Did order the 12pro this time, lets see if i can live with the pwm on this device.
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Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up
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I’d be curious to find out.
I’ll likely be keeping my iPhone SE until iPhone 13 is released, then I’ll test whichever model has the best PWM rate/amplitude and hope for the the best. I suppose at this point that’s my only option. iPhone 12 Pro may be an improvement over iPhone 12, but I don’t think it would be drastically better than iPhone 12 Pro Max.
sorry can‘t find it in the 100+ pages. Did someone get the ifixit LCD replacement screen for the X, XS or 11 pro and feel any PWM difference?
www.ifixit.com
iPhone XS Screen: Replacement Part, Fix Kit
Replace a screen compatible with iPhone XS. Includes all of the small parts preinstalled in the assembly, saving time and increasing the quality of your repair. 5.8 inch 1125 x 2436 pixel OLED Display.
www.ifixit.com
It’s technically possible, but you’d be the first who’s sensitive to PWM to attempt it. There are no reports I could find of anyone’s experience switching the OLED panel for a LCD.sorry can‘t find it in the 100+ pages. Did someone get the ifixit LCD replacement screen for the X, XS or 11 pro and feel any PWM difference?
iPhone XS Screen: Replacement Part, Fix Kit
Replace a screen compatible with iPhone XS. Includes all of the small parts preinstalled in the assembly, saving time and increasing the quality of your repair. 5.8 inch 1125 x 2436 pixel OLED Display.
I’m wondering that it actually works. but I guess ifixit sells some LCDs otherwise they wouldn’t offer it.
it could be an easy fix for PWM sensitive people
The irony is that the LCD could still have PWM possibly at the same rate, or higher which would be better. Probably not worth it but do share your experience if you decide to do it.
We have been advised to avoid doing this. Post 7#sorry can‘t find it in the 100+ pages. Did someone get the ifixit LCD replacement screen for the X, XS or 11 pro and feel any PWM difference?
iPhone XS Screen: Replacement Part, Fix Kit
Replace a screen compatible with iPhone XS. Includes all of the small parts preinstalled in the assembly, saving time and increasing the quality of your repair. 5.8 inch 1125 x 2436 pixel OLED Display.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/is-it-possible-to-replace-an-oled-screen-into-lcd.2292549/
I have an iphone 7 plus I bought used off ebay in 2017 and I remember at the time how bad I felt about buying it and wondered why I had that miserable feeling about getting it. I think it’s because I’m sensitive to pwm screens which I didn’t know back then. but remember how I wondered if I should’ve gotten a new 8 plus at the time. Now I know why I felt bad because the 8 plus would’ve been new and last longer. I just bought an iPhone 12 off eBay and I found this thread about pwm. I’ll be returning it if there’s any headaches caused by it. My 7 plus is actually chugging along although the battery isn't as good it still lasts long enough because I can keep the screen at a low brightness and no eye strain at all.
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Short but simple update from my side:
- iPhone 12 used for 4 months (used it less because the eyestrain and headache) kept causing me problems
- Switched to my 8 again - No problems
- Did try the 11, XR and SE2, gave me kind of the same nausia and vertigo after some usage.
- Finally decided to buy the 12pro, after 5min the exact same problems as with the 12.
I will give up trying iPhones after the 8 for this time.
Next week i will try to buy an S21 to see if i can tolerate the way PWM works on Samsung. (i think there is a chance this is different because i also felt negative effects on the non oled iphones after the 8 as some other members on the forum, meaning its also something about the way apple is using PWM)
- iPhone 12 used for 4 months (used it less because the eyestrain and headache) kept causing me problems
- Switched to my 8 again - No problems
- Did try the 11, XR and SE2, gave me kind of the same nausia and vertigo after some usage.
- Finally decided to buy the 12pro, after 5min the exact same problems as with the 12.
I will give up trying iPhones after the 8 for this time.
Next week i will try to buy an S21 to see if i can tolerate the way PWM works on Samsung. (i think there is a chance this is different because i also felt negative effects on the non oled iphones after the 8 as some other members on the forum, meaning its also something about the way apple is using PWM)
It’s a bit of a shame since if Apple decided to re-invest into LCD they could put out a truly excellent display without PWM with a 458ppi, at least a 2000:1 contrast ratio (as high as 5000:1 should be technically possible without the use of Mini-LED, which would also be nice), and eye-popping colors. OLED does also afford them the ability to make a more compact phone and works better within the bezel-less design, but it’s not the perfect display technology I thought it would be and has numerous drawbacks beyond PWM.
Colors on iPhone SE are unbelievably natural. Videos look so realistic and vivid. I felt similarly about iPhone 11, but iPhone SE takes it to another level. This will probably be the last LCD display on an iPhone until iPhone SE Plus.
Odd because I used to be the longest-standing advocate for OLED on an iPhone.
Colors on iPhone SE are unbelievably natural. Videos look so realistic and vivid. I felt similarly about iPhone 11, but iPhone SE takes it to another level. This will probably be the last LCD display on an iPhone until iPhone SE Plus.
Odd because I used to be the longest-standing advocate for OLED on an iPhone.
Please let us know how you get on with the S21 as I'm also considering a purchase, although I'd probably go for the Plus or Ultra.
I tried both the 12 pro max and S21 Ultra and had headaches with both. Demo-ing the OnePlus 9 wasn't any better.
Even with the S21 demos it does feel off to me and makes me dizzy. I’m able to look at the display without getting a migraine but it still isn’t perfect and probably not an improvement over an iPhone 12.
Right there with you. Looks like SE for me too!! The SE2 is perfect for me with the eyes and I actually love the size even better. Last I read the next SE will be 2022. No idea if that's still true of not.
I did order the S21 and played with it for about 30min, just browsing watching some youtube video's and got serious headache that lasted for some time. (was using my 8 before that with no issues) So to me it felt even like it was worse than with the 12 and 12pro. Sending it back tomorow.
The iPhone 12 I bought on eBay had to be returned because it couldn’t be activated. While having it though I used it on WiFi over a weekend and noticed eye strain severely. I didn’t want to give up though and tonight bought a nearly brand new one from Facebook that’s paid off also. It is working great no eye strain at all. I don’t know why. Maybe my eyes are finally adjusting to the oled screen. I had a little bit of a tingle in my eyes but I think they are adjusting finally. So I think there’s a period of adjusting that your sensitive eyes can go through without harming them, maybe take it slow but don’t give up and though it’s painful eventually you can start using newer oled devices and others that are using pwm just like the older non-pwm lcd ones.
edit: I still am getting dry eyes from it. I should probably not look at the screen too much. Thankfully it’s only my phone screen and I have an older iPad pro that doesn’t bother my eyes for watching videos.
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That would be because the S21 uses a lower frequency PWM than the iPhone, it drops as low as 120Hz at minimum brightness. According to notebook check it uses PWM at 240Hz at max brightness and that frequency changes as you lower the brightness and it drops as low as 120Hz at minimum.
FWIW iPhone 12 Mini seems to have the highest PWM frequency at 250Hz, which may also be why it's the most visible on camera. Additionally, Notebookcheck claims:
"The display backlight flickers at 250 Hz (Likely utilizing PWM) Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 99 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting."
I would be open to testing more iPhone 12 models and Apple doesn't seem to have a problem with this. Probably just wishful thinking but I wouldn't mind using iPhone 12 Mini instead of iPhone SE for the next few months until hopefully there are significant amplitude improvements on iPhone 13. I am also oddly drawn to the standard iPhone 12.
"The display backlight flickers at 250 Hz (Likely utilizing PWM) Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 99 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting."
I would be open to testing more iPhone 12 models and Apple doesn't seem to have a problem with this. Probably just wishful thinking but I wouldn't mind using iPhone 12 Mini instead of iPhone SE for the next few months until hopefully there are significant amplitude improvements on iPhone 13. I am also oddly drawn to the standard iPhone 12.
I took a look at Target store demos and iPhone 12 Mini is still the worst of the iPhone 12 models in my opinion. Even at max brightness I find the flicker ever-so-slightly visible to my eyes.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro Max at max brightness in a store aren’t so bad and are bearable. It is a major improvement over previous models in that regard since I can look at a store demo without immediately getting a migraine. If I didn’t know better I’d think it would work out since I do gravitate naturally towards the Max.
I’m not opposed to trying iPhone 12 Pro since iPhone SE is becoming a little frustrating now that I’m back on social media apps, but at this point I’m holding out hope that iPhone 13 is the generation that makes iPhone usable again for us.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro Max at max brightness in a store aren’t so bad and are bearable. It is a major improvement over previous models in that regard since I can look at a store demo without immediately getting a migraine. If I didn’t know better I’d think it would work out since I do gravitate naturally towards the Max.
I’m not opposed to trying iPhone 12 Pro since iPhone SE is becoming a little frustrating now that I’m back on social media apps, but at this point I’m holding out hope that iPhone 13 is the generation that makes iPhone usable again for us.
I reviewed the slo-mo videos I took at an Apple Store and couldn’t conclude that one iPhone 12 model would be significantly better than any other.
I suppose I’ll keep my iPhone SE until iPhone 13 is released and likely try iPhone 13 Pro Max, unless iPhone 13 Pro is better in terms of PWM. I do admittedly enjoy the larger size with the OLED display, which is apparently noticeably superior visually to the Mini-LED iPad Pro.
My hope remains for a flicker-free OLED, which is technically possible, or at least one with a flat amplitude like the Apple Watch LTPO OLED.
I suppose I’ll keep my iPhone SE until iPhone 13 is released and likely try iPhone 13 Pro Max, unless iPhone 13 Pro is better in terms of PWM. I do admittedly enjoy the larger size with the OLED display, which is apparently noticeably superior visually to the Mini-LED iPad Pro.
My hope remains for a flicker-free OLED, which is technically possible, or at least one with a flat amplitude like the Apple Watch LTPO OLED.
Hey I never use oled before but the other day I bought the iPhone XS ,and then I noticed my eye burning,what you could cause that ?
Finally an article about the issue from someone affected. Popped up in my Flipboard app today.
spectrum.ieee.org
The iPhone 12 Mini Makes Me Sick (Literally)
Manufacturers don’t like to talk about OLED display flicker, but for the sensitive, it’s a nightmare
spectrum.ieee.org
Finally an article about the issue from someone affected. Popped up in my Flipboard app today.
The iPhone 12 Mini Makes Me Sick (Literally)
Manufacturers don’t like to talk about OLED display flicker, but for the sensitive, it’s a nightmare
Yeah that pretty much describes the issue to a T.
Curiously, I'm also looking into iPhones because my Galaxy S phones have always given me eye strain, red eyes and headache (had to visit ophthalmologists a few times over the years for this, although they couldn't find any underlying reason, I still had to use lots of prescription eyedrops for this...) and I just found out it's this flickering stuff 🤦♂️ But looks like newer iPhones have the same issue. Yeah I'm not buying the SE with that design, I'd rather buy some midrange Android with an LCD IPS screen.
If you have to use a flagship, there are some Android apps that can fix the OLED flickering but they interfere with native brightness settings so I haven't used them yet... maybe I'll just try them now.
Edit: okay the app seems to work (?), hope it's not just placebo, double-checked with a camera too, it doesn't totally eliminate the flickering but it effectively mitigates it, anyway my phone screen feels exactly like my LCD iPad now so it's probably a good sign. Will report back if there's any issue.
Edit2: looks like some newer Xiaomi and OnePlus phones have a Flickering Protection feature that uses a new technology called DC dimming that reduces the PWM flickering. There's also a PWM ranking for phone and tablet displays on the net.
Edit3, final verdict: after a few days of using the app to reduce flicker on my Galaxy phone, it's better but still not as good as the LCD screen. If OLED screen is 1/10 and LCD is 10/10 on the comfort scale then OLED with app is about 5/10, still got eye strain and stuff, meh 🤦♂️ If Samsung won't sort this out I'll get a Xiaomi or something else next time.
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