Usable Smartphones?
JTL If you look at my first screenshot above, initially I thought that updating Android System WebView had upgraded the OS and the kernel, which, you wrote, has to do with graphics. Later on I realized the currently installed versions are from March 2017 and not 2018. By the way, how is an OS upgrade carried out? Via which app?
I also took a screenshot of all the apps I updated in two occasions without a couple of days. I did not use the phone in between because it works only in wifi here...no connectivity...so I can't resolve exactly the time when the issue occurred...
but basically it is all Google apps except Expedia, WhatsApp...and T-Mobile. I was also wondering whether the T-Mobile app could be the culprit. I have been on a different carrier out of the US for a while and had not updated the two T-Mobile apps for ages...
Other question I cannot answer is: suppose the problem is Chrome or Expedia. Would my display hurt only when using the incriminated app or all the time?
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JTL Thanks.
I think I complicated my life. I should have probably not carried out a factory reset but downgraded one app at a time via Appdowner and apk files at https://www.androidapksfree.com
However, I did not know that were possible before...
I bought a Nokia 3310 3G thinking that, although a downgrade, it would solve all my eyestrain issues, but I was wrong. I tested it only for a few minutes and immediately felt some discomfort.
Does anyone know how backlighting is carried out? I cannot find info.
https://www.sizescreens.com/nokia-3310-3g-screen-specifications/
Is it possible that PWM dimming is applied?
That is the type of display
Thanks
ryans Not yet, but my HTC One m8 is literally on its last legs. I had two shells, and did a battery swap on one that went horribly wrong (I have to open it back up, I assume one of the leads to the motherboard wasn't reconnected properly). At this point the main contenders are, in order that I'll try them:
- Samsung Galaxy S9 (not the big one, the normal sized one seemed better believe it or not)
- iPhone 7+ (the bigger one is better to look at)
- LG G6
AGI This is stressing... I though 3310 "will be definitely OK", but it seems it is not. I am now even stressed to buy new LUMIA 930 (which is perfect for me) from other countries as the manufacturer of screen might not be the same, thus causing eye strain.
Also as suggested by someone here I tried Xperia Z3 and it also causes eye strain after 10-20 minutes. Doesn't work for me.
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randomboolean Did you test it too? I used it only for 5 minutes and got eyestrain. Not the toxic one that lasts for a couple of days, yet enough to make me want to put it aside immediately. Since then I have not the had the mental strength to turn it on again. I was really convinced it would be smooth like two decades ago. I am losing my patience. I cannot get any device which I tolerate.
In any case, I do not want to make a review based on 5 minute usage but it does not look like a great product...I mean, it would be really a downgrade from any smartphone...
AGI I have tested in the shop, it seemed OK, but as you say it is a downgrade, not smartphone, and there is not much to test so my results might not be objective. Also last 2 months were hell with my job, I am burned out because had to cover my collegue. Also I had to change my seat, resulting in me getting eye strain from lights... So as I do not have any phone, which I can look at, decided to go with used yotaphone 2. Found barelly used on ebay UK. Hope it will be a solution for now...
randomboolean sorry about all that. It could be the Nokia is okay for you and others. I should give it another go actually. How is Yotaphone 2? Can you use both sides no problem?
randomboolean I also got problem with Nokia. Just bought nokia 8, everything seems fine for first few days, but it gradually getting worst. I just realise the screen way too bluish bright than other phone. It hurts my eyes even when dimmed. I use blue light filter apk, but it doesn't help. I think I have to avoid all adreno and snapdragon's phones, they all give me headache. Plan to downgrade to Samsung J3 pro 2017. It uses pls TFT screen, Exynos chipset and mali gpu, hope they suit me.
I earlier told I use my new iphone 8 plus without strain. Using it a lot more now I realised its not so good after all. The best phone for me its still samsung s6 and iphone 4s which I still own.
AGI It has been only dispatched ~4 hours ago, so haven't tried it yet. It should arrive next week, I will update you guys whenever I have tried it out. Not sure about 3310, it might be good, but I am tired of trying...
Lowresaddict I would order it with good return policy, as me and some other guys tried it and it wasn't comfortable for our eyes 
randomboolean Thanks for the info. I decided to keep the Nokia 8 and installed anti spy/ privacy screen guard. It acts as dimmer to the screen and makes the screen more comfortable to my eyes, I can use the phone longer than before, so it is enough for now
Lowresaddict Could you please share a name or link of the privacy screen guard? It is interesting that it helps and I would like to try it on some problematic phones which I haven't sold yet.
It's interesting, I would love to be able to get my hands on a phone that uses Exynos and Mali... or even Tegra... but even phones like the Samsung J3 use Snapdragon in the USA. It's very frustrating, I think that something about the newer Android versions and Adreno drivers are just... a bad combo. Whether it's compositing, or pixel rendering, or color profiles... who knows?
Screen578 I just found that review, 2 years later, and am surprised. An OLED screen without PWM. There is some fluctuation in their screenshots but they say there is no PWM. The website also lists the Wiko Wim as OLED phone without PWM.
A big question is if Microsoft did the same changes that make Windows 10 unusable for some of us to Windows 10 Mobile, too. It may be worth a try.