AshX Moto Edge with Flicker Prevention uses DC dimming. No PWM and relatively low modulation depth. Yet many report issues with it, myself included. Made my eyes feel like sandpaper after using it even though while using it I wasn't particularly noticing anything remarkable. There just seems something wrong with OLED no matter how it is dimmed. There still is a refresh rate dip on the Edge that happens every time the screen refreshes. Dips about 30%. On an LCD like the Moto G 2025, the dip at worst is only 5.22%. That's a huge difference even though 30% is much smaller than the 90%+ sometimes seen with OLED's refresh rate dip.
Jordan says: "I assume every OLED overstimulates our photoreceptors in our eyes."
I have read so many anecdotes of people saying OLED is hell for them. Yes, visually many OLED screens LOOK like they shouldn't strain the eyes. As you say they can be more paper-like visually vs LCD. However, looks are deceiving.
I liken the experience with OLED to having too much sunlight in the eyes because I know how that feels. If you get a kind of sunburn of the eyes, it does take days to fully heal.
OLED is not an illuminated and framed picture like LCD is. The light more directly projected onto the eyes. I will stick with LCD until there is anything better for eye and brain comfort. OLED is not it.
By the way, every time you sleep, your eyes do a great deal of healing. When you wake up in the morning, they have done so much maintenance work. This is why if you go to sleep with a feeling like something in your eye, as happened to me 2 nights ago when something got into my eye when I was shuffling around the blankets on my bed. I had a terrible irritation from some kind of dust or particle that went into one of my eyes. Went to sleep. When I got up in the morning, the issue was fully resolved.
Regarding the passion some have for picture quality on these artificial screens, I really don't see the point. You get full and beautiful 'picture quality' in the real world. My screens are just for work. If I want to enjoy visual beauty, I will go to the real world for that. And gaming? Talk about a waste of time and life.
So to reiterate, my eyes can handle LCD when I am sleeping well and avoiding OLED. That is why I suggested you as well avoid OLED for a few days before testing LCD screens. On PWM_Sensitive at Reddit they tend to be very pro IPS and anti OLED. They seem mostly interested in phones and most of those sensitive users greatly benefit from IPS LCD phones vs OLED.
Also, there was someone here who said he could do double blind tests with OLED at 100% or 99% brightness, and at 99% or lower he would get visibly red eyes. I can't find his posts now, but maybe if I had more time another day I could. Obviously using OLED at 100% brightness is very bad for the screen. Other reports include bags under the eyes disappearing when ceasing the use of OLED.
RE: your photosensitivity, I don't have that because I walk in daylight/sunlight without sunglasses. I notice Jordan said when using OLED he couldn't tolerate sunlight. That makes sense because I liken OLED to burning/irritating the surface of the eyes. This is why some report increased tear production when using OLED. The eyes will try to protect from the irritation, and some eyes will do a much better job than others. Also depends on the state of your eyes before being irritated by the screen. Well rested and healthy eyes can handle OLED better and for longer than eyes already irritated and struggling.
This is why I supposed OLED on phone screens could be fine enough for many if they are sleeping well, have healthy eyes, and are just checking the phone for 10 seconds here and there vs using continuously the screen. Therefore, screen habits can make a big difference.
See here: https://ledstrain.org/d/3615-effects-on-the-ocular-surface-from-reading-on-different-smartphone-screens
"During OLED reading, subjects needed to restore their tear film by increasing their blink frequency to lubricate the ocular surface."
"In conclusion, continuous reading on OLED smartphone screens can cause ocular surface disorder and obvious subjective discomfort."
Here is the device that bothered me any many others: Motorola Edge 2024 PWM and dithering tests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2uRHQNh_is
As you can see it tests well. No dithering either. The device is amazing. Feels great in the hands. Works wonderfully. Wish I could love it. Yet many I have talked with also had issues with that DC dimmed OLED screen. In one comment:
Motorola Edge 2025/Edge 60 Fusion PWM and dithering tests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq9bk-nkayM
"Had the last gen and sold it, absolutely murders your eyes. Prob due to the dithering! Rocking a OP 13r rn, and it's fantastic. The 13 is even better if you can afford it đ"
This comment has 6 upvotes. No, it's not due to dithering because Nick tested the previous version and found no dithering.
To your credit, the OP 13R has this screen: " The OnePlus 13R uses a 2160Hz PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming frequency for its display, but only below 25% brightness. Above 30% brightness, it switches to a standard anti-flicker (DC-like dimming) or an ultra anti-flicker (PWM dimming) mode. The standard anti-flicker mode has high modulation, which may not be comfortable for those sensitive to flicker, and the PWM frequency is relatively low, which could also be problematic for some users." It is OLED. Therefore, this user is comfortably using OLED, similar to how you found an OLED screen that works well for you.
As mentioned, Moto G 2025 has no PWM, no dithering. If you avoid OLED before testing it, I am sure you will find it comfortable enough for daily use.
By the way, there has been no degradation in your eye health or vision quality since using OLED? For how many years have you used OLED?
Also, I read this: "G84 has been the worst OLED display of all OLED phones I've owned. With flicker prevention on."
I assume the G84 has an OLED screen very similar to the Moto Edge.