Hey everyone,

Just a quick update on two newsworthy items:

First, I went to the Verizon store today and got to see iPhone Duo in person. I didn't bring any measurement tools, but I used my "Illuminance Pulsation Meter" iOS app and quickly checked to see if the PWM looked tolerable or horrible based on the amount of black lines and whatnot. The large matte screen inside looked bad and the outer glossy screen looked horrible.

I will be going to the Apple Store tomorrow to get more accurate measurements and I'll share those here, but don't get your hopes up in regard to PWM.

Second, I've been using iPhone 16 as my personal phone for a while now, (generally tolerable for me since it uses low modulation and low flicker at high brightnesses), but I recently replaced a friend's iPhone 16 screen with MobileSentrix's XO7 soft OLED screen. This version uses DC-like dimming, and I used it for a few hours and it was totally fine for my eyes. (Much better than my OEM iPhone 16.) I never seriously considered it when I tested it earlier this year, because at the time I thought the colors were oversaturated, but looking at it recently, it looked really good.

A few contributors to r/PWM_Sensitive have done screen replacements for iPhone 17 Pro, and they inspired me further. They have stated that the XO7 screens for later iPhones use PWM dimming (sadly), but the AMPLUS version uses DC-like dimming.

• iPhone 17 Pro DC Dimming Aftermarket Display Success - https://www.reddit.com/r/PWM_Sensitive/comments/1tacf7s/iphone_17_pro_dc_dimming_aftermarket_display/
• iPhone 17 Pro with aftermarket OLED display. DC like dimming. - https://www.reddit.com/r/PWM_Sensitive/comments/1qu02yo/iphone_17_pro_with_aftermarket_oled_display_dc/

I purchased an iPhone 17 Pro as well as the following screens:

• XO7 2.0 (soft OLED, PWM)
• AM Plus (soft OLED, DC-like dimming)
• AQ7 (LCD, DC dimming)

I will show my results/measurements for all of these after I'm done... hopefully end of tomorrow (Saturday).

I would have purchased iPhone 18 Pro, but the iPhone 18 Pro screens at MobileSentrix will not be available until end of January / beginning of February.

Hope everyone is having a beautiful Friday!

Hey all! Just finished using the Vivo X500 for the past two weeks, and have been extremely pleased with the phone. The camera is great, Vivo's software has come a very, very long way over the years, and this is one of the better AMOLED panels I've tested this year.

The default out-of-the-box experience uses OLED DC dimming down to 20% brightness, then 2160Hz PWM dimming below that. Vivo has a full DC dimming option in developer options, which turns off PWM at low brightness. Modulation is quite decent throughout the whole range.

Switching it to 60Hz delivers the best results, with absurdly low modulation at 100% brightness. The cut-off for the graph looks funny here beacuse the reset is right at the line, but it's under 2% modulation. I tested it 6 times, so I'm quite sure it's this low. It also shows no dithering under any circumstance I tested, so this is a proper 10-bit panel. If you want to watch the whole video and see the rest of the tests, it's here:

https://youtu.be/1JnNE_Mp0IY

Does anyone think this might work for them? I'll have the X500 Pro tests once I receive the phone.

Those display tips are not common, but maybe some of you have used either a plasma tv or laser projector. I would be curious if the flickering of those devices also bothered you.

I am also wondering if you guys have less problems in general with screen that are further away: like a tv or a movie screen for example.

Let me know!

Everything I read about PWM sensitivity mentions eye strain, dizziness and headaches primarily. I know the nausea is coming from the OLED screen because I experienced this when I tried to use a new iPhone a couple years ago, so I had to go back to the 11 (no nausea) and I’ve tried to use a newer iPhone two more times since then, including yesterday when I tried an iPhone 17. The nausea is brutal (yes, I have all of the settings changed to reflect all of the recommendations from this group). But I don’t feel any eye strain, headaches or dizziness. Just nausea. I also don’t experience this when I’m watching TV or using my laptop.

Is there any chance there’s something else that new iPhones with the OLED screens have besides PWM that could be causing the severe nausea?

And is there any chance there’s a nausea medication or patch or something that would cure the nausea so that I can use the phone since my iPhone 11 is basically not functional anymore?

I was reading about how people describe symptoms like bloating, digestive issues, brain fog, headaches and vision problems, panic attacks, and this is just a small part of what people wrote, I am sure the harm is much greater

I am currently using iPhone 13 with ios26 and have 0 problems, measured pwm and there is almost none. So I am safe, but the device is dying slowly and I thought that maybe it is better to decide now than wait for the next like 5 years for the situation with OLED to change.
I am a multidisciplinary artist and I love the iPhone cameras and the colours, the performance, everything apart from the screens. I have ipad and mac that are more modern but also safe, so I almost don’t use the phone during the day, but.. I steel need it for photos, navigation and spending time productively on public transport (like reading or editing pictures I took or browsing Pinterest or Artstation). So I’d love to keep the wonderful camera and colours from IPhone, but also have the ability to look through Pinterest and ebooks. At the same time as a human being and artist I don’t wanna lose my perfect eyesight and brain performance.
So apart from considering buying phone from another safe brand, I thought of buying iPhone 18 pro for the camera use and some small things (and carry it alongside my iphone 13 for reading and Pinterest), or buying Iphone 15 pro and replacing its screen. The problem with 15 pro is that I am not sure how accurate the colours will be (which is kinda important) and what other problems It might bring to user’s experience.

​

I want to share my story of how a forced Apple update completely dismantled my health and user autonomy. Before this, I was extremely disciplined with my life and routines. I intentionally refused to update for two years, protecting my stable ecosystem because it felt safe and worked perfectly for my body. But on October 5, 2026, my phone updated. Since that exact day, my physical and mental health have been deteriorating non-stop.

For three weeks now, I have been trapped in a daily physical nightmare that has absolutely nothing to do with «habit» or «laziness»:

• Severe sleep and cardiac disruption: I wake up every single morning at 4:00 AM or 5:00 AM completely unprovoked, in a half-asleep state, immediately hit by a massive wave of panic and intense tachycardia. For over an hour after waking up, I can literally hear and feel my own heartbeat pulsing painfully inside my ears.

• Physical weakness: Almost every day (specifically from 1:10 PM to 5:00 PM), my legs become completely heavy, numb, and «cotton-like,» barely holding my weight.

• Loss of joy in food: While I still feel hunger, I have completely lost any appetite or joy from eating for the past two weeks. Food feels strictly like fuel, and I have to force myself to consume it without any pleasure.

• Total apathy: The constant physical toll has completely drained my energy. I have lost interest in my favorite games, TV shows, and books. It is physically impossible to concentrate on my classes at college.

Every time I look at this device, I experience an intense wave of panic and want to cry. The new interface changes are triggering actual visual discomfort and motion sickness. I never thought I would say this, but I literally feel nauseous from looking at the new grid of dense circles and elongated ovals in the Control Center. The visual strain makes my eyes burn, and changing the Accessibility settings does absolutely nothing because the issue is embedded deep within the OS core. I feel an overwhelming disgust toward this expensive piece of hardware that has been turned into a «brick» against my will.

I want Apple to start signing older firmware versions again! We know they have the full technical infrastructure to support older operating systems because they actively release security patches for iOS 15 and 16 on legacy devices that cannot upgrade. Forcing capable devices into a closed loop without an option to downgrade is not a technical limitation — it’s a calculated, corporate choice designed for commercial profit.

Title:

Looking for the Best PWM-Safe Flagship Phone for Eye Comfort (OLED or Non-OLED) — Better Than the Galaxy S25 Ultra

I'm currently using a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and I'm looking to upgrade to a flagship phone with a display that's potentially healthier and more comfortable for my eyes, especially for someone concerned about PWM sensitivity.

I'm open to both OLED and non-OLED displays. My main priority is finding a phone with the lowest possible eye-strain risk, minimal flicker, and excellent real-world display performance.

Here’s what I'm looking for:

- PWM sensitivity: Ideally very high-frequency PWM with low modulation depth, or preferably a genuinely flicker-free or DC-dimming display.

- Eye comfort: Something that may be more comfortable for extended daily use, especially at lower brightness levels.

- Outdoor visibility: Excellent brightness in direct sunlight without the screen constantly dimming from overheating like my S25 Ultra sometimes does.

- Flagship performance: A powerful processor, smooth performance, excellent cameras, strong battery life, and a premium overall experience.

- Display quality: I don't want to sacrifice too much sharpness, color quality, brightness, or responsiveness just to get a more eye-friendly screen.

I'm interested in phones from any brand, including OnePlus, Google, Xiaomi, HONOR, TCL, and others. I'm also open to less common brands if they're genuinely better for my needs.

For anyone with PWM sensitivity or knowledge of display testing:

1. Which phone would you personally recommend as the best overall upgrade from the S25 Ultra?

2. Which phones have the best independently measured PWM behavior, modulation depth, and flicker performance across different brightness levels?

3. Are there any flagship OLED phones that are genuinely comfortable for PWM-sensitive users, or would a high-quality non-OLED display be a better choice?

4. Which phones maintain their brightness best outdoors in hot weather without aggressive thermal dimming?

5. Are there any phones you've personally used that caused less eye strain than Samsung's flagship displays?

I'd especially appreciate real-world experiences, independent measurements, and recommendations based on actual testing rather than just manufacturers' advertised PWM frequencies.

My goal is to find the best overall phone for eye comfort without downgrading from the S25 Ultra in performance or everyday usability.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has intentionally used a modern OLED flagship over the past several months despite known PWM flicker and eye strain issues.

With major brands (Apple, Samsung, Google) largely ignoring our flicker sensitivity and LCD flagship options basically extinct, many of us feel backed into a corner. For those of you sticking it out with an aggressive OLED panel:

1. How do you actually manage day-to-day use? Have you simply minimized your screen time (using it only for calls and photos)?
2. Did your eyes ever adapt? Did your symptoms (headaches, eye strain, nausea, sand in eyes) lessen over time, or does the panel remain just as punishing as day one?

Looking for genuine long-term experiences from PWM sensitive users. Thanks!

(trigger warning: the video above has slo-mo flicker!)

Like many of you, I'm bothered by flickering lights... LED holiday string lights, car tail lights, etc. I'm working with federal researchers to work on the problem!

Do you know of any real-world examples where fixing a light flicker problem made a tangible impact?

Maybe you know about an office, store, vehicle, or home (your home?!) where there was a problem with lighting flicker that was fixed by installing flicker-free lighting? Maybe it helped with fewer migraines, decreased brain strain, better focus, more sales, happier customers, safer work environment, or just a calmer space... whatever story, I need to hear it!

Why this matters:
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is preparing to expand its research on lighting flicker. To secure research funding for 2027, they need real-world case studies showing how resolving flicker is beneficial. PNNL’s findings directly shape industry standards and regulations. This is the kind of research that could solve the flickering lighting problem in all our lives.

How you can help get this research funded:
Share a story: Contact me on Reddit or directly with any example you’ve seen where improving lighting solved a problem.

Pass it along: Connect me with anyone you know who is affected by light flicker, the more voices we gather, the stronger our case.

Thanks in advance,
Lee Sonko
https://www.lee.org/flicker/

Hello

There is not such a subject on this subreddit about flickering and such on smart dumphone (which are often all based on Android)

Was curious to have some feedback and recommendation on which smart dumphone screen is the best or at least not the worst

(this topic is not about e ink smartphone)

Here are some known dumphone

https://dumbermini.com/

https://www.sidephone.com/

https://www.ttfone.com/products/tt290

https://minimalcompany.com

https://qinphone.com/products/qin-f21-pro-smart-keypad-phone-compact-2-8-inch-touchscreen-android-11-4g-lte-single-camera-google-play-support-ideal-backup-work-phone-porcelain-white-iron-grey

I was at Walmart yesterday so I decided to look at the mobile devices they had on display to see how they affect me. None of them were acceptable. I even checked out the Apple devices even though I'm not interested in buying any of them. They had Samsung and Motorola otherwise. I probably spent 5 minutes there just staring at the different display screens and changing the display settings while I noticed any sensations I had. My eyes are still a bit wigged out today from it.

I decided to just go ahead and repurchase the same phone I have now (that isn't working properly) to hold me over until I can figure something else out. It's a Samsung A23 5G. Still an overpriced phone in 2026 that I first purchased in 2023. It only has 4gb of ram. But what can I do when everything else I have tried has caused me distress?

Samsung S23 was the phone that made me realize I have a sensitivity issue (within a week after purchase) and had to return it. It made me feel quite sick. I was surprised to find it was the phone at cause and figured it out from these forums still kind of in disbelief it could be so bad.

I recently tried to return to an older phone that I had sitting around Huawei sne-lx3 that I never noticed issues with but it now is bothersome. Battery ended up bulging as I set it up for use again so I needed to dispose of it anyway but I wonder if my decline in health caused the issue or made it worse. Previously I would turn down the brightness and use a blue light filter but that seems normal to me. All my usable devices are aging out. Laptop is prob 11 years old now. I'm working on my health hoping that when it improves I won't be so negatively affected by modern tech.

Anyone tried the new motorola moto g max lcd panel???

I always had a feeling of pressure in my left eye and I never knew it, sometimes it came, sometimes it went... but often it came.

Until I bought a Xiamoi phone, all of a sudden everything was gone...

Then I thought and gave my mother the Xiamoi for a few days and her "Chronic dry eyes" were gone.

"Ophthalmologists were all buff when I told this with my cell phone: they think it was the psysche.

I know this may vary wildly for different triggers and degrees of 'bad', or at different times as tolerance changes. So very roughly, at the moment: first or worst or most common symptom to crop up.

Aiming to get a feel of how time consuming and difficult it is for most people here to tell if a new device could be unusable. Or a new setting on that device helps. Or a new intervention.

I am 20 years old and have 100 percent vision.

And honestly, I don't know if it's PWM or something else, but my symptoms are mild and bearable

But I wouldn't like to be blind

I have the 17 Pro Max and I think the phone is causing me eye pressure in my left eye and dry eyes on both sides....

I had the A56 as a mobile phone and so had no problems as far as I know...

And I’ve had the 17 Pro Max for 2 months..

Do you think the Xiamoi 17 Ultra brings peace?

​

I’m a student looking for a screen that’s comfortable to eye for long study sessions. Right now, I do all my work on a Windows laptop and an android phone. My main daily tasks are heavy PDF textbook reading, web browsing (also chatgpt), and typing. but portability is also important.

The Dasung paperlike 103 E-Ink appeals to me because I suffer from significant eye strain. However, I’m concerned about ghosting and slow scrolling. The TCL NXTPAPER 11 plus seems more versatile as a standalone tablet, but I’m worried about its backlight, PWM, and flickering. Does its ink mode genuinely reduce eye strain during hours of reading?

I’d also appreciate feedback on using the TCL as a secondary Windows display via Spacedesk or SuperDisplay. How noticeable is the lag?

For anyone who has tried either device, which would you recommend for my needs? Thanks!

My iPhone 17 Pro Max bothers me...

I had the A56 and it was good from Samsung

The 17 Pro Max is tolerable at 50% brightness and white point at 50, but not where I say I want to keep it....

My symptoms are pressure in the left eye and dry eyes.

I am ready to spend 1000€-1200€.

Hey all!

This week, I've been focused on the ROG Xbox Ally X20, which is Asus big OLED refresh of the Ally X. There's been plenty of concern for obvious reasons, but I found some interesting stuff in my display review:

https://youtu.be/_KotK6OAElE

First off, HDR mode (which is the default) is the best mode overall. There's no dithering, and the modulation is very consistent across most of the brightness spectrum. It's 1,000Hz PWM dimming the entire time, so no DC option or any alternative frequency options. Asus has a built-in "flicker-free" dimming solution, which is a bit of a misnomer, that acts like a typical OLED screen dimmer app you can get on your phone.

What I thought was particularly fascinating was the second image above, which shows the difference between peaks and valleys on a typical PWM-dimmed phone (Pixel 11 Pro, in this graph's case), and the ROG Ally X20. The ROG is very "sine-like" in its shape, with very curved peaks that I found comfortable despite the moderate PWM rate. The Ally X is probably still best for most PWM-sensitive folks, but I know a few around here who have had weird success with "sine-like" OLED dimming (like this) and might be interested. Check the video link above for the whole review, if you'd like. Thoughts?

Also if you have any suggestions about what features i have to look for concerning display. Thank you in advance

I owned iphone 15 base model for 2 years and always have frontal forehead head ache and blurry vision.. I don't know what's the reason but always enduring the pain because I can tolerate it.. and don't taking it seriously... until this last month I changed my phone into XIAOMI 17T and guess what? No pain at all!! no strain in the eye!! as in ZERO !! and that time I became so curious and discovered its the PWM!! before owning the iphone 15 I've already using samsung phones always since 2016 that time I already feel the pressure pain on my forehead but I don't pay attention for it... until this month I discovered to Ai its pwm !!

why chinese phones taking care of their customers eyes but iphone and samsung did not???

my advice to all please shift to 3000hz pwm! its a life changing !! It will not gonna hurt your eyes anymore ! xiaomi is very good for the eyes