Pixel PWM - Brutal

K-Moss

https://www.reddit.com/r/PWM_Sensitive/comments/177j74e/pixel_8_and_pixel_8_pro_pwm_videos_and_tests/

OLED just isn't a good display technology for those who care about their eyes and health.

In the comments we read:

"Use OLED Saver android app. Checking from a different phone's camera with really high "speed" it shows that the PWM is no longer there once this is enabled. I think it works by being always in 100% brightness but with a hidden gray overlay of sorts, which means it looks dimmer but doesn't affect the colors somehow."

I still want to know more about how these screen dimming apps work. Are we really supposed to believe OLED at 100% brightness using a screen dimming app is just as good as IPS LCD with real DC dimming?

One developer told me he refuses to compromise on his screens, and therefore ALL OLED is inadequate for him. This is because when working many hours on a screen, you don't want any kind of flicker. There is a properly flicker-free option, IPS LCD.

AshX

K-Moss

K-Moss still want to know more about how these screen dimming apps work. Are we really supposed to believe OLED at 100% brightness using a screen dimming app is just as good as using an IPS LCD with real DC dimming?

I don’t think so. A lot of OLED phones still have PWM at 100%. There were rumors about the earlier iPhone OLEDs up to the 13 Pro having some sort of hybrid DC-dimming after a certain brightness, but I’ve never seen it proven. Notebookcheck has some reviews where they claim that, but seem unsure. Makes me think that portion (on older OLED iPhones at least) was determined by the panel manufacturer. Very frustrating.

WhisperingWind

Let me throw in my two cents about the iPhone 12 (regular version). I’ve owned this phone for several years now. On the iPhone 12, the Radex Lupin pulse meter shows a flicker value of 7% at full (100%) brightness. It’s not perfect, but it’s totally usable for everyday life—short periods indoors and pretty much unlimited time outdoors. If I lower the brightness, the flicker jumps up: it goes to 10% at 50% brightness and keeps increasing, reaching up to 90%. Personally, I keep my phone at 100% brightness with “Reduce White Point” turned off. If I use “Reduce White Point” at 40% with the screen at full brightness, the flicker goes up to 10-11%, which isn’t great. On the other hand, turning on Low Power Mode drops the screen brightness by about 20%, but the flicker stays at 7%. So that’s how I use my phone: 100% brightness, “Reduce White Point” off, and Low Power Mode on. Luckily, the phone’s screen isn’t super bright to begin with, so I can use it indoors without any issues.

I still want to know more about how these screen dimming apps work. Are we really supposed to believe OLED at 100% brightness using a screen dimming app is just as good as IPS LCD with real DC dimming?

I’ve never seen an OLED screen without some flicker, even at 100% brightness. Using screen dimming apps can help reduce this flicker (but it won’t get rid of it completely) because they lower the "software brightness",. This way, the hardware brightness stays at maximum, but the screen looks dimmer thanks to the app.

K-Moss

WhisperingWind How does low power mode drop the brightness while keeping it at 100% brightness with the same flicker? And does your phone battery drain rapidly since using it at 100% brightness? And is the screen degrading rapidly relatively speaking because of that?

Why do you suppose flicker is more tolerable outdoors? Maybe that is how most get away with using their flickering OLED smartphones... by using them almost exclusively when outdoors on the go?

Do you think IPS LCD generally is preferable for a smartphone?

WhisperingWind

K-Moss

How does low power mode drop the brightness while keeping it at 100% brightness with the same flicker?

I believe that the mechanism for reducing brightness when Low Power Mode is activated is implemented specifically through DC dimming, not PWM. After Low Power Mode is activated, PWM remains at 7%—this is the key evidence. The PWM controller operates at a fixed frequency and duty cycle. If the brightness were reduced using the classic PWM method, the flicker percentage (effectively, the duty cycle) would change.

And does your phone battery drain rapidly since using it at 100% brightness?

It's hard to say, since I've always used the phone in this mode; I have nothing to compare it to. But I'm satisfied with the battery life (it lasts a day, since I'm not a very active phone screen user).

And is the screen degrading rapidly relatively speaking because of that?

It's hard to say; I don't notice any signs of screen degradation.

Why do you suppose flicker is more tolerable outdoors?

During the day, there is more light outside. This reduces sensitivity to flicker.

Maybe that is how most get away with using their flickering OLED smartphones... by using them almost exclusively when outdoors on the go?

Unfortunately, this doesn’t totally fix the problem.

For me, it doesn’t always work. I can’t use the Samsung S10e or the iPhone 15 Pro for as long as I can use the iPhone 12 when I’m outside.

Do you think IPS LCD generally is preferable for a smartphone?

Short answer: Yes.

Full answer: These days, a lot of manufacturers are cutting costs when making IPS display. As a result, things like PWM, dithering, and pixel inversion can pretty much ruin the whole idea of IPS displays being easy on the eyes. In some cases, a high-quality OLED display with low flicker might actually be better. But overall, for me, a well-made IPS display will always be better than any OLED display.

Unfortunately, we (I mean people like us who have sensitive eyes) are just not the target audience for most display manufacturers, and they aren't willing to sacrifice profits to cater to our needs.

K-Moss

WhisperingWind "(it lasts a day, since I'm not a very active phone screen user)."

Battery lasts a day for minimal phone use? Seems rather bad? Charging every day and barely using the phone?

You write:

"Full answer: These days, a lot of manufacturers are cutting costs when making IPS display. As a result, things like PWM, dithering, and pixel inversion can pretty much ruin the whole idea of IPS displays being easy on the eyes. In some cases, a high-quality OLED display with low flicker might actually be better. But overall, for me, a well-made IPS display will always be better than any OLED display."

This is why I suggested the Sonim XP Pro for sensitive users. It is IPS LCD with a very powerful processor and is enterprise grade. I don't believe they cut any corners on the hardware. Designed for field professionals who depend on their phones.