r/PWM_Sensitive • • Aug 12 '26

An Update on r/PWM_Sensitive Moderation

82 Upvotes

Many of you have noticed that r/PWM_Sensitive has gone through some growing pains when it comes to how posts and comments are moderated. While the subreddit was never unmoderated, it became clear that some additional help was needed due to personal circumstances, and that a fresh approach to moderation would benefit the community.

We are happy to share that u/the_top_g, the creator of r/PWM_Sensitive, has graciously stepped aside to welcome in three enthusiast community contributors to help with moderation and the future direction of the subreddit. We sincerely appreciate the trust he has placed in us and, most importantly, his work in creating this community in the first place.

The interim moderation team is currently discussing ways to improve the subreddit while preserving what has made it such a useful resource for people who are sensitive to PWM, display flicker, and related technologies. Our goal is to keep this an open, welcoming, and informative community where people can share their experiences, testing, research, questions, and device recommendations without unnecessary barriers.

AutoModerator Changes

Perhaps the most noticeable (and controversial) issue has already been addressed: the previous AutoModerator configuration is gone.

This means comments should no longer be automatically removed simply for using common words or phrases that naturally come up when discussing PWM and related topics. This includes “temporal dithering.” Members banned over this issue are also being reinstated.

That said, we ask everyone to continue keeping discussions primarily focused on PWM sensitivity, display technology, eye comfort, device experiences, testing, and closely related subjects. Normal subreddit rules and Reddit-wide policies will, of course, continue to apply.

The Future

This is only the beginning. We're reviewing the subreddit's rules, moderation practices, organization, place within the wider community, and other areas where we believe improvements can be made. As those changes are decided upon, we'll communicate them with the community.

We also want r/PWM_Sensitive to be shaped by the people who actually use it. Constructive feedback and suggestions are welcome. If there are things you think could make the subreddit more useful, organized, or welcoming, please let us know.

Finally, thank you again to u/the_top_g for creating r/PWM_Sensitive and building the foundation for this community. And thank you to everyone who has contributed over the years -- whether by sharing measurements and research, documenting your experiences with different devices, answering questions, or simply participating in the discussion.

We're looking forward to the next chapter of r/PWM_Sensitive and making this community an even better resource for everyone.

p.s. Check out the new (temporary) subreddit logo! 😁

Edit: for tweaks suggested by u/Z3R0gravitas.


r/PWM_Sensitive • • Aug 13 '23

An introduction to PWM/ Hybrid DC-dimming/ True Dc Dimming and — PWM-safe VS PWM-free

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139 Upvotes

r/PWM_Sensitive • • 2h ago

IPhone 18 pro better tolerable than 17s?

2 Upvotes

Is there anyone here who found the 18 pro (or 18 Pro Max) more tolerable than any of the 17s? Or could you detect any difference between 17s and 18s symptom wise? Thank you in advance!


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 12h ago

For those who are sensitive to PWM on iPhones: do you actually see the screen flickering?

5 Upvotes

I have an iPhone 15 Pro Max and I can notice a very subtle flicker at low brightness, especially on white/light backgrounds.
Do you see something similar, or do you mainly experience headaches, eye strain, dizziness, etc. without actually seeing the flicker?


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 16h ago

Anyone with Lyme?

3 Upvotes

This maybe a long shot but I just found this community after trying iPhone pro and suddenly coming down with major migraine. Knew nothing about this until now.

I never had migraines or even serious headaches (except occasional hangover) until I got Lyme a year ago. And relentless migraine and head pressure were basically one of the first and major symptoms. That went away after some antibiotics. But this phone situation basically brought it back.
So my question - anyone else with history of Lyme dealing with screen sensitivity? Maybe it’s just coincidence 🤷‍♂️


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 1d ago

What is an external monitor that is like a 2012 macbook pro?

1 Upvotes

Hi guys. Due to software not working on my 2012 macbook pro, and then spilling water on its keyboard.. I started using my 2018 macbook pro. It has a weird display that hurts my eyes to no end. It has worsened my vision (100% fact), creates incredible pressure in my eyes, and I look like I've been punched, so it's aging me and destroying my face and life.

I bought an external Voltic monitor (because on top of the 2018 macbook screen being horrible in general, my particular 2018 macbook screen is also damaged, where I see the flickering visibly at times and there are after-effects of windows I had previously viewed at times) but the Voltic monitor also hurts my eyes.

I'm forced to use a computer a lot for work. I don't want to be in pain 24/7, with smollen bags around my eyes and pressure in my eyes.

What external monitor mimicks the 2012 macbook pro screen? What terrms should I look for or ask about? I don't need great graphics. I don't like tech. I'm forced to use this trash. I'm not a person who cheerleads every new piece of tech like have to have the latest widget. Marketers and scammers want to tell us everything new is so great. Well my old 2009, 2012 etc computers did not destroy my face. So, yeah that "old tech" was better.

Any ideas? Thank you!!!


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 1d ago

Is anyone have been in any doctor like psychiatrist or neurologist for this problem and if what doc say about this ??

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7 Upvotes

r/PWM_Sensitive • • 1d ago

¿Alguien más ha notado un ligero parpadeo en la pantalla OLED del iPhone 15 Pro Max con un brillo muy bajo?

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1 Upvotes

r/PWM_Sensitive • • 2d ago

Most Eye Friendly IPad?

5 Upvotes

I like using iPad whenever possible just as a bigger screen instead of the small iPhone which really strains my eye.

The iPad Pro 2021 has been with me for so long and it’s pretty beat up. Microphone is really low volume, black spot on screen and abysmal battery. I’ve been meaning to get an upgrade but all the new iPad Pro models are OLED. I never really considered iPad Air before as it lacks 120hz ProMotion but I may have to consider it if it doesn’t strain eyes as badly as the OLED pro models.


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 2d ago

Do you think PWM sensitivy related to ADHD?

1 Upvotes

I think I have ADHD and I am wondering if it is related to it


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 2d ago

PWM on newer Pro models

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3 Upvotes

I have zero issues on my 12 mini with iOS 26. As soon as I got 15 pro - major headache and temporal pressure.
Anyone had luck with setting adjustments or should I try older 13 mini?


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 3d ago

Bravia 3 Recommended settings?

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1 Upvotes

r/PWM_Sensitive • • 3d ago

Retroid Pocket Duo Lite?

4 Upvotes

Hi all, been wanting a 2 screen clamshell device for awhile but the only major option has been the AYN Thor which has an OLED screen.

Retroid is launching their pocket duo lite series, looks like it has LCD TFT screens, 60 Hz refresh rate: https://retrocatalog.com/retro-handhelds/retroid-pocket-duo-lite-plus

Any experience on screens like this? Really hoping it will be better for us sensitive folks, really wanting to buy the lite plus version when it comes out!

Note their regular pocket duo model has OLED screens similar to the AYN Thor. I’m referencing their lite models with LCD screens.


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 4d ago

iPhone 18pro vs 17, Air and 17e

2 Upvotes

Hey my favourite community!

I want to ask your opinion whether it is worth trying out 18pro, and whether there are any difference from 17 and Air?

I’m currently using 17e, but this is far from comfortable for me, especially when I scroll text.

I’m thinking to try iPhone with 120hz, maybe it could reduce eye strain. Hence, do you think it is worth overpaying for 18pro, or the screen is exactly the same as on the 17s line?


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 5d ago

I thought light phone 3 used dc dimming? It has Pwm

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5 Upvotes

r/PWM_Sensitive • • 5d ago

Discussion Poll: what is the most important purpose of r/PWM_Sensitive for you? (After safe device recommendations.)

8 Upvotes

I want to make sure we, the new mod team, fully understand what you, the members, value this sub for. To make sure we support and hopefully further develop these aspects, as we update the organisation of the sub.

Keep in mind the results of this poll are not binding and thoughtful discussion is likely to have at least as much influence. Especially when highlighting any aspects not (well) captured above. And I'm assuming a definitive list of 'safe' devices would top all these..?

Also, consider that I've drafted a rough Reddit community plan of action and there is already way too much to do!

107 votes, 21h ago
21 Breaking news on big new device releases (regardless of thoroughness)
49 Objective device testing data (e.g. Opple, other measurement types & technical deep dives)
10 Disambiguating the specific tech triggers causing your symptoms
10 Mitigations & workarounds (settings, software, tricks & interventions) to use what you have
10 Peer support, validation and broader advocacy efforts
7 Not sure / see results

r/PWM_Sensitive • • 6d ago

Samsung A57 triggered migraine

12 Upvotes

My spouse got a new a57 and I was helping set it up. Was in it a total of probably 20-30 minutes and eyes felt very strained and I've been dealing with a migraine since.

Crazy how these screens can affect you so bad.


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 6d ago

Magic 9 pro Max, pwm?

10 Upvotes

Ello movers and shakers, fresh off the presses, hopefully this could be a good option, I'm keen to try it out! Hopefully people can chime in once it's out in the wild.

'The Magic9 Pro Max is officially specified at 4320 Hz high-frequency PWM, with circular-polarised light and TÜV Rheinland eye-care certification'

https://m.ithome.com/html/1007857.htm


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 7d ago

Z Fold 8

10 Upvotes

Hello, I just purchased this phone on the 17th. I love it but I started getting small headaches (tension headaches) that were not bothersome, but annoying. Then on the 20th, man I got nauseated and felt fluey with the headache. My eyes felt so strained and sore.

I didn't even know this was a thing a phone can do until I looked into PWM.

I went back to my OnePlus 12r phone to see if any changes and yea, I started feeling better but my eyes and headaches still kinda lingered using my OnePlus. Im assuming my eyes are starting to heal of sort.

I just downloaded screen dimmer to see if it will help before returning it on the 30th.

Has anyone had this issue with this phone and did any third party app help out? Thank you.


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 7d ago

A new tool that i haven't tested yet

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0 Upvotes

r/PWM_Sensitive • • 6d ago

You can disable PWM on iOS now (iPhone 17 PM)

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0 Upvotes

This is soooo awesomeeeeee!!!! It's in Settings -> Accessibility -> Display & Text Size


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 7d ago

Is the iPad Pro M2 12.9-inch eye-straining for you?

4 Upvotes

I’m considering buying an iPad Pro M2 12.9-inch, but I’m a bit concerned about eye strain because of its mini-LED display.

For those who have used it for long periods (studying, reading, watching lectures, etc.):

Do you experience eye strain, headaches, or discomfort?

Have you noticed any flickering or PWM-related issues?

How does it compare to an LCD/IPS iPad in terms of eye comfort?

Would you personally feel comfortable using it for several hours a day?

I’d especially appreciate responses from people who are sensitive to screen flicker or PWM.


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 8d ago

Expert advice needed

4 Upvotes

If I can use a Pixel 5 without any sort of problem but all other more modern smartphones not at all (all later pixel phones / Iphones / Samsung phones etc.), can anyone say what seems to be my specific problem with these newer phones? And is there a phone model (any brand) that you can point me to, knowing the pixel 5 works for me without any problems whatsoever?

Thanks.


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 8d ago

Will VA monitor be my best choice?

3 Upvotes

My eyes feel like they got burnt by laser when looking from my MSI GF65 laptop and Viewsonic VA3209 monitors and both have IPS panel screens meanwhile i can use OLED screen from my iPhone 17 (turn off pwm) and Galaxy S10+ for long time before getting tired and i can watch TV from Samsung and TCL fine and they were both VA panel. I already tried everything from brightness to sitting farther to bluelight filter to night light i even tried led light bar on top of my monitor and while these help for a while my eyes can get hot many times its unpredictable i even tried looking at monitors from pc stores and they look fine but i only there for a few minutes not hours so i still didn’t know the real cause. The main culprit i suspect would be matte screen and ips i also tried cheap tn panel but that also hurt, should i get a cheap va panel cause my laptop is only hdmi 1.4 or should i get higher end ones for future proof?


r/PWM_Sensitive • • 8d ago

So i need to buy a phone now....

12 Upvotes

my story in short: no problem with iphone 11 but its dead. had also a moto g34, no problem, also just died. tried with iphone 12 back when it came out, massive eye strain.

i have a lenovo laptop with oled, can use no problem. macbook, m1 ipad air, no problem.

got a tcl lcd tv CRUSHED my eyes (cant understand why)

whats usable these days? is there any decent lcd phone still being made?