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Google Pixel 10 December 2025 Update Causes Always‑On Display Flicker: What We Know, Workarounds, and When a Fix Might Arrive

December 6, 2025
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Google Pixel 10 December 2025 Update Causes Always‑On Display Flicker: What We Know, Workarounds, and When a Fix Might Arrive

The December 2025 Android 16 QPR2 update is causing a flickering always‑on display on some Google Pixel 10 phones. Here’s what’s happening, who’s affected, and how to temporarily fix it.

A new bug shadows Google’s big December Pixel update

Google’s December 2025 Pixel update – the stable Android 16 QPR2 release – was supposed to be a big clean‑up: dozens of bug fixes, stability tweaks, and some new features for Pixel phones from the 6 series onward. [1]

But for some Pixel 10 owners, the update has brought a fresh headache: a flickering, glitchy Always‑On Display (AoD) that blinks every time the clock refreshes or a notification arrives.

As of December 6, 2025, multiple Android news outlets and user reports agree on three core points:

  • The flicker began after installing the December 2025 / Android 16 QPR2 update
  • The issue appears to be limited to the Pixel 10 series so far
  • There is no official Google fix or acknowledgment yet, and the main workaround is switching AoD off entirely [2]

What exactly is the Pixel 10 always‑on display flicker bug?

The first detailed reports surfaced on Reddit, where a Pixel 10 Pro owner described a “hard flicker” every time the AoD clock updates: the always‑on screen briefly shuts off and back on, repeating roughly once a minute and sometimes when notifications come in. [3]

Android Authority and Android Central picked up the story, confirming similar behavior from other users: [4]

  • Brief AoD blackout whenever the clock ticks over or a notification appears
  • Blinking or rapid toggling between the AoD clock and the screensaver while the phone is on a wireless charger
  • Momentary black screen after unlock, especially when unlocking from AoD
  • Screensaver behavior that no longer matches the options users previously had (for example, missing “screen off in low light” choices after the update) [5]

One Reddit user summarized the experience like this:

“I notice now on my Always on display, there is a hard flicker when it updates the clock… So annoying I want to shut AOD off now.” [6]

Other commenters echo the same symptoms: flicker on wireless chargers, a brief black flash after unlocking, and an overall feeling that the display is “glitchy” since the December patch. [7]

Where the reports are coming from

Over the last few days, the AoD issue has moved quickly from isolated forum posts to mainstream coverage:

  • Android Authority: Reports that Pixel 10 phones have an AoD that “toggles off and on briefly” after the December update, triggered by clock ticks and notifications, and notes that the site has asked Google for comment. [8]
  • Android Central: Confirms user complaints of flicker during wireless charging and when the clock refreshes, plus brief blackouts after unlocking; says the bug appears limited to the Pixel 10 series only and not older Pixels. [9]
  • PiunikaWeb: Lists AoD flicker on Pixel 10 as one of several new problems introduced by Android 16 QPR2, alongside broken One‑Handed Mode gestures and lock screen widget quirks. [10]
  • ExtremeTech / AndroidPolice coverage (rehosted via Yahoo and other aggregators): Reinforce that the Pixel 10’s latest update has introduced a new AoD flicker and that the only reliable workaround, for now, is turning the feature off. [11]
  • Reddit (r/GooglePixel, r/pixel_phones): Multiple threads from Pixel 10 owners describe identical symptoms, with an official PixelCommunity account suggesting affected users contact Pixel Support directly. [12]

Taken together, these sources suggest this is not an isolated hardware defect, but a software regression introduced with the December 2025 build for the Pixel 10 line.

Which devices are affected?

So far, all confirmed reports share two common traits:

  • The device is from the Pixel 10 family (Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and possibly the Pixel 10 Pro Fold).
  • The phone has already installed the December 2025 Android 16 QPR2 update.

Android Central explicitly notes that it has not seen similar reports on older Pixel models at the time of writing, and its own Pixel 10 review units have not consistently reproduced the bug. [13]

PiunikaWeb also frames the AoD flicker as a Pixel 10‑specific issue within a broader list of QPR2 bugs affecting other models in different ways. [14]

This suggests a mix of:

  • A Pixel‑10‑only code path (for example, new display or AoD behavior unique to this generation); and
  • A bug that may not affect every single device, possibly due to different settings, configurations, or hardware batches.

Why this flicker is especially frustrating for Pixel 10 owners

The AoD flicker is particularly ironic for two reasons.

  1. Pixel 10 was supposed to be better for flicker‑sensitive users
    Earlier this year, Google acknowledged concerns about low PWM dimming rates on Pixel phones – a known cause of eye strain and perceived flicker for sensitive users – and said its teams were investigating improvements expected later in 2025. [15] The Pixel 10 line introduced an accessibility toggle called “Adjust brightness for sensitive eyes”, specifically marketed for people sensitive to OLED emission frequency. [16]
  2. The December update already promised a long list of display and stability fixes
    The December 2025 Pixel update and Android 16 QPR2 were advertised as a major bug‑fix drop, addressing audio crashes, battery reporting issues, emergency calling behavior, and more – plus new features like lock screen widgets and AI‑powered enhancements. [17]

For users who upgraded expecting a smoother, more comfortable display experience, the new AoD flicker feels like a step backward.

Temporary workarounds you can use today

Until Google ships a hotfix, the community and press coverage all converge on one main workaround: turn the Always‑On Display off.

1. Disable Always‑On Display completely

On a Pixel 10 running Android 16:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap Display & touch
  3. Tap Always‑on display
  4. Toggle Always‑on displayoff

This path is consistent with Google’s own documentation and multiple third‑party guides, and Android Central and Yahoo’s rehost of the story both recommend this as the primary workaround. [18]

You’ll lose glanceable info on the lock screen (time, date, notifications), but the flicker should stop.

2. Tweak your screensaver and charging settings

Several Reddit users noticed the worst flicker when their phone was:

  • On a wireless charger, and
  • Constantly switching between AoD and a screensaver clock. [19]

If you rely on a charging screensaver, you can try:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Go to Display & touch > Screen saver
  3. Try switching to a different screensaver mode (for example, a “low light clock”) or turn the screen saver off entirely while charging

For some people, changing or disabling the screensaver reduces – but does not always eliminate – the flicker.

3. Consider disabling AoD only at night or at your desk

If constant flicker is mostly noticeable in specific situations (for example, on your desk at work), you might choose to:

  • Disable AoD during your workday and re‑enable it later, or
  • Use routines/automation apps to toggle AoD depending on location or time (though this is more advanced and not officially recommended by Google for this bug).

This doesn’t fix the underlying issue but can make the phone tolerable until an official patch arrives.

What has Google said so far?

As of December 6, 2025:

  • Android Authority says it has reached out to Google for more information about the bug. [20]
  • Android Central notes that Google has not yet publicly acknowledged the issue, while speculating that a hotfix could arrive if the bug proves widespread. [21]
  • In Reddit threads where the article is being shared, the official PixelCommunity account simply advises affected users to contact Google Pixel support via call or text so support agents can investigate individual cases. [22]

There is no official statement in Google’s December 2025 update notes that mentions AoD flicker on the Pixel 10, and the bug does not appear in the published changelog. [23]

Given Google’s track record, the likely options are:

  • A small out‑of‑band patch specifically targeting the Pixel 10 display behavior
  • A fix bundled into January 2026’s security update or Android 16 QPR2.1

That’s speculative, though – until Google says something publicly or publishes updated release notes, we can’t be sure of the timing.

Part of a broader Android 16 QPR2 rough patch

The AoD flicker isn’t the only new annoyance reported after the December update:

  • Some Pixel owners say One‑Handed Mode gestures no longer reliably pull down the notification shade, especially on Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 models. [24]
  • Newly added lock screen widgets sometimes conflict with Face Unlock, which unlocks so quickly that the lock screen disappears before users can interact with widgets. [25]

PiunikaWeb describes the situation as a familiar pattern: a large Pixel update with many genuine improvements, but also a new wave of bugs that Google has to chase in follow‑up patches. [26]

For Pixel 10 owners who already saw a black‑screen display bug earlier in the phone’s life (fixed in a previous update), the AoD flicker may feel like déjà vu. [27]

Will the AoD flicker damage your screen?

Right now, there is no evidence that this bug is physically damaging Pixel 10 displays. The behavior looks like:

  • A software‑level flicker (brief toggling of the AoD layer), not
  • A hardware defect (burn‑in, permanent ghosting, or panel failure)

Most reports focus on distraction and annoyance, not artifacts that persist after the screen returns to normal. [28]

That said, if you see:

  • Static lines, color bands, or persistent ghosting
  • Flicker that continues even with AoD disabled
  • Or any physical damage or discoloration

you should treat it as a potential hardware issue and contact Google or your retailer right away.

What Pixel 10 owners should do now

If you’re affected by the AoD flicker on a Pixel 10 today, here’s a pragmatic checklist:

  1. Turn off Always‑On Display
    • Settings → Display & touch → Always‑on display → toggle off. [29]
  2. Adjust your screensaver and charging setup
    • Try disabling charging screensavers or using a different charger if the flicker only happens on a stand or dock. [30]
  3. Report the bug to Google
    • Use the Send feedback option in Settings or the Pixel Support app, and, if possible, attach a screen recording. The more reproducible reports Google gets, the faster a fix usually appears. [31]
  4. Watch for a follow‑up update
    • Check Settings → System → System update periodically over the next couple of weeks. Small, device‑specific hotfixes sometimes roll out quietly between monthly patches. [32]
  5. Use your return or exchange window if needed
    • If you’re still within your return period and the flicker makes the phone unusable for you, consider an exchange or refund rather than waiting indefinitely for a fix.

Quick FAQ: Pixel 10 Always‑On Display flicker

Is this only happening on Pixel 10?
Current reports and coverage strongly suggest the AoD flicker is limited to the Pixel 10 family after the December 2025 update. Older Pixel models on the same patch are not widely reporting the issue. [33]

Can I fix it without turning AoD off?
Not reliably. Changing screensaver options and charging setups may reduce flicker for some people, but the only consistent workaround reported so far is disabling Always‑On Display altogether. [34]

Has Google officially acknowledged the bug?
As of December 6, 2025, no. Android Authority and Android Central both say they have not seen an official statement, and the PixelCommunity account on Reddit simply points affected users to regular support channels. [35]

Could this be related to PWM flicker or “sensitive eyes” display settings?
The current AoD bug looks like a logic or UI refresh issue rather than PWM flicker, but it lands against a backdrop of long‑running concerns about Pixel PWM behavior. Google previously said it was investigating improvements and added an “Adjust brightness for sensitive eyes” option on the Pixel 10, but there’s no evidence yet that this specific AoD bug is tied to those features. [36]

As the December 2025 update continues to roll out, the Pixel 10’s always‑on display flicker has quickly become the most talked‑about side effect. For now, the best you can do is disable AoD, document the behavior, and keep an eye out for Google’s next move.

Pixel Update Bulletin: December 2025!
Watch this video on YouTube.

References

1. piunikaweb.com, 2. www.androidauthority.com, 3. www.reddit.com, 4. www.androidauthority.com, 5. www.reddit.com, 6. www.reddit.com, 7. www.reddit.com, 8. www.androidauthority.com, 9. www.androidcentral.com, 10. piunikaweb.com, 11. currently.att.yahoo.com, 12. www.reddit.com, 13. www.androidcentral.com, 14. piunikaweb.com, 15. www.techadvisor.com, 16. support.google.com, 17. piunikaweb.com, 18. www.androidcentral.com, 19. www.reddit.com, 20. www.androidauthority.com, 21. www.androidcentral.com, 22. www.reddit.com, 23. piunikaweb.com, 24. piunikaweb.com, 25. piunikaweb.com, 26. piunikaweb.com, 27. www.androidcentral.com, 28. www.androidauthority.com, 29. support.google.com, 30. www.reddit.com, 31. www.reddit.com, 32. piunikaweb.com, 33. www.androidcentral.com, 34. www.androidcentral.com, 35. www.androidauthority.com, 36. www.techadvisor.com

Mateusz Brzeziński

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