So, there we were checking out at the Apple store whether we wanted to go with the 12 or 12 mini (from an iPhone 7). Were heading towards a mini, decided to do some more comparisons. Found some good reviews and one that mentioned the inherent screen flicker that happens with OLED, something I knew nothing about.

We are sensitive to these kinds of things and it could be a deal breaker. I have not noticed it when quickly looking at someone else's phone, but I could see where it could get VERY tiring and troublesome once I am using my own phone for a number of hours.

We really wanted to update our tech. I know we could do the iPhone SE 2020, but I'm hoping there will be a solution to the issue at some point. I am not in a rush to upgrade. The 7 still serves it's purpose well.

How much has this bothered anyone here?

Thanks . . .

I was underwhelmed by the OLED screen on the iPhoneX - I think the advantages of better blacks was outweighed by the color shift when turning the screen at an angle. I think the screen on the iPhone6S+ was at least as functional.

The OLED on the 12ProMax is clearly better however (as was the 11ProMax).

I have not been annoyed by any flicker on any, however.

I've never noticed any flickering (XS Max, now 12 Pro Max). I did, however, have OLED burn-in on my XS Max after a year or so from using Waze about 2 hours a day, 5 days a week. Apple apparently would have replaced the screen under AppleCare, except they lost my phone and ended up replacing it instead.

If I had a choice of screens (as in the same phone with 2 screen options), I'd probably go LCD so I don't have a repeat of the burn-in, but I wouldn't let screen type sway my decision between two different phones with otherwise different features. I.e. since I always seem to want the largest top of the line phone, I'm not going to pick a lower end phone just to avoid an OLED screen.

I am annoyed by flicker and while I can force myself to notice it on Mrs. Zealand's iPhone if I remember that it can, I never notice it in regular use. So it seems not to be a big issue.

Knowing OLED's propensity for burn-in on long-term static images, I would actively avoid that particular technology for use as my smartphone's screen.

Mini- and MicroLED are perhaps the most promising prospects for improving the quality of the smartphone display. Then again, there isn't a single thing wrong with the display on my iPhone 6s -- it already looks pretty darn good.

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It is what it is.

Hmmm. . . Burn in. Didn’t know about that.

I guess we’ll be staying with the 7 unless there’s an immediate compelling issue.

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mspace
Hmmm. . . Burn in. Didn’t know about that.

Yeah, I was surprised when it was announced that Apple was going to OLED for its high-end phone displays. OLED's propensity for burn-in of LONG-TERM STATIC images (i.e., precisely the type you might typically encounter on a smartphone display) is well known. It's a great technology for TV displays, but IMHO not so great for smartphone displays.

Disclaimer: It may be possible that the OLED displays Apple uses for its phone displays utilize a different flavor of the technology that reduces susceptibility to burn-in -- I haven't researched the issue.

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It is what it is.

I have an OLED iPhone and love it. I’ve never noticed a flicker. What I have noticed is that I can read my screen in direct sunlight which is why I got it. Placing the same image on my iPhone and iPad outside it’s very clear the OLED screen is superior. I posted my thoughts last April. [forums.macresource.com]

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Ukulele music I couldn't find anywhere else.
[colquhoun.info]

I knew about OLED burn-in and got a 12 mini anyway.

No flicker, no evidence of burn-in.

I think it only takes a little common sense to avoid it.

Don't max the brightness when not necessary, and don't leave it on a site or watch video with a stationary logo for long periods of time.

A lot of 'burn-in' on OLED screens is just image retention, a non-permanent condition, that can clear up on its own, or by using apps that display random patters slapping the taste out of pixels' mouths.

Actual burn-in was far more common on projection TV sets that used phosphor coated tubes.

I'd have no issue buying an OLED TV, aside from using a huge chunk of disposable income.

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I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

I'm on an LG phone but ths oled screen has never been an issue, and it's been consistently good over the 2 years I've had it.

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And I recall in spring
The perfume that the air would bring
To the indolent town
Where the barkers call the moon down

We now have 3 OLED TVs in the house. They are fantastic.

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Ukulele music I couldn't find anywhere else.
[colquhoun.info]

If it is a concern for you, the iPhone11 is a great phone, still with the best battery life!

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San Antonio, TX (in the old city)


"All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke
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I don't notice any flicker, off axis color change (although I did on my wife's pixel, when she had it), or anything negative about the screen on my 12mini. Perfect replacement for my iPhone 7 (same size, but a little bigger screen). The black is very black, and with dark mode I notice and like that a lot.

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Rolando
If it is a concern for you, the iPhone11 is a great phone, still with the best battery life!

Unfortunately the size of that phone is too big which is why the mini is so attractive. Enough that I might allow myself to buy new, or wait for an Apple refurb.

Going to Best Buy later to check how my eyes are with any flicker by over dimming a demo. I guess my biggest concern is if it has more of a subliminal effect rather than being outwardly noticeable, such as eye strain or headache after a couple of hours use. This has happened to others and I’m not sure what I would do if that comes up.

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mspace

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Rolando
If it is a concern for you, the iPhone11 is a great phone, still with the best battery life!

Unfortunately the size of that phone is too big which is why the mini is so attractive. Enough that I might allow myself to buy new, or wait for an Apple refurb.

Going to Best Buy later to check how my eyes are with any flicker by over dimming a demo. I guess my biggest concern is if it has more of a subliminal effect rather than being outwardly noticeable, such as eye strain or headache after a couple of hours use. This has happened to others and I’m not sure what I would do if that comes up.

It's not necessarily just an OLED problem. You can read more about PWM used on the iPhone 12s here:

[www.notebookcheck.net]

They don't seem to think it's a huge problem. From what I understand almost everything uses PWM, it's just in the implementation, which seems decent for the iPhone.