iPhone 16e PWM

wlmsn

NewDwarf thanks for this.

I didn't realize you could have PWM only on specific colors. That could explain why the white colors drive me crazy on Apple products. It feels like I'm starting at a white snowbank on a sunny day.

NewDwarf

wlmsn Yes, each pixel flickers individually depending on the color.

And each color gives different PWM duty and magnitude.

So, many small objects of different colors on the screen create mix of light with different PWM duty. I guess this is very bad for sensitive individuals.

Clokwork

wlmsn My gosh you hit the nail on the head with how you described that. I didn't have words the describe the way the white screens looks on modern apple displays.

"It feels like I'm starting at a white snowbank on a sunny day."

Sunspark

Change the white point.

seakerofsense

What is PWM duty? The modulation depth?

NewDwarf

seakerofsense PWM frequency is 480Hz.

PWM duty depending on the brightness is in the first post. In most brightness levels PWM duty is in the range of 70-90%

m1ngw

That's very interesting thanks. It's contrary to the past where we have been told to increase brightness to reduce pwm.

seakerofsense

I don't quite understand. So, what’s the advice? Should we keep the brightness level between 75% and 100%? Thanks for posting this.

NewDwarf

seakerofsense 0-20% brightness is good to me.

Same is for 75-100% brightness.

I avoid using brightness in the middle of these ranges.

seakerofsense

@NewDwarf Thank you. What’s your opinion on the "Reduce White Point" option? Are you using it?

NewDwarf

seakerofsense No ways to fool PWM. I tried to use "Reduce White Point" but PWM is adjusted to these changes. So, it is not an option at all.

Regarding dithering. It is difficult to speculate about dithering without having reliable tools to measure it.

I am skeptical about measurement of dithering by means of microscope and 240fps camera.

Again, the iPhone 16e's screen is totally usable to me if the brightness level is 70%+ or 0-10%.

seakerofsense

Also, do you think the temporal dithering is the issue with the iPhone 16e?

Clokwork

seakerofsense If it has an XDR display then its likely going to be an issue for a lot of us. There's something about that panel, even with the base iPad which uses sRGB that gives me issues. I have heard rumblings that our issues could go beyond temporal dithering. It could be the LEDs used in modern displays, but I have no direct proof so take this with a grain of salt.

seakerofsense

NewDwarf By the way, are you using any specific screen protector? Also, have you checked the manufacturer of your display?

macsforme

I tried an iPhone 16e in an Apple store. At 100% brightness (under the blinding ceiling lights in the store), the display seemed comfortable, even with True Tone on and with the latest iOS (or close to it). With True Tone disabled, the display definitely took on a heavy blue tone and seemed slightly less comfortable (the opposite of my typical experience). I did not try reducing the brightness.

Clokwork

I haven't given the 16e a chance in person. The specs alone scare me off, but I guess I would need to objectively give it a shot. It's a XDR display that supports wide P3 color. I can't see how it isn't flickering like crazy.

NewDwarf

seakerofsense No, I don't use a screen protector. How can I check a display's manufacturer?

seakerofsense

NewDwarf

seakerofsense It begins with G9Q

seakerofsense

NewDwarf Interesting.. Your is most likely a Samsung, I'm in the EU and had a GVH (LG or BOE) and cannot stand it….Based on various discussions/feedback on Reddit, displays from different manufacturers can have different patterns of PWM