Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[MacBookPro17inch]

Since when are you using the 13 Pro?
I understand your anger & coming from an iPhone 8 Plus I also must say that Touch ID was more reliable and especially more convenient, once you’re wearing a mask you need to use the Passcode instead.

But for me the iPhone SE 2022 is not an alternative in any way. The screen is way too small and it’s features just one lens, not even (optical) zooming is possible.

As a hobby photographer I really like to have a good phone camera with me all the time because obviously I don’t always have my bulky DSLR with me.

I’m also guessing it won’t have a great battery life? I haven’t checked yet.

In total the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the best smartphone I’ve ever owned and I’m pretty glad that I can finally use it now without getting headaches etc…

 

[ashtehri]

I was happy with iPhone 11. OLED iPhones gave me headaches in the past. Last December I got good deal on iPhone 12. I didn't give me headaches initially, so I decided to give it a chance. I sold my iPhone 11 and kept iPhone 12. But after 2-3 weeks, my eyes were feeling tired, no severe migraines though. I kinda know its because iPhone 12 screen. Then I switched to an old iPhone 6S plus(back up phone), I started feeling better. So I sold iPhone 12 at bit loss, and with the same money I bought iPhone 11 again. Hopefully iPhone 11 should be good enough for next 2-3 years. I was confused between SE 2022 and iPhone 11, but then went with iPhone 11 for bigger screen and better battery. SE3 would probably will last longer due to new A15 chip, but screen is too small. I hope Apple continue to provide LCD option for the future for minority.

 

[5105973]

Is there anybody who's using the s22 Ultra that can share their experience with it regarding PWM?

I’m not having any problems whatsoever. I’ve had my s22 Ultra about 3 weeks now. I’m reading on it just fine. I love this phone and I use the S Pen a lot for taking quick notes on the screen. If it could do iMessage, Apple Pay and Apple Maps and work with my Apple Watch, I think it would be my ultimate phone. Unfortunately, my dependence on Apple is a bother.

But please take that with a grain of salt because as I have found, what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another when it comes to pwm sensitivity.

 

[rafal886]

Hi,

On your 13 pro max do you have flickering words when you are reading big quantity of text? I have this issue when i reading text on dark mode in dark ROOM or in artifical lightning and when i zoom out phone, it seems like swimming word

 

[5105973]

Hi,

On your 13 pro max do you have flickering words when you are reading big quantity of text? I have this issue when i reading text on dark mode in dark ROOM or in artifical lightning and when i zoom out phone, it seems like swimming word

That is what pwm looks like sometimes to some of us who are sensitive to it on certain displays. I can usually see it when I try but my brain can somehow filter it out on some displays. I wish I could explain what’s going on with that but I’m not that well versed in how the brain works.

 

[5105973]

I think OLED displays look fantastic. A majority of the enjoyment I get out of a new iPhone pertains to the display, and I love the sharp, vibrant, contrasty OLED display on iPhone 13 Mini.

I could see how the average person would think the same if they aren’t getting headaches. I’m honestly surprised OLED doesn’t ruin the LCD TV in their living room for more people.

That being said, I still get headaches depending on the day including tension headaches after use. It’s just so significantly reduced from iPhone X that I remain completely torn.

We do now have iPhone SE third-generation as an option. Side note: I found it funny that Tim Cook mentioned it as a capable, compact option for current iPhone users when iPhone 13 Mini exists as the best iPhone in this current generation IMO.

I need to decide today whether to send in my iPhone SE for trade-in on this order or to call Apple and ask for a return exception so I can purchase the new iPhone SE, which looks fantastic for what it is but at the same time almost exactly as expected.

There’s a $250 price difference between iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone SE 128GB, so IMO while iPhone SE is a fantastic value price-wise it is worth getting the iPhone 13 Mini instead.

But we’re discussing headaches, and I had to forgo iPhone X despite a ~ $200 price difference iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X.

I suppose I would get used to the new iPhone SE over time and I do quite like the case options Apple has. The display may even be improved over the second-generation iPhone SE, which has a fantastic color calibration. It’s a surprisingly difficult decision if I’m being honest.

How are you doing and feeling today?

After reading your posts I dug out my purple 12 mini out of curiosity. For those who don’t know, when I first got the GREEN 12 mini I felt like I was being punched in the eyes when I first started using it. I still kept using it for portability, but only quickly glancing at it. Then over time I got used to it and could use it quite normally. There was a problem with the display being unable to display black. It displayed a glowy green mess instead.

I had the same problem with a 12 Pro max glowing green and movies looking horrible on it. However, I could use it without pwm problems so for that reason, I wish I’d kept it.

Then my family got me a purple 12 mini for Mother’s Day. The display is flawless.

I was doing fine on the purple mini. Then traded my 12 Pro Max for a 13 Pro. I loved the new blue-grey color. I liked how the camera worked for the most part. I do think the images usually look way over processed though. But after a month the pwm made me hyper sensitive to lights again and made me hyper sensitive to my 12 mini display. I had to stop using the 13 Pro and the 12 mini.

So anyway today I decided to give it a try since I used to be able to use it. It’s going okay. I don’t feel punched in the eyes. Not yet anyway.

I’ve got an XR that’s only 64 gb that AT&T sent to replace my late mother-in-law’s ancient iPhone. I’m thinking of trading it in for either another 11, or the new SE or a 13 mini while the Xr can still fetch $200 in trade. I had terrible eye strain on the SE 2020 so I’m not sure I want to go that route again. Plus AT&T isn’t even going to offer its new band of 5G to the SE3. Only iPhone 12 and above get it.

So I’m thinking it’s between a spare 11 in a cute color or one of the last mini iPhones.

Or doing nothing. I still use the Xr on Wi-Fi after all. It’s just fun to think about. Or it would be without having to factor in pwm sensitivity. I’m really a mini iPhone fan but pwm really puts such a downer on things. I feel so much empathy for your dilemma.

 

[MICHAELSD]

How are you doing and feeling today?

After reading your posts I dug out my purple 12 mini out of curiosity. For those who don’t know, when I first got the GREEN 12 mini I felt like I was being punched in the eyes when I first started using it. I still kept using it for portability, but only quickly glancing at it. Then over time I got used to it and could use it quite normally. There was a problem with the display being unable to display black. It displayed a glowy green mess instead.

I had the same problem with a 12 Pro max glowing green and movies looking horrible on it. However, I could use it without pwm problems so for that reason, I wish I’d kept it.

Then my family got me a purple 12 mini for Mother’s Day. The display is flawless.

I was doing fine on the purple mini. Then traded my 12 Pro Max for a 13 Pro. I loved the new blue-grey color. I liked how the camera worked for the most part. I do think the images usually look way over processed though. But after a month the pwm made me hyper sensitive to lights again and made me hyper sensitive to my 12 mini display. I had to stop using the 13 Pro and the 12 mini.

So anyway today I decided to give it a try since I used to be able to use it. It’s going okay. I don’t feel punched in the eyes. Not yet anyway.

I’ve got an XR that’s only 64 gb that AT&T sent to replace my late mother-in-law’s ancient iPhone. I’m thinking of trading it in for either another 11, or the new SE or a 13 mini while the Xr can still fetch $200 in trade. I had terrible eye strain on the SE 2020 so I’m not sure I want to go that route again. Plus AT&T isn’t even going to offer its new band of 5G to the SE3. Only iPhone 12 and above get it.

So I’m thinking it’s between a spare 11 in a cute color or one of the last mini iPhones.

Or doing nothing. I still use the Xr on Wi-Fi after all. It’s just fun to think about. Or it would be without having to factor in pwm sensitivity. I’m really a mini iPhone fan but pwm really puts such a downer on things. I feel so much empathy for your dilemma.

Let me start by reiterating how much I love iPhone 13 Mini. The form factor, the display, the design, the blue aesthetic. It was odd I didn’t feel a similar attachment to iPhone 13. iPhone 13 Mini feels like a passion project from the engineering team.

Headaches are still there but if I push them to the back of mind they’re not a big deal. They’re not painful per se, but the rubber banding around the scalp and throbbing behind the eye is there at a distinct fraction of what I’ve experienced in the past.

I have found that I can nonetheless use iPhone 13 Mini, and sometimes like now headaches are at a 1-2/10 compared to iPhone X. I can definitely stay up all night watching videos or texting if I’m motivated enough to do so.

It is weird since during the day I’m more likely to get more notable throbbing tension headaches from the display whereas at night it’s not as prominent regardless of brightness level.

However, the major caveat remains the potentially persistent headaches: even if I’m mostly okay using iPhone 13 Mini currently I’m more likely to get a light throbbing later on. That’s the main issue that’s making this an impossible decision.

I feel like it’s irresponsible to my health for me to keep it, while at the same time this little phone is so pleasant to use it’s improving my mental health after an extended experiment of limiting overall smartphone usage.

I suppose my decision is going to come down to how I feel about the new iPhone SE: if it doesn’t spark a similar level of joy and inspiration then the only foreseeable option is to keep iPhobe 13 Mini and deal with reduced headaches…

 

[MICHAELSD]

That is what pwm looks like sometimes to some of us who are sensitive to it on certain displays. I can usually see it when I try but my brain can somehow filter it out on some displays. I wish I could explain what’s going on with that but I’m not that well versed in how the brain works.

I think we’re just more perceptible than the average person. Simply, the display is flickering and our brains can pick up on it and don’t like it.

 

[rafal886]

I think we’re just more perceptible than the average person. Simply, the display is flickering and our brains can pick up on it and don’t like it.

But i see flickering only on dark mode and only when is dark or when i am in artifical lightning. Then the fonts can be blury or flickering. When i am on outside or light room everything is ok. I don’t have idea why. I noticed this when i buy 13 pro max. I compare with 12 pro max and 12 pro max have this issue too, maybe little less, but when i used 12 pro max per year i never noticed this- strange.. maybe my brain wants to see it? Any idea?

 

[majkom]

Does anyone know any other site than notebookcheck that measures pwm of screens?

Imkust found ozt thst mini13 uses 60hz pwm at lowest backlight level, man that is shocking, 60hz is level that may start epilipsy attack for more sensitive individulas, like what the hell?

I wish they made mini without pwm, would buy instantly two of them… now being stuck on ip11 sucks (and yes, there are many worse things happening right niw around the globe, i get it, just commenting on tech forum tech problems).

 

[5105973]

Let me start by reiterating how much I love iPhone 13 Mini. The form factor, the display, the design, the blue aesthetic. It was odd I didn’t feel a similar attachment to iPhone 13. iPhone 13 Mini feels like a passion project from the engineering team.

Headaches are still there but if I push them to the back of mind they’re not a big deal. They’re not painful per se, but the rubber banding around the scalp and throbbing behind the eye is there at a distinct fraction of what I’ve experienced in the past.

I have found that I can nonetheless use iPhone 13 Mini, and sometimes like now headaches are at a 1-2/10 compared to iPhone X. I can definitely stay up all night watching videos or texting if I’m motivated enough to do so.

It is weird since during the day I’m more likely to get more notable throbbing tension headaches from the display whereas at night it’s not as prominent regardless of brightness level.

However, the major caveat remains the potentially persistent headaches: even if I’m mostly okay using iPhone 13 Mini currently I’m more likely to get a light throbbing later on. That’s the main issue that’s making this an impossible decision.

I feel like it’s irresponsible to my health for me to keep it, while at the same time this little phone is so pleasant to use it’s improving my mental health after an extended experiment of limiting overall smartphone usage.

I suppose my decision is going to come down to how I feel about the new iPhone SE: if it doesn’t spark a similar level of joy and inspiration then the only foreseeable option is to keep iPhobe 13 Mini and deal with reduced headaches…

I tried my iPhone 12 mini yesterday for awhile and it seemed okay. But then when I went to use my S22 Ultra I got really dizzy. I never get sick, normally, using my S22 Ultra. So that was my first inkling that going back to the 12 mini wasn’t going to be possible.

I tried the 12 mini again just now and the headache was nearly instant this time. It was like getting smashed in the forehead.

So that lets me know the 12 mini needs to go back on the shelf. It’s getting designated as a backup for the kids now.

I have this 64 Gb iPhone XR that I use on Wi-Fi when my iPhone 11 is charging. I figured I would trade it in while the trade in value is a nice solid $200. Since the Xr came free from AT&T that’s kind of a nice bonus.

So before yesterday, I thought my possibilities included the 13 mini since Apple is going to drop the mini form factor. Then the new SE, because the price is right and it might be nice to have at least one 5G capable iPhone I can use. Finally, another iPhone 11 in a different color from my green one.

So now I am going to cross the 13 mini off. I don’t know how you can bear the pain. I can’t. Like you, I love that mini for all the same reasons you do. But I just can’t do that to myself.

I guess I’ll try the new SE and if it doesn’t work out I’ll get another iPhone 11.

I like the iPhone 11 a lot. I just am not sure how far into the future it can carry me if it turns out I can’t use the next few OLED iPhones. I wish I could still get a 256 gb one. If I get the SE 3 it’s going to be the 256 GB one.

 

[john g.]

I like the iPhone 11 a lot. I just am not sure how far into the future it can carry me if it turns out I can’t use the next few OLED iPhones. I wish I could still get a 256 gb one. If I get the SE 3 it’s going to be the 256 GB one.

Apple refurbished black in 256GB:

Refurbished iPhone 11 256GB Black Unlocked - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

 

[5105973]

Apple refurbished black in 256GB:

Refurbished iPhone 11 256GB Black Unlocked - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

Thanks. Unfortunately I didn’t see it in time and it’s out of stock now. But at least now I know to check there. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be an option to take trade in on refurbs though.

 

[john g.]

Thanks. Unfortunately I didn’t see it in time and it’s out of stock now. But at least now I know to check there.

Weird. Still shows in stock for me.

 

[5105973]

Weird. Still shows in stock for me.

I can’t add it to my bag. I tried all the colors.

 

[Roadstar]

I tried my iPhone 12 mini yesterday for awhile and it seemed okay. But then when I went to use my S22 Ultra I got really dizzy. I never get sick, normally, using my S22 Ultra. So that was my first inkling that going back to the 12 mini wasn’t going to be possible.

I tried the 12 mini again just now and the headache was nearly instant this time. It was like getting smashed in the forehead.

So that lets me know the 12 mini needs to go back on the shelf. It’s getting designated as a backup for the kids now.

I have this 64 Gb iPhone XR that I use on Wi-Fi when my iPhone 11 is charging. I figured I would trade it in while the trade in value is a nice solid $200. Since the Xr came free from AT&T that’s kind of a nice bonus.

So before yesterday, I thought my possibilities included the 13 mini since Apple is going to drop the mini form factor. Then the new SE, because the price is right and it might be nice to have at least one 5G capable iPhone I can use. Finally, another iPhone 11 in a different color from my green one.

So now I am going to cross the 13 mini off. I don’t know how you can bear the pain. I can’t. Like you, I love that mini for all the same reasons you do. But I just can’t do that to myself.

I guess I’ll try the new SE and if it doesn’t work out I’ll get another iPhone 11.

I like the iPhone 11 a lot. I just am not sure how far into the future it can carry me if it turns out I can’t use the next few OLED iPhones. I wish I could still get a 256 gb one. If I get the SE 3 it’s going to be the 256 GB one.

Your post got me thinking. I’ve had the 13 pro since launch and I’ve been mostly OK with it even though I’ve had my share of PWM issues with various phones. I also got the S22+ when the pre-order deals got somewhat lucrative and I didn’t get any immediate issues when I used it. However, when I used the S22+ more, I noticed that I had mild headaches more often than usually. I was about to abandon the S22+, but then I realized that I had been switching back and forth between the 13 pro and the S22+ all the time and that could also be a factor. Maybe I’ll need to give the S22+ a bit of an exclusivity period before drawing any conclusions.

 

[john g.]

I can’t add it to my bag. I tried all the colors.

View attachment 1974709

Strange. Says in stock still. Are you in the U.S.?

 

[5105973]

Yes I am in the US. I use the store app. Perhaps I should try the web site when I get home. ( I’m on the road at the moment and my signal goes in and out here). Edit, I managed to get onto the website and now the 11 doesn’t show up at all in the refurbished section. Weird. Oh well that’s okay. I’m thinking of going with the new SE and seeing how that works for me. With my trade in I can bring the cost down to a very comfortable level. This will be the phone I shove in my pocket when I go cycling this summer or kayaking. I definitely don’t want to risk my now sentimentally valued green iphone11 like that. Nor my more fragile large Android phones.

 

[5105973]

Switching from an OLED iPhone to any other display definitely causes me tremendous strain. But with my 13 Pro, as I used it about a month almost exclusively, I was still having problems with a vertigo sensation and nausea and a ridiculous level of fatigue that could not be attributed to switching displays. I could barely stay awake trying to read the forums on it. I’m kind of a hyperactive type of person yet I was such a dragging old bear on that phone. And I had a persistent low level headache that no pain relievers would work on. Then when I tried to use other phones I would get slammed with debilitating headaches.

Putting that phone aside was really such a sad thing for me to do. I really loved the Sierra Blue color and the way it did portraits and so many other things about it. It would have been my second favorite phone if not for pwm. But that’s okay. I’m really enjoying hanging out in the budget friendly end of the iPhone pool. I’m over it.

I’m just a bit disappointed I couldn’t go back to using the purple 12 mini I was so excited to get last Mother’s Day. THAT phone was my favorite. I used it successfully for so long that I thought I could go back to it. I’m honestly kind of shocked that it seems the 13 Pro messed me up enough that I still can’t use the 12 mini. I’m not sure what’s going on with that.

 

[super chimp]

Gone back to my iPhone 13Pro and locking the motion to 60MHz seems to have helped a lot

 

[5105973]

Gone back to my iPhone 13Pro and locking the motion to 60MHz seems to have helped a lot

That’s wonderful! Oddly the opposite worked for me on my Samsung S22 Ultra. I had to push that one up to maximum available resolution and choose the variable refresh rate to free myself from any pwm symptoms. Of course that makes the phone feel luxurious but it eats through the battery faster.

Unfortunately, no setting changes helped me stay comfortable on my 13 Pro. I tried everything that has ever been suggested.

 

[asus389]

Anyone use an SE3 yet?

 

[MICHAELSD]

Gone back to my iPhone 13Pro and locking the motion to 60MHz seems to have helped a lot

I wonder if that affects the PWM rate?

This is frustrating since I want a modern iPhone that has decent battery life and doesn’t cause headaches. The display on iPhone 11 looks pixelated after growing accustomed to iPhone 13, and I’m glad I didn’t settle for iPhone XR/11. My guess is that iPhone SE would just barely be adequate, and I’ll try to check one out in an Apple Store before deciding on iPhone 13 Mini.

I do slightly wish I kept my first iPhone 13 Mini since that display had a phenomenal white point and effective contrast, but realistically I have to continue preparing myself not to be able to keep an OLED iPhone. I feel like it’s slightly illogical that I’m willing to compromise my health for continuous use of these phones, while at the same time there are no compromise-free alternatives.

 

[1369281]

I am picking up iPhone SE (3rd generation) today, and I am very excited for the new processor (A13 to A15), additional RAM (3 GB to 4 GB), longer battery life (2 additional hours), and 5G support compared to iPhone SE (2nd generation).

I stare at a computer screen (LG UltraFine 5K) all day for work and night for graduate school courses; there is no reason to deliberately cause headaches for myself with an OLED PWM phone display.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Well sadly for me the SE3 seems like a 6SSSSS so I’ll stick with my trusty 11. Far too many compromises for me personally. But, the bright side is we are now half way to the 14. I expect nothing to be different but at least it’s the halfway mark to a new opportunity. I gave up on the 13 series very quickly so it’s been a nice headache/eye strain free 5 months.