Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[jm31828]

Your thinking is correct. If you’re set on sticking with the smaller size, iPhone 13 Mini is your best option. I’m fairly confident if you could use one OLED iPhone there’s at least one in the iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 lineup you could use again. It’s weird being PWM sensitive and having to choose specific iPhone models based around it, isn’t it?

I’m still surprised at how much better iPhone 14 Pro Max has been. In retrospect the constant and persistent headaches were significantly worse on iPhone 13 Mini.

If I’m being honest the size is beginning to feel a little large for me as it may be for you, and it’s not free of issues but it’s good enough that I am curious to try either an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro—although Apple remarkably seemed to add the same PWM implementation to the Pro and the Max. I’d still like to know which devices have the lowest amplitudes, but I’m not sure I’m patient enough.

By all means try iPhone 13 Mini, but iPhone 14 series devices should be better.

Thanks!
I have been intrigued by what you had found with the 14 series.... it's great to hear that these are potentially turning the corner in being comfortable even for those that are quite sensitive!

My hangup is that I don't care for the 6.1" or bigger phones, they are way too big for me. I liked my 13 Pro in many ways, but the one thing I couldn't really ever get used to was how big it was. I really liked the 12 Mini I had, and as noted really like the SE for that smaller size.

I had tried a 13 Mini at some point when it first came out and it had that mild "bite" in the eyes when I looked at it, especially when scrolling- not sure if it's really anything to do with PWM, or if it's more just the sharpness/contrast on the OLED screens- or if I would have gotten used to it after a few weeks. But otherwise it was a fantastic phone, I absolutely love that size where it is so pocketable but yet has a decent sized screen.

I'll give it some thought, but ultimately may try to get my hands on a replacement SE before my return window closes (watching stock at my local Apple Stores closely).

 

[Chrispy]

Just placed an order for an SE. The BT is really getting annoying on the XR with the new AirPods, and my battery is starting to show its age when I actually leave the house for a few hours and it jumps to mobile data. There's about a 2-3 week wait to get one from the online store, so I will also watch stock at my local Apple store. I called today and they said they haven't seen SE stock for a few weeks. I think Apple may have scaled back production a tad too much on the SE, haha.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Just placed an order for an SE. The BT is really getting annoying on the XR with the new AirPods, and my battery is starting to show its age when I actually leave the house for a few hours and it jumps to mobile data. There's about a 2-3 week wait to get one from the online store, so I will also watch stock at my local Apple store. I called today and they said they haven't seen SE stock for a few weeks. I think Apple may have scaled back production a tad too much on the SE, haha.

👍 Nice, at least you've made the decision.
I'm still wavering as giving up my 7 Plus and going SE means I need a secondary device (as my 7+ is my mini tablet). Just not sure I'm bothered about ipads anymore. 🤷‍♂️

 

[jm31828]

Just placed an order for an SE. The BT is really getting annoying on the XR with the new AirPods, and my battery is starting to show its age when I actually leave the house for a few hours and it jumps to mobile data. There's about a 2-3 week wait to get one from the online store, so I will also watch stock at my local Apple store. I called today and they said they haven't seen SE stock for a few weeks. I think Apple may have scaled back production a tad too much on the SE, haha.

Yeah, it sure seems they did! I live in the Seattle area with 5 Apple stores within about an hour of me, and I have been able to see SE's pop up in availability at different stores over the last month, but they disappear quickly.

As of right now, none are available at any local store in any color or capacity.

EDIT:
Well I see that my carrier (Xfinity Mobile) has all colors and capacities in stock for the SE, so I could buy from them and have the phone within two days. I always hate buying from the carrier only because of the added hassle if a return is needed to be done within the 14 day window (they charge a restocking fee), but since I am not shopping around at this point- I wouldn't be returning/exchanging this phone unless there was a problem with it- it is probably safe to buy from them.

 

[happy orchard]

The most experienced drivers, or probably most drivers, know that any boxes featuring a company beginning with an abbreviation of A are usually Apple. I did purchase a new Mac over the summer, and it helps that my iPhone was delivered on launch day.

Any thoughts on the standard iPhone 14 Pro?

It’s slightly annoying since once I think I’m having a headache-free experience with the Max they slowly begin again.

Truth be told I’m more tempted by the Plus, while at the same time I want a smaller iPhone.

No, Apple is the fruit of my impulse.

Haha, you funny. Apple is my fruit of impulse, too, so I get it.

As for the 14 Pro, I tried it—twice. And if pressed, I think I might say the screen was a better experience than the 14PM. Think my bias towards the PM is wanting the bigger screen. My single, subjective thought is that if you can handle the PM, you can likely handle the P. Like you, my experience with the 14s has been much better than previous year models, but at least once a day I would think ‘why am I tolerating pain for this phone?’

Honestly, I’m still considering trying a PM again during the holiday period. Somehow I’m imagining that not having the stress of 14 days would help me settle in and notice if the pain/headaches/etc was from phone or different things in life. But again, I think…my 11 never hurts me. Let it be. …Then I see that pretty 14PM and all it can do. Man, this fruit impulse.

For you, I would say that if you seem to prefer the smaller size, but you’re also tempted by the Plus, maybe the Pro really would be your Goldilocks?

 

[happy orchard]

No going back now:

View attachment 2106684
Slightly relieved, slightly nervous. But hopefully I’ve made the right decision to keep this 14.

Whoa. That just got real.

 

[john g.]

I suppose another option would be to stick with iPhone SE and upgrade next year since if the 60Hz DC dimming is improved further then it sounds like it could be the first viable generation.

Although that would possibly be the prudent decision, it certainly would deprive us from hearing your review of the 14 and 14+. You’re quite methodical about all of this, MacRumors should put you on payroll to do some content and reviews for the PWM sensitive 🤪

 

[john g.]

Although that would possibly be the prudent decision, it certainly would deprive us from hearing your review of the 14 and 14+. You’re quite methodical about all of this, MacRumors should put you on payroll to do some content and reviews for the PWM sensitive 🤪

On second thought, that would be too much punishment to endure. Talk about workplace hazards. 🙁

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Man. I have a concert coming up Sat night that I’ve been looking forward to for months and I was really hoping to have the 14PM to capture some videos and pics. But, I’m not wavering on waiting on the extended holiday return period. Last year they implemented it on Nov 1st. Looking more and more like I’ll have to make do with the 11. The stores near me (if you consider a 1+ hour drive near me) have them in stock too. Time’s a tickin!

 

[happy orchard]

Man. I have a concert coming up Sat night that I’ve been looking forward to for months and I was really hoping to have the 14PM to capture some videos and pics. But, I’m not wavering on waiting on the extended holiday return period. Last year they implemented it on Nov 1st. Looking more and more like I’ll have to make do with the 11. The stores near me (if you consider a 1+ hour drive near me) have them in stock too. Time’s a tickin!

Last year, didn't Apple do a bit of retroactive returns? Like they announced a week or so into November and said everything back to November 1 was part of the holiday return?

We don't have any in stock where I am. Ordering takes a month. That holiday return period just got a little less festive.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Last year, didn't Apple do a bit of retroactive returns? Like they announced a week or so into November and said everything back to November 1 was part of the holiday return?

We don't have any in stock where I am. Ordering takes a month. That holiday return period just got a little less festive.

Last year MR ran the article on 11/1. I only know that from googling to see if there’s any news on it, and all that pulls are the articles from last year.

If I didn’t hate the return process so much I’d just go get one regardless. But the first thing I do is set up the new phone exactly as the one I’m replacing so that I can use it exactly as I prefer and not get discouraged by ‘change’.

I still wonder if I wasn’t such a mental basket case if I could use the phones without issue. I can bring on symptoms from hyper-focus alone.

 

[happy orchard]

Last year MR ran the article on 11/1. I only know that from googling to see if there’s any news on it, and all that pulls are the articles from last year.

If I didn’t hate the return process so much I’d just go get one regardless. But the first thing I do is set up the new phone exactly as the one I’m replacing so that I can use it exactly as I prefer and not get discouraged by ‘change’.

I still wonder if I wasn’t such a mental basket case if I could use the phones without issue. I can bring on symptoms from hyper-focus alone.

Yes. It's fitting, isn't it. Those of use who are sensitive to PWM are sensitive to so much more than that, so when we combine the stress of PWM, other things (aka, life), and the decision of keep or return, we are indeed cases made of basket.

 

[happy orchard]

Last year MR ran the article on 11/1. I only know that from googling to see if there’s any news on it, and all that pulls are the articles from last year.

If I didn’t hate the return process so much I’d just go get one regardless. But the first thing I do is set up the new phone exactly as the one I’m replacing so that I can use it exactly as I prefer and not get discouraged by ‘change’.

I still wonder if I wasn’t such a mental basket case if I could use the phones without issue. I can bring on symptoms from hyper-focus alone.

Maybe just order one if you see it. Pick it up this Friday or Saturday? The return date starts when you pick up the phone from the store, right?

That might give time for Apple to announce?

Sometimes I fear it will appear as if I/we are gaming the system, but honestly before Apple put PWM/OLED on its phones, I just pre-ordered, picked-up launch day, and happily sang the praises of Apple. I truly believe that we PWM-sensitve lot are strategizing because we are trying to make Apple work well with us again but have learned from all the literal pain we have experienced. We are not malicious. We are cautious.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Although that would possibly be the prudent decision, it certainly would deprive us from hearing your review of the 14 and 14+. You’re quite methodical about all of this, MacRumors should put you on payroll to do some content and reviews for the PWM sensitive 🤪

Truth be told I would probably buy a Radex and test multiple iPhones if given the opportunity. But I don’t think it’s otherwise worth investing into this issue.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Have you tried the older Pro Max’s? The 11P killed my eyes and head as well as the 13P but so far I’m about 2 weeks in using the 12PM and it’s been basically symptom free.

I came from a smaller Android phone that didn’t bother me but I’m wondering if for me the size step up has something to do with it being easier on my eyes than the regular Pro.

100% agree that every screen is different though too - side by side, my 13P and 12PM, 12PM was noticeably warmer with all settings the same.

To be fair, I’ve only tested the 12PM. I wisely avoided the XS Max, 11PM, and 13PM once it looked like the curves were the same since the 12PM destroyed my head.

I’m getting headaches again from the 14PM, so it’s still all for naught—although I notice the brightness is at 50% so I can at least attribute it to the 480Hz rate causing more sensitivity if Notebookcheck is correct.

In theory one of the Max-sized iPhones with a consistent 240Hz rate would be better, but iPhone 13PM apparently wasn’t even as stable as iPhone 12PM.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Haha, you funny. Apple is my fruit of impulse, too, so I get it.

As for the 14 Pro, I tried it—twice. And if pressed, I think I might say the screen was a better experience than the 14PM. Think my bias towards the PM is wanting the bigger screen. My single, subjective thought is that if you can handle the PM, you can likely handle the P. Like you, my experience with the 14s has been much better than previous year models, but at least once a day I would think ‘why am I tolerating pain for this phone?’

Honestly, I’m still considering trying a PM again during the holiday period. Somehow I’m imagining that not having the stress of 14 days would help me settle in and notice if the pain/headaches/etc was from phone or different things in life. But again, I think…my 11 never hurts me. Let it be. …Then I see that pretty 14PM and all it can do. Man, this fruit impulse.

For you, I would say that if you seem to prefer the smaller size, but you’re also tempted by the Plus, maybe the Pro really would be your Goldilocks?

Well the Pro will take a month to deliver. I’m more intrigued by the regular 14 series at this point, but it would probably help to stare at the iPhones first since it seems like there’s a more significant difference between the two. iPhone 14 Plus with an oddly low 59Hz DC dimming rate and its superior color accuracy would probably be a better choice, while iPhone 14 probably has lower amplitudes and I wouldn’t mind a smaller device.

Hopefully Apple shakes up the sizes more next generation, since as noted I haven’t found 6.1” to make for the ideal iPhone. 5.4” and 6.7” are fine, but 6.7” tends to be literally hitting the maximum boundaries of the size a smartphone should be. It’s already too big for some pockets and cubbies, but not all that much larger than a traditional Plus-sized iPhone.

This is all like a forbidden fruit that tastes sweet but poisons our heads and eyes.

 

[moviemaster7777]

To be fair, I’ve only tested the 12PM. I wisely avoided the XS Max, 11PM, and 13PM once it looked like the curves were the same since the 12PM destroyed my head.

I’m getting headaches again from the 14PM, so it’s still all for naught—although I notice the brightness is at 50% so I can at least attribute it to the 480Hz rate causing more sensitivity if Notebookcheck is correct.

In theory one of the Max-sized iPhones with a consistent 240Hz rate would be better, but iPhone 13PM apparently wasn’t even as stable as iPhone 12PM.

Not good news about the headaches starting again... I was holding out hope for the 14PM....

Have you tried using/testing it with ProMotion turned off? I found that turning it off on the 13P seemed to help a little but not enough to want to keep it. I was going to order a 13PM to try, but at this point I might hold off.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Not good news about the headaches starting again... I was holding out hope for the 14PM....

Have you tried using/testing it with ProMotion turned off? I found that turning it off on the 13P seemed to help a little but not enough to want to keep it. I was going to order a 13PM to try, but at this point I might hold off.

ProMotion doesn’t make a difference to the headaches. I’ve also tried enabling Night Mode full-time to no avail.

My curiosity with iPhone 14/iPhone 14 Plus is that a 59Hz-60Hz rate will either lead to the worst PWM headaches of any iPhone yet, or little-to-no sensitivity.

 

[now i see it]

This is all like a forbidden fruit

or a bad drug

 

[moviemaster7777]

Darn, disappointing to hear. Interesting to see if one of those works for you, but I wonder if Apple reused the panels from the 12PM on the 14 Plus since they seem very similar and that sounds like something they'd do.

 

[asus389]

The SE is unobtainium in any config "in the 12 nearest stores". Its quoting 3-4 weeks for delivery from the online Apple store. Maybe we started a trend?

 

[jimmy_uk]

ProMotion doesn’t make a difference to the headaches. I’ve also tried enabling Night Mode full-time to no avail.

My curiosity with iPhone 14/iPhone 14 Plus is that a 59Hz-60Hz rate will either lead to the worst PWM headaches of any iPhone yet, or little-to-no sensitivity.

All I can say is the 14 was the closets I’ve been to owning an OLED iPhone as I used for a week off and on and didn’t get a headache. I was left with a queasy unease which, coupled with the returns period countdown anxiety, had me returning. Also I didn’t like the OLED glare and light shimmer on my vision + the screen was overly yellow. I’m still convinced the 14 could be the one for most, so much so I really want to try one again. But I’ve already returned 2 x iPhones this year (14 and 14 Pro) and can’t face the walk of shame again.

 

[MICHAELSD]

All I can say is the 14 was the closets I’ve been to owning an OLED iPhone as I used for a week off and on and didn’t get a headache. I was left with a queasy unease which, coupled with the returns period countdown anxiety, had me returning. Also I didn’t like the OLED glare and light shimmer on my vision. I’m still convinced the 14 could be the one for most.

Are you planning to try iPhone 14 Plus too? I’m curious if the slight difference between the two could make or break the experience.

iPhone 14 surprisingly seems like it could be better than what we’ve had in the past, and if that’s the case then that’s the biggest upgrade of the 14 series.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Are you planning to try iPhone 14 Plus too? I’m curious if the slight difference between the two could make or break the experience.

iPhone 14 surprisingly seems like it could be better than what we’ve had in the past, and if that’s the case then that’s the biggest upgrade of the 14 series.

After a few hours using a 14 Plus it left me feeling rough with head tension and a left side brain headache brewing (usually I get migraines on the right side of my brain so left side is a weird experience). Damn shame as I prefer a wider display over the smaller iPhones.

This could be down to screen lottery though. The 14 Plus had a reddish tint.

 

[MICHAELSD]

After a few hours using a 14 Plus it left me feeling rough with head tension and a left side brain headache brewing (usually I get migraines on the right side of my brain so left side is a weird experience).

Thanks, that might be enough to push me towards iPhone 14 if I try another iPhone this generation—which I probably will, even if I’d like to be content with my iPhone SE. I’d guess that amplitudes are lower as well.