For those who’re like me, utilizing a Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, or Apple iPhone has change into more and more tough as a consequence of these telephones’ use of flickering shows. The OLED panels that energy these units certain look good, however sadly for us, our eyes and brains simply don’t love how they function.
Fortunately, a number of choices available on the market supply a fantastic expertise with out sacrificing processing energy, digital camera high quality, or general expertise. We’re working to ship the most effective information for PWM/Flicker-sensitive individuals to make an knowledgeable shopping for choice and are aiming to incorporate telephones from each product class and worth vary.
I’ve examined a whole lot of telephones over time and have been particularly testing telephones for flicker sensitivity since initially posting about changing into PWM-sensitive in mid-2023. Many of those telephones are additionally the finest Android telephones, and a few, surprisingly, even use OLED shows. For those who’re extraordinarily delicate to flickering and PWM dimming, it is secure to say most telephones with OLED shows are seemingly not in your future.
Some upcoming telephones just like the TCL 50 sequence sport “paperlike” LCD shows that use no PWM in accordance to my transient testing at MWC 2024. Stay up for these for those who want an LCD-based improve this yr.
People who find themselves delicate to show flicker aren’t all delicate to the identical issues, so what works for one particular person could not work for an additional. I’ve included as a lot data as I can on every cellphone that can assist you make the most effective choice.
At a look
1. Motorola Edge Plus (2023)/Edge 40 Professional
Finest general
Motorola has taken an enormous flip for the higher in 2023, and a part of that’s due to its glorious shows. The pOLED within the Motorola Edge+ (2023) is tremendous eye-friendly, significantly with Motorola’s flicker-reduction setting enabled.
Runner-up
Xiaomi made a reputation for itself by providing an expertise that is loads just like the iPhone for a fraction of the worth. This cellphone’s show is much friendlier than Apple’s with DC Dimming choices and 1,920Hz PWM for decrease brightness.
Finest digital camera
If a smartphone’s digital camera is crucial function for you, the Honor Magic 6 Professional is the cellphone it is advisable to get. With 4,320Hz PWM dimming under 30% brightness, this digital camera cellphone’s show is impressively eye-friendly.
4. Motorola Razr Plus (2023)
Finest folding cellphone
The Motorola Razr Plus (2023) is not simply the one folding cellphone on this record, it is also one of many best folding telephones available on the market. It makes use of a pOLED show however provides Motorola’s flicker-reduction expertise.
Finest mid-range cellphone
The Nothing Cellphone 2a is priced excellent, with a novel design and nice options in Nothing OS 2.5. Plus, the OLED show makes use of DC-like dimming above 50% brightness and a pair of,160Hz PWM dimming under that.
Finest reasonably priced cellphone
The OnePlus Nord sequence has been recognized for providing nice worth to people since its inception a number of years in the past. This cellphone’s IPS LCD panel is totally flicker-free right down to the bottom brightness, making it a fantastic decide for extra-sensitive people.
Finest general
Motorola took us abruptly this yr when it launched the Motorola Edge Plus (2023). Motorola’s premium telephones had been struggling lately so it was refreshing to see Motorola not solely launch a cellphone with such stellar {hardware} but in addition again that {hardware} up with a four-year software program replace promise and a PWM-friendly OLED show.
Motorola sells this mannequin because the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) within the U.S. and because the Motorola Edge 40 Professional in a lot of the remainder of the world. It is also bought in China because the Moto X40.
Motorola debuted a comparatively new flicker-reduction possibility with the Edge Plus (2023) that ensures the cellphone’s show is on 99.51% of the time through the obligation cycle. In observe, that is an identical to DC dimming, which suggests the cellphone is definitely decreasing the voltage to the OLED diodes as a substitute of utilizing PWM flickering to faux a dimmer show.
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As is telling from gentle flicker measurements, the brightness dips a bit bit every time the show refreshes. On this case, the show is refreshing at round 120Hz. That is regular for all DC-dimmed OLED shows.
So long as the glint discount function is enabled, the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) by no means switches to PWM dimming, even on the lowest brightness settings. Due to this, you may discover some show noise that appears a bit like an previous 35mm film. That is as a result of OLED diodes have issue exhibiting constant brightness ranges and shade when voltage is lowered.
The upside is that the show does not flicker or use PWM to handle these damaging elements, which means it is much more comfy to have a look at.
For those who disable the glint discount function, you will see that 720Hz PWM dimming is used under 35% brightness. Try the video under to see it in motion.
That is my private favourite premium cellphone and I’ve no consolation points from utilizing this cellphone all day lengthy.
Apart from simply having a snug show, the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) is a downright superb cellphone. It is acquired a blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, plus 2-day battery life and people timeless Motorola options that make utilizing Motorola telephones so handy.
The digital camera might be higher however it’s shocked me quite a lot of instances. Simply ensure you keep on with 1080p video recording high quality if you wish to use all the most effective digital camera options the cellphone has to supply.
Runner-up
The Xiaomi 13 is a neighborhood decide and the one that most closely fits within the class of finest worldwide premium cellphone. We have had the pleasure of reviewing the Xiaomi 13 Extremely and Xiaomi 13 Professional, and Android Central’s Harish Jonnalagadda additionally has the common Xiaomi 13 as properly, so we’re aware of the software program and general cellphone expertise.
However the smaller (and cheaper) Xiaomi 13 is the one to select for PWM-sensitive people. Out of the field, it makes use of a 1,920Hz PWM OLED show, however you’ll be able to allow DC dimming by deciding on the “anti-flicker” setting within the show choices.
Graphs from the identical Opple Mild Grasp gentle meter I take advantage of will be discovered right here, and you may see the distinction between the 2 modes on this video.
Apart from a vision-friendly show, you are getting a cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, nice battery life, and quicker charging than something supplied by Google, Apple, or Samsung.
It is also acquired a fantastic digital camera — even when it is inferior to the Xiaomi 13 Professional or Extremely fashions — and MIUI is at all times feature-packed and up to date often.
The cellphone is clearly styled after the iPhone with its shiny, flat sides. That is one thing that folks will both love or hate, as is evidenced by the fixed design modifications forwards and backwards over time. MIUI can also be extraordinarily Apple “impressed” and has at all times been a kind of iOS clone since its inception.
Finest digital camera
If digital camera efficiency is crucial a part of a smartphone for you, the Honor Magic 6 Professional’s digital camera will significantly blow you away. Not solely are on a regular basis pictures from the 50MP primary digital camera and 180MP telephoto digital camera unimaginable, however the cellphone’s software program is wise sufficient to take photos for you.
However earlier than we get into all that, let’s go over the show as a result of that is one bizarre OLED panel. First off, it is able to emitting an eye-searing 5,000 nits of brightness at its peak, one thing it often staves from by using DC-like dimming to maintain the attention ache at bay.
However the bizarre factor is that Honor makes use of a 360Hz backplane for its DC-like dimming construction, which suggests it would really feel extra like 360Hz PWM dimming to some individuals.
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At 100% brightness, the show makes use of a reasonable 17% modulation fee which is 3x deeper than the Motorola Edge Plus 2023 on the similar brightness. It is nowhere close to telephones just like the Galaxy S23 Extremely or Google Pixel Fold with their 99% modulation fee at full brightness, however it’s not fairly pretty much as good a some others on this record.
However whenever you drop the show to 30% brightness and under, one thing very odd occurs. The 4,320Hz PWM fee kicks in under 30% brightness however it’s interwoven with the identical 360Hz DC-like dimming methodology from larger brightness ranges.
The impact is so unusual that my Opple Mild Grasp IV cannot decide it up in any respect and reads it as 360Hz all the best way to 0% brightness. Regardless of what my measurement instrument is telling me, a excessive pace digital camera shutter proves that the cellphone does use 4,320Hz PWM dimming under 30% brightess.
For me, this show was tremendous comfy from the second I began utilizing it. To this point, this has been my primary cellphone since I started utilizing it in early February 2024 and I’ve but to really feel any discomfort kind the show.
Actually, this is likely one of the few telephones I have been in a position to make use of with auto brightness enabled. The consistency that the 360Hz frequency delivers is probably going the explanation for this because it helps emulate a sine wave sample just like an incandescent bulb.
Past the show, I’ve largely loved utilizing the cellphone and heartily advocate it over previous Honor telephones. Whereas Magic OS continues to be very iOS-heavy in its design, Magic OS 8.0 overhauled the UI and glued a whole lot of issues I had with earlier Honor Magic OS releases. It now not feels clunky and outdated, even when I do not look after the iOS model break up notification panels and another UI parts.
I’ve had my fair proportion of quirks alongside the best way although, together with a typically unresponsive app drawer and the occasional notification that’ll get missed. For those who decide one up, ensure you disable all of the nonsense energy saving “options” which might be enabled by default and allow notifications on all apps. In any other case, you will find yourself lacking loads.
The cellphone sports activities some significantly unimaginable efficiency and battery life even whenever you disable the foolish energy saving options, although. Honor is utilizing a new kind of battery with the cellphone and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor soars via each check conceivable. It is a bit win general, regardless of the quirks.
Finest folding cellphone
The worst half about being a fan of folding telephones is whenever you’re additionally somebody who’s delicate to show flicker. Most folding telephones use Samsung AMOLED panels, and, consequently, most of them flicker loads. Motorola makes use of pOLED panels by LG, and these enable for correct DC dimming at excessive brightness ranges.
Motorola’s flicker discount possibility in show settings additional helps preserve issues underneath management, however that does not imply this cellphone will work for everybody who’s flicker-sensitive.
As you’ll be able to see from the charts under, the cellphone makes use of refresh rate-locked DC dimming for the OLED panel, which means there is a slight dip in brightness each time the display refreshes. Dropping the refresh fee to 60Hz could make this cellphone extra comfy for some people for the reason that dips occur much less usually.
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However, even with DC dimming enabled, the modulation fee is a bit larger than what’s comfy for some flicker-sensitive people. For me, something under an 8% modulation fee is normally essentially the most comfy.
Different flicker-sensitive people may discover this show continues to be comfy, although, because it does not use PWM dimming above 25% brightness. Additional dim is supported on this panel, however it triples the modulation fee, so I would not advocate utilizing it.
The video confirms that modulation is low all through most brightness ranges. You possibly can see the distinction between the flickering ranges with the glint discount setting enabled and disabled right here, too.
The cellphone’s cowl show modulates at the very same fee as the big folding show, so utilizing that extra usually will not change a lot.
For those who’re comfy with these numbers, Motorola’s flip cellphone is considered one of our favourite flip telephones of all time. Whereas it does not have as many software program options as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip sequence, Motorola’s cowl show is a lot extra helpful than the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s as a result of Motorola enables you to do something with it. It is all right here, from working full apps, swiping via widgets, and even enjoying video games with out having to flip open the cellphone.
It makes use of an older Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor which nonetheless feels snappy regardless of being a number of years previous now. Sadly, that does not imply battery life is especially good — one thing that plagues all flip telephones. Fortunately, Motorola’s chargers are faster than Samsung’s, and you may prime up in just some minutes with out fear.
Finest mid-range cellphone
If you recognize something about Nothing’s telephones, you will know the corporate takes its design language significantly. The corporate’s first budget-friendly possibility, the Nothing Cellphone 2a, delivers an outstanding mid-range expertise with out compromising on design. It is nonetheless acquired the glyph interface lights on the again, and the corporate’s trademark clear design language seems pretty much as good as ever.
Extra impressively, the corporate stored an OLED show onboard that makes use of DC-like dimming above 50% brightness and a pair of,160Hz PWM dimming under 50% brightness. Whereas the refresh frequency is extra aligned to the refresh fee than the Nothing Cellphone 2, the Cellphone 2a’s modulation fee is a bit larger.
You possibly can see this impact within the video under. The Cellphone 2a has a darker single line at excessive brightness whereas the Nothing Cellphone 2 has double traces which might be dimmer. The means the Nothing Cellphone 2 pulses at a better fee, which might be much less comfy with DC-like dimming, however the brightness dip on the finish of the obligation cycle is not fairly as stark as it’s on the Cellphone 2a.
In a nutshell, this implies the Cellphone 2 might be extra comfy for some individuals whereas the 2a may be extra comfy for other people. All of it will depend on what bothers your eyes extra.
I discovered the Nothing Cellphone 2a was most comfy at 49% brightness, as the upper PWM fee really felt nice to make use of. That makes it a bit more durable to see outdoors within the solar, however it’s about as shiny as your common finances LCD cellphone at this stage, so it isn’t too dangerous.
Actually, one of many causes I believe this brightness stage was so comfy for me is as a result of the graph, seen under, seems similar to what a superb LCD show seems like. The road is sort of flat regardless of utilizing PWM, and that made it really feel gentler on my eyes.
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Coming from the Honor 90, which was our earlier decide for this class, the Nothing Cellphone 2a’s Nothing OS is a breath of recent air. Whereas Honor tends to stay carefully to iOS-style design, Nothing OS feels much more like traditional Oxygen OS used to.
It is acquired an excellent gentle and quick really feel whereas retaining a novel visible look. The corporate’s dot matrix-style font stands out, and the house display customization settings will assist instantly differentiate your cellphone from everybody else’s — as if the clear again and LED glyph interface on the again does not already do this!
Plus, I actually loved the construct of this cellphone. Positive, it is utterly made from polycarbonate with an aluminum body for assist, however the firm made the perimeters with a sandpaper-like texture. That makes it very simple to grip and decide up from a desk, plus the centered digital camera island means it will not wobble whenever you place it down like so many different telephones do.
Finest reasonably priced cellphone
OnePlus has lengthy been an organization centered on delivering worth, and the Nord sequence fulfills its diehard prospects’ expectations of that concept. The Nord N30 is the 2023 U.S. Nord launch, and it brings the same old suite of enhancements together with one shocking change: the 60Hz OLED show on the N20 was swapped out for a 120Hz LCD panel on the N30.
That LCD panel is tremendous pleasant for anybody affected by flicker sensitivity because it makes use of correct DC dimming at an especially excessive frequency — better than 15,000Hz, in actual fact — to get issues executed.
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This show is usually flicker-free in any respect brightness ranges, as evidenced by the video under. Nonetheless, there appears to be a slight flicker under 10% brightness that does not get picked up within the video.
Some customers within the PWM-sensitive neighborhood have picked up the cellphone and located that it does trouble them at very low brightness ranges like this, so I would not advocate utilizing it at tremendous low brightness.
Apart from the flicker-free show at most brightness ranges, the Nord N30 is a unbelievable finances cellphone that is suffering from options due to OxygenOS. This is similar OxygenOS you will discover on costlier OnePlus telephones, so that you’re getting the most effective options at a cut price worth.
And the processor on this cellphone is quick sufficient even for graphics-intensive video games like The Division Resurgence due to quick inside storage pace and normal enhancements in optimization in OxygenOS over time. Plus, battery life is actually glorious, and it expenses in about half-hour flat with the included charger.
How to decide on
What’s the most effective cellphone for PWM/flicker-sensitive individuals?
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For those who’re PWM or flicker-sensitive, it may be extraordinarily tough to determine which telephones work finest for you. As a rule of thumb, IPS LCD panels are normally friendlier on the eyes than any form of OLED panel, however even that is not assured. PWM dimming is typically used for price causes, whereas it is used to masks poor low gentle display high quality in different situations, so even LCD panels can use it.
OLED shows have to make use of PWM dimming at a sure brightness stage to retain correct colours and particulars. You possibly can examine why that is the case intimately right here. However know that almost all OLED shows can use DC dimming to keep up brightness at excessive ranges. Some producers — like Samsung, Google, and Apple — simply refuse to do that.
Whereas the telephones on this record have been examined and utilized by us, everybody’s eyes and brains work a bit in another way. Meaning what works for one particular person will not at all times work for an additional particular person. For those who’re PWM-sensitive, there is a excessive probability that you might have to attempt a number of choices on the record earlier than you discover one thing that is comfy for you.
For those who discover your cellphone bothers your eyes when utilizing computerized brightness, attempt setting it to guide at 100% brightness. Then use an app like this display and notification dimmer to artificially decrease the brightness. I’ve examined a whole lot of screen-dimming apps, and that is the most effective one.
What cellphone works for one particular person could not work for an additional particular person, particularly when you’ve got delicate eyes.
Of us in search of a premium cellphone within the U.S. ought to look no additional than the Motorola Edge+ (2023). Motorola makes use of a particular flicker discount DC dimming methodology that ensures the display’s obligation cycle stays on 99.51% of the time.
In easy phrases, which means the display is not flickering like different OLED shows regardless of the brightness stage. Simply ensure you allow “flicker discount” within the cellphone’s show settings. The Motorola Razr Plus makes use of an analogous methodology of flicker discount, making it the one foldable cellphone accessible within the U.S. that is vision-friendly.
Internationally, there are much more choices. Many smartphones from Asia supply DC dimming strategies, together with the Xiaomi 13, Honor Magic 6 Professional, and a number of other different choices. An increasing number of corporations have begun to extend their show PWM charges and have been higher about clearly marking the speed within the cellphone’s advertising and marketing.