Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Pro and Galaxy S27 Ultra may introduce DC dimming, according to a new report. If the claim is accurate, the two higher-end models would be the first Samsung smartphones to offer the display feature, although the implementation could use a hybrid approach alongside traditional PWM dimming.

The reported change would matter most to users who experience eye fatigue or headaches from display flicker. Samsung has continued to rely on Pulse Width Modulation, or PWM, for brightness control on its recent phones, including the Galaxy S26 Ultra according to the report.

How DC dimming differs from PWM

PWM adjusts perceived brightness by rapidly switching a display’s light source on and off. On an OLED phone, that process affects the pixels themselves. The flickering happens too quickly for many people to notice, but some users can be sensitive to it, particularly at lower brightness levels.

DC dimming takes a different approach by adjusting the voltage supplied to the light source. That can reduce or eliminate the flicker associated with PWM, but it is more difficult to implement alongside features such as variable refresh rates and modern LTPO displays.

Phone makers commonly use a hybrid system. DC dimming can operate at medium or high brightness, while PWM takes over at lower levels where maintaining accurate colors and stable operation is more challenging.

Galaxy S27 display differences reportedly widen

Android Headlines reports that the DC dimming feature could be part of a broader display split across the Galaxy S27 range. The Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra are reportedly expected to use Samsung Display’s newer M16 OLED material formula, while the regular Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27 Plus may receive M14+ panels.

The report also says Samsung’s Privacy Display feature will return on the S27 Pro and S27 Ultra. The feature debuted on the Galaxy S26 Ultra and is designed to limit what people beside the phone can see on the screen. Retaining it would give the premium models another display-related distinction from the rest of the lineup.

DC dimming would not address every display limitation

The reported upgrade may still leave Samsung behind some competitors in other areas. The article questions whether the Galaxy S27 Pro and Ultra will offer genuine hardware 10-bit color support, noting that some competing phones advertise 12-bit color.

That limitation is not unique to Samsung. Apple’s iPhones also lack hardware 10-bit color and instead provide a software setting described as a smooth PWM mode. As a result, the possible addition of DC dimming would represent a meaningful comfort-focused change, but it would not necessarily make Samsung’s flagship displays more advanced in every respect.

Samsung has not been cited as confirming the Galaxy S27 display specifications. The DC dimming claim should therefore be treated as an unconfirmed report until the company provides official details.