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Are you experiencing this issue?


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jtl_

macrumors member
Nov 3, 2015
53
25
Canada
I wonder how many people have strain from the infrared LED's of the Face ID sensor vs the PWM of the screen

Would be interesting.
 

jtl_

macrumors member
Nov 3, 2015
53
25
Canada
Well regardless of the fact humans can't see infrared light I accidently pointed a Zowie FK1 with its infrared LED at my face and it still hurt my eyes, felt like it was burning. Luckily that one incident didn't cause permanent damage, but be careful.

And fibre optic light used in data communications is infrared as well, still need to be careful of burning your eyes.

Same with IR lasers.
 

burgman

macrumors 68030
Sep 24, 2013
2,802
2,387
Well regardless of the fact humans can't see infrared light I accidently pointed a Zowie FK1 with its infrared LED at my face and it still hurt my eyes, felt like it was burning. Luckily that one incident didn't cause permanent damage, but be careful.

And fibre optic light used in data communications is infrared as well, still need to be careful of burning your eyes.

Same with IR lasers.
Because the power delivery in all of your examples are the same? Having said that, for others reasons I returned my X and got an 8plus. I experienced eye strain with the X but not with the 8. Didn’t really try any adjustments didn’t have it that long.
 

gold///

macrumors regular
May 12, 2015
149
107
Nevada
Some folks haven't had any eye strain from the X. I'm one of them.

i meant i never thought of it and didn't feel anything different. sorry if it was confusing.

Just curious, have you guys tried it for 30-90 mins at a time with no break? For example, playing a game, watching a video, etc. I found that 5-10 mins was ok, but any longer meant massive eye strain. It was so annoying that I had to return it. I really miss my X :(
 
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Gathomblipoob

macrumors 603
Mar 18, 2009
6,141
6,677
Just curious, have you guys tried it for 30-90 mins at a time with no break? For example, playing a game, watching a video, etc. I found that 5-10 mins was ok, but any longer meant massive eye strain. It was so annoying that I had to return it. I really miss my X :(

Yes, I have. I've had 8 or 9 eye surgeries in the past, so my eyes tend to be especially sensitive.
 

goshindoman

macrumors member
Oct 22, 2017
59
51
Samsung has been giving apple crap screens since the beginning. Apple always has horrible quality control on the screens.

I disagree with your post. It would be totally implausible for Apple to purchase Samsung screens if Samsung supplied Apple with sub par screens. Apple and Samsung have a history of working together with screens.

I have found, with very few exceptions, that screens used by Apple have always been top line and industry pundits write rave reviews on Apple screens.

I think we need to get this iPhone X screen into some perspective. Apple have sold millions of the X and taking this thread as a sample with 350 posts and more or less 250 of those have found an eye sight problem hardly means Apple 'have a problem with the screen of the X'. The IPS screen on my iPhone 8 plus is excellent and I own the Note 8 that has one of the most acclaimed screens on any mobile available.

Ryland
 

gold///

macrumors regular
May 12, 2015
149
107
Nevada
I have found, with very few exceptions, that screens used by Apple have always been top line and industry pundits write rave reviews on Apple screens.

I think we need to get this iPhone X screen into some perspective. Apple have sold millions of the X and taking this thread as a sample with 350 posts and more or less 250 of those have found an eye sight problem hardly means Apple 'have a problem with the screen of the X'.

Agreed 100%. Every iPhone I've used up until now has had an excellent screen. And it's not even the X that has a problem this time, it's that some people are sensitive to PWM. I don't blame Apple one bit, although it would be nice if there was some kind of accessibility setting for us. For example, some Galaxt phones have 0 flicker whatsoever at brightnessess above 94%.
 

Jodiuh

macrumors 6502
Sep 15, 2009
312
113
That's inherently false, and frankly not even remotely believable. I'm not sure why you would even say something like this, given that Apple has had some of the best LCD panels in the industry with calibration and quality. Which leads me to believe, you must be upset with them about something express your frustration to say something so outlandish and untrue.
First iPad had a yellow tint on the left side, 2nd was mostly white with a very slight tint.

MacBook has admirer right side than left.

iPhones have been ok for me.

This is more of a “notice or not” situation. I also have an uneven trackpad.
 

Techman515

macrumors newbie
Oct 28, 2014
5
1
Hello all,

I thought I'd post here about an issue I've been having and see if anyone else is experiencing the same thing.

When I'm using the phone, my eyes feel strained, like they're trying to focus on the phone. And I've noticed that when I look away from my phone and at something else my eyes feel a little blurry and I have to blink.

Not sure why this is happening. I've tweaked with all the various displays settings (TrueTone/Night Shift/ White balance), nothing seems to make a real difference. Not using a screen protector.

Anyone else?


Eye strain for me is a non issue with the iPhone X. I am 56 with trifocal progressive lenses and manage just fine. Just think of how you did with the iPhone 3 or 4. No difference between the X or 8. (I have both). If it such a problem then a simple return or exchange for a different phone would fix that. Don’t power through all the while complaining about the screen and still keeping it. Everyone....
 

vddobrev

macrumors 6502a
Oct 28, 2016
962
833
Haskovo, Bulgaria
Used iPhone X for the past three days, no eye strain whatsoever. In fact he display is much more pleasant than the display on 6S+ it replaced. I generally keep the brightness low, I have true-tone on and night shift on from sunset to sunrise.
 

garyjarq

macrumors newbie
Nov 25, 2017
2
4
I'm returning my iphoneX after a week of use. My eyes are hurting, and I have 20/20 vision . I've disabled faceID, adjusted the brightness, along with the 'intense brightness' feature it has too further darken the brightness, i've adjust the hue to match the exact same color scheme as my iphone5s (that I've used since 2014 and not once ever had an issue).

I found myself using my old iphone5s just so i wouldn't have to put up with the eye strain. But at times I said, ok well I want to watch a video on the bigger screen, the following day the eyes are strained. So i did a test, I only used the iphone5s for a day and my eyes were rested for the day, the next day i re-used the iphoneX and the strain began again.

I'll likely pickup the iphone8 or 8plus because it does not have OLED / faceID or anything funky - I just want the same screen that my old iphone5s had. Samsung really goofed up. I hope apple makes the screen for the iphoneX2 and returns to the old screen technology.

For a 1250$ USD phone where it strains your eyes - it is not worth it. Also what is up with the ghosting? Are we back to 2005 where screens ghost whenever objects move fast? Not even the iphone3gs ever ghosted and that is an old phone.

Anyone used the iphone8 or 8plus? Is there any eye strain on that? Else I may have to stay with the 5s or pickup an SE only because I need a larger hardrive.

Lastly, for all you guys saying "your eyes just got to get use to it" that is BS. Evolution of the eyes is perfection, meaning that if your eyes are hurting it is a signal to stop. When you get use to something, it is not the eye that has adapted to the external source but the brain that has said "ok, i'm just going to ignore the pain as a survival mechanism" meanwhile its doing harm

Idealy, the iphoneX2 will use the old iphone screen, with the updated camera and everything would be perfect.
 
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Proteinaceous

macrumors regular
Dec 4, 2004
198
215
[doublepost=1511654580][/doublepost]
Zero. Humans can’t see infrared light.
Just because the photoreceptors in our eyes can’t detect a particular wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum doesn’t mean it cannot be harmful (eg, X-rays).

Having said that, I suspect the infrared exposure from the iPhone X is far lower than what one might be exposed to by just walking outside on a sunny day
[doublepost=1511654807][/doublepost]
Anyone used the iphone8 or 8plus? Is there any eye strain on that? Else I may have to stay with the 5s or pickup an SE only because I need a larger hardrive.

If you didn’t have any issues with your 5s you’ll probably be fine with an iPhone 8 or 8 plus. All iPhones use the same screen technology (LCD) except the iPhone X, which uses OLED.
 
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garyjarq

macrumors newbie
Nov 25, 2017
2
4
That's really too bad. Sadly Apple has no choice if they continue to use Samsung screens. You should look at the LG V30 if you and your son wanted to buy OLED phones. The phone is stunning and what the X should've looked like. Apparently later batches of the phone have been better, and Verizon also has a $200 pre-paid gift card offer on the V30. It's a good deal, in my opinion ($640 when it's all said and done).

Anyone know if apple will stop using the oled for next year. Is there anything better than OLED that doesn't have this eye strain issue? Why not use the older technology but had more pixels.
[doublepost=1511655933][/doublepost]
No, please visit your nearest ophthalmologist.

I have 20/20 vision. It's the OLED screen. Some people are just more sensitive to artificial technology screens. Meaning samsung screwed up. The older tech screens that run 4k resolution don't have this issue - i'm not sure why people are raving so much about OLED - its garbage.
[doublepost=1511656251][/doublepost]
Every ophthalmologist I’ve seen hasn’t been familiar with this. Also, I don’t believe there’s anything we can do to alleviate this issue. Some of us have a different cone/rod layout and can perceive this flicker. It’s not all bad news tho. In addition to some flicker free products available, we also seem to “visualize faster” and notice things others do not. For example, my bro and I were mountain biking and he went in front of me, then I followed a few seconds later and came to a dead stop in front a tiny spider on a web just above my head. Also, I tend to have a quicker reaction time when playing FPS than my friends.

Exactly, if you see ghosting on the iphone X or are sensitive to the flickering OLED has. That means you have better sensitive of motion than people who cannot detect these technological flaws. Meaning you have superior vision.
[doublepost=1511656624][/doublepost]
Lads, it's not about Apple and iPhone X displays. It's about Oled and how it works like. Previously i had at least 5 phones with Amoled (latest was Galaxy S8 and Google Pixel XL 2016) and everytime i was getting eye-strain, insomania and headache. I love color gamma of oled and those deep blacks, but to me it was disaster experience. I was trying many times, because i thought that this technology going forward as it should, but at the end of the day i was starting to feel exactly the same health issues. And sure that everyone is different, someone is feeling it, someone - don't.

Any new phones from 2017 that don't use oled? I may have to swap the iphoneX for iphone8plus if it means the eye strain will stop. Or are there any new androids that dont use oled. That reminds me, are the new laptops and 4k screens coming out in OLED - hope not.
[doublepost=1511657296][/doublepost]
I've also been having horrible eye strain from using the X. It's really disappointing. Everything else has been 10/10 so far, but I literally have to return this thing simply because the screen smears high contrast text.

I legitimately don't understand how anyone can use this thing without eye strain. Do they just close their eyes while scrolling or something? I used to be able to watch the text as I was scrolling to keep my place, but that's impossible on this screen.

I found a video that someone took that shows the issue, this is a slo-mo demonstration of what happens when you scroll:
https://streamable.com/ne4ez

Is this really normal? I've never seen or used any display that had this kind of text blurring before. Again, I'm really disappointed, because this is my absolute favorite phone I've ever used aside from this issue.

Holly smokes, that video! That's exactly what i saw the first two days, a week later I don't notice it because my headache from using the phone has likely just disabled that sensory in my head. This phone is going back this weekend for sure. I'm gona pick up the 8plus because it doesn't have the OLED. And knowing apple - they likely wont address the issue just like Android has avoided, so the 8plus might be the last 'good phone' until they come out with a new technology in 5 years that makes oled obsolete.
[doublepost=1511658319][/doublepost]one solution is to go to one of those third party iphone repair shops. They'll replace your screen with a LED screen (because OLED is more expensive).
[doublepost=1511658730][/doublepost]
Hey all, thought I would give an update for us headache people.
Swapped out the X for an 8+. Had to wait a few days to make it official because i'm a little neurotic and saw a dead pixel on the 8+ so I had the screen swapped. Returned the X last Thursday. The employee was sympathetic and was familiar with the fact that some people were having eye-strain or getting headaches from the screen. He personally wanted to keep his 8+ but peer pressure made him change to the X because as an employee, he should be showing/using the latest and greatest.

I digress. The headaches have subsided tremendously. Though honestly, I still get a very slight headache in the same areas when using my 8+. Will be getting my eyes checked for annual checkup which coincidentally my doctor emailed just recently reminding me. But I no longer get the wooziness or severe pain the X would give me.

Certainly miss the X and the gestures. Face ID was growing on me, but the convenience of gestures I will definitely miss. That and the form factor of having a phone fit in my pocket without bothering me. The screen itself, I will not miss because as many arguments as there are, the Plus screen is bigger, and better for video viewing, no contest! But glad to have awesome battery life :) 10-11 hours of usage vs 8hrs on the X.

In conclusion, if you're really feeling some pain using the X, switch it out. Happy early Thanksgiving :)


11/21 EDIT/UPDATE: No headaches at all anymore. It must've been residual effect from using the X for two weeks and was lasting a few more days after i returned it.
Good to hear, I haven't used the X in 24hours and still have sore eyes. So it may take a couple of days. I hope apple releases two version : LED iphoneX2 and a OLED iphoneX2 - sure the oled may have more pixels, but its negligible at these screen sizes anyways. Meanwhile I went back to using my 5s, but am contemplating on returning the X for a 8plus. Too bad, the iphoneX is gorgeous, especially the side metalic and quality of the metal. Android on the other none of them have a 'wow factor' when it comes to the build quality apple does.
 
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TDDM

macrumors 6502
Nov 25, 2017
490
634
KA
I recently got my X and noticed that I was suddenly suffering from headaches and eye fatigue. it's really weird, since I've been using galaxy phones for years, and had zero problems with the screens whatsoever.

This is so frustrating, since I really like this phone but it wrecks my eyes.

I guess I'll go back to an S8 and see if apple can fix this next year
 
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blackdogaudio

macrumors regular
Aug 17, 2016
205
118
What would be interesting is to have two iPhone X owners (one who suffers this problem and one who doesn't) swap phones and compare both together to definitively isolate the issue to perhaps a batch of phones (hardware) or a medical condition.
 
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