K-Moss It likely was the awful store lighting reflecting off the screen.
I had no issues with the lighting in the store. Only the phone caused problems.
K-Moss Those are kind displays
Doesn't seem that way to me. I don't think the raw specifications of a display, a few anecdotes and your personal experience are enough to draw such a definitive conclusion.
K-Moss you would not have so intense a reaction after 5 minutes unless psychomatically causing it
What do you base this claim on?
Most of the devices on display in the stores in my area cause eye strain and/or neurological symptoms in me very quickly, some with a delay. The symptoms and their intensity seem to vary between brands and models but remain consistent for any specific model.
Also, when I bought a OnePlus 13R to replace my old phone a few months ago, I wasn't thinking of or expecting eye strain issues as I hadn't experienced any with phones before. Thought I'd just go buy a new phone and be done with it, yet the phone absolutely wrecked my eyes and made me very dizzy and foggy-minded as soon as I started setting it up.
To me, somatization doesn't seem like a plausible explanation for these issues, even though it's still technically possible.
K-Moss Also, under the bright store lighting and for display purposes, the displays likely were at full brightness. Most people have some kind of light sensitivity, so it is conceivable that could cause the symptoms described.
Yes, display models are kept at maximum brightness. Obviously I turned the brightness down and tried the night light mode as well.
K-Moss In either case, you cannot properly assess any screen in store conditions. You need to bring it home and try it out for several days at least.
Fair enough, but over the past few months I've brought a few phones home with me and the symptoms that appeared when trying the display models in the store continued at home as well. I tried to get accustomed to the devices over the course of their return periods, but so far I haven't had much success with this.
It seems like you readily accept positive anecdotes of these Motorola G phones but try to explain negative experiences like mine away. Sounds like confirmation bias to me.
I'd recommend caution with patching. If I remember correctly, patching might lead to a condition called "horror fusionis" in which you lose the ability to focus your eyes on the same target. It might be a good idea to look into it first.