iPhone 12 For those sensitive to PWM flicker- is 12 easier on your eyes than 12 mini?

[jm31828]

For those of you who have historically been sensitive to PWM flicker and may have tried both of these phones, have you found the 12 to be easier on the eyes than the Mini? Or have many of you found no issues with the mini?

Just curious as I have seen on other threads that the Mini seems to have more flicker than the 12 and have seen just a couple of posts from people who had trouble with the Mini but had no trouble when they moved to the 12.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

This is now the 6th or 7th thread on the topic. My advice for anyone who is worried about this, is to go try the phone for yourself. If you live near an Apple store, you have until Jan 8 to return. Your eyes are different from other’s eyes. It’s just not a solid approach to rely solely on the experiences of strangers, notebook check numbers, etc. Let your own eyes tell you if the phone will, or will not, work for you.

 

[jm31828]

This is now the 6th or 7th thread on the topic. My advice for anyone who is worried about this, is to go try the phone for yourself. If you live near an Apple store, you have until Jan 8 to return. Your eyes are different from other’s eyes. It’s just not a solid approach to rely solely on the experiences of strangers, notebook check numbers, etc. Let your own eyes tell you if the phone will, or will not, work for you.

Sorry about that, I did not see other threads specifically discussing the back and forth on these two in regards to PWM- besides a few passing comments in other threads.

I did buy a Mini, I have had it for a couple of days now and was just interested in getting a discussion going on just this one narrow topic between these two models.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Sorry about that, I did not see other threads specifically discussing the back and forth on these two in regards to PWM- besides a few passing comments in other threads.

I did buy a Mini, I have had it for a couple of days now and was just interested in getting a discussion going on just this one narrow topic between these two models.

That’s fair. I was referring to general threads on the topic. I hope you find the answers you are looking for. It’s extremely frustrating for those impacted (myself included). I have the 12 Pro Max ready to try but haven’t yet. I want to make sure my mind is clear, and expectations are leveled, so I can give it the most unbiased approach I can. I’m worried that if I go in expecting to be impacted, I’ll feel the symptoms regardless.

 

[jm31828]

That’s fair. I was referring to general threads on the topic. I hope you find the answers you are looking for. It’s extremely frustrating for those impacted (myself included). I have the 12 Pro Max ready to try but haven’t yet. I want to make sure my mind is clear, and expectations are leveled, so I can give it the most unbiased approach I can. I’m worried that if I go in expecting to be impacted, I’ll feel the symptoms regardless.

Yes, I have heard others say in the past that they think they psych themselves into having an issue on a new phone after reading these threads....

Good call clearing your mind before trying your 12 Pro Max- hopefully you won't have any trouble with it!

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Yes, I have heard others say in the past that they think they psych themselves into having an issue on a new phone after reading these threads....

Good call clearing your mind before trying your 12 Pro Max- hopefully you won't have any trouble with it!

Haha I am one who has posted numerous times in the other threads that I was concerned with bringing on the symptoms myself. The mind can really do some tricks. Heck when I finally switched from my 8+ to the 11 a few months back, I thought I was sensitive to the 11 as well. But, some things in life kinda happened, which took my mind off of the phone, and it’s been easy on the eyes ever since.

 

[jm31828]

Haha I am one who has posted numerous times in the other threads that I was concerned with bringing on the symptoms myself. The mind can really do some tricks. Heck when I finally switched from my 8+ to the 11 a few months back, I thought I was sensitive to the 11 as well. But, some things in life kinda happened, which took my mind off of the phone, and it’s been easy on the eyes ever since.

Oh too funny! haha.
I had the same issue, when I went to the 11 a year ago, I had discomfort for about a month- I had no idea why, knowing this was an LCD with no PWM flicker. But that eventually tapered off.

I now have the 12 Mini and have adjusted brightness and reduce white point to what should be a sweet spot with relatively low flicker- it is doing some weird things such as warm/dry eyes, but at least not giving me all out headaches or eye strain. This little phone is amazing, but jury is still out on whether it will be smart to keep it or not. Holding onto my 11- not selling it yet- until I can know for sure if I will be good going forward with the mini.

But as you mentioned, I am not sure how much of this with the mini is just me expecting problems, or if there is truly an issue.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Well if you are here in the states, you can double check but you should have the extended holiday return window in effect. If so, tuck that 11 in a drawer and just use the mini as you normally would. Eventually you’ll have moments where your mind will get out of it’s own way. And you’ll have more time to rule out things like allergies, dry air in the home, etc. There are so many variables that not having a 14 day return period lingering is a good thing.

 

[jm31828]

Well if you are here in the states, you can double check but you should have the extended holiday return window in effect. If so, tuck that 11 in a drawer and just use the mini as you normally would. Eventually you’ll have moments where your mind will get out of it’s own way. And you’ll have more time to rule out things like allergies, dry air in the home, etc. There are so many variables that not having a 14 day return period lingering is a good thing.

Yep, I am here in the states- I looked at my order history in the Apple Store app, and it does confirm I have until January 8 to return it. So I think as you said, I will stop the countdown (when I first got it I thought I was on a 14 day countdown to see if this was going to work for me or not before returning) and just ease up, using it and seeing if I mentally relax and am fine in a few weeks.

What has your past experience been- have you used one of the past OLED phones and had trouble, or at least thought you had trouble- or is the 12 Pro Max going to be your first Apple OLED experience?

 

[now i see it]

All the 12 series use an OLED screen. All have flicker. One of the reasons some people might be having more problems with the mini is simply because it's smaller and everything it displays is smaller which creates more eye strain trying to focus on microscopic text

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Yep, I am here in the states- I looked at my order history in the Apple Store app, and it does confirm I have until January 8 to return it. So I think as you said, I will stop the countdown (when I first got it I thought I was on a 14 day countdown to see if this was going to work for me or not before returning) and just ease up, using it and seeing if I mentally relax and am fine in a few weeks.

What has your past experience been- have you used one of the past OLED phones and had trouble, or at least thought you had trouble- or is the 12 Pro Max going to be your first Apple OLED experience?

I skipped the X without even trying it because I didn’t like the size so I got the 8 Plus. I didn’t try the XS series because I was just content at the time. I did try the 11 Pro Max numerous times but honestly I think I was in my head too much. I wish I’d never even known about PWM. Even if I’m not PWM sensitive, I had a less that pleasurable experience with it. But I’m not convinced it wasn’t mental. I was put off by the overall cost, leaving my trusty 8 Plus and form factor I enjoyed, etc. I don’t know how quickly PWM should impact a person either. For instance I’ve been typing this on the Pro Max with zero issue.

 

[jm31828]

I skipped the X without even trying it because I didn’t like the size so I got the 8 Plus. I didn’t try the XS series because I was just content at the time. I did try the 11 Pro Max numerous times but honestly I think I was in my head too much. I wish I’d never even known about PWM. Even if I’m not PWM sensitive, I had a less that pleasurable experience with it. But I’m not convinced it wasn’t mental. I was put off by the overall cost, leaving my trusty 8 Plus and form factor I enjoyed, etc. I don’t know how quickly PWM should impact a person either. For instance I’ve been typing this on the Pro Max with zero issue.

Oh nice, you are using the Pro Max now!

I hear ya on all those other concerns- those are literally all the things that have been in my head over the last couple of years, too, and might have partly been at play when I ended up returning my XS 2 years ago.

Good luck with the Pro Max! I suspect you will be fine, but as you advised me, at least you have essentially two months to ease into it and be absolutely sure.

 

[ghanwani]

I tried the 12 mini in the store today and felt some strain using it. Tried the 2020 SE in store and that seemed OK. So I definitely think I'm sensitive to PWM. This is a bummer because the 12 mini is otherwise a gorgeous phone and feels really nice to hold, not too different from my 2016 SE.

I think I will stick with my phone for now, but not sure what I'm going to do moving forward. I guess if it breaks, I will just get a 2020 SE. I wish Apple would just update the 2016 SE with new internals and a better camera. That's pretty much all I need in a phone.

 

[ImTheRealMarco]

Sorry about that, I did not see other threads specifically discussing the back and forth on these two in regards to PWM- besides a few passing comments in other threads.

I did buy a Mini, I have had it for a couple of days now and was just interested in getting a discussion going on just this one narrow topic between these two models.

I only created an account to tell you that that may be me lmao. These threads are unconsciously getting into my head and idk what to do. It’s sad that there is no way to just test if you are PWM sensitive or not.

 

[ImTheRealMarco]

Oh nice, you are using the Pro Max now!

I hear ya on all those other concerns- those are literally all the things that have been in my head over the last couple of years, too, and might have partly been at play when I ended up returning my XS 2 years ago.

Good luck with the Pro Max! I suspect you will be fine, but as you advised me, at least you have essentially two months to ease into it and be absolutely sure.

I really don’t know how to escape this mental sh*t bruh…. I’m pretty sure it’s all in my head, but I can’t to anything to be sure of that aghhhh! I also only got like 3-5 more days or so to test it and then my 14 days will “expire”..

 

[ghanwani]

I also only got like 3-5 more days or so to test it and then my 14 days will “expire”..

Are you in the US? Where did you buy it from? Apple's holiday return period started Nov 1.

Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help

Find out how you can return an item, how long the refund process takes, what to do if your invoice is not with your order, and much more.

www.apple.com

Holiday Return Policy​

Items purchased at the Apple Online Store that are received between November 1, 2021 and December 25, 2021, may be returned through January 8, 2022.

 

[ImTheRealMarco]

Are you in the US? Where did you buy it from? Apple's holiday return period started Nov 1.

Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help

Find out how you can return an item, how long the refund process takes, what to do if your invoice is not with your order, and much more.

www.apple.com

Holiday Return Policy​

Items purchased at the Apple Online Store that are received between November 1, 2021 and December 25, 2021, may be returned through January 8, 2022.

I ain't from the US and I bought it refurbished from a national shop.