2 years ago, I bought the S23 to replace my S9. Apart from the screen, I like S23's package (good performance, okay-ish screen size, 120 hz refresh rate, update policy etc.). However, the main issue I have with this phone is the display - it has been giving me eye strain since day 1 which is why I am using it only moderately. The S9's display is basically perfect for my eyes - it is pleasant to look at and I barely feel any eye strain. Quite frankly, the switch from S9 to S23 was a noticeable downgrade in terms of display (apart from the refresh rate).
S9's display:
very sharp (568 ppi)
colors feel balanced
pleasant contrast
there is not that feeling of being too bright
when I look at it, it just feels right and my eyes relax
S23's display:
noticeably less sharp (422 ppi)
noticeable color fringing
my eyes tense up looking at the screen / giving me eye strain
colors don't feel balanced (colors feel too punchy/saturated in vivid mode - natural mode is too washed out)
contrast feels too high
white color (font) feels too aggressive
it often feels too bright
What I tried:
Eye Comfort Shield (blue light filter is a must have for me)
Eye Comfort Shield -> Enhanced Comfort (unbearable to use, introduces massive haze)
Extra Dimming with the main brightness slider turned up (somewhat made white font on dark background more relaxing to read but introduced system-wide sluggishness when scrolling and typing)
switching from Vivid to Natural mode (didn't help much, just feels washed out)
adjusting RGB sliders in vivid mode to minimal blue, max red, middle green (minimal improvement)
adjusting font, font size
Overall, I was not able to adjust the S23's display so that it's pleasant and relaxing to look at.
Possible culprits?:
low ppi
subpixel fringing (low ppi in combination with Diamond PenTile subpixel layout)
PWM (or rather high modulation depth due to much higher overall brightness)
color balance / contrast (either aggressively punchy or washed out)
Is there any chance that the S25 could lessen eye strain or should I skip it? I read that the S25 has a vividness slider which the S23 doesn't have and the vivid mode is supposed to be less punchy/saturated now in comparison to previous generations? Or maybe the S25 could make things even worse with the 1-120 Hz variable refresh rate instead of the smaller range 48-120 Hz on the S23. Plus, higher peak brightness, meaning even higher modulation depth?
I like Samsung's overall package, but these screens...they are quite frankly unbearable. I remember many, many years ago, screens were no issue whatsoever. I just bought a smartphone and didn't have to worry about the screen giving me eye strain.
When I look at people mentioning alternatives, i.e. phones for less eye strain, experiences vary. Some report reduced eye strain, whereas others complain of severe eye fatigue. Is there not a single phone out there anymore that is reliably not producing any eye strain?
My requirements would be:
no eye strain
<= 6.3 inch
high ppi
great performance (something like Snapdragon 8 Elite would be great, but at this point, I could also live with slightly less performance if it means I'd be getting an eye-strain-free display)
good update policy (reliable and regular security updates)
Thanks in advance for any responses!
PS: I heard rumors that the S27 Pro might finally give us DC Dimming?