I can't use GrapheneOS because Pixels give me severe headache and eyepain.

Cumulonimbus1991

I know there isn't really a point to this post, but I just want to share it, because I am sad about it. I so much want to have a phone with GrapheneOS on it, I tried it for a few weeks and it was perfect for me. I love the privacy and security it gives me.

I tried the Pixel 8 pro (with GrapheneOS), the Pixel 10 and the Pixel 6 (both stock just to test eyepain). And these screens are like poison to me. Within 10 minutes I feel pain behind my eyes, and after 15-20 minutes I get dizzy and nauseous. I hadn't heard of it before but apparently it is caused by PWM technology in these OLED screens. It happened no matter the setting. I tried with this app OLED Saver and without, no difference. All these phones went back to the store (luckily full money back).

So I guess this is it, I understand no one can help me with this. I hope some day there will be a Pixel device that doesn't give me pain. Enjoy GOS guys.

Murcielago

Cumulonimbus1991

Have you tried to toggle on the PWM feature mentioned by DeletedUser639?

You'll find it inSettings > Accessibility > Adjust brightness for sensitive eyes.

Note that this is a Pixel 10 only feature:

Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold: add high EMF (PWM) mode opt-in to the Settings app

source: https://grapheneos.org/releases#2026011000

Maybe you'll find these informations also helpful: https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/google-pixel/google-pixel-10-new-pwm-accessibility-setting

dotted-gear

Cumulonimbus1991 graphene is expanding to different non pixel phones soon

DeletedUser639

Do I understand that the Pixel 10 with grapheneos-version-2026011000 still was painful?
Apparently that update addressed PWM

Cumulonimbus1991

DeletedUser639

Murcielago

Yes I tried that on the Pixel 10! It increases the frequency of the flickering but it doesn't stop the flickering and unfortunately it is not enough for me.

Foggy can every phone just get an LCD replacement? I did a small search and couldn't fine any pixel 6 (or other pixels) LCD replacements. That would be a good solution.

CGG

Sorry to hear that but this no happen with me... You should consider look for some filter lenses that can filter those frequencies that dont make you fell well... search a doctor.

destroy1234

Murcielago
Bumping PWM frequency from 240Hz to 480Hz is still low frequency though, the threshold safe frequency is 1200Hz, then 3000Hz is safe for most PWM sensitive people. Some PWM sensitive people can't use any PWM dimming phone so they are stuck with PWM-free LCD phones or e-ink phones.

Vomitorius

Maybe a privacy screen protector could help

Foggy

Another thought is some of the cheaper aftermarket replacement displays are LCD not OLED. They tend to get bad reviews for being not as good as OEM, but if OLED is a problem maybe a bad LCD is better. Although I suspect they're subject to the same backlight PWM so if the frequency is a problem it probably won't change that.

randomm

Cumulonimbus1991 Yes I tried that on the Pixel 10!

Standard or Pro? The setting only works on the Pro models

I'm waiting for the 10a before buying a Pixel to see if it's gonna have that feature.

DeletedUser639

Perhaps, the light Phone, uses an e-Ink screen, may help.

spl4tt

I am also sensitive to this, but not as much as you are. Pixels have a nasty 240hz flicker, and the "Adjust brightness for sensitive eyes" just doubles that to 480hz, while other manufacturers are waaaaaay higher (As an example: Nothing Phone 3 960Hz, Nothing Phone 2 even 1920Hz)

On old Pixel phones you can enable the accessibility setting "extra dim", and then pull the brightness all the way up. Works okay, but for you probably still not enough.