iPhone X gave me the ”classic” headache, mild nausea discomfort (I posted a bit about it in this thread 3 years ago). I have a 2020 11” iPad Pro and have had zero issues.
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Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up
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Yup, same. That’s exactly how it feels for me as well. Especially the fidgety feeling, like the screen makes you want to look away.
Thanks for sharing your experience, that’s very encouraging to hear that it’s not causing issues.
EDIT: Also, I emailed notebookcheck to ask if they were planning on testing the 12, they told me they’re planning on posting the results next week.
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I definitely want to upgrade this year, so I’ll be looking very closely at the PWM measurements to see if there’s a difference between the iPhone 12 models.
I’d honestly be happy with any iPhone ranging from iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max if it turns out one of them is better than the other.
(I’m leaning towards iPhone 12 Pro since I like a slightly smaller phone, but I quite like the curved aluminum edges on iPhone 12 and the Max isn’t that much larger than the 8+ I’m currently using.)
If all else fails, I might end up with an iPhone SE. According to Notebookcheck it has the highest contrast ratio Apple’s ever shipped on an iPhone LCD display, and I think it looked/felt great compared to my 8+ when I tried a store demo a few months ago.
I’d honestly be happy with any iPhone ranging from iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max if it turns out one of them is better than the other.
(I’m leaning towards iPhone 12 Pro since I like a slightly smaller phone, but I quite like the curved aluminum edges on iPhone 12 and the Max isn’t that much larger than the 8+ I’m currently using.)
If all else fails, I might end up with an iPhone SE. According to Notebookcheck it has the highest contrast ratio Apple’s ever shipped on an iPhone LCD display, and I think it looked/felt great compared to my 8+ when I tried a store demo a few months ago.
I am able to use the 2020 iPad Pro 11” without any problems. However, I do have PWM sensitivity with the X, Xs, 11 Pro and I’m about to return the 12 Pro. Not sure why, but the Xr and 11 LCD screens also give me headaches. I guess the 8 Plus will be my last iPhone. 😔
I am able to use the 2020 iPad Pro 11” without any problems. However, I do have PWM sensitivity with the X, Xs, 11 Pro and I’m about to return the 12 Pro. Not sure why, but the Xr and 11 LCD screens also give me headaches. I guess the 8 Plus will be my last iPhone.
There are some who get headaches also from the XR/11, me included with the 11. As it can’t be PWM, it’s either FaceID or temporal dithering used on the liquid retina screen (or something else funny with that screen). There are a couple of threads about eye strain with the Xr/11 as well.
Same tbh. My only reservation about the SE is that battery life.
That’s good to hear. I also have issues with the XR/11/iPad Pro 2018, and I’m hoping the 2020 Pro is okay for use.
Ah yes, I’ve read the other threads where temporal dithering has been mentioned. It’s too bad.
Notebookcheck measured the PWM on iPhone 12, and found that it oscillates at 226.2Hz.
“Since OLEDs do not have backlighting that could be dimmed, the entire screen must be switched on and off at very short intervals to achieve lower luminosity. This creates a flickering that oscillates around 226.2 Hz on the iPhone 12. Only at full display brightness is it not measurable.” (Translated from German.)
“Since OLEDs do not have backlighting that could be dimmed, the entire screen must be switched on and off at very short intervals to achieve lower luminosity. This creates a flickering that oscillates around 226.2 Hz on the iPhone 12. Only at full display brightness is it not measurable.” (Translated from German.)
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That’s very strange, the 12 was noticeably better for me than previous iPhones that had 240+Hz. Very curious if something else w/ the implementation has changed.
(Also, kinda disappointing that Apple didn’t *increase* the Hz rate lol)
Interesting. Thanks for posting.
There was a Russian website that posted PWM numbers earlier this week that was posted in another thread.
“The brightness auto-tuning function works adequately, and it is possible to adjust the brightness change to the user's requirements. At any brightness level, there is modulation at a frequency of approximately 240 Hz.”
Сравнительный обзор смартфонов Apple iPhone 12 и iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 и iPhone 12 Pro получились симпатичными, но не прорывными устройствами. Разве что увеличение дисплея и обновление дизайна действительно производят впечатление, причем внешность iPhone 12 Pro понравилась нам существенно больше. Вдобавок, производитель уверяет, что смартфоны теперь куда...
240 Hz seems more in line with frequencies reported for previous iPhones. From a practical perspective, I’m not sure frequencies as low as 240 Hz or 226 Hz will make much of a difference to those of us that are sensitive this this. However, I am heartened (and a bit confused) that some previously sensitive folks have been able to handle the iPhone 12...despite these reported values. Granted, some folks have not been able to handle the iPhone 12, either.
After monitoring this thread for the past 3 years, I think it can be summed up as follows: “YMMV”
Interesting. Thanks for posting.
There was a Russian website that posted PWM numbers earlier this week that was posted in another thread.
“The brightness auto-tuning function works adequately, and it is possible to adjust the brightness change to the user's requirements. At any brightness level, there is modulation at a frequency of approximately 240 Hz.”
Сравнительный обзор смартфонов Apple iPhone 12 и iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 и iPhone 12 Pro получились симпатичными, но не прорывными устройствами. Разве что увеличение дисплея и обновление дизайна действительно производят впечатление, причем внешность iPhone 12 Pro понравилась нам существенно больше. Вдобавок, производитель уверяет, что смартфоны теперь куда...www.ixbt.com
240 Hz seems more in line with frequencies reported for previous iPhones. From a practical perspective, I’m not sure frequencies as low as 240 Hz or 226 Hz will make much of a difference to those of us that are sensitive this this. However, I am heartened (and a bit confused) that some previously sensitive folks have been able to handle the iPhone 12...despite these reported values. Granted, some folks have not been able to handle the iPhone 12, either.
After monitoring this thread for the past 3 years, I think it can be summed up as follows: “YMMV”
Yes, there are definitely other variables in play beyond the frequency rate. The PWM curve seems to be different than other iPhones, for better or worse.
On the bright side (pun not intended but literally) it does state that the PWM isn’t measurable at full brightness, meaning that the workaround to use Reduce White Point in Accessibility to dim the display, while inconvenient, could possibly work to eliminate the PWM flickering altogether.
Yeah this sucks. I was excited to preorder the Mini tomorrow morning, it seems to be the perfect phone for me, but I am concerned it will be a waste of time as I will just end up having to return it anyway due to the PWM being as bad on this as it was on the XS I tried using a couple years ago.
I might order anyway and just see how it goes...
The Mini looks surprisingly great in the hands-on videos. As tempting as the Max would be, I miss having a smaller phone.
Unfortunately, I noticed PWM in CNET’s video. Since some people seem to be affected differently than others, it may be worth giving it a try and returning if it ends up bothering you.
I’d like to get hands-on with all of the new iPhone models this year, but that’s not the best idea in this current climate even if Apple Stores can accommodate demos.
My problem with notebookcheck and many others is that they measure the frequency of the flicker but not the amount of flicker. 8% flicker at 100 Hz (which you may find than an incandescent lightbulb flickers at) is much better than 100% flicker at 250 Hz. I also believe the character of the flicker is important, at least at lower frequencies like 250 Hz). Is it a smooth sine wave or a square wave? I’ll hopefully have the equipment to measure this soon, but I also need access to the phones...
Interesting! There was a screenshot from another Russian site I will have to dig up where they showed the PWM and the waves at different brightness levels- it was more square with very shallow flicker (sorry, might not be the right technical terms) at 50% brightness, but the sine waves were sharp with deep flicker at other levels. So in theory wouldn't that mean the flicker is not too impactful at that 50% level?
Edit:
Here is that info from the iPhone 12/12 Pro:
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It would mean that the flicker should be tolerable for most at 50% brightness. 10% is 100% flicker, so that's not good at all. 100% doesn't look that bad. It is however impossible for me to tell if the positions of those lines are accurate. 50% should be half way down from 100% and it's not. They may have just put the different lines in arbitrary positions. It has to be properly done to be able to tell the amount of flicker for sure.
Did they say this is the data for both the 12 and 12 Pro? Based on reports I would assume that the 12 Pro should be different. A lot of people say they don't have issues with the 12 Pro but do with the 12 and previous OLED iPhones.
Here is the site- it is in Russian, but if you are using Google Chrome it should pop up asking to translate it as it did for me- it is a pretty detailed review, including the section on the display and the PWM:
Сравнительный обзор смартфонов Apple iPhone 12 и iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 и iPhone 12 Pro получились симпатичными, но не прорывными устройствами. Разве что увеличение дисплея и обновление дизайна действительно производят впечатление, причем внешность iPhone 12 Pro понравилась нам существенно больше. Вдобавок, производитель уверяет, что смартфоны теперь куда...
It is interesting, the review is for 12 and 12 pro, but they do not specify on the PWM section which of the two this came from. Unless it truly was the same on both?
I’ve seen claims in multiple reviews that the 12 and 12 Pro have the exact same display, except the brightness has been limited on the 12. If that were the case, that would mean that there would likely be PWM on the 12 at max brightness whereas the Pro may not have it.
The Mini uses an entirely different panel, so I don’t think artificially limiting the brightness is a concern.
It does definitely have PWM though.
Sorry for being dense, but what do you mean- that less pwm flicker would be needed to dim the mini display vs the other bigger ones?
Here is the site- it is in Russian, but if you are using Google Chrome it should pop up asking to translate it as it did for me- it is a pretty detailed review, including the section on the display and the PWM:
Сравнительный обзор смартфонов Apple iPhone 12 и iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 и iPhone 12 Pro получились симпатичными, но не прорывными устройствами. Разве что увеличение дисплея и обновление дизайна действительно производят впечатление, причем внешность iPhone 12 Pro понравилась нам существенно больше. Вдобавок, производитель уверяет, что смартфоны теперь куда...
It is interesting, the review is for 12 and 12 pro, but they do not specify on the PWM section which of the two this came from. Unless it truly was the same on both?
Chrome did offer to translate but was unsuccsessful for some reason. Not specifying which model is a bit of a miss.
That could very well be the case. If that’s true I will have to seriously consider getting an 11 with 256 GB of storage while they are available so I secure my phone use for the next however many years it will be until new models are flicker free. Never know if and when Apple decides to discontinue storage options.
I need the full info, not just the frequency, but I guess I may have to make my own measurements. If you want something done right you have to do it yourself, right? 😁
Chrome did offer to translate but was unsuccsessful for some reason. Not specifying which model is a bit of a miss.
That could very well be the case. If that’s true I will have to seriously consider getting an 11 with 256 GB of storage while they are available so I secure my phone use for the next however many years it will be until new models are flicker free. Never know if and when Apple decides to discontinue storage options.
I need the full info, not just the frequency, but I guess I may have to make my own measurements. If you want something done right you have to do it yourself, right?
I ordered a mini, will hang onto my 11 while I test the mini out for a couple of weeks. Hoping it won’t be a problem, and if not I’ll be ecstatic and will then sell the 11. But any sign of trouble, the mini is being returned and I’ll stick with my 11.