For me the vertigo took way past the return period to manifest. I don’t normally get headaches with my 14 Pro Max but unfortunately have done since I whacked my forehead hard. I’m on my iPhone 11 again until the concussion heals, assuming I have a concussion.
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Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up
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I’m curious about the 60Hz PWM on iPhone 14. iPhone X and iPhone 13 Mini had 60Hz rates that didn’t work for me, but I’d like to think that Apple would only do the same on iPhone 14 if they offered a new type of brightness controller.
As noted, Notebookcheck found this for iPhone 14 Plus:
To control the screen brightness, the iPhone 14 Plus is almost likely to rely on DC dimming. This cannot be said exactly, as Apple does not provide any information about which display control is used. In any case, we notice that the display flickers at a constant 59 Hz in all brightness levels measured by us. In contrast to brightness control via PWM (pulse width modulation), which is typically characterized by highly fluctuating frequencies, the constant display flicker of the iPhone 14 Plus is much less strenuous for most users and should therefore not disturb sensitive users.
Even 75% brightness looks comparatively smooth.
FWIW this is Apple Watch Series 5, the most recent with display measurements:
Under controlled lighting conditions, we find that the display flickers at 60Hz, the culprit of which we suspect is the OLED panel that Apple has used. We cannot detect pulse-width modulation (PWM) though, so you should not suffer from headaches or eyestrain when using and wearing the Watch Series 5 for prolonged periods.
Then this is iPhone 14 Plus, which is said to possibly have DC dimming:
I had a theory that Apple took my suggestion to implement the same brightness controller as on Apple Watch, but the Apple Watch curves are still more stable. It has had no PWM for years so this is all for naught.
Under controlled lighting conditions, we find that the display flickers at 60Hz, the culprit of which we suspect is the OLED panel that Apple has used. We cannot detect pulse-width modulation (PWM) though, so you should not suffer from headaches or eyestrain when using and wearing the Watch Series 5 for prolonged periods.
Then this is iPhone 14 Plus, which is said to possibly have DC dimming:
I had a theory that Apple took my suggestion to implement the same brightness controller as on Apple Watch, but the Apple Watch curves are still more stable. It has had no PWM for years so this is all for naught.
This will be interesting to see if the placebo affect of knowing this plays into my tolerance to the display over the next few days. I do worry am I imagining the migraines are from the phone in a sort of PTSD way from previous experiences.I’m curious about the 60Hz PWM on iPhone 14. iPhone X and iPhone 13 Mini had 60Hz rates that didn’t work for me, but I’d like to think that Apple would only do the same on iPhone 14 if they offered a new type of brightness controller.
As noted, Notebookcheck found this for iPhone 14 Plus:
To control the screen brightness, the iPhone 14 Plus is almost likely to rely on DC dimming. This cannot be said exactly, as Apple does not provide any information about which display control is used. In any case, we notice that the display flickers at a constant 59 Hz in all brightness levels measured by us. In contrast to brightness control via PWM (pulse width modulation), which is typically characterized by highly fluctuating frequencies, the constant display flicker of the iPhone 14 Plus is much less strenuous for most users and should therefore not disturb sensitive users.
Even 75% brightness looks comparatively smooth.
When I read stuff like this, somehow I think of a victim of abuse: “He doesn’t hit me that much.” Dude shouldn’t be hitting you at all.
One thing that concerns me is that like a lot of other product like the iPads and laptops, that future iterations of the Apple Watch will suddenly have flickering.
Pretty sure most, if not all, of us here sharing have thought all of those things too.
When I read things I wrote, about it being so far so good or even not as bad. Not as bad?! We are all trying so hard to make something work.
Maybe return it and then, if you feel like you want to try it again, re-order it during the holiday season with the extended return policy?
It makes me hesitant to try Apple Watch Ultra.
As I’ve said multiple times in this thread, I have zero sensitivity to the display on the standard Apple Watch and it’s due to its lack of PWM. Taking that brightness controller and replicating it on all of Apple’s future OLED displays would probably be a solution.
Yes. But actually when I read this from @MICHAELSD
I had a theory that Apple took my suggestion to implement the same brightness controller as on Apple Watch, but the Apple Watch curves are still more stable. It has had no PWM for years so this is all for naught.
I thought awesome that Apple can make OLED that doesn't hurt me/us!
If I were to choose Kindle, I would say the newer Oasis models. (The newer have warm light, which, if you're ever going to use backlight, is gentler on the eyes.) I can share more about it in a conversation, so ebooks don't usurp or interrupt this thread.
I suppose it’s easier said than done for reasons of burn-in, battery life, or display longevity. The fact of the matter is that Apple Watch has had a PWM-free OLED before iPhone X even existed, proving that it’s possible.
We need a user to measure the latest iPhone lineup to determine amplitudes. Maybe iPhone 14/iPhone 14 Plus target amplitudes lower than that of 3.79% on iPhone 13 Mini throughout their brightness range. Although our eyes could tell us the same, it’s just potentially more hassle and returns.
It’s almost irresponsible of Apple that if a solution exists they haven’t implemented it.
Instead we’re still experiencing constant tension headaches and migraines, but it’s also irresponsible of us to continue using these iPhones once we’ve determined a sensitivity.
I suppose I didn’t want to box up my new MacBook Pro either and return yet another product over PWM, yet when I use it I have to occasionally get punched in the back of the eyeball. It’s like I’m using it for work, and getting migraines at the same time.
Instead we’re still experiencing constant tension headaches and migraines, but it’s also irresponsible of us to continue using these iPhones once we’ve determined a sensitivity.
I suppose I didn’t want to box up my new MacBook Pro either and return yet another product over PWM, yet when I use it I have to occasionally get punched in the back of the eyeball. It’s like I’m using it for work, and getting migraines at the same time.
Had to get the classic slow motion video clip before boxing up the 14 Plus. The 14 Plus is next to the XR recorded in slow motion 240 fps on the iPad Mini 6. It probably goes without saying, but don't watch if video of screen flickering is uncomfortable to your eyes. But for those who are curious, here you go!
Back on my 11 and returned the 14. My eyes are no longer strained.
Had to make an appointment today at apple to have the screen replaced (no express replacements available in my area), this is on my apple refurbished iPhone 11 bought 2 weeks ago.
One thing I’ll miss is the weight of the standard 14! The 14’s weight is more balanced also.
The red square shows the area of the display with no oleophobic coating 🤣 you can see near the Face ID cut out and under the screen protector. Unable to wipe fingerprints clear…
Had to make an appointment today at apple to have the screen replaced (no express replacements available in my area), this is on my apple refurbished iPhone 11 bought 2 weeks ago.
One thing I’ll miss is the weight of the standard 14! The 14’s weight is more balanced also.
The red square shows the area of the display with no oleophobic coating 🤣 you can see near the Face ID cut out and under the screen protector. Unable to wipe fingerprints clear…
Attachments
It’s on the German site but you can translate using Chrome.
Test Apple iPhone 14 Plus Smartphone - Größer, aber auch besser als das iPhone 14?
Das Apple iPhone 14 Plus ist ein 6,7 Zoll großes Smartphone mit iOS 16 und einem 2778 x 1284 Pixel auflösenden OLED-Display. Als SoC kommt der Apple A15 Bionic zum Einsatz und wird dabei von 6 GB RAM und bis zu 512 GB NVMe-Speicher unterstützt. Weitere Ausstattungsmerkmale des wasserdichten...
www.notebookcheck.com
It’s on the German site but you can translate using Chrome.
Test Apple iPhone 14 Plus Smartphone - Größer, aber auch besser als das iPhone 14?
Das Apple iPhone 14 Plus ist ein 6,7 Zoll großes Smartphone mit iOS 16 und einem 2778 x 1284 Pixel auflösenden OLED-Display. Als SoC kommt der Apple A15 Bionic zum Einsatz und wird dabei von 6 GB RAM und bis zu 512 GB NVMe-Speicher unterstützt. Weitere Ausstattungsmerkmale des wasserdichten...
Yikes…
So, which is it? DC dimming would be quite unlikely as that would make this the only OLED iPhone without PWM, right?
From what I can gather, they are saying the dimming is controlled via DC dimming because the 59 Hz frequency doesn't change with brightness levels. However, the phone still very much has PWM in use. Perhaps for power savings or maybe it makes the OLED less prone to burn in? Or maybe (and most likely) display controllers that use PWM are just cheaper.
Or Notebookcheck is equally as confused as we are.
Did Apple get lazy and reduce the PWM to 59-60Hz on iPhone 14 in an effort to increase battery life or create the most efficient display calibration possible when they could have re-used the 610Hz rate from iPhone 13, or did they incorporate 60Hz with some degree of DC dimming that more closely mirrors a LCD display or an Apple Watch?
It sounds like iPhone 14 would lead to perhaps the worst headaches and migraines of any OLED iPhone yet, yet experiences for PWM-sensitive users haven’t been quite as drastic and there are some people on Reddit that couldn’t use any OLED iPhone until iPhone 14.
I’ll have to look at them in a store to have any idea of what to expect, but in some odd way it does sound like Apple is heading in the right direction and experimenting with multiple PWM implementations. Then again, they could resolve this by taking the PWM-free brightness controller on the Apple Watch which existed prior to iPhone X and adding it to iPhone 15.
There must be somebody on Apple’s display team saying to make the amplitudes lower, and a constant back-and-forth between engineers for power efficiency and color accuracy. But we really just need them to stop using PWM and I’m not sure how many more times I have to or should use my energy typing that.
I’ve seen some people complain their always-on display Apple Watches have started to develop image retention so maybe this is the reason Apple haven’t introduced the same brightness controller to the iPhones. Not that the regular 14 has AOD but the screen on a phone would be in use quite a bit more than an Apple Watch (pre-AOD) so might be prone to this issue happening. I haven’t personally had an issue with image retention on my year old Series 7.
Hello. I have also a iPhone XR , can’t use the iPad mini led without feel not perfect and same with oled phones or laptops.
Even with strong Wi-Fi I get sometimes a problem.
I don’t know what’s the reasons for anyone, but for me it’s for sure because I have Asperger. A very high function version , so for me even the plus side is much much more on this condition then negative effects. But one negative effect is for sure to react much more sensitive for touch, noise and light (stroboscopic light, Silvester rockets, laser shows sometimes , fast moving lights …..).
Maybe some of you have a problem because of same reason and don’t even know, I did very late learn about my condition, always thought the others are little different 😊.
Even with strong Wi-Fi I get sometimes a problem.
I don’t know what’s the reasons for anyone, but for me it’s for sure because I have Asperger. A very high function version , so for me even the plus side is much much more on this condition then negative effects. But one negative effect is for sure to react much more sensitive for touch, noise and light (stroboscopic light, Silvester rockets, laser shows sometimes , fast moving lights …..).
Maybe some of you have a problem because of same reason and don’t even know, I did very late learn about my condition, always thought the others are little different 😊.
It sure would be nice to hear some success stories. I feel like many of us have tried some versions of the 14 series in the last 30 days or so.
Off the top of my head, I can’t think of one single person who is keeping their phone relatively symptom-free. 🙁
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