Usable Smartphones?

This shows the Moto E6 no PWM.

This shows the Nokia 3.1 no PWM.

As you can see, though both are no PWM, the Nokia looks like it has a much clearer display signal. Any thoughts on that being noticeable in everyday use?

K-Moss

Is the difference because they are using a different time scale? It looks like that may be what is causing the difference in visual appearance. Time on the bottom says 20.00us and on the top says 5.000ms. 20.0V on the bottom and 500mV on the top.

Any thoughts?

K-Moss You can see the scope view of the first image is much more zoomed in (time scale) compared to the second.

This is a all a science and not an exact process.

K-Moss

I've checked the contrast ratios for the Nokia 3.1 and Moto G9 plus and the Nokia is over 2000:1 and in my opinion it's too high. The Moto G9 plus is around 600:1. I have an LG monitor which is 600:1 and it's really comfortable to use. The Moto G9 play is well over 2000:1 and I wouldnt recommend it but that's just my opinion. Hope whichever phone you choose K-moss is good for you.

Quad43

While everyone is different I personally had issues with the iphone SE2, it would give me eye pain and headache almost immediately on pretty much all settings.

I get the same symptoms with the Iphone XR.

Neither of them have PWM, I used reduce white point on each of them but symptoms still persisted.

I am able to use an Iphone 8 / 8 plus / Ipad 2018 without issue ONLY if I enable reduce whitepoint to the first setting, otherwise I get similar eye strain / headache issues. Without the reduce white point its like all the colours are still too bright even with a low backlight.

Problem SE2 and XR even with the 'lower' brightness colours visible on the screen when using reduce white point still caused the symptoms.

Maxx

I used the Moto G 5G which has pretty much the same screen, mine had PWM when it should not. Even at full brightness I could not use it and I could not detect PWM with my other camera at full brightness, I did make a posting about it on here somewhere.

Even devices that dont have PWM can cause issues. They must flicker in other ways.

HAL9000

Thank you - interesting XR didn't work out. iPhone 8 would work but battery option over time == almost useless

HAL9000

More likely that flicker is not the trigger

Is there a confirmed list of phones that are suitable then? It seems even in Wiki we don't have a definitive list.

I'm looking to buy a like-new Honor 8X. Anyone have any problems with this unit?

DAVEGEO

Can you confirm if the Honor 8X is still compatible with Google Play?

K-Moss

Judging by some of the reviews I've seen it isnt compatible out of the box but you can install with a workaround but I wouldn't be happy with that. As an alternative I've bought oppo A72 phones for my in laws and they are a great phone with contrast at 913:1 and black level 0.55. I've seen them after I set them up and the screen is nice and comfortable and large. Also has Google play as standard.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Oppo-A72-Smartphone-Review-The-affordable-Oppo-smartphone-turns-out-an-endurance-champion.483918.0.html

Have a look

Any recs for phones that aren't huge? Anything over 5.5 inches feels to big to me but everything out there seems to be 6.5 inches or more. I don't want to hold a roofing tile up to the side of my face

ensete

In my opinion, you don't want to hold any cell phone to your head. I always plug in ear pieces with a mic or else use a bluetooth device. Given that, the bigger size of 6.5" and larger helps productivity when using the phone as a mini computer.

K-Moss

I don't use headphones or airpods or anything. 6.5 inches, to me at least is to large to hold comfortably in one hand or fit in a pocket.

Although it is a very limited mobile phone compared to today's alternatives I can use OPPO A52 with full ease.

Dropped using several phones including Apple, Sony, LG etc. models. Now hopefully I may find a phone with the same screen in better specs.

Leaving this info here since it may help someone as well.

HAL9000

Iphone 11 with reduced whitepoint to 55%, reduced transparency and increased contrast works for me. (It has 0 PWM also).

Ok so - after years of battling PWM/Eye strain/headaches, and then reading immense research into the issue -

Personally, I've realised I react negatively to all amoled/oled smartphones, regardless of whether they are high refresh rates, or incorporate DC dimming.

LCD helps/improves - however some LCDs also flicker.

I don't trust Notebookcheck anymore - so i test devices myself using external cameras/slow motion recording etc to detect flickering.

After buying and selling countless phones - the ones I've personally found to be absolutely flicker free are:

Redmi note 9T

Honor view 20

Realme x50 5g

Huawei P40 Lite 5g model (not the 4g model)

All four of these handsets, especially the P40 lite 5g and honor view 20 models, are very comfortable on my eyes and I have detected no flickering.

I use a separate blue light filter app on them too, as the inbuilt filters on all four of these handsets weren't great.

The other handset worth mentioning are the oppo a74 5g and a54 5g. They both flicker when set to under 10-15% brightness, but no flickering detected above that. They are also 90hz, and their in built blue light filters are very very effective.

I purchased the moto g 5g plus after trusting notebookcheck, last year, and after conducting my own tests (after experiencing strange eye fatigue while using the device), I detected flicker at brightness set under 75%. 75% and above, there is no flickering - but constantly having the device set at that level of brightness, while using a light filter app - drained battery fast, and just was not very practicle to use as an every day device.

Overall, it's sad to say, but none of the high quality expensive phones by the leading manufacturers work with my eyes. They Are all horrid eye fatigue causing oled/amoled flickering tech. I hate them all!

I'm happy with these cheaper budget handsets, but there is a compromise in camera quality, processor speed and gaming ;(

However- they solved my eye fatigue/strain/headache issues! So I can scroll, read and surf, browse, social media etc without pretty much any issues.

I just hope they continue to use LCD tech in newer models. I'm keen to test out the new redmi note 10 5g as notebookcheck has said there is no PWM and the screen is dull (which sounds like a dream to me lol). But I want to test the PWM myself. I'll keep you all posted!

The other compromise which I should mention with these cheaper handsets, are connectivity. The wifi and data speeds (though not bad overall) are no way as high as the expensive amoled models.

I just wish the manufacturers would make a high quality flicker free LCD based high end model, with the latest high end processor and good camera etc. It's such a shame they all opt for awful PWM amoled/oled tech for their flagship displays.

I really don't understand peoples fascination with with amoled/oled. Color accuracy is abysmal, and colors are an over saturated untrue to life, mess.