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Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up
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Interesting idea. My wife and I did half of this experiment. After the iPhone X started giving me problems I gave it to her. She’s been using it without issue for over a week now. I could be wrong but I suspect this is more of an individual sensitivity issue versus an issue with certain lots/batches of phones.
I'd have to agree..my X doesn't bother me a bit yet a small change in my eyesight over the past 6 years was causing unexplained dizziness that completely cleared up after an eye exam and a new pair of glasses.
I see the ghosting (scrolling causes text to blur briefly) that others are reporting however but I'm able to ignore it or tune out its effect.
P.S. Thanks for reporting your results after testing.
LED displays can cause eye strain if the LEDs are out of alignment. You may want to take it to the Apple store and tell them this if the problem persists.
Registered just to post in this thread. Had my iPhone X 4 days and immediately noticed the eye strain. Symptoms similar to what has already been said:
- Difficulty of focusing on the screen
- Numb pain between the eyes after even 20 minutes of use, that grew to a headache by the end of the day.
- By the end of day felt increased sensitivity to any lights.
I stare at screens all day for work, so I know this isn't normal.
Tried playing with the settings, brightness already auto and minimal. Disabling and even covering up face id for extended period of time didn't help the discomfort.
No idea if it's the high contrast screen, the PWM flicker or the IR light but I'm not taking chances. Returned the X and got an iPhone 8 Plus, spent an hour on it yesterday and some today. No issues whatsoever.
- Difficulty of focusing on the screen
- Numb pain between the eyes after even 20 minutes of use, that grew to a headache by the end of the day.
- By the end of day felt increased sensitivity to any lights.
I stare at screens all day for work, so I know this isn't normal.
Tried playing with the settings, brightness already auto and minimal. Disabling and even covering up face id for extended period of time didn't help the discomfort.
No idea if it's the high contrast screen, the PWM flicker or the IR light but I'm not taking chances. Returned the X and got an iPhone 8 Plus, spent an hour on it yesterday and some today. No issues whatsoever.
Whilst I had some eye strain when first using the X ever since dropping the brightness a bit and enabling True Tone my eyes are as fresh as when using my old 6.
For those thinking the galaxy note is better it’s not/ the pwm drops to 0 brightness even from 70-75% brightness which is more likely to be perceived as flicker than the 20-25% brightness of the iPhone.
For those thinking the galaxy note is better it’s not/ the pwm drops to 0 brightness even from 70-75% brightness which is more likely to be perceived as flicker than the 20-25% brightness of the iPhone.
So I thought I'd give Apple a call and see if they had any suggestions or anything. I was able to talk to a higher-up about the issue. I explained about PWM, flicker, the eye strain, the headaches and how certain people are sensitive to it, she had no idea that it was even a problem. She seemed very understanding and let me know that she had a meeting with engineers later in the week, and that she would bring up the issue with them.
It's not a solution, but hey, maybe it's a step in the right direction. I've pretty much given up on getting another X, but maybe this will lead to Apple coming up with either better screens or software accommodations for next year.
If any of you guys want to help out, you should give Apple a call and let them know what's happening. Not saying to spam them or anything, but I think letting them know that there's an issue is a good idea. Hell, no one I talked to even knew this was a thing until I explained it. Maybe if we're vocal enough, there's a chance we can get this resolved.
It's not a solution, but hey, maybe it's a step in the right direction. I've pretty much given up on getting another X, but maybe this will lead to Apple coming up with either better screens or software accommodations for next year.
If any of you guys want to help out, you should give Apple a call and let them know what's happening. Not saying to spam them or anything, but I think letting them know that there's an issue is a good idea. Hell, no one I talked to even knew this was a thing until I explained it. Maybe if we're vocal enough, there's a chance we can get this resolved.
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I’ve had this problem as well. Was super pumped when I got my iPhone X last week. I noticed I was having headaches all this week - realized they started/got worse when I used the phone. I tried turning off Face ID, issue persisted. Then, I found this thread yesterday.
Since then, I returned back to Sprint and swapped it for an 8 Plus - headache FREE! Hopefully, Apple can fix this issue. I love the X, but the headaches were a deal breaker.
I got iPhone X in the first week, after 2 hours I had to take Advil for the headache. I didn't related that to the iPhone x but after few days I wasn't happy with the new functionality of the device and I switch back to iPhone 6s. To my surprise the headache disappeared.
Few days latter I deiced to give iPhone x another shot and used it for 2 week, all the time I had a mild headache and eye strain problem. I learned to like the device but I can't stand the constant pain behind my eyes so I am going back to iPhone 6s.
As a side note:
It's really disappointing that I can still use my iPhone 6s and feel "no upgrade" from using iPhone X.
Few days latter I deiced to give iPhone x another shot and used it for 2 week, all the time I had a mild headache and eye strain problem. I learned to like the device but I can't stand the constant pain behind my eyes so I am going back to iPhone 6s.
As a side note:
It's really disappointing that I can still use my iPhone 6s and feel "no upgrade" from using iPhone X.
Thanks for contacting Apple.
My experience is that the majority of people will with no issues with PWM will just mock and remain incredulous that PWM related headaches and eye strain are possible.
For the the people saying “just get another phone” that’s fine until all phones are OLED.
I couldn’t buy any displays with LED/LCD until PWM was eliminated or at least a high frequency PWM was employed. I had to use an old 2004 Dell laptop for like 7 years .
Yeah, what's with this anyway? I've noticed that whenever someone posts about it online, there's always someone mocking the OP. It's like, what, they think we're all making this up or something? Different people have different sensitivities, it's not like it's such a crazy idea.
I don't understand what you mean. How else are we supposed to talk about the issue and see if it's affecting others?
But what is there to talk about? It’s not the phones fault. If course it will affect some others. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the device. Many human beings are affected by many various things. It’s just life unfortunately.
Except it is the phones fault, for using the PWM display.
And OP is clearly not here to stir things up, but to discuss this issue.
Been having headaches for the past few weeks as well, hadn't thought about the X as the cause, but after reading this thread I will go and test a bit.
Too bad the 14 day return window has passed...
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IT IS a phone fault.
They shouldn't use PWM anymore, this problem arose by years already and PC makers advertised "flicker free" panels, if they can't make a decent OLED panel (without running them ad DC full power to hide unevenness) they shouldn't use it, even if a person isn't "feeling" this issue, a strobe lamp constantly flickering in front of your eyes isn't doing any good to eyesight and brain.
I'm sure a lot of people (like it happened with house/office lighting) will get discomfort without even knowing the cause.
I can't use any LED screens with PWM, period. (LCD screens are fine due to more analogue style flickering).
My symptoms are mild dizziness, headaches and watery eyes.
Fortunately now many TVs, and most laptops are OK. I can't believe OLED brings back this PWM problem. No way I will be buying any of these products.
You can test for PWM using an iphone camera with a 3rd party app.
My symptoms are mild dizziness, headaches and watery eyes.
Fortunately now many TVs, and most laptops are OK. I can't believe OLED brings back this PWM problem. No way I will be buying any of these products.
You can test for PWM using an iphone camera with a 3rd party app.
Like all MacBooks? The only one I had problem was MacBook Air from 2011. MacBook pro's are fine. But not as good as my pva BENQ BL3200 monitor..
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This is real stuff people suffer. Here is 164 page regarding MacBook eye strain.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1677617?start=270&tstart=0
After this I think apple realized and made their screens better. However, bringing iPhone X with PWM does not make sense.
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I too think it is more painful in low light situation. When I was at brightly lit Apple store I had no issues.
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I feel the burn in my eyes too even with few seconds now. It take a day to fully recover. I am convinced it is damaging my eyes and my eye cannot recover as fast others. I cannot use this phone.
I also found it was possible to 'get used' to a particular laptop which had LED PWM (Lenovo U450).
But in every other case I couldn't.
I guess it comes down to a frequency / intensity thing.
Overall though I don't like the idea that the eyes/brain are working harder to compensate for flickering, so avoid them all now.
Incidentally find the newer MBPs OK, just the early LED ones which were a problem.
I get sensitive to lights too. Like night driving after this eyestrain.
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I bet they know. Just do not care about the minority when delivering latest and greatest.
SO when will all major media and KGI security report on this issue ?
I am fine playing Animal Crossing on my new IPhone X. I did have to turn True Tone OFF. I did initially find reading this forum was a bit odd to focus on. It’s hard to describe, like my eyes did not want to focus. But then they adjusted and I’m fine now.
This may sound crazy but my distance vision seems a bit better. I’m not even going to try and figure that one out. I am very nearsighted and wear glasses, but when my eyes feel strained by reading this forum on my X, I take my glasses off, look around the room and everything is almost in focus.
It may not be related but I thought I’d mention it in case anyone noticed something similar. It’s such an oddity.
So far Face ID doesn’t seem to be causing me any pain the way iris scanning on my Samsung did. I think the dots are more dilute and it just works so much faster so my eyes aren’t getting fried.
My X’s display is very different from my husband’s. His has noticeable blue shift. Mine does not have that. If I angle my display it’s just a different shade of white. But his True Tone looks nice and usable and mine looks like irritating. It’s an ugly shade of warm and just makes things even harder to focus on. Night Shift fortunately is nice.
It’s all early days here. But as a migraine sufferer in general I am so far not yet having alarming issues. This time of year I do have dry eyes anyway, to be mindful of.
This may sound crazy but my distance vision seems a bit better. I’m not even going to try and figure that one out. I am very nearsighted and wear glasses, but when my eyes feel strained by reading this forum on my X, I take my glasses off, look around the room and everything is almost in focus.
It may not be related but I thought I’d mention it in case anyone noticed something similar. It’s such an oddity. So far Face ID doesn’t seem to be causing me any pain the way iris scanning on my Samsung did. I think the dots are more dilute and it just works so much faster so my eyes aren’t getting fried.
My X’s display is very different from my husband’s. His has noticeable blue shift. Mine does not have that. If I angle my display it’s just a different shade of white. But his True Tone looks nice and usable and mine looks like irritating. It’s an ugly shade of warm and just makes things even harder to focus on. Night Shift fortunately is nice.
It’s all early days here. But as a migraine sufferer in general I am so far not yet having alarming issues. This time of year I do have dry eyes anyway, to be mindful of.
Exactly. Can also reconfirm that the issue is completely gone with 8 Plus.