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A New Light at the End of the ARM Tunnel
Dell has subtly confirmed that upcoming ARM-based laptops may finally fix a frustrating issue for Windows 11 users — the lack of Night Light support on external monitors. This long-standing hardware limitation, tied to Qualcomm’s current generation Snapdragon chipsets, has left users relying on third-party tools to manage eye strain in multi-display setups. With the next wave of Snapdragon chips expected to arrive soon, Dell’s quiet acknowledgment hints at much-needed progress for ARM laptops and the broader Windows-on-ARM ecosystem.
External Monitor Night Light Support Still Missing on ARM Windows 11 PCs
A recently updated Dell support document sheds light on a lingering issue with Windows 11 laptops powered by ARM-based Snapdragon chipsets. The Night Light feature, designed to reduce blue light for improved eye comfort, works well on a laptop’s internal display. However, it fails to apply to external monitors when connected to devices running on current Snapdragon processors. This issue isn’t isolated to Windows 11 — it persists even when reverting to Windows 10, confirming the problem is rooted in hardware, not software.
Dell has acknowledged that this limitation stems from the Qualcomm Oryon chipset, which powers several of its ARM laptops, including the Inspiron 14 5441, Inspiron 14 Plus 7441, Latitude 5455, Latitude 7455, and XPS 13 9345. Unfortunately, Dell has no plans to introduce native Night Light support for external monitors on these models. Users looking for a fix will have to wait for Qualcomm’s next-generation chips, likely the Snapdragon X Elite 2, to bring that capability. According to Dell, support for this feature is expected with the next wave of ARM computers.
In the meantime, affected users are advised to simulate Night Light effects using Dell’s Display and Peripheral Manager or other third-party blue light reduction apps. While these tools can approximate the intended experience, they fall short of the seamless integration that native Night Light provides. Reports suggest that Qualcomm may unveil its next-gen ARM chips in September, under the codename “Project Glymur,” though devices powered by these chips likely won’t reach consumers until the following year.
Industry insiders and early testers have praised the current crop of Snapdragon laptops for matching Intel and AMD devices in performance while offering better battery life. The upcoming generation is expected to push those advantages even further, with some chips reportedly optimized for gaming and other demanding tasks. While users wait for hardware improvements, many are still left juggling incomplete features and workarounds in the current ARM landscape.
What Undercode Say:
Hardware Limitations Stall a Smooth ARM Transition
The ongoing issue with Night Light support on external monitors highlights a deeper concern within the Windows-on-ARM transition. While Microsoft and Qualcomm have made impressive strides in performance and compatibility, minor quality-of-life features like these still hold back mainstream adoption. It’s not just about running apps — users expect full desktop parity, especially for everyday usability features like Night Light that directly affect user comfort.
Not Just a Software Problem
The key revelation is that the issue isn’t related to the Windows OS itself but tied to hardware limitations in Qualcomm’s current Snapdragon chips. This puts the responsibility squarely on chipset development, and it shows the dependency OEMs like Dell have on Qualcomm to close the gap between ARM and x86 systems.
Implications for Business Users
For professionals using multi-monitor setups — common among remote workers, coders, designers, and content creators — this limitation is more than a minor inconvenience. Lack of Night Light support could contribute to eye fatigue and long-term productivity issues, especially in dimly lit environments. Businesses evaluating ARM systems for enterprise deployment might view this shortcoming as a red flag, potentially delaying adoption until full feature parity is achieved.
Third-Party Tools Can’t Fully Replace Native Features
Dell’s suggestion to use its own Display and Peripheral Manager, or third-party color-adjusting tools, feels more like a temporary band-aid than a real fix. Native OS-level features are expected to work seamlessly across all screens. The current workaround forces users to tinker manually, breaking the streamlined experience that modern operating systems strive to offer.
Waiting for Snapdragon X Elite 2
All eyes are now on Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon X Elite 2 chips, which Dell hints may resolve these limitations. If the new chips can finally offer external monitor Night Light support, it would mark a crucial step in closing the functionality gap between ARM and traditional x86 PCs.
Positioning for the Future
Dell’s indirect confirmation signals confidence in the upcoming ARM platform — not just in raw performance but also in usability. Combined with rumors of gaming-optimized chips and battery improvements, ARM’s future on Windows is starting to look more mature. However, it remains a waiting game, with most consumers unable to benefit from these improvements until new devices launch in 2025.
The Bigger Picture
This seemingly small issue is part of a larger transition story. As ARM gains momentum in the PC space, users expect full functionality, not partial features and disclaimers. Resolving things like Night Light support may seem minor on paper, but they represent the polish and completeness that define great user experiences. If Qualcomm and OEMs can get the details right, the shift to ARM could become not just viable, but preferable.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ Dell confirmed Night Light
✅ It is a hardware issue tied to
✅ The fix is expected in next-gen Snapdragon X Elite 2 chips, not via software updates
📊 Prediction:
🔥 By mid-2025, most premium ARM-based laptops will support full Night Light functionality across internal and external displays
🚀 Qualcomm’s next-gen chips will bring greater hardware parity with Intel/AMD platforms, enabling wider enterprise adoption
🖥️ External monitor support will become a benchmark feature in ARM PC marketing, especially in productivity and business sectors
References:
Reported By: www.windowslatest.com
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