Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[The.Glorious.Son]

Well guys/gals… @jimmy_uk, @GrumpyMom, @MICHAELSD, @Mr.Simple, @GlenK, @dimitricook, @AJTC, @kerplunknet, @now i see it, and all others who’ve been suffering…IF you can use the new phone, will you go 6.1” or 6.7”? I love having a larger screen but the weight of the 6.7”’pro has gotten silly. I’m a pretty big guy and can one hand it no issue but it doesn’t discriminate against gym shorts pockets and such. The non-pro being lighter is not a consideration for me. Curious to hear your thoughts!! And I wish all of you luck!! Can we FINALLY put this thread to bed? 🤞🏼

 

[AJTC]

Well guys/gals… @jimmy_uk, @GrumpyMom, @MICHAELSD, @Mr.Simple, @GlenK, @dimitricook, @AJTC, @kerplunknet, @now i see it, and all others who’ve been suffering…IF you can use the new phone, will you go 6.1” or 6.7”? I love having a larger screen but the weight of the 6.7”’pro has gotten silly. I’m a pretty big guy and can one hand it no issue but it doesn’t discriminate against gym shorts pockets and such. The non-pro being lighter is not a consideration for me. Curious to hear your thoughts!! And I wish all of you luck!! Can we FINALLY put this thread to bed? 🤞🏼

I’m planning on ordering a 6.1” Pro and trying it out for 2 weeks. I’m not even waiting for YouTube videos or Notebook check because otherwise it could be a long time before I get one. I also think it’s worth seeing for myself whether it effects me so that there’s no placebo effect there around whether the PWM frequency is high or low.

Anything to upgrade from my 11 at this stage.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

I’m planning on ordering a 6.1” Pro and trying it out for 2 weeks. I’m not even waiting for YouTube videos or Notebook check because otherwise it could be a long time before I get one. I also think it’s worth seeing for myself whether it effects me so that there’s no placebo effect there around whether the PWM frequency is high or low.

Anything to upgrade from my 11 at this stage.

I feel like I could have written this myself lol. I’m still on the 11, need to see for myself, and don’t want any predisposition to stats and experiences so that I’m not in my own head before I even unbox it.

 

[dimitricook]

Well guys/gals… @jimmy_uk, @GrumpyMom, @MICHAELSD, @Mr.Simple, @GlenK, @dimitricook, @AJTC, @kerplunknet, @now i see it, and all others who’ve been suffering…IF you can use the new phone, will you go 6.1” or 6.7”? I love having a larger screen but the weight of the 6.7”’pro has gotten silly. I’m a pretty big guy and can one hand it no issue but it doesn’t discriminate against gym shorts pockets and such. The non-pro being lighter is not a consideration for me. Curious to hear your thoughts!! And I wish all of you luck!! Can we FINALLY put this thread to bed? 🤞🏼

I will go for the phone that doesn´t give me headache 😁😁😁😁 If i could choose it would be the more compact size but only a few days before we can pre-order. This year i am not going to read anything (or at least i will try) and order the 14pro regular size model. I will test an try for 2 weeks straight pain or not and than decide what it will be. I will not be influenced this time by reading comments 10x a day, like i did the previous years. I will let my own body decide.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

I will go for the phone that doesn´t give me headache 😁😁😁😁 If i could choose it would be the more compact size but only a few days before we can pre-order. This year i am not going to read anything (or at least i will try) and order the 14pro regular size model. I will test an try for 2 weeks straight pain or not and than decide what it will be. I will not be influenced this time by reading comments 10x a day, like i did the previous years. I will let my own body decide.

Same!!!!

 

[Howyalikdemapls]

I might order the 14ProMax… I have always loved bigger phones in my hand but hated them in my pockets… but I’ve been with the standard size for a while and am willing to give the max another shot.

Of course even if I love the 6.7” size I’m only going to keep it if I don’t get headaches.

 

[5105973]

I’m planning on ordering a 6.1” Pro and trying it out for 2 weeks. I’m not even waiting for YouTube videos or Notebook check because otherwise it could be a long time before I get one. I also think it’s worth seeing for myself whether it effects me so that there’s no placebo effect there around whether the PWM frequency is high or low.

Anything to upgrade from my 11 at this stage.

I’m going for the Pro Max. It’s annoying to carry in pockets and to stuff into small purse pockets, but the large dimensions lend it self better to me holding it like a hamster holds a cracker. So that will make it actually less of a strain on my joints to type on.

Also, unless there’s a noticeable defect promoting a return, I’ll keep it no matter what as a backup that my husband can use if something happens to his 14 Pro Max.

My 13 Pro has kind of a wonky camera that nobody in the family is keen on using so I kind of want to get it traded out.

A 14 Pro Max with no issues would not go to waste. I’d use it for the camera even if I can’t really bear to read on it much.

My iPhone 11 and SE3 will still be here for me.

Oh and good luck everyone!

 

[iCantSee]

This thread could be pretty depressing again in about 48 hours! Good luck everyone

 

[jimmy_uk]

Well guys/gals… @jimmy_uk, @GrumpyMom, @MICHAELSD, @Mr.Simple, @GlenK, @dimitricook, @AJTC, @kerplunknet, @now i see it, and all others who’ve been suffering…IF you can use the new phone, will you go 6.1” or 6.7”? I love having a larger screen but the weight of the 6.7”’pro has gotten silly. I’m a pretty big guy and can one hand it no issue but it doesn’t discriminate against gym shorts pockets and such. The non-pro being lighter is not a consideration for me. Curious to hear your thoughts!! And I wish all of you luck!! Can we FINALLY put this thread to bed? 🤞🏼

Going in with the two jumbo iPhones = 14 Pro Max and the 14 Plus. I'm not a fan of carrying larger iphones but I use it for everything so in this case, bigger is better.

Hoping that trying these two models will give me the spread for the two different types of display, M12 (Samsung)/RS-L (LG) for the Pro Max and M11 (Samsung) for the Plus, that Apple are planning on using (and that one of them works🤞)

I was able to use the standard 13 for almost a week last year. If the 14 had a spec change with the display then it would have been the main consideration, but so far it looks like it's the same phone.

If it's yet another no go year then I've got my eye on the HONOR 70 which is specced with a 1,920Hz PWM dimming frequency. Chinese android phones look to be attempting to deal with the eye strain issue while Apple and Samsung continue to be silent about it (in the mobile space).

Good luck all 🙏

 

[happy orchard]

Well guys/gals… @jimmy_uk, @GrumpyMom, @MICHAELSD, @Mr.Simple, @GlenK, @dimitricook, @AJTC, @kerplunknet, @now i see it, and all others who’ve been suffering…IF you can use the new phone, will you go 6.1” or 6.7”? I love having a larger screen but the weight of the 6.7”’pro has gotten silly. I’m a pretty big guy and can one hand it no issue but it doesn’t discriminate against gym shorts pockets and such. The non-pro being lighter is not a consideration for me. Curious to hear your thoughts!! And I wish all of you luck!! Can we FINALLY put this thread to bed? 🤞🏼

What a thought: to put this thread to bed. What delight that would be.

Also, I’m part of the all the others, and I’m going to try the 14PM. Be so awesome to be able to actually keep one of those phones.

However, to hedge my bet, I just traded in my old 11 for a new 11 a couple weeks ago to have a brand new phone that I know will last me awhile.

I would love to hear it’s better for some—if not all—think it would help all of us to know the situation is improving.

 

[Mr.Simple]

@ARizz44: Probably the iPhone 14 Pro Max because i prefer the bigger screen. But i could also adapt to a 6,1 inch display. I think the bigger screen is easier for my eyes to read text.

Until today i have not read one rumor about better/higher PWM implemention or DC Dimming. So i hope for a good surprise from Apple on wednesday.

 

[Septembersrain]

I thought most flagship phones from all manufacturers use OLED with PWM now. Which Android phone are you using?

LG V60 ThinQ 5G. Two of them. It isn't flagship. It's discontinued. Turns out newer isn't always better. Everyone has issues. Mine just sprung up. I couldn't look at the S22 in a demo.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Well guys/gals… @jimmy_uk, @GrumpyMom, @MICHAELSD, @Mr.Simple, @GlenK, @dimitricook, @AJTC, @kerplunknet, @now i see it, and all others who’ve been suffering…IF you can use the new phone, will you go 6.1” or 6.7”? I love having a larger screen but the weight of the 6.7”’pro has gotten silly. I’m a pretty big guy and can one hand it no issue but it doesn’t discriminate against gym shorts pockets and such. The non-pro being lighter is not a consideration for me. Curious to hear your thoughts!! And I wish all of you luck!! Can we FINALLY put this thread to bed? 🤞🏼

Frankly, I see no reason yet why this generation will be any different... but I'm still cautiously optimistic.

My prediction is that we could get a ~ 1920Hz rate, and symptoms for me will be reduced to 1-2/10 compared to iPhone X. Not sure whether that means it would be usable long-term. The ideal scenario would of course be zero flicker and zero symptoms.

Getting back to your question: as much as I've been enamored with the Mini iPhones as of late, 6.1" has traditionally been an awkward size for me that's not quite large enough for content and not quite small enough to make a difference in portability or single-handed use. Thus, I would happily go for the 6.7" Max.

Edit: The Max phone had the lowest PWM rate last generation, so if the standard 6.1" size incorporated true DC dimming then I would happily go for that.

 

[kargurin]

I'll probably buy the Pro Max and cross my fingers. I have a hard time looking at demos in stores and resisting confirmation bias. I just don't get the headaches after 10 minutes or so. It's gonna take an hour or two. I'll keep my old phone (Note 10) and I await the trade in deals which should be announced shortly. They've been pretty significant with recent releases. You usually have a couple weeks to mail your phone in if you do an internet order. Stores typically will hit you with a restocking fee if you return the phone.

 

[MICHAELSD]

I'll probably buy the Pro Max and cross my fingers. I have a hard time looking at demos in stores and resisting confirmation bias. I just don't get the headaches after 10 minutes or so. It's gonna take an hour or two. I'll keep my old phone (Note 10) and I await the trade in deals which should be announced shortly. They've been pretty significant with recent releases. You usually have a couple weeks to mail your phone in if you do an internet order. Stores typically will hit you with a restocking fee if you return the phone.

I don't love constantly returning iPhones, but I can't resist the temptation to at least try the latest generation--especially if it so happens that I'm awake at the time of pre-orders. I'll likely venture off to a store regardless with my friend who's on the iPhone Upgrade Program and likes to pick it up in person for the event.

It is disheartening that the best modern-day Apple devices mean persistent tension headaches, and I hope we see a change this generation. I'm certainly ready for an upgrade.

 

[iCantSee]

I'll probably buy the Pro Max and cross my fingers. I have a hard time looking at demos in stores and resisting confirmation bias. I just don't get the headaches after 10 minutes or so. It's gonna take an hour or two. I'll keep my old phone (Note 10) and I await the trade in deals which should be announced shortly. They've been pretty significant with recent releases. You usually have a couple weeks to mail your phone in if you do an internet order. Stores typically will hit you with a restocking fee if you return the phone.

Yeah same here. But it was such an annoying process. I tried to use it for like 5 days on every imaginable setting and had an absolutely unrelenting headache. Then I waited in line for the Genius Bar to return and there was some issue that required them to get in touch with AT&T, so we sat on hold for like 2 hours with AT&T with the Apple store employee. The AT&T rep wasn’t able to fix it so I had to go to the AT&T store just to get my XR working again. And the whole time my girlfriend was telling me that the eye strain issue was all in my head lol. Horrible experience 😂😂😂

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Frankly, I see no reason yet why this generation will be any different... but I'm still cautiously optimistic.

My prediction is that we could get a ~ 1920Hz rate, and symptoms for me will be reduced to 1-2/10 compared to iPhone X. Not sure whether that means it would be usable long-term. The ideal scenario would of course be zero flicker and zero symptoms.

Getting back to your question: as much as I've been enamored with the Mini iPhones as of late, 6.1" has traditionally been an awkward size for me that's not quite large enough for content and not quite small enough to make a difference in portability or single-handed use. Thus, I would happily go for the 6.7" Max.

Edit: The Max phone had the lowest PWM rate last generation, so if the standard 6.1" size incorporated true DC dimming then I would happily go for that.

I’d have to agree on things likely being the same. It’s been nearly a year since I tried the 13 series and forgot just how bad it is for me. Tonight I had to adjust screen time settings on my daughters 13. Only took about 6-10 minutes and I couldn’t hand her phone back fast enough. Just frustrating as hell and I’m getting sick of the forums and seeing all these people in other threads act like we are annoying, lying, or must be using our phones 7 hours straight

 

[MICHAELSD]

I didn't notice any issues with the Mini LED display on the MacBook Pro until I started testing one at home, although it does feel like an incredibly solid and premium computer otherwise. My concern is that a 15Hz PWM rate isn't enough to prevent symptoms, so even doubling or quadrupling the PWM on iPhone may just make it more frustrating like last year where it was almost usable. A 960Hz-2,000Hz rate is great in theory, but not if there are still lingering headaches that make it impractical to keep over a long period.

I also get instant symptoms from the latest iPhone's. We need flicker-free OLED's, or an Accessibility setting.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

To this point I know the 11, SE phones, watch 7, and M1 Air give me zero symptoms. If only a newer phone…

 

[1369281]

Well guys/gals… @jimmy_uk, @GrumpyMom, @MICHAELSD, @Mr.Simple, @GlenK, @dimitricook, @AJTC, @kerplunknet, @now i see it, and all others who’ve been suffering…IF you can use the new phone, will you go 6.1” or 6.7”? I love having a larger screen but the weight of the 6.7”’pro has gotten silly. I’m a pretty big guy and can one hand it no issue but it doesn’t discriminate against gym shorts pockets and such. The non-pro being lighter is not a consideration for me. Curious to hear your thoughts!! And I wish all of you luck!! Can we FINALLY put this thread to bed? 🤞🏼

Thanks for the @. I prefer smaller phones because they fit in my pocket better. I am currently rocking the SE 3rd generation, but like everyone else here, I am very curious to see if the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro use PWM, and if so, at what frequency. Based on absolutely nothing but intuition, I have a feeling that there is going to be a significant improvement this year. Fingers crossed for all of us!

 

[Expos of 1969]

This is even more difficult in countries with no Apple Store. My Authorized Apple Resellers and telecom carriers will only let you return a newly purchased product if it is broken. We are not able to casually purchase one or more products with the intention of trying them for up to 14 days to determine if they suit us. Last year I had to go through the hassle of selling a iPhone 13 mini privately after realizing it was bothering my eyes.

 

[iCantSee]

So, what’s the verdict?

 

[Squeak825]

So, what’s the verdict?

No one really knows until they get their hands on one, but there are enough "display" changes this year that there is >0 chance that they have made changes that might fix this. Always on, coupled with the new DisplayEngine in the A16 could change the display stack enough that this will be ok.

But, I wouldn't get our hopes up.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Well….bring on the headaches because I’ll own the 14 Pro Max regardless. Dynamic Island is the first true innovation I’ve seen Apple do in a long time.

 

[MICHAELSD]

I see no reason to believe that Apple’s display team didn’t couple all the new innovations with the standard PWM rates we’ve come to expect.

There is a new brightness controller for the always-on display and up to 2000nits brightness, but no indication from the presentation that there will be any PWM changes. At least last year they advertised a new brightness controller and we got doubled rates on all but the Max.

There are bound to be variations year-over-year, but we’ve done this enough times now to know not to get excited until we have iPhone 14 Pro to test and even then any type of flicker-free mode is unlikely.