The PWM of the Steam Deck OLED is harmful to the eyes, but Valve can patch it if we report it enough

[Sightlyjester]

CONCLUSIONS FROM MY PWM ANALYSIS OF MY STEAM DECK OLED SCREEN:

UPDATE: I have created a report on GitHub regarding this issue with evidence and proposals so that Valve's software engineers can take note and perhaps address it through software in the future if there is a possibility. Those of you who are affected or interested, I would appreciate your comment on the report, providing feedback that these effects exist. The more feedback from people, the more attention Valve is likely to give: https://github.com/ValveSoftware/SteamOS/issues/1337

My profesional instruments have measured on the Steam Deck OLED what my eyes perceive; it is one of the worst screens with the most aggressive flickering that can affect sensitive eyes. However, Valve could fix it with a patch in SteamOS.

In this Reddit post, I have published all my measured evidence with on the screen to demonstrate what I'm saying:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/1882kys/analysis_of_the_pwmflickervisual_fatigue_of_the/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

The conclusion is that the Samsung OLED anti-glare panel of the Steam Deck OLED has proven to be very bad for the eyes in gaming sessions, and the damage is particularly pronounced below 45% brightness. Still, the high risk is common at all brightness levels equally. There will be a percentage of people with very low sensitivity to PWM who will not notice negative symptoms in their eyes. However, another large percentage of people, especially the most sensitive, will notice the symptoms.

The associated symptoms could include nausea, rapid eye discomfort or fatigue, a sensation of grit in the eyes, migraines, and general fatigue, blurred vision after playing.

It is important to note that each individual reacts differently, and although the measured values here offer an objective and recommended range for viewing], the response can vary from person to person. If you are especially sensitive, I cannot recommend this screen and this product in the actual state. Perhaps you try it, and it doesn't go wrong for you, but what my data says is that the risk of it not going well is VERY HIGH.

But not all the news is bad; if we send enough feedback about this issue, Valve could patch it and fix it with a new update in SteamOS and eliminating all the flickering.

This is what I think Valve could do and change now regarding the PWM of the OLED screen to solve this problem:

1- First option:

Patch SteamOS by adding an option to enable DC-Dimming: DC Dimming is an alternative software method of regulating screen brightness that eliminates almost 100% of the flicker of screens of this style where I have tried it or has been implemented.

For example, my Xiaomi Mi 9 phone with an Amoled screen and other Xiaomi Oled screens were unusable for me with the default PWM, but once DC dimming, also called "anti-flicker" mode, is activated, the phone is completely usable for hours without tiring. Valve is a company known for listening to and supporting its community and consumers by implementing their requests in software with new updates.

With this measure, Valve could reduce a high percentage of people who end up with eye fatigue and worse health playing their OLED steam decks to basically almost, It is about offering a product that takes care of your customers' eyes.

2- A second option by Valve could be instead of implementing a DC Dimming mode, that the screen still uses PWM, but increase its PWM frequency from 360% to 1100%. Look at what happens when the Hz frequency on the Steam Deck LCD reaches this value, even at its worst flicker percentage (99%), it manages to enter the yellow or green zone and be good for the 99% of eyes.

While in my use of the Steam Deck LCD Anti-Glare for hours, my eyes have never gotten tired; with Steam Deck OLED, I have already experienced eye strain and a feeling of blurry vision after playing or shortly after starting.

Please, if you care about what I explain in this post and want it to be fixed with an update or reach the most important people at Valve, you can reward, comment, and share this post to give it visibility, the same with my Reddit post. Thank you very much :)

[ToysRsus]

What about LCD?

[slo]

Publicado originalmente por SASS:

Publicado originalmente por slo:

Thank you for bringing light to this problem. Even my original Steam Deck sits there unused, because I know that within a week of use it'll cause stinging eye pain.

If at all possible, we need a flicker-free option.

There is no such thing as "flicker free".

All display screens will flicker. It's a matter of the frequency of the flicker.

All my displays measure at sub 1%. SD flickers at 6% and that's 5% too many.

SD OLED is at 60% and it sounds like a literal hell.

[slo]

Publicado originalmente por ToysRsus:

What about LCD?

It flickers at about 5-6%. Which should be safe but can cause eye strain if your eyes are a bit bad or very sensitive.
Here's a review by OP: https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/17yf90o/analysis_of_the_pwm_of_the_steam_deck_lcd_screen/

[SASS]

what is the difference between Samsung's and BOE's? Someone said BOE isn't as noticeable. What is the quantifiable difference?

Personally I have not noticed any flickering, and have not gotten any headaches or eye strain.

[Will]

Publicado originalmente por SASS:

what is the difference between Samsung's and BOE's? Someone said BOE isn't as noticeable. What is the quantifiable difference?

Personally I have not noticed any flickering, and have not gotten any headaches or eye strain.

side note
that device OP is using, made by Oppo, it's produced specifically to promote BOE screens as better than Samsung.
All the Chinese phone manufacturers now days use BOE screens, and they constantly advertise their phones as having no PWM or minimal PWM, as opposed to more PWM on Samsung screens on iPhones.

I know my LE deck with BOE screen still has PWM, but without this instrument I can't say if it's better or worse.

[titan]

Publicado originalmente por Cyberbeing:

Publicado originalmente por titan:

Reading through the post and here I think some information that is missing that would give greater credence to it needing an update is proof for this claim



Previously you say it "can affect sensitive eyes" but here you say it's generally "very bad for the eyes" and "damag(ing)". Is it actually damaging for everyone? The best glimpse at proof I can see is the screenshots of the app mentioning an IEEE standard. You should insert quotes somewhere.

This is really just more of a step to elevate it in priority.

Seems I'm not the only one asking for evidence https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/1882kys/comment/kbjge3f/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
but a reduced flicker option would be good for those sensitive to it, it seems.

Saying its "damaging" to the eyes is rather misleading. Same saying VR will damage your brain because it induces motion sickness. It just ludicrous.

That's more to my point, yeah. At best it's temporary eye strain, but that should be avoided.

[rafamolina]

Thank you for post. I have had the oled steam deck since Friday and yesterday when I played for the first time, after a while I got nausea and a headache.

Now I don't know if the best thing will be to return it to steam or if there will be a solution

[nephalim]

Publicado originalmente por caballerosaigo:

I hope Valve solves it soon, or we'll all end up either epileptic or blind.

You can't tell real from parody on this board.

[Matti]

Anyone try DeckHD 1200p panel on LCD model? Does it have same issues?

[Objectionable]

this seems important

[Objectionable]

Could there be a software mod out there that fixes this issue?

[WWIII Enjoyer]

I don't believe the PWM affects a majority of the population as it has been used in OLED for over a decade now. Actually, PWM offers the benefit of increased motion clarity as it acts almost like black frame insertion, although its not as aggressive. Flickering displays are nothing new (CRTs and Plasmas are still loved to this day) and are not harmful in general to people. An option for DC dimming would be nice for those who are sensitive to the flicker, but I would hope it would never outright replace PWM. I actually wish my OLED monitor had PWM as it's DC only.

[Sightlyjester]

Publicado originalmente por Will:

Publicado originalmente por SASS:

what is the difference between Samsung's and BOE's? Someone said BOE isn't as noticeable. What is the quantifiable difference?

Personally I have not noticed any flickering, and have not gotten any headaches or eye strain.

side note
that device OP is using, made by Oppo, it's produced specifically to promote BOE screens as better than Samsung.
All the Chinese phone manufacturers now days use BOE screens, and they constantly advertise their phones as having no PWM or minimal PWM, as opposed to more PWM on Samsung screens on iPhones.

I know my LE deck with BOE screen still has PWM, but without this instrument I can't say if it's better or worse.

I think I have never read such a stupid comment in my life, the measurements are real, they are not advertising, the Opple light 3 pro is manufactured by the Opple light company, and the other one called Radex Lupine is made by a Russian company. Next time, try a little harder to make up the facts.

[ingramli]

Publicado originalmente por Sightlyjester:

Publicado originalmente por Will:

side note
that device OP is using, made by Oppo, it's produced specifically to promote BOE screens as better than Samsung.
All the Chinese phone manufacturers now days use BOE screens, and they constantly advertise their phones as having no PWM or minimal PWM, as opposed to more PWM on Samsung screens on iPhones.

I know my LE deck with BOE screen still has PWM, but without this instrument I can't say if it's better or worse.

I think I have never read such a stupid comment in my life, the measurements are real, they are not advertising, the Opple light 3 pro is manufactured by the Opple light company, and the other one called Radex Lupine is made by a Russian company. Next time, try a little harder to make up the facts.

This is just my opinion, but when it comes to measuring instrument, I have more faith in US/EU/Japan ones over China/Russia, the latter countries could still make some great products from time to time, but integrity is not their strength IMO....

[cardyology]

Can a higher PWM refresh rate be patched into the oled deck? Or will it require new hardware? I’m not feeling nauseous but do get tired eyes quicker with the OLED.