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iPhone 12 iPhone 12 is flicker free(DC dimming)!

changguangyu

changguangyu

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 15, 2017
42
31
I went to the Apple store and test the PWM flicker of iPhone 12/Pro simply with camera. No flicker is detected at all brightness level on both 12 and 12 pro. But it’s very weird that the minimum brightness of 12 is much higher than 11/11 pro. It seems that Apple limited the minimum brightness of iPhone 12 above the PWM trigger brightness to avoid PWM flicker( At least on demo version). But I’m not sure same thing happens to retail version.
703B172C-EBF7-4643-ACBA-36DD92ECA070.jpeg
 
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What kind of testing did you do for PWM? A youtuber did a slow-motion video test and there was visible flicker. I’d love it if the 12 was flicker free, but it doesn’t seem like it is :( (Unless they actually have DC Dimming in demo units, which would be very odd).

13:50 timestamp
 
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TDDM said:
What kind of testing did you do for PWM? A youtuber did a slow-motion video test and there was visible flicker. I’d love it if the 12 was flicker free, but it doesn’t seem like it is :(

13:50 timestamp
Click to expand...

Maybe Apple only limited the min brightness on demo phone to avoid flicker :(
 
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It's awesome that people are interested in this but it's all for nothing until we know the frequency of the panel dimming. Flicker around 290hz is less of a problem than that of 245hz, and 500hz is FAR less of a problem than 290hz... Please don't misunderstand; the more engagement the issue gets, the better.

As I said, we need actual data.
 
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changguangyu said:
Confirmed: still flicker in retail version! :(
Click to expand...

Is it possible that instead of flicker at all levels, that maybe they have set it to only flicker below 50%? Even that would be a win, I’d set it at 50% and use reduce white point to darken it more. Would love some confirmation on this from the lucky folks who are getting theirs today and tomorrow!
 
DC Dimming Version iPhone 12 (Only some of demo iPhone):
1. Min brightness is not at the most left of slider (very strange)
2. Min brightness is much higher than normal


DC + PWM Version iPhone 12(All retail versions):
1. Same as iPhone 11 Pro/Max, DC at high birightness, PWM at low brightness
2. Min brightness is normal.



3. PWM trigger brightness
IMG_2468.JPG

4.I have no device to measure the accurate frequency of the PWM flicker of iPhone 12, but I had eye strain after using several minutes at low brightness, maybe it's still 240hz pwm.

So stay with iPhone 11 or buy a LCD android device may be a better choice for those who are sensitive to PWM flicker.
 
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Thanks for doing those tests, it’s really helpful to see. If you get the chance again, could you please do the slow-motion video on that DC Dimming iPhone and see what it looks like at higher brightness levels? Very curious if there’s any flickering at all in the DC Dimming mode.

This is all very strange, but maybe it’s good news that they’re experimenting with potential solutions? 😅
 
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TDDM said:
Thanks for doing those tests, it’s really helpful to see. If you get the chance again, could you please do the slow-motion video on that DC Dimming iPhone and see what it looks like at higher brightness levels? Very curious if there’s any flickering at all in the DC Dimming mode.

This is all very strange, but maybe it’s good news that they’re experimenting with potential solutions? 😅
Click to expand...
There is still slightly flicker on DC Dimming iPhone at high brightness, when using slow-motion video.
 
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I'm curious if the divide is more logically consistent than we're seeing. It would make sense if the standard iPhone refresh was different than the pro, or even if the standard and pro were different than the Pro Max - just like with the iPhone 11 Pro being at 290 while the Max was 245.

Without more, I can't tell which model is which in the videos above.
 
Bummer! It is interesting, why would they build DC dimming into demo units and not retail? Especially when 99% of the population does not even know about PWM? It would be fantastic if the retail units had this, even if there was simply no flicker above 50%, something those of us who are sensitive could work around. I am willing to throw my money at Apple to buy a 12 pro, but will not take that chance if it will be the same old story with PWM flicker.
 
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waquzy said:
All OLED panels flicker, this is nothing new at all.
Click to expand...

*Most, definitely not all. And that could functionally change if only the frequency were adjusted upward. XDA has proved it time and again that the only cost is seconds of usable life per charge. Bumping a panel from 290hz to 500hz, for example, would essentially negate the pwm argument for all but the most critically sensitive. Literally almost no one can perceive flicker @ 500hz.

Low frequency panel refresh is a program management choice which prioritizes battery minutes over user health. LG, Xiaomi, among others, have proven there is absolutely no need to use the technique to alter the brightness of OLED panels - mobile or otherwise. Saying 'all panels flicker' is just white knighting hostile design decisions by corporate entities - and for no real benefit.
 
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The Jericho Initiative said:
*Most, definitely not all. And that could functionally change if only the frequency were adjusted upward. XDA has proved it time and again that the only cost is seconds of usable life per charge. Bumping a panel from 290hz to 500hz, for example, would essentially negate the pwm argument for all but the most critically sensitive. Literally almost no one can perceive flicker @ 500hz.

Low frequency panel refresh is a program management choice which prioritizes battery minutes over user health. LG, Xiaomi, among others, have proven there is absolutely no need to use the technique to alter the brightness of OLED panels - mobile or otherwise. Saying 'all panels flicker' is just white knighting hostile design decisions by corporate entities - and for no real benefit.
Click to expand...
Personally, I’m good with anything above 450ish Hz (And I’m super sensitive to flickering), that would be amazing if Apple got up to that level.

Considering that OLED seems to be the new standard for phones nowadays, I really hope we start seeing better Hz rates in the future (Or more widespread adoption of DC Dimming, at the very least).
 
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