display, potentially resulting in smoother display output at lower brightness levels. Disabling PWM may influence low brightness display performance under certain circumstances.”

Mac Rumors highlights that while the new option is available across all iPhone 17 series devices, it’s uncertain whether older iPhone or iPad models will receive this setting. We have contacted Apple for further details regarding this new feature and will update this article once we receive a response.

Why this matters

From the wording, it seems that Apple’s accessibility option closely resembles what Motorola introduced with the Motorola Edge Plus 2023. This means that the device does not utilize PWM dimming at all. Instead, it will employ DC-like dimming to adjust brightness, making it considerably more accommodating for all users, not just those who are sensitive to PWM.

Details on how the new setting operates are still unknown, but there is a distinct contrast in the terminology compared to Google’s Pixel 10 Pro series. Google’s accessibility setting mentions that it “adjusts emission frequency” to assist users with sensitivities; however, this merely doubles the PWM frequency from 240Hz to 480Hz. Studies indicate that PWM dimming needs to be at a minimum of 3000Hz to assist most users effectively, making Google’s solution less adequate.

Many smartphones from Chinese manufacturers have provided options to adjust or disable PWM dimming for years, with companies like Honor using dimming up to 4320Hz in their latest models. Since many of these brands are not officially available in the US, users who are sensitive to light flicker, such as PWM dimming, have had limited options. Significantly, the three leading brands—Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel—offered no solutions for these users until now.

This development should help advance the entire OLED industry and make OLED screens more user-friendly for everyone. I wasn’t sensitive to PWM until 2022, and it took me several months to realize that my phone’s OLED screen was the culprit. Many users are unaware that their devices’ displays rapidly flicker to regulate brightness, and likely do not recognize that this is what has been causing their headaches.

It is estimated that up to 20% of individuals experience some degree of flicker sensitivity and may not even be conscious of it. Since the flickering is “invisible” to the naked eye, most people are oblivious to the rapid on-and-off cycling of LEDs or some fluorescent bulbs for brightness control, though our brains register this, making some individuals “allergic” to it. It’s similar to being gluten-sensitive without realizing gluten is present; you would continually endure discomfort without understanding the source, while most people around you do not share the same issue.

By integrating this new accessibility option, Apple’s action will hopefully encourage Samsung and Google to enhance their OLED displays and provide all users with dimming alternatives that are gentler on the eyes.

Five Characteristics Android Ought to Embrace from Apple’s iPhone 17 Event

Apple achieved an unexpected number of positives in its series of September announcements. Android users are notoriously underwhelmed when Apple showcases its latest iPhone and Apple Watch annually. The company touts it as the “best iPhone ever” with phrases like “it’s unlike anything we’ve ever made,” yet many of our readers remain skeptical.

However, this time, things are slightly different. Several feature unveilings and announcements genuinely impressed our team at Android Central, and Android users should pay attention.

From a redefined front-facing camera sensor that prompted us to ask, “Why hasn’t anyone implemented this earlier?” to blood pressure monitoring on the Apple Watch, these are the features from the Apple event that the top Android phones and watches should take inspiration from promptly.

A square selfie camera

There are seldom new features on the iPhone that compel me to upgrade, but Apple’s new front-facing camera sensor on the iPhone 17 is one such feature. The CenterStage camera now adopts a square aspect ratio, breaking away from the common 4:3 size typically found on most front-facing smartphone cameras. With a 1:1 aspect ratio, the camera can crop in to offer both portrait and landscape shots without users needing to physically adjust their device.

If you’ve ever tried to hold a large flagship in landscape mode using one hand while attempting a group selfie, you’ll understand why this is significant. It’s simpler to manage your phone in portrait mode, and the revamped CenterStage camera lets you achieve the best of both formats. A quick tap on the screen will change the selfie orientation digitally, enhancing the user experience.

CenterStage can also leverage AI to broaden the usual field of view, ensuring everyone fits into the frame. The resolution reaches up to 18MP for photos and 4K HDR for videos, so you don’t compromise on quality for versatility. I hope every Android flagship considers implementing square sensors in their next upgrade cycle.

Higher base and maximum storage options

Is 128GB of base storage sufficient in 2025? We believe otherwise, and Apple seems to agree. It has elevated the base storage across the iPhone 17 lineup, with the newly announced models starting at 256GB. Impressively, despite tariffs and inflation, Apple hasn’t increased the price of any model to introduce higher base storage.

In the meantime, we are still awaiting Google and Samsung to catch on and eliminate the 128GB storage option from their flagship offerings. This year, the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Galaxy S25 all initiate with just 128GB of storage.

Apple has also enhanced the storage cap for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. You can now feature this smartphone with up to 2TB of storage. The pricing is somewhat amusing at $2,000, but it serves as a valuable option for individuals looking to utilize the “pro” camera system for high-quality video formats demanding significant storage.

Dual Capture recording

When Apple introduces a feature, it often becomes mainstream. That’s the trend we hope to see with Dual Capture recording on the iPhone 17 series. It enables users to simultaneously record both front- and rear-facing camera perspectives, which is excellent for POV-style videos that also reveal what the individual is experiencing in their environment.

Samsung already provides this capability through Director’s View on selected Galaxy phone models. With this feature, you can concurrently record both camera views or alternate between them on your Samsung device. However, it remains relatively unknown among casual users, and other Android manufacturers have been slow to adopt it. Therefore, we would like to see OEMs like Google implement features such as Dual Capture or Director’s View promptly.

Blood pressure monitoring

The Galaxy Watch has included blood pressure monitoring for several years now. Nevertheless, U.S. availability has posed a significant challenge. The Galaxy Watch 8 possesses all the necessary sensors, yet the brand has not enabled this feature in this region, likely due to regulatory reasons. Fortunately, Apple has officially resolved this issue with hypertension alerts on the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3.

While it does not replace medical-grade detection techniques, blood pressure monitoring and hypertension alerts could potentially save lives.

“Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease, affecting around 1.3 billion adults worldwide,” the company states in a press release. “It is often undiagnosed because it frequently presents no symptoms, many individuals do not visit a doctor regularly, and even during clinical appointments, it can be easily overlooked with a single measurement.”

For these reasons, we are excited to see the Apple Watch supporting blood pressure monitoring in the U.S., and we hope to see Wear OS watches adopt this feature sooner rather than later.

An affordable smartwatch with modern specs

Budget-friendly versions of Wear OS smartwatches typically make several compromises to achieve an affordable price. The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE, for instance, employs recycled

Samsung’s Galaxy Ring Offered at a $100 Discount on Amazon: Is It a Worthwhile Buy?

A great gateway into the realm of smart rings

Smart rings are gaining popularity as wearable technology progresses, offering a subtle and fashionable method to monitor health and fitness data. Among the various choices, the Samsung Galaxy Ring emerges as a superb introduction for newcomers to smart rings, particularly Samsung fans.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is now on sale for $299.99 on Amazon, reduced from its initial price of $399.99. This makes it a compelling choice for those interested in discovering the smart ring landscape without overspending. Although it may lack the comprehensive features of some premium smart rings, it provides a reliable array of functionalities that meet basic tracking requirements.

Key Features:
– **24/7 Tracking**: The Galaxy Ring offers round-the-clock tracking for activities like walking, running, and sleeping. It also includes several fitness programs and health data monitoring, making it a versatile companion for daily health observation.
– **Design and Battery Life**: Among the slimmest smart bands on the market, the Galaxy Ring emphasizes comfort and style. Its battery longevity is commendable, lasting up to a week on a single charge, which is ideal for users who prefer less frequent charging of their devices.
– **Compatibility**: The ring is tailor-made for Samsung gadgets, ensuring smooth integration within the Samsung network. However, users with devices from other brands may find limited compatibility.

Considerations:
– **AFib Detection**: Unlike some cutting-edge smart rings, the Galaxy Ring lacks AFib detection, which could be a disadvantage for those seeking thorough heart rate tracking.
– **Subscription-Free**: Unlike the Oura Ring Gen 3, the Galaxy Ring does not necessitate a monthly subscription to access health data, making it a budget-friendly option for cost-conscious individuals.

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is a noteworthy selection for those entering the smart ring arena. Its blend of fundamental tracking capabilities, stylish appearance, and compatibility with Samsung products positions it as a practical choice for casual users. While it may not substitute for a smartwatch for those requiring advanced capabilities, it acts as a dependable and economical stepping stone into the smart ring universe.