Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[okkibs]

What do you mean when you say PWM bars? With OLED displays each pixel is individually lit, there isn't any backlight that could show up in bars like it happens on some/older LCD screens. How noticeable PWM is depends mostly on the frequency it uses, last year's 13 Pro actually had a higher frequency and was better in that regard than the Pro Max. Unless Apple changed anything, the Pro Max is not great for people who tend to notice the flickering.

But some people can notice the flickering even at 500Hz and above, and would be affected by virtually all OLED iPhone screens.

 

[PwmMen]

The bars are much thicker on the iPhone 14 Pro and go top to bottom.
The display seems to be a blessing to me as I don't notice anything. With the other models, I had a slight reaction immediately after the first few minutes. Though I thought I didn't notice. Now in comparison, my eyes reacted immediately. The iPhone 14 Pro Max could finally make me happy. Thanks

Here the PWM Video from my iPhone 14 Pro Max:
@GrumpyMom Without your experiences I would not have tested the Max at all and would have been with the iPhone 12 Pro.

 

[Chrispy]

I do wonder if the larger PM devices are easier for some of us due to the larger size of the screen. I did notice when in the store yesterday that the 14PM was easier on my eyes for the brief period messing with it waiting for someone to process my 14P return. I was also reminded what a beast it is, lol. My largest issue with OLED is maintaining focus and I think it's the flicker causing my eyes to micro focus hunt. I would think I needed readers if I didn't have my XR sitting next to me to confirm I can indeed see things up close. The XR actually scales the OS a bit smaller than the newer 6.1" devices so it should be harder to read. So perhaps the larger screen reduces the needed focusing, thus bringing the eye strain down. Just a thought. If that's the case, then I'm going to have to accept huge phone life at some point, haha.

 

[dimitricook]

I do wonder if the larger PM devices are easier for some of us due to the larger size of the screen. I did notice when in the store yesterday that the 14PM was easier on my eyes for the brief period messing with it waiting for someone to process my 14P return. I was also reminded what a beast it is, lol. My largest issue with OLED is maintaining focus and I think it's the flicker causing my eyes to micro focus hunt. I would think I needed readers if I didn't have my XR sitting next to me to confirm I can indeed see things up close. The XR actually scales the OS a bit smaller than the newer 6.1" devices so it should be harder to read. So perhaps the larger screen reduces the needed focusing, thus bringing the eye strain down. Just a thought. If that's the case, then I'm going to have to accept huge phone life at some point, haha.

I was really thinking the exact same last year with the 13 pro max. I did try this phone and had no success but if i have to give up my 14pro i will defenetly try the 14 pro max first. Keep me updated!

 

[dimitricook]

 

[Chrispy]

Any of us sensitive folk tried the 13 mini? Someone asked me about it, and I realized I'd never even tried it. How did it go for those of you who tried it?

I tried out the 13 Mini earlier this year in my hunt for a less chunky device and quickly came to the realization the screen was too small for me. I couldn't tell if it was the screen being too small straining my eyes or the PWM flicker. Making the fonts larger helped but then everything was really packed into that lil display. Regardless, it didn't work out for me. I didn't feel super terrible using it or anything but I was getting some eye fatigue.

 

[5105973]

Look here:
The bars are much thicker on the iPhone 14 Pro and go top to bottom.
The display seems to be a blessing to me as I don't notice anything. With the other models, I had a slight reaction immediately after the first few minutes. Though I thought I didn't notice. Now in comparison, my eyes reacted immediately. The iPhone 14 Pro Max could finally make me happy. Thanks @GrumpyMom Without your experiences I would not have tested the Max at all and would have been with the iPhone 12 Pro.

View attachment 2084385

I hope it works out really well for you!

In looking at the comments about the LCD phones and how some people feel like they’re settling, the weird thing for me is I really enjoyed my SE3 and my iPhone 11. I don’t feel they’re that dated and next summer I definitely want to switch back to my SE3 because it’s so small and it’s very capable and I even get good battery life with it. In the summer I like a small phone that fits easily into smaller summer purses and pockets of light clothing.

I’m just worried going back if I want to is no longer an option, now that I know those displays caused me to lose almost a quarter, growing gradually into a third, of my peripheral vision in my left eye to that white shimmering fog. What on earth is that problem?

It’s not even an iPhone problem. I first noticed it when I got my Nintendo Switch console and was binge playing Animal Crossing on it. That’s the LCD version of the switch. I’ve read that a LOT of people have trouble with the OLED version of the Switch due to pwm being pretty bad on it.

My opthamologist assured me my eyes are really healthy. He doesn’t know what this is but he says my eyes check out fine.

 

[Fatal1ty666]

The bars are much thicker on the iPhone 14 Pro and go top to bottom.
The display seems to be a blessing to me as I don't notice anything. With the other models, I had a slight reaction immediately after the first few minutes. Though I thought I didn't notice. Now in comparison, my eyes reacted immediately. The iPhone 14 Pro Max could finally make me happy. Thanks

Here the PWM Video from my iPhone 14 Pro Max:
@GrumpyMom Without your experiences I would not have tested the Max at all and would have been with the iPhone 12 Pro.

View attachment 2084385

Can´t confirm this. The IP14 Pro has the same diagonal pattern.

 

[Chrispy]

My opthamologist assured me my eyes are really healthy. He doesn’t know what this is but he says my eyes check out fine.

That is a very odd and frustrating thing to be experiencing. I'm sorry you are struggling with that. The reality is many of us forget our eyes weren't designed to deal with these screens. Any of them really. OLEDs just seem to take the potential irritating factors and turns them up in the name of contrast ratio, HDR and battery endurance. Because we are all so different, it's impossible to know until we use things what we can and cannot handle comfortably, which is frustrating for sure! However, I have to say I'm proud of this little group of us here doing this work and asking questions. We're taking care of our health and trying to find solutions. That's more than most. I think a lot of people just accept headaches and eye strain as part of the tradeoff for extremely powerful tech in our pockets with screens so clear it looks like you could reach into them.

 

[PwmMen]

Can´t confirm this. The IP14 Pro has the same diagonal pattern.

But the bars a definitely thicker!

 

[sorgo †]

My SE arrives today, according to the UPS site How are you holding up with yours so far, @Wig321?

 

[Uncohtwo]

So it sounds like:

14 pro = noticeable effects; most have returned to store.

14 PM = mixed responses; those impacted report mild but recognizable/sustained effects, while others seem to be compatible.

14 (non-pro) = most successful option so far? Minimal effects reported, though some have returned?

In sum, nothing is perfect, but the regular 14 might be the best option for this cycle?

 

[jimmy_uk]

The lack of temporal dithering might explain how I was able to use this phone without feeling any eye strain while using the 14 Pro for one evening. But the PWM frequency must still be too low as I felt brain tension when setting it up, which passed (or my chemistry adjusted so no pain was felt), but the next day the migraine and eye fatigue I felt was brutal.

 

[Evilxardas]

The lack of temporal dithering might explain how I was able to use this phone without feeling any eye strain while using the 14 Pro for one evening. But the PWM frequency must still be too low as I felt brain tension when setting it up, which passed (or my chemistry adjusted so no pain was felt), but the next day the migraine and eye fatigue I felt was brutal.

14P don't use any dithering from that video!

 

[jimmy_uk]

14P don't use any dithering from that video!

Agreed, I think my post was clear?
No temporal dithering = good (no eye pain in use)
PWM = Still bad (migraine)

 

[john g.]

Any of us sensitive folk tried the 13 mini? Someone asked me about it, and I realized I'd never even tried it. How did it go for those of you who tried it?

Yes, I tried it last year for about a week. As Michael SD and I have said repeatedly, our favorite phone. I remember it not being as bad as other years but I felt like I couldn't get on with the PWM from it. Course now I am experiencing minor symptoms occasionally with my 14 that I'm testing. I'm curious about how the 13 mini would feel now but I'm not gonna go down that road because then I will have like six different phones that I am testing and my eyes will bug out of my head.

I will say that although I had symptoms from the 13 mini they were absolutely nothing like my mother-in-law's regular 13. Still to this day I can't look at that phone more than a minute. It's kind of like the iPhone X for me. A complete no go.

If you like that size, and I very much did, it has a lot to offer. Plus, SIM card tray!

 

[Dejected]

I just came from a store ..
I went there to test the 14 Pro and unfortunately after just 5 mins I suffered a headache and eyestrain
same symptoms as 11 pro - 12 pro - 13 pro which I tried last years
I guess I am super sensitive to PWM ..I also faced the same problem with oled laptops

 

[PwmMen]

So, after 3 hours of display-on a first interim result. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is a real relief compared to the iPhone 13 Pro, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14. After 3 hours of permanent use, I have no Cop pain, no travel sickness and no severe eye pain. At the end I noticed my eyes minimally, but it wasn't uncomfortable. After 10-15 minutes they were quite normal again. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is really a relief and I can keep it. I would say it gets 95%from me. But I am ready to forego the last 5% and am now looking forward to a current OLED iPhone on the level of the time that I can use.

 

[happy orchard]

So, after 3 hours of display-on a first interim result. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is a real relief compared to the iPhone 13 Pro, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14. After 3 hours of permanent use, I have no Cop pain, no travel sickness and no severe eye pain. At the end I noticed my eyes minimally, but it wasn't uncomfortable. After 10-15 minutes they were quite normal again. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is really a relief and I can keep it. I would say it gets 95%from me. But I am ready to forego the last 5% and am now looking forward to a current OLED iPhone on the level of the time that I can use.

Hmmm. I returned a 14PM after four days (because of the size) and exchanged it for a 14P. My whole body deflates at the thought of having to go exchange the 14P for a 14PM, but I keep hearing people say the 14PM is doing better for them.

Also at about midnight, I started considering the 13 mini.

Honestly, at this point, I can't tell anything anymore. I'm tired of trying phones. Actually, part of me would love to have a whole bunch of phones and just switch them out--but that's just too ridiculous. Now I'm having that overwhelmed reaction of "I just want to choose one phone and be done!" I'm about to just take the 14P back and just use my 11 and be done with it.

My boyfriend suggested that I needed to stay off the forums and screens in general today (because it's a day off for me) to give myself a rest. Then he asked what I had planned to do with my day, "I was gonna check the forums and maybe go to the Apple Store."

Help me.

 

[happy orchard]

I just came from a store ..
I went there to test the 14 Pro and unfortunately after just 5 mins I suffered a headache and eyestrain
same symptoms as 11 pro - 12 pro - 13 pro which I tried last years
I guess I am super sensitive to PWM ..I also faced the same problem with oled laptops

So do you have a phone that you can use and are happy with?

 

[Dejected]

So do you have a phone that you can use and are happy with?

iPhone 8
iPhone 11
iPhone SE 2
iPad air 5
IPS laptops

I've used all these devices with zero issues .. No problems at all

I think I'm the only one who is ( super ) sensitive

 

[AJTC]

Scheduled a return of my iPhone 14. I gave it a break after the migraine I had yesterday and went back to my 11. Then tried my 14 when I felt recovered today and I got another migraine within a few minutes.

Now just hoping for a 3rd gen SE in the XR/11 form factor.

 

[happy orchard]

Scheduled a return of my iPhone 14. I gave it a break after the migraine I had yesterday and went back to my 11. Then tried my 14 when I felt recovered today and I got another migraine within a few minutes.

Now just hoping for a 3rd gen SE in the XR/11 form factor.

Well, you definitely tried, and you definitely know what works and doesn't for you. That's good in itself. 👌🏻

 

[dimitricook]

iPhone 8
iPhone 11
iPhone SE 2
iPad air 5
IPS laptops

I've used all these devices with zero issues .. No problems at all

I think I'm the only one who is ( super ) sensitive

I can´t even tolerate the 8 after a certain update something changed for me. And i never was able to tolerate the 11.

 

[sorgo †]

Hmmm. I returned a 14PM after four days (because of the size) and exchanged it for a 14P. My whole body deflates at the thought of having to go exchange the 14P for a 14PM, but I keep hearing people say the 14PM is doing better for them.

Also at about midnight, I started considering the 13 mini.

Honestly, at this point, I can't tell anything anymore. I'm tired of trying phones. Actually, part of me would love to have a whole bunch of phones and just switch them out--but that's just too ridiculous. Now I'm having that overwhelmed reaction of "I just want to choose one phone and be done!" I'm about to just take the 14P back and just use my 11 and be done with it.

My boyfriend suggested that I needed to stay off the forums and screens in general today (because it's a day off for me) to give myself a rest. Then he asked what I had planned to do with my day, "I was gonna check the forums and maybe go to the Apple Store."

Help me.

If you’re measurably sensitive to PWM, I would strongly suggest NOT going with the 13 mini. As nice as it is in many ways, the flickering screen is still very much there and a problem for those of us with this sensitivity. In fact I’m about to switch to a third-gen SE from a 13 mini because of it.