Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[nStyle]

Had no issues on the X. Decided I’d get the 13 and for now and see what the 15 or 16 brings because I want better battery life.

BUT I’m experiencing some eye fatigue on the 13 whereas I didn’t at all on the X. I don’t know what it is. Also, I own a midrange Samsung phone with OLED that doesn’t fatigue my eyes either. Something about the 13…or it could just be in my head.

Another issue I’m having is I notice that the screen “pulses” like it’s adjusting brightness or changing color temp when I’m in a dim room and I’m looking at a screen with darker colors.

Any advice? I really don’t want to go back to the X but I don’t know what to do.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Had no issues on the X. Decided I’d get the 13 and for now and see what the 15 or 16 brings because I want better battery life.

BUT I’m experiencing some eye fatigue on the 13 whereas I didn’t at all on the X. I don’t know what it is. Also, I own a midrange Samsung phone with OLED that doesn’t fatigue my eyes either. Something about the 13…or it could just be in my head.

Another issue I’m having is I notice that the screen “pulses” like it’s adjusting brightness or changing color temp when I’m in a dim room and I’m looking at a screen with darker colors.

Any advice? I really don’t want to go back to the X but I don’t know what to do.

You could try changing some settings but ultimately if you don't feel comfortable with it this is unlikely to change.

These are options (one or all)
True Tone: off.
Attention aware: off.
Reduce white point.
Reduce motion.

 

[jntdroid]

Another issue I’m having is I notice that the screen “pulses” like it’s adjusting brightness or changing color temp when I’m in a dim room and I’m looking at a screen with darker colors.

Noticed this as well, especially on the 13 line. I think the True Tone and auto brightness get confused in certain lighting environments and just don’t know where to settle.

 

[Uncohtwo]

Long time observer here. First and foremost, thanks to all that have shared their experiences over the years. It was nice to know I wasn’t the only one affected by the switch to OLED, and your observations greatly helped me with decisions. Thank you!

I wanted to share my experience now as I type this out on a 14 pro max. I’m coming from an 11, after giving up on the 11 pro and the 13 pro in years prior. The 14 PM is…fine for me? With prior models, I had headaches and/or nausea within 5-10 minutes of looking at the screen. For whatever reason, over the past 8 days I can use the 14PM with a relatively mild and occasional reaction (namely, slight eye strain; feels like the beginning of a headache that never comes). In some settings, I can use it without even noticing any reaction. And it feels like I’m adjusting to the display such that the reactions are lessening all together.

That said, there is *some* reaction still, and I’m debating whether it’s worth giving it a go or if I should return. One thing I noticed — when I put a glass screen protector on, my reaction got worse. Quicker motion sickness feeling (albeit still mild), etc. Taking the screen protector off made it noticeably better. Not sure why.

I saw some others mention the 13 mini worked for them, and the PWM flicker may be less intense on that model. I went to the Apple Store this week and messed around with the mini for about 20 minutes with no perceivable reaction. Of course, the Apple Store is not a sufficient test environment, so I’m tempted to grab one and bring it home for a real test, then go with either the mini or the 14PM so long as my reactions remain mild and infrequent. The improvements on these models (particularly the camera) are incredible. The 11 is a great phone, but after playing with this thing for a week I’d be disappointed if I had to go back.

Has anyone else had success with the mini? Or anyone go back to the 13 or 13 mini after trying the 14 P/PM? And thanks for letting me add my voice to the topic. Cheers y’all.

 

[john g.]

One thing I noticed — when I put a glass screen protector on, my reaction got worse. Quicker motion sickness feeling (albeit still mild), etc. Taking the screen protector off made it noticeably better. Not sure why.

This is very interesting to me. I've always used a glass screen protector on all my phones.

Yet, sometimes I wondered if it makes PWM symptoms worse or better.
To clarify, not necessarily the primary symptoms of PWM, but the associated potential nausea and motion sickness symptoms

Anybody else have any experience with this?


Maybe I should take my screen protector off and give it a go.

 

[Uncohtwo]

This is very interesting to me. I've always used a glass screen protector on all my phones.

Yet, sometimes I wondered if it makes PWM symptoms worse or better.
To clarify, not necessarily the primary symptoms of PWM, but the associated potential nausea and motion sickness symptoms

Anybody else have any experience with this?


Maybe I should take my screen protector off and give it a go.

Same. I always put one on immediately. I didn’t have one on last weekend when I was first setting up/messing around with it, which is when I started to feel hopeful that this phone might work out. During the week it felt worse though, and the only thing that changed was putting a screen protector on Sunday night. I removed it on Friday afternoon, and things are better (though not fully resolved). The motion sickness is the biggest thing that I noticed — haven’t felt a tinge of that since taking the protector off.

 

[Artvandelay1212]

Anyone else here think the eye strain could come from the infrared in the Face ID? You apparently can't turn it off. Even if you turn off "attention aware", it still blasts out infrared. I block them with electrical tape and the eye pain goes away. This is also on the XR which is LCD as you all know.

 

[sorgo †]

Anyone else here think the eye strain could come from the infrared in the Face ID? You apparently can't turn it off. Even if you turn off "attention aware", it still blasts out infrared. I block them with electrical tape and the eye pain goes away. This is also on the XR which is LCD as you all know.

Nah, I always have Attention Aware off but I know Face ID isn’t the issue. I didn’t experience any eye strain on my 11 and even considerably less on my 12 than on my current 13 mini.

 

[Artvandelay1212]

Nah, I always have Attention Aware off but I know Face ID isn’t the issue. I didn’t experience any eye strain on my 11 and even considerably less on my 12 than on my current 13 mini.

I understand it doesn't bother most people. Just wondering if anyone had the same experience. It actually just bothers one of my eyes that is a little more sensitive than the other.

 

[happy orchard]

So are fellow sufferers mainly using an iPhone 11 as their go to phone? Is that currently the best available option? I’m currently on an iPhone 8 but the storage is full and battery health down to 81% hence upgrading to the 14pro in the hope it was viable. It wasn’t. Is it worth trying to pick up a refurbished 11?

I would say yes it's worth it to pick up a refurbished 11.

1. It's a good phone with the latest tech you can get on a Face ID phone. You also get more storage, fresh battery, all that stuff.

2. If a new SE comes out next spring, it might be an XR, rather than an 11, remake, so there might be things you prefer to have on the 11 (like the extra camera lens?)

3. If a new SE does come and you like it better, you can trade in your 11 for the new SE.

4. The new SE may not come until later than next spring.

However, your 8 is good for the rest of this year on the latest iOS. Seems like it's going to drop off the supported list next fall, so you could hold on to your 8 until then...?

 

[sorgo †]

4. The new SE may not come until later than next spring.

I (selfishly) hope this ends up being the case. I have a 2022 SE on the way (256GB, Starlight ) and on top of the minor personal inconvenience it would be the first time there has been significantly less than ~two years between SE generations. Which processor do you think they’d use if that were the case? The 13 Pro-level A15 with extra GPU core or A16? Seems to me that the cannibalization threat posed by a budget phone with the latest Pro-level processor would be too great…

If, hypothetically, there were an SE released this coming spring I think it would probably come in an XR body with the same A15, or hopefully that from the 13 Pro, but I sorta doubt they’d already be sticking the A16 in there.

 

[happy orchard]

Anyone else here think the eye strain could come from the infrared in the Face ID? You apparently can't turn it off. Even if you turn off "attention aware", it still blasts out infrared. I block them with electrical tape and the eye pain goes away. This is also on the XR which is LCD as you all know.

I'm with @sorgo on this in that I used the XR and the 11 comfortably with 'attention aware' off but still used Face ID. However, I will say that I have heard of people who did have issues with the XR and 11 and did better when they turned off Face ID.

Just seems like more data to suggest that this is a spectrum of problems with a spectrum of causes. So it's helpful we can share experiences and ideas, and then we're left to our own devices(--totally unintended pun that I'm absolutely enjoying!) to decide.

 

[sorgo †]

I'm with @sorgo on this in that I used the XR and the 11 comfortably with 'attention aware' off but still used Face ID. However, I will say that I have heard of people who did have issues with the XR and 11 and did better when they turned off Face ID.

Just seems like more data to suggest that this is a spectrum of problems with a spectrum of causes. So it's helpful we can share experiences and ideas, and then we're left to our own devices(--totally unintended pun that I'm absolutely enjoying!) to decide.

Yeah, to be fair, shooting hundreds/thousands of tiny infrared laser beams all over one’s face and eyes probably isn’t going to help alleviate any eye strain issues, but my point is that I don’t believe it’s the crux of the issue. But yes, perhaps it does make the symptoms worse.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Interesting video to show those that don't experience this. WARNING video contains flashing and strobing lights.

PWM Flicker

PWM Flicker is a flashing in modern lights caused by flashing lights on and off to simulate dimming. Most people can't see it, but a small percentage of people…

vimeo.com

 

[happy orchard]

I (selfishly) hope this ends up being the case. I have a 2022 SE on the way (256GB, Starlight ) and on top of the minor personal inconvenience it would be the first time there has been significantly less than ~two years between SE generations. Which processor do you think they’d use if that were the case? The 13 Pro-level A15 with extra GPU core or A16? Seems to me that the cannibalization threat posed by a budget phone with the latest Pro-level processor would be too great…

If, hypothetically, there were an SE released this coming spring I think it would probably come in an XR body with the same A15, or hopefully that from the 13 Pro, but I sorta doubt they’d already be sticking the A16 in there.

The rumors about a 2023 release keep coming, but I keep wondering. The SE isn't really the model that needs annual renewals. Hasn't had them in the past. However, if Apple somehow had not been ready in 2022 and just re-released essentially the same iPhone 8 model, maybe they actually will release a new SE 2023.

The chip is confusing, too, and maybe another reason they don't release next year. Doesn't seem they'd give the SE a better chip than the standard model, so yes, I would guess A15.

I also wonder if Apple did wait until 2024, maybe they'd use an 11 for the extra lens? But I'm pretty sure that's just my wishful thinking.

That's why I'm not relying on 2023 for an SE. If it happens, cool. But that's why I'm holding on to my 11. (And my 14Pro.)

 

[happy orchard]

Yeah, to be fair, shooting hundreds/thousands of tiny infrared laser beams all over one’s face and eyes probably isn’t going to help alleviate any eye strain issues, but my point is that I don’t believe it’s the crux of the issue. But yes, perhaps it does make the symptoms worse.

Oh I agree. Definitely don't think it's the crux.

I find, for me, the flicker really matters a lot. I have had progressively better experiences with each new model that has faster flicker (that's kinda fun to say). I'm sure there are other factors affecting me--and I know there are for others--but for me, I know the flicker matters a lot. I have issues with strobe lights, lights through fan blades, even sunlight through tall trees while driving at dawn and dusk.

So, it's good that we can figure out what bothers us. ...I think.

 

[happy orchard]

Interesting video to show those that don't experience this. WARNING video contains flashing and strobing lights.

PWM Flicker

PWM Flicker is a flashing in modern lights caused by flashing lights on and off to simulate dimming. Most people can't see it, but a small percentage of people…

vimeo.com

I'm kinda laughing because I started to click on this video but then I thought dude, the warning! Maybe you could just tell us sensitive creatures about it.

Also, @jimmy_uk: what phone are you trying or back to at the moment? The 7+?

 

[sorgo †]

Interesting video to show those that don't experience this. WARNING video contains flashing and strobing lights.

PWM Flicker

PWM Flicker is a flashing in modern lights caused by flashing lights on and off to simulate dimming. Most people can't see it, but a small percentage of people…

vimeo.com

Wow, what an absolutely excellent video. Thank you for sharing!

His bit about the OLED display on the pulse oximeter really hit home for me, especially when he described scanning his eye across the display and the ensuing “trail” of flicker. Precisely what I get with my 13 mini, most noticeably when scrolling (which I do a lot). Irritating and rather fatiguing to my prematurely aging eyes.

 

[john g.]

The rumors about a 2023 release keep coming, but I keep wondering. The SE isn't really the model that needs annual renewals. Hasn't had them in the past. However, if Apple somehow had not been ready in 2022 and just re-released essentially the same iPhone 8 model, maybe they actually will release a new SE 2023.

The only reason I am even somewhat hopeful that the bigger SE might come out in 2023 is that they discontinued the iPhone 11. That might fill the hole. I think that if they had kept the 11 in the lineup, I'd be thinking it was close to impossible for a 2023 release date.

 

[Chrispy]

My friend just picked up a standard 14 and I immediately asked him to bring it over so I can experiment, haha. I'm considering busting out my old Sony mirrorless and recording the screen at various shutter speeds. There's been a lot of slow motion video posted that seems to favor the 14 Pro, but I've not seen anything recorded at 60fps but with varying shutter speeds. I'm curious to see if I have an immediate negative reaction to the 14's screen like I had with the 14 Pro. If I do record some video and it's interesting, I will be sure to share.

 

[john g.]

Interesting video to show those that don't experience this. WARNING video contains flashing and strobing lights.

PWM Flicker

PWM Flicker is a flashing in modern lights caused by flashing lights on and off to simulate dimming. Most people can't see it, but a small percentage of people…

vimeo.com

That is a very informative video! Makes me want to check some of the lights in rooms that I hang out a lot in.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Also, @jimmy_uk: what phone are you trying or back to at the moment? The 7+?

Back on my 7 Plus 😑

I'm not settling for 11 or SE 2022 so I'm researching Android options but it's looks just as big a lottery but with harder options to return if it doesn't work out. For example: Samsungs online store has the worst customer service ratings on Trustpilot when things go wrong or refunds are required. I don't trust posting a £1000+ phone with couriers anyway.

All out of options this year.

 

[DJTaurus]

I ve used poco x3 and Samsung a52s with no issues. But these screens are amoleds right ?

 

[sorgo †]

Just tested my iPad and iPhone with Pulsation as per the recommendation of @kerplunknet. iPad 9th gen’s humble LCD was solidly flicker free, just lovely. iPhone 13 mini’s OLED was full of jagged scan-lines going northwest diagonally. Nice to be able to substantiate my instincts and ultimately my decision to move to an outwardly unassuming iPhone SE. I don’t care how nice the cameras are or how lovely the design feels in-hand. It simply isn’t worth the eye irritation, headaches, fatigue, and other potential negative health effects.

 

[5105973]

Oh I agree. Definitely don't think it's the crux.

I find, for me, the flicker really matters a lot. I have had progressively better experiences with each new model that has faster flicker (that's kinda fun to say). I'm sure there are other factors affecting me--and I know there are for others--but for me, I know the flicker matters a lot. I have issues with strobe lights, lights through fan blades, even sunlight through tall trees while driving at dawn and dusk.

So, it's good that we can figure out what bothers us. ...I think.

All those things make me miserable. My family can’t turn ceiling fan with lights on. Sunlight through leafless trees in winter is another hazard. If I can shut one eye it affects me less.

I’m doing okay on my 14 Pro Max. I sometimes feel eye strain. Sometimes not. At least it all goes away when I’m not using the display.

I was also using my m1 Air today. I’m glad I can use both devices. I’m not really able to use my other phones too much. I feel weird especially when using the other OLED phones.

I wish I could just have a 6-8 Plus with new internals. Those were the best screens. I don’t know if they did any of that dithering nonsense on them.

The only issues I had with those phones was terrible call quality. Otherwise I’d still be using them.