Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Status
The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.

Are you experiencing this issue?


  • Total voters
    1,919

gold///

macrumors regular
May 12, 2015
149
107
Nevada
I’m not sure that I have a problem with PWM, but the scrolling on the x is killing me. I tend to read/skim text as I scroll and I feel strain when I use twitter and read forums and such. It’s happened to me before, a couple of years ago, so I’m not entirely sure if it’s the X’s screen or if I’m just over using a new product or somehow using it differently. Waiting for my eyes to fully heal and see if it continues to happen. Love the phone besides the eye pain
Yeah, I had the same problem dude. You'll eventually get used to it, just gotta train your eyes to not read while things are scrolling. It's annoying at first, but I eventually stopped even noticing.

Still had to ditch the X due to PWM though :oops:
 

5105973

Cancelled
Sep 11, 2014
12,132
19,733
I’m not sure that I have a problem with PWM, but the scrolling on the x is killing me. I tend to read/skim text as I scroll and I feel strain when I use twitter and read forums and such. It’s happened to me before, a couple of years ago, so I’m not entirely sure if it’s the X’s screen or if I’m just over using a new product or somehow using it differently. Waiting for my eyes to fully heal and see if it continues to happen. Love the phone besides the eye pain
It’s the display I think. You’re not the only one to complain about this. And I have noticed the text looks more flickery when scrolling. I fortunately tend to look away or relax my focus when the text scrolls. It’s just a natural habit and I have to actually remind myself to look for this issue, so I am not generally bothered by it.
 

bolandross

macrumors member
Nov 28, 2017
62
36
I got my iPhone X a few days ago and somehow to me, the screen feels like a downgrade from the LCD that I had in my iPhone 8 Plus. My eyes feel funny after some hours of looking at the OLED screen, and I am not sure if it's the way it emits light. What is bothering me a lot, is the blue off-angle tint I am getting, even at smaller angles:
giphy.gif

On the iPhone 8 Plus, at least the colors got consistently darker when tilting over the device. On the iPhone X, the image gets blue-ish, which sucks when watching a movies on the phone with a friend or talking photos with stretched out arms, let's say from the top while trying to watch the display ... that's disappointing!
 

5105973

Cancelled
Sep 11, 2014
12,132
19,733
I got my iPhone X a few days ago and somehow to me, the screen feels like a downgrade from the LCD that I had in my iPhone 8 Plus. My eyes feel funny after some hours of looking at the OLED screen, and I am not sure if it's the way it emits light. What is bothering me a lot, is the blue off-angle tint I am getting, even at smaller angles:
giphy.gif

On the iPhone 8 Plus, at least the colors got consistently darker when tilting over the device. On the iPhone X, the image gets blue-ish, which sucks when watching a movies on the phone with a friend or talking photos with stretched out arms, let's say from the top while trying to watch the display ... that's disappointing!
My husband’s X does that. Mine does not. I have to look at it almost completely from the side to see a hint of aqua blue. But my True Tone color is awful and his is nice. Go figure.

Edit— I just realized mine color shifts to a subtle pink tint. That’s less distracting.
 

dan98

macrumors regular
Oct 29, 2013
203
344
There’s nothing wrong with the device. Some people are just sensitive to certain things. That’s not Apple’s fault. Don’t use the phone if it gives you trouble. Use something that works for you. Should movies and tv shows be slandered for showing flashing images and/or strobe? I’ve used my device in total darkness, moved into different lighting situations and there is zero flicker. I find the device to be fairly easy on the eyes. If you believe it IS an issue with the device then complain to Apple. They ain’t gonna here you on here.

That's a pretty ignorant post. Just becuase it doesn't affect You, everybody else should just suck it up?
It's not a case of 'slandering' Apple - it's about complaining until things get corrected.

I've suffered from PWM side affects for years - manufacturers are finally resolving the problem in most cases, but this is a big step backwards for the iphone. PWM is a very poor way of simulating brightness which should never've been used in the first place.
And by the way, it's nothing comparable to 'strobe' or 'flashing images' in movies that you mention - that shows you have no idea of the nature of the problem.

You are partially right in one respect - 'There's nothing wrong with the device' - yes it's not broken - rather it is a characteristic of all PWM screens. But that still doesn't mean we shouldn't complain if it gives nasty side-effects, especially on such a mass-appeal global (and incredibly expensive) product.
 

5105973

Cancelled
Sep 11, 2014
12,132
19,733
That's a pretty ignorant post. Just becuase it doesn't affect You, everybody else should just suck it up?
It's not a case of 'slandering' Apple - it's about complaining until things get corrected.

I've suffered from PWM side affects for years - manufacturers are finally resolving the problem in most cases, but this is a big step backwards for the iphone. PWM is a very poor way of simulating brightness which should never've been used in the first place.
And by the way, it's nothing comparable to 'strobe' or 'flashing images' in movies that you mention - that shows you have no idea of the nature of the problem.

You are partially right in one respect - 'There's nothing wrong with the device' - yes it's not broken - rather it is a characteristic of all PWM screens. But that still doesn't mean we shouldn't complain if it gives nasty side-effects, especially on such a mass-appeal global (and incredibly expensive) product.
I know nothing about pwm. Does it cause actual eye damage?
 

dan98

macrumors regular
Oct 29, 2013
203
344
My guess on this is that it depends how you react to the symptoms.
By continuing to force the eyes to do things which feel uncomfortable or painful I feel sure that damage would occur in the end.
My reactions were more on the dizziness / headache side, but I stopped using screens that bothered me immediately as I value my health too much (and there are alternatives available).

The main thing is not to ignore your symptoms I guess, as they are the protector of your health.

It was only later that I discovered about the whole 'PWM' thing, and now can test screens before I buy them to make sure I'm not wasting money or taking further risks.
 

jimmy_uk

macrumors 68020
Oct 19, 2015
2,483
3,309
UK
I got my iPhone X a few days ago and somehow to me, the screen feels like a downgrade from the LCD that I had in my iPhone 8 Plus. My eyes feel funny after some hours of looking at the OLED screen, and I am not sure if it's the way it emits light. What is bothering me a lot, is the blue off-angle tint I am getting, even at smaller angles:
giphy.gif

On the iPhone 8 Plus, at least the colors got consistently darker when tilting over the device. On the iPhone X, the image gets blue-ish, which sucks when watching a movies on the phone with a friend or talking photos with stretched out arms, let's say from the top while trying to watch the display ... that's disappointing!

Perfect vid capture. Thats exactly what I see but with even smaller movements. I perceive it like a shimmer which is what I think causes my eyes to strain because its a constant change in colour and light.
 

anubis1980

macrumors 6502a
Oct 22, 2012
557
406
I had bad headaches eye strain etc for a few days. Seems to be better now. Any one else noticing it getting getter for them too?
 

TDDM

macrumors 6502
Nov 25, 2017
490
634
KA
Looks perfect to me. Why do you have to tilt it to see the colour shift effect of OLED? Just use it as you normally would.
Oh don't get me wrong, it looks perfectly fine when staring straight on. But tilting it any direction shifts the colors pretty heavily. Just wanted to make sure mine wasn't over the top or anything.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vddobrev

bolandross

macrumors member
Nov 28, 2017
62
36
My husband’s X does that. Mine does not. I have to look at it almost completely from the side to see a hint of aqua blue. But my True Tone color is awful and his is nice. Go figure.

Edit— I just realized mine color shifts to a subtle pink tint. That’s less distracting.

Thanks for your response, I find it very helpful to know!

Today I went to the Apple Store to check out their iPhone X demo devices and I noticed that each device seemed to have its individual type of tinting while comparing them to mine ... so yeah, it seems like it’s a matter of luck which one you get. Even a employee had to agree when I showed it to him.
 

Clix Pix

macrumors Core
My new iPhone X has some mild color shifts when I specifically move the thing around to see them, but they are not bothersome (mild blue, mild pinkish tones) and usually I am looking at the thing straight-on anyway, not tilting it this-way-and-that-way when looking at it. The color shifts are apparently part and parcel of the new OLED screen........ I can live with that, since the screen itself really is gorgeous. Just got through looking at a couple of videos on it, and WOW!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5105973

matthijst

macrumors 6502
Jun 8, 2009
266
242
My (long) story...
I decided to return my iPhone I had since Nov 3rd (great service from Apple to allow me to do so after almost a month). They will pick it up on Monday.

Had migraine like symptoms the last few weeks: intermittent headaches above my right temple. Pressure on right ear. Pulsating temple vein and eye twitches. And a feeling like I had sand in the center of my eye. And my eyes felt tired.
I stopped using the X yesterday around noon, switched it with my wifes 7 around 19:00 and things seem better now (06:00 here). Had tingling jaws yesterday at the end of afternoon. Same as you can get with migraine, it seems.

While I'm not 100% sure yet (using the 7 for now, will try the X this weekend again to be sure) it seems the oled is the cause for me. Now that I've been using the 7 for a bit again, I notice that I did have a harder time focusing on the X's screen, compared to the ips. As if my eyes were constantly adjusting focus. Still have a tiny bit of hope it's all a coincidence, cause I love the X's form factor.

I work on a laptop plus monitor all day and when I get home I use iPhone and iPad. No other eye problems, no glasses.
Never had issues like this before.
 

flowave

macrumors regular
Nov 17, 2014
112
64
Thanks for your response, I find it very helpful to know!

Today I went to the Apple Store to check out their iPhone X demo devices and I noticed that each device seemed to have its individual type of tinting while comparing them to mine ... so yeah, it seems like it’s a matter of luck which one you get. Even a employee had to agree when I showed it to him.

I did too a week ago (since mine got pinkish tint to it) and they vary significantly device to device.

Some don't shift colours, some shifts a lot.
Some are pinkish, yellowish, and some normal like iPhone 8.

I am really curious if Samsung is making all of them with this much variance.

Actually, I remember S8 was having problems with pinkish screens on roughly 1/4 of the batch.
 

GlenK

macrumors 65816
Aug 1, 2013
1,473
932
St. Augustine, FL
Sad day yesterday. Had to return my X due to the headaches and eye strain. Got it Friday morning and within 2 hours I knew something was wrong. This was hard to do because I absolutely love the iPhone X. It is simply awesome.

Sent feedback to Apple to please design a X with a HD LCD display like the 8's.

It took about 24-36 hours after stopping use of the X before the headache went away. This is a fantastic device and only wish I could have kept it but it's not worth my eye health. Traded for a 8 Plus which is fine be feels like a big step back after using the X.
 

dan98

macrumors regular
Oct 29, 2013
203
344
My (long) story...
I decided to return my iPhone I had since Nov 3rd (great service from Apple to allow me to do so after almost a month). They will pick it up on Monday.

Had migraine like symptoms the last few weeks: intermittent headaches above my right temple. Pressure on right ear. Pulsating temple vein and eye twitches. And a feeling like I had sand in the center of my eye. And my eyes felt tired.
I stopped using the X yesterday around noon, switched it with my wifes 7 around 19:00 and things seem better now (06:00 here). Had tingling jaws yesterday at the end of afternoon. Same as you can get with migraine, it seems.

While I'm not 100% sure yet (using the 7 for now, will try the X this weekend again to be sure) it seems the oled is the cause for me. Now that I've been using the 7 for a bit again, I notice that I did have a harder time focusing on the X's screen, compared to the ips. As if my eyes were constantly adjusting focus. Still have a tiny bit of hope it's all a coincidence, cause I love the X's form factor.

I work on a laptop plus monitor all day and when I get home I use iPhone and iPad. No other eye problems, no glasses.
Never had issues like this before.

Yes this sounds like PWM side-affects to me.
The brain stresses out in trying to make sense of the subliminal screen flicker, resulting in head-pain / dizziness etc etc.
The chances are that your laptop/monitor don't use PWM, but you can check for that using an app with variable shutter speed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: matthijst

5105973

Cancelled
Sep 11, 2014
12,132
19,733
I did too a week ago (since mine got pinkish tint to it) and they vary significantly device to device.

Some don't shift colours, some shifts a lot.
Some are pinkish, yellowish, and some normal like iPhone 8.

I am really curious if Samsung is making all of them with this much variance.

Actually, I remember S8 was having problems with pinkish screens on roughly 1/4 of the batch.
We started on Samsungs last year with the recalled Note 7, and due to having various loaner and replacement devices, as well as purchasing new ones this year, my husband and I have had I think 10 Samsung phones total between the two of us. 4 Note 7s, 2 S7 Edges, 2 S7’s and 2 S8+. Yep, that makes 10. Anyway, based on that experience I can tell you there is indeed quite a significant variance among Samsung OLED display panel quality and color and color shift. My husband got the murkiest brownish greyish nasty display I’ve ever seen on his first Note 7. My S8+ has a pink stain around the display like some psychedelic picture frame. Fortunately it’s mitigated by Samsung’s software fix. My iPhone X also has a pink frame around it, but it’s so narrow and so faint you have to really be nitpicking to see it. It’s not detectable at all in photos or games or anything that’s not a white background.

It’s really daunting playing their panel lottery. But my husband and I knew that going into the choice of an X. I was ok this thread for a long time and still indicated to my husband I would like to try an X.

There are advantages to OLED, certainly. But there are drawbacks, too.

@matthijst I also get that feeling my eyes are constantly trying to adjust focus. For some reason it doesn’t seem to mess with me or lead to other problems. I think I had a mild eye ache when I first got my X but it went away.

What seems to mess me up is switching back and forth between my iPad and 7 Plus and my X. Like if I run my battery down on the X playing Animal Crossing and grab the 7, then I’ll feel eye fatigue. On days I’m just on the X most of the day and switch to the iPad in the evenings, I’m good.

Come to think of it, I did use to feel eye strain switching between the 7 Plus and my S8+ when reading an ebook on the Amazon Kindle reader. Edit to clarify: but did not feel eye strain if I started on one and stayed on it the whole day. It was the switching that my eyes objected to.
 
  • Like
Reactions: matthijst

MistrSynistr

macrumors 68000
May 15, 2014
1,721
2,135
I got my iPhone X a few days ago and somehow to me, the screen feels like a downgrade from the LCD that I had in my iPhone 8 Plus. My eyes feel funny after some hours of looking at the OLED screen, and I am not sure if it's the way it emits light. What is bothering me a lot, is the blue off-angle tint I am getting, even at smaller angles:
giphy.gif

On the iPhone 8 Plus, at least the colors got consistently darker when tilting over the device. On the iPhone X, the image gets blue-ish, which sucks when watching a movies on the phone with a friend or talking photos with stretched out arms, let's say from the top while trying to watch the display ... that's disappointing!

This cracks me up, because the "insider" reasoning as to why Apple didn't switch to OLED was they were "perfecting" it for it's users and not just tossing out the problematic ones Samsung uses..

Come to find out, they are seriously just behind the times and slapped this crap on the X. Same thing with wireless charging. Everyone was CERTAIN it was because Apple was developing charging without a pad that you could walk into a room and start charging wirelessly...NOPE! lol. Just late to the party, slap the one Android has had for 3 plus years on these.

Embarrassing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iSilas

jtl_

macrumors member
Nov 3, 2015
54
25
Canada
When you say "I would not risk it", are you saying there could potentially be permanent damage or something? It's so weird that this is happening, considering most people are completely fine with staring at a screen with PWM.

I personally think so. Out of the blue back in 2011 I started getting migraines from flickering fluorescent lights and LED's. Long story short I had to drop out of school and become reclusive. I became very depressed and my eyesight was getting worse. It was so bad that last year (October 2016) I couldn't really use even "safe" screens (like my 2015 MBP) without feeling like death for the rest of the day.

Then i found cannabis, prescribed from a doctor (It's legal here) and things are MUCH better. I don't get headaches from screens with PWM anymore I can't begin to describe how much things have improved.

(I suggest if you go this route you visit a place where it is legal and can be supervised by a doctor)

Be well.

I wouldn't wish the past 6 years of my life on anyone.
 

flowave

macrumors regular
Nov 17, 2014
112
64
So, I cannot look at the iPhone X even a second without burn in my eyes, since my eyes are less tolerable since using X.
As an experiment, I have tried with sunglasses on. I feel less burn in my eyes. I can bear looking at it maybe a minute.

I have a feeling that it might be more of a blue light issue than PWM from OLED.

Then I found this website.

http://www.bluelightexposed.com/

And ordered some of blue light blocking glasses from amazon. I will keep you guys updated.
https://www.amazon.ca/Cyxus-Compute...aj-20&linkId=6b49dc1abd72a11724770f4d7119b0c0
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0...aj-20&linkId=ed26fa3b927fb4772e21d7586d978888
https://www.amazon.ca/CGID-Headaches-Rectangle-Unbreakable-Transparnet/dp/B01MXCS3YN
http://amzn.to/2nehi1o
 

techno-Zen

macrumors 68000
Apr 27, 2015
1,885
3,277
Gilbert, AZ
So, I cannot look at the iPhone X even a second without burn in my eyes, since my eyes are less tolerable since using X.
As an experiment, I have tried with sunglasses on. I feel less burn in my eyes. I can bear looking at it maybe a minute.

I have a feeling that it might be more of a blue light issue than PWM from OLED.

Then I found this website.

http://www.bluelightexposed.com/

And ordered some of blue light blocking glasses from amazon. I will keep you guys updated.
https://www.amazon.ca/Cyxus-Compute...aj-20&linkId=6b49dc1abd72a11724770f4d7119b0c0
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0...aj-20&linkId=ed26fa3b927fb4772e21d7586d978888
https://www.amazon.ca/CGID-Headaches-Rectangle-Unbreakable-Transparnet/dp/B01MXCS3YN
http://amzn.to/2nehi1o
I don't think it's blue light related.. PWM flickering is the cause

TrueTone resolves the blue light issues
 
  • Like
Reactions: SBruv and matthijst
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.