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s_u_

Jack I had exactly same situation. I bought second devices for both XZ1 and Oppo A52. Both were same specs with the prior ones however both were unusable for me. No idea how to proceed since I got tired of trying devices.

francerex Please update us!

arturpanteleev Same here. Reason for this issue is not only AMOLED screens and PWM.

List of the phones I tried to use after I had realized the issue. (Noticed initially when I first bought XS Max.)

Iphone XS Max: Absolutely unusable. Heavy eye strain, headache, dizziness.

Xperia XZ1: Feast to the eye. Even it is said to have PWM below some degree of brightness, I comfortably used for several years, never had a problem.

Xperia XZ1: (Another device bought 2 years later) Unusable, silky, smooth, yellowish completely different panel.

LG G7: Unusable. (Silky, smooth, glossy)

Oppo A52: Feast to the eye. Very comfortable to use. No PWM.

Oppo A52: Unusable, silky, smooth, yellowish completely different panel. No PWM.

Poco M3 Pro: Unusable. (Silky, smooth, yellowish) No PWM.

Xiaomi Note 8 Pro: Unusable. (Silky, smooth, glossy) No PWM.

So PWM is not the only problem here. It may be one of them or may not.

List of usual suspects to my understanding:

PWM, contrast, the silky structure of pixels in the new panels, glossy coating and glare, software, temporal dithering.

Now I have no idea of my next step. Exhausted of seeking a usable device. Although I was a power user, now I just want to use basic stuff without having problems.

bitslacker

I am almost 100% sure that PWM is not the only case.

Hi all,

I have been going through with this for a long while and concluded that apart from the PWM issue there is one more problem that should be addressed. New types of screen panels which are used in both IPS or OLED screens are more yellowish and silky. IOS or Android, doesn't matter. Even if the device doesn't use PWM these types of panels cause strong discomfort. The issue is not related to white balance, blue light, eye health settings etc. I may just guess the light emitted by these new types of panels are somewhat different. Contrast is bad compared to old tech as well.

s_u_

I dropped and cracked the screen.

So I bought a new A52 one from another vendor. Unfortunately, apparently they don't have same type of panels. Brand new one is not comfortable to use at all. There is this new type of LCD panel which is more smooth, yellowish and buttery. Those ones cause problems as well as OLEDs. I have two devices same brand same model same year production holding completely different screen panels.

New tech screens getting more frustrating and expensive for me.

Although it is a very limited mobile phone compared to today's alternatives I can use OPPO A52 with full ease.

Dropped using several phones including Apple, Sony, LG etc. models. Now hopefully I may find a phone with the same screen in better specs.

Leaving this info here since it may help someone as well.

AGI Is this the 4k phone mentioned by @tfouto ?

That should be bigger version of XZ1 which is XZ Premium. I belive both of those devices use same type of screens.

I have also tried X and had similar problems. But, yes Max was the worst. However I believe the problem is not PWM. I feel like there is a problem with the light those newer devices emitting. My eyes and head hate that creamy, smooth bright light coming from those screens.

Hi All,
I have noticed that new panels are not good for my eyes as soon as I bought an XS Max. That device burned my brain. I searched for a newer model with an IPS panel and tried LG G7. Unfortunately almost same experience as the XS Max. Both devices gave serious dizziness.
I am still using Xperia XZ1 and have no problems at all. I am not sure what the root problem is. The new type of coating, higher resolution, PWM, etc. all may be possible. What is certain is newer panels are coming with serious eye and brain health issues.
Is there anybody who use/used XZ1 without any problems and can recommend a newer model? Should I buy another XZ1 since my current phone is getting older.