In the race to create the most visually stunning smartphone displays, companies are pushing the limits on brightness levels, with figures reaching up to 4,500 nits in marketing claims. This focus on luminance has become a pivotal selling point, yet it overshadows a critical aspect vital to user health: Pulse Width Modulation (PWM).
Notably, tech giants like Apple and Samsung lag in advancing this essential technology, posing potential risks to our eyesight that deserve urgent attention.
Understanding PWM and Its Impact on Eye Health
PWM is a key technique for regulating screen brightness in electronic devices, pivotal for minimizing eye strain. This method involves rapidly turning the display’s light source on and off, with the “pulse” indicating the light cycle and the “width” denoting the duration of the light being on. Currently, Apple’s devices hover around a PWM frequency of 250-300 Hz, translating to 250-300 light cycles per second—a figure that barely scratches the surface of what’s considered safe for our eyes.
The Necessity for Higher PWM Frequencies
The adverse effects of inadequate PWM calibration are not immediately apparent but manifest over time as visual fatigue, dry eyes, headaches, and, in severe cases, seizures, especially in individuals with photosensitivity. With most high-end smartphones like the iPhone, Google Pixel, or Samsung offering a PWM speed of 240 Hz, there’s a clear need for enhancement. This baseline figure is alarmingly low, with emerging studies suggesting the threshold should be significantly higher, ideally above 500 Hz, to safeguard ocular health.
The Honor 90: A Beacon of PWM Excellence
In a landscape where many manufacturers meet only the bare minimum standards, Honor has set a new benchmark with its Honor 90, boasting an impressive PWM of 3,840 Hz. This leap, achieved through a synergistic blend of hardware and software, exemplifies the advancements possible in PWM technology and underscores the gap in commitment from other leading brands to prioritize visual health.
Apple’s Path to Better Visual Health
Apple’s shift to OLED screens in its iPhone lineup since the iPhone 12 spotlights the critical role of PWM in delivering a flawless visual experience, where each pixel is individually lit. Despite this, the technology giant needs to further its efforts in “risk-free blinking” technology—a move that would align with its extensive investment in health and wellness features like Apple Fitness and Apple Health.
The Way Forward
As we navigate through an era where digital screens are an integral part of daily life, it’s imperative for tech companies, especially leaders like Apple and Samsung, to prioritize advancements in PWM technology. Doing so not only aligns with their commitment to user health but also sets a new industry standard for visual health preservation in our increasingly digital world.
As technology continues to evolve, it’s crucial for innovation to not only push the boundaries of what’s possible visually but also to ensure that these advancements come with a commitment to safeguarding our health. The spotlight on PWM serves as a reminder that in our quest for brighter, more vivid displays, we must not lose sight of the fundamental need to protect our most valuable sensory asset—our vision.