The new PROLED MacBook Pro models — which come with OLED touchscreen displays — have a major problem, forcing some Apple users to return them. This follows the iPhone Duo fiasco where a significant number of units broke after a few hours of use and excited fans were left hoping to get a free repair or a replacement.
PROLED MacBook Pro causing headaches and dizziness
Apple also didn't really do anything special with the touchscreen. | Image by Apple
The new MacBook Pro models use very low-frequency PWM dimming for their displays. As some of you might be aware, this triggers dizziness, nausea, headaches, and more in a subset of the consumer base.
Low-frequency PWM dimming has long made Samsung, Apple, and Google phones unusable for many potential customers, prompting them to turn to Chinese smartphones instead. While previous non-OLED MacBook models used much higher frequency dimming, around 15,000 Hz, the PROLED models only use 240 Hz to 480 Hz, with 240 Hz reportedly being the frequency in use for a majority of the time.
Using the new PROLED MacBook Pro is a painful experience for some. | Image by Reddit
This, unfortunately, has led to multiple reports of users sensitive to such dimming experiencing discomfort when using the new MacBook Pro. For some of them, using Apple’s latest and greatest laptop is a downright horrible experience.
Samsung and Apple don't pay much attention to people affected by low-frequency PWM dimming. | Image by Reddit
What’s fascinating is that, even though the iPhone 18 Pro and its predecessors as well as the iPad models with OLED displays are using roughly the same frequencies for dimming, fewer users have reported strain when using those devices. These same consumers find it difficult to use the new PROLED MacBook Pro.
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One explanation for this could be that the larger display size of the MacBook Pro, as well as the tasks that it is used for that require more focus, like work, might be contributing factors. While users who find it difficult to use an iPhone or an iPad still exist, it appears that more people are reporting issues with using the PROLED MacBook Pro.
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Some Apple users are returning their laptops
The MacBook Pro's switch to OLED didn't go well for some unlucky users. | Image by Apple
The problem, for users who are affected by it, is severe enough that they are returning their MacBook Pros. Apple’s largest display-related upgrade for the MacBook in quite a while has gone down very poorly with some of its customer base.
Expect the number of people returning their new MacBook Pros to rise in the coming days. | Image by Reddit
Some users who knew about the problem went ahead and bought a new PROLED MacBook Pro as well, thinking that they wouldn’t be affected by the low-frequency PWM dimming. After all, they already use an iPhone that’s similar. Unfortunately, people who are fine with their iPhone are also susceptible to dizziness, headaches, and more from the new MacBook Pros.
You might think you'll be fine, but there's a chance that the MacBook Pro will affect you too. | Image by Reddit
Fortunately, the Mini-LED displays that Apple uses for its non-PROLED MacBook models are excellent, so the downgrade from OLED won’t hurt as much as it could have.
The Mini-LED MacBooks will still look spectacular. | Image by Reddit
Still, this is definitely a problem that Apple should look into addressing. The company should have at least implemented the feature that reduces the side effects of low-frequency PWM dimming on the iPhone.
First Samsung, now this
The Galaxy S26 Ultra gave some people eye strain as well. | Image by PhoneArena
When the Galaxy S26 Ultra came out, some people immediately noticed that they were finding it difficult to use the phone. Even with the novel Privacy Display featured switched off, some users got headaches, felt nauseous, or experienced eye strain because of how the screen was built.
Also, many people who get the new MacBook Pro will be laypeople who don’t know much about technology, so I wonder if this will create a negative image of OLED in their minds. Perhaps it’s a good thing that Apple is marketing it as PROLED instead, as it can always just change that name later down the line.
But this is definitely something that needs to be fixed with the next model. Between this and the iPhone Duo, this hasn’t been a good year for Apple’s first-generation products, and I’m already seeing a repeat of the Duo in people claiming that this will not be a major incident.
Abdullah loves smartphones, Virtual Reality, and audio gear. Though he covers a wide range of news his favorite is always when he gets to talk about the newest VR venture or when Apple sets the industry ablaze with another phenomenal release.
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