Apple Watch users report display flickering issue with Always On mode

Some Apple Watch users have noticed a display flickering issue when the Always On mode is enabled on their devices. The issue affects some of the latest models, including the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, running watchOS 10 and later versions.

What is the display flickering issue?

The display flickering issue is a phenomenon where the display brightness briefly flickers or “pulses” on some Apple Watch models when the Always On mode is enabled. The issue does not seem to affect the functionality of the device, but it can be annoying or distracting for some users.

Apple Watch users report display flickering issue with Always On mode
Apple Watch users report display flickering issue with Always On mode

The Always On mode is a feature that dims the display when it is not in use and lights it up when the device is raised. It was introduced with the Apple Watch Series 5 in 2019 and it also works with the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2, though not with the more affordable Apple Watch SE.

How widespread is the issue?

The issue has been reported by some users on various online platforms, such as the MacRumors Forums, Reddit, and the Apple Support Community website. However, it is not clear how widespread or common the issue is among all Apple Watch users.

According to an internal service memo shared with Apple Authorized Service Providers and seen by MacRumors, Apple is aware of the issue and is investigating it. The memo does not indicate which Apple Watch models are affected, but the issue appears to be most prevalent on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models released last month.

How to fix or avoid the issue?

Apple has advised service providers not to repair affected watches, and instead tell customers to keep their Apple Watch software up to date, suggesting that Apple will eventually make a fix available in a watchOS update. It is unclear if Apple has addressed the issue in watchOS 10.1, which is expected to be released to the public next week.

As a temporary solution, Apple says customers can turn off Always On mode in the Settings app under Display & Brightness → Always On. This will prevent the display from flickering, but it will also disable one of the key features of the device.

Are there any other issues with the new Apple Watch models?

The display flickering issue is not the only problem that has been reported by some users of the new Apple Watch models. Some users have also noticed that complications on the watch face, such as activity rings, might “temporarily turn pink” for unknown reasons. This issue has also been mentioned in the internal service memo by Apple.

In addition to these issues, some users have complained about poor battery life, slow charging, inaccurate heart rate readings, and GPS errors on their new Apple Watch models. These issues might be related to software glitches or hardware defects, and they might be resolved by future updates or replacements.

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