I realized that the kernel I suggested as workaround (linux-image-4.9.0-3-amd64) didn't completely solve the flickering problem. However, it made the flickering occur very rarely.
I can confirm that the kernel "4.14.0-3-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 4.14.13-1 (2018-01-14)" from stretch-backports causes no flickering at all with my Dell U2415.