The March update for Google Pixel phones introduced exciting features like pulse detection and scam recognition, but it also appears to have brought along some unwelcome display bugs. Numerous Pixel users have taken to Reddit to report issues with their screens fluctuating between excessively bright and overly dark levels while watching fullscreen videos. This problem seems to have emerged directly after the latest update.
The bug isn’t isolated to a specific Pixel model. Reports have surfaced from owners of various devices, ranging from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 9 Pro and newer models. Furthermore, the issue manifests across different video streaming apps, including Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and MX Player. Users have investigated other display settings like Adaptive Brightness, but these adjustments haven’t resolved the problem.
Google News on a Pixel 9 Pro.
The display problems aren’t limited to video playback. Some users have also noted that their phone backgrounds appear dull and dim compared to the overall screen brightness.
A temporary workaround has been discovered: disabling the Smooth Display feature. While this stops the fluctuating brightness, it also reduces the display’s refresh rate from 120Hz (on supported phones) down to 60Hz. This isn’t a perfect solution, but it provides a way to watch videos without the distracting and potentially uncomfortable brightness shifts.
Google hasn’t officially addressed the issue yet. However, the volume of user reports suggests that a hotfix might be forthcoming. We’ve reached out to Google for comment and will update this article with any new information.
