Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[5105973]

@newellj definitely line them up and compare. You might be surprised at the differences. This is something I noticed before among my Samsung OLED Galaxy phones, that there is a lot of variance in brightness and tint and color shifting and other points of difference.

Because of these variances, it may be possible for people to find an X that doesn’t irritate their vision. I don’t know.

I did notice that when I bump my display down from 50% brightness I can detect the flicker. I can’t precisely see it, as I am not sure that’s even biologically possible. But I can detect it, meaning the text appears to be twitching a bit. It’s enough that it challenges my ability to focus on the text. It gives my eyeballs quite an odd workout and when I look up my own eyes feel a bit twitchy. Urgh, it’s such a challenge describing precisely what I’m feeling and perceiving.

This is on my own display. I’d need more time to test things out on my husband’s display and that’s a bit tricky to manage right now because we both have Christmas stuff on our phones, shipping notifications and such we don’t want each other to see.

 

[newellj]

Seriously, will check.

 

[newellj]

@newellj definitely line them up and compare. You might be surprised at the differences. This is something I noticed before among my Samsung OLED Galaxy phones, that there is a lot of variance in brightness and tint and color shifting and other points of difference.

Because of these variances, it may be possible for people to find an X that doesn’t irritate their vision. I don’t know.

I did notice that when I bump my display down from 50% brightness I can detect the flicker. I can’t precisely see it, as I am not sure that’s even biologically possible. But I can detect it, meaning the text appears to be twitching a bit. It’s enough that it challenges my ability to focus on the text. It gives my eyeballs quite an odd workout and when I look up my own eyes feel a bit twitchy. Urgh, it’s such a challenge describing precisely what I’m feeling and perceiving.

This is on my own display. I’d need more time to test things out on my husband’s display and that’s a bit tricky to manage right now because we both have Christmas stuff on our phones, shipping notifications and such we don’t want each other to see.

OK, the two I have here are definitely different. With identical software settings, both the color temp and the brightness are different.

It's hard to tell whether one presents a more garbled image to my eyes and brain.

One odd thing that might be the product of either the color temp or brightness difference is that I'd swear that one is showing fine detail in pictures better than the other. I have tried to eyeball equalizing the brightness but it's hard when the colors vary slightly. I also tried turning off True Tone and turning brightness all the way up, to reduce the variables trying to set brightness equally at low values - the color temp difference is still very noticeable, but I couldn't come to any firm conclusions on detail rendering so maybe that's all in my brain and not at all in my eyes.

 

[Gollygeewillikers]

Apple have always been open about what they do with your data and what they don’t do. No offence but you are being rather ridiculous here.

It doesn’t make sense to scoff at phone security (which is used for more than just locking your phone btw) and then get paranoid over Apple spying on you.

Ftr, it’s Google that sells your data.

Fair enough. I don't disagree with your reply, or that I was being a little ridiculous in that post. It was a rant and not completely thought through.

The main point was that if you left your phone somewhere, how could you possibly get it back if it's locked? Maybe that's a feature that phone companies should add. Like "I found this phone -Notify owner" on the lock screen.

And just reiterating, to me it feels like Face ID has a built-in sinuous ulterior motive beyond just unlocking my phone. Sure, all big tech companies use our data, I get that. The fact that Google sells our data doesn't absolve Apple btw. Anyway Face ID to me is a step too far into my comfort zone. I'll never use it again. They need to think different on this one Just my opinion.

And sorry folks for going off topic.

 

[5105973]

OK, the two I have here are definitely different. With identical software settings, both the color temp and the brightness are different.

It's hard to tell whether one presents a more garbled image to my eyes and brain.

One odd thing that might be the product of either the color temp or brightness difference is that I'd swear that one is showing fine detail in pictures better than the other. I have tried to eyeball equalizing the brightness but it's hard when the colors vary slightly. I also tried turning off True Tone and turning brightness all the way up, to reduce the variables trying to set brightness equally at low values - the color temp difference is still very noticeable, but I couldn't come to any firm conclusions on detail rendering so maybe that's all in my brain and not at all in my eyes.

If you study up a little on the subject as the result of trying to solve or understand certain problems, like dyslexia, you come to find vision is more than just the eyes. It is the eyes working in tandem with the brain to produce an image we can comprehend. It was a subject I got into with my then 12 year old daughter’s former teacher during a parent teacher conference. We were just chatting and I told her how I was dyslexic as a small child and could not read at all for my first few grades on school. And then suddenly I could read anything and was reading adult level novels the next year and I was only about 8. There was no transition at all. One day I could not read and the next day I could and I didn’t understand how that could be, because it was my understanding that dyslexia is permanent. She indicated I was still likely dyslexic but found the key to compensating on my own somehow. She had much more to say but it’s too much for this thread.

 

[Codybby1]

Has it been confirmed that the FaceID laser beams are not the cause of this? I haven't seen these complaints with other OLED phones like the Samsungs or pixels.

 

[newellj]

If you study up a little on the subject as the result of trying to solve or understand certain problems, like dyslexia, you come to find vision is more than just the eyes. It is the eyes working in tandem with the brain to produce an image we can comprehend. It was a subject I got into with my then 12 year old daughter’s former teacher during a parent teacher conference. We were just chatting and I told her how I was dyslexic as a small child and could not read at all for my first few grades on school. And then suddenly I could read anything and was reading adult level novels the next year and I was only about 8. There was no transition at all. One day I could not read and the next day I could and I didn’t understand how that could be, because it was my understanding that dyslexia is permanent. She indicated I was still likely dyslexic but found the key to compensating on my own somehow. She had much more to say but it’s too much for this thread.

Yeah, I knew that wasn't really right. I have right/left issues, including left eye dominance and very mixed right/left hand dominance (3/4 of my mother's grandparents were left handed). Your personal history is amazing and a really great development. :thumbsup:
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Has it been confirmed that the FaceID laser beams are not the cause of this? I haven't seen these complaints with other OLED phones like the Samsungs or pixels.

I thought there had been some complaints, but either way, looking at the information at NotebookCheck.com, different phones are being set up with different PWM frequency and amplitude, and engaging at different brightness settings.

The FaceID illumination is very brief. I'd be surprised if that were the cause of the problem, but we probably can't say that no one will be affected.

 

[TDDM]

I've been trying 50% brightness and True Tone on, like someome suggested and I hadn't had any eye strain for a few days there. Unfortunately, I have a pretty bad headache and strain today, so I guess it was just a temporary fix

Oh well, iPhone 8 isn't so bad, right?

 

[Tijdelijk]

I've been trying 50% brightness and True Tone on, like someome suggested and I hadn't had any eye strain for a few days there. Unfortunately, I have a pretty bad headache and strain today, so I guess it was just a temporary fix

Oh well, iPhone 8 isn't so bad, right?

If it's not giving you a headache it's better for sure

 

[bluush]

Really glad to see this thread. I finally stopped in my Apple Store today and checked out the iPhone X for the first time. I immediately felt like the screen was just...... odd to look at. I couldn't explain it, but something in my brain wanted me to look away. It simply didn't feel comfortable looking at for too long. I wondered if it was the lighting in the Apple Store or maybe I was just having an 'off' moment but it was an undeniable sensation. Come home to check this forum and see this post and all the replies. Looks like others are having the same issue.

Really hope they don't use this same kind of screen for the next iPhone SE, which is the phone I'm holding out for.

 

[zwce]

Really glad to see this thread. I finally stopped in my Apple Store today and checked out the iPhone X for the first time. I immediately felt like the screen was just...... odd to look at. I couldn't explain it, but something in my brain wanted me to look away. It simply didn't feel comfortable looking at for too long. I wondered if it was the lighting in the Apple Store or maybe I was just having an 'off' moment but it was an undeniable sensation. Come home to check this forum and see this post and all the replies. Looks like others are having the same issue.

Really hope they don't use this same kind of screen for the next iPhone SE, which is the phone I'm holding out for.

Same thing for me. I have looked at the phone at 3 different stores (not AStores becouse we don`t have them here in PL) and everytime felt something strange in my eyes. Never had problems with iP IPS Screens and (strange) no problems with Samsung Oled screens in Note 3 / S7.

 

[newellj]

I've been trying 50% brightness and True Tone on, like someome suggested and I hadn't had any eye strain for a few days there. Unfortunately, I have a pretty bad headache and strain today, so I guess it was just a temporary fix

Oh well, iPhone 8 isn't so bad, right?

No, not at all! It's got most of the same components and performance as the X.

Was your use different? Are you looking at the phone for longer periods of time today?

 

[TDDM]

No, not at all! It's got most of the same components and performance as the X.

Was your use different? Are you looking at the phone for longer periods of time today?

I don't think so, I've pretty much been using it the same amount each day. Darn, I really thought the 50% thing was the fix.

Anyway, how are you all faring with the X now that it's been like 6 weeks since launch? Has anyone's eye strain gone away completely?

 

[Paul1234]

I don't think so, I've pretty much been using it the same amount each day. Darn, I really thought the 50% thing was the fix.

Anyway, how are you all faring with the X now that it's been like 6 weeks since launch? Has anyone's eye strain gone away completely?

I can’t believe that anyone would keep this phone after experiencing eye strain/headaches! I’m the biggest fanboy just as much as the next guy, but god damn it it’s a phone. If it’s harming your health then get rid of it. Get the 8plus till next year and be happy!

 

[TDDM]

I can’t believe that anyone would keep this phone after experiencing eye strain/headaches! I’m the biggest fanboy just as much as the next guy, but god damn it it’s a phone. If it’s harming your health then get rid of it. Get the 8plus till next year and be happy!

Well it's been fine for the past few days, I wasn't even having any strain at all. It's just that it suddenly came back yesterday. Now that I know I can't get used to it, I'll probably switch to something else.

 

[Kyliebutthegoodone]

How severe is the eye strain that those affected are experiencing? I’ve had the X for three days, and I’m experiencing some soreness when moving my eyes to the edges of their range of motion. I get it sometimes just from screens in general, and I’m trying to figure out if this is what X users are experiencing.

 

[Gollygeewillikers]

Really glad to see this thread. I finally stopped in my Apple Store today and checked out the iPhone X for the first time. I immediately felt like the screen was just...... odd to look at. I couldn't explain it, but something in my brain wanted me to look away. It simply didn't feel comfortable looking at for too long. I wondered if it was the lighting in the Apple Store or maybe I was just having an 'off' moment but it was an undeniable sensation. Come home to check this forum and see this post and all the replies. Looks like others are having the same issue.

Really hope they don't use this same kind of screen for the next iPhone SE, which is the phone I'm holding out for.

It's either PWM (pulse-width modulation, to dim screens), or Face ID (infrared light), or both. Google search "infrared scanner hurts my eyes" to see a history of other phones with similar issues. Both seem to cause problems.

 

[Drj44]

When i purchased the iPhone X i was blown away with the color gamut of the screen. I started using this phone like i did my iPhone 6 plus, i.e. for reading books, As i have sensitive eyes (get blinded easily); i was happy to see that withe OLEDscreen the black bacground was true black.

However pretty quickly i felt irritated by looking at the screen and started to do research and found this thread. Since them i changed to the 8 plus and don’t have any issues anymore. I have used iPads, iPhones, Macand this is the first time i have had such an issue. Since i had the same problem even turning off FaceID, I do strongly suspect the issue to be PWM.

Now i am a scientist and what bithers me is the lack of scientific data. What is the PWM frequency versus brightness? What is the percentage of people having issues with OLED screen versus PWM frequency? What are the studies so far on physiological studies of PWM? What are interactions known between PWM and other medical condition (eg epilepsy)?

OLED and PWM have been out for a while, is there any “hard” data?

 

[MICHAELSD]

I did ask my Apple support rep twice if I had to keep my conversations with them confidential and she said no so I’ll have to try to follow up since I haven’t heard any updates at all since sharing the details of my case on here.

 

[TDDM]

I did ask my Apple support rep twice if I had to keep my conversations with them confidential and she said no so I’ll have to try to follow up since I haven’t heard any updates at all since sharing the details of my case on here.

Yeah, I'm kinda losing hope that we're gonna get a resolution. Do you still think something is happening on their end? If they aren't gonna do anything, I kinda just wish they would straight up tell us so.

 

[newellj]

I don't think so, I've pretty much been using it the same amount each day. Darn, I really thought the 50% thing was the fix.

Anyway, how are you all faring with the X now that it's been like 6 weeks since launch? Has anyone's eye strain gone away completely?

Sorry about that. Personally, I don't really see it. I have watched some videos (The Hollow Crown, amazing Shakespeare historical plays!) on the iPhone x and the only visual impact is that the beauty of that OLED screen just blows me away. It's not bothering my eyes. As I posted earlier, old style fluorescents drive me crazy, but they're much, much slower.
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Yeah, I'm kinda losing hope that we're gonna get a resolution. Do you still think something is happening on their end? If they aren't gonna do anything, I kinda just wish they would straight up tell us so.

I think there's a good chance that, in today's phrase, "it is what it is." You can't change from PWM to voltage modulation in software. I suppose you could perhaps tweak the balance of frequency and amplitude, for example changing 30% at 240Hz to 70% at 500Hz (purely hypothetical example), but I don't know if you could do that and I don't know what the real world impact would be on brightness or user comfort..

 

[Kyliebutthegoodone]

Quite sad that I had to box up my X today and re-activate my 6S. The X is a gorgeous phone with so many great qualities. My eyes just hate it. I hope Apple can either figure out the PWM issue in the future or always have an LCD phone available. I'm now joining the small group of dedicated folks looking forward to the SE 2.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Quite sad that I had to box up my X today and re-activate my 6S. The X is a gorgeous phone with so many great qualities. My eyes just hate it. I hope Apple can either figure out the PWM issue in the future or always have an LCD phone available. I'm now joining the small group of dedicated folks looking forward to the SE 2.

Apple Watch has an OLED display without PWM. They just need to switch OLED suppliers on iPhone if Samsung won’t develop an OLED display that doesn’t necessitate it.

 

[tcellguy]

Apple Watch has an OLED display without PWM. They just need to switch OLED suppliers on iPhone if Samsung won’t develop an OLED display that doesn’t necessitate it.

Apple Watch does use PWM. So does the macbook touch bar. You can see them refresh if you take a video using slow motion mode. The watch doesn’t cause me any eye strain, but it’s probably because of the short interaction time.

 

[jtl_]

Umm, how can a software update fix this exactly?

In theory a software update can change the frequency of PWM, but there are other tradeoffs (brightness, battery life, among others.)