Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[happy orchard]

I was definitely singling myself out as I clearly have very, very sensitive vision. And after 5 years of trying to use these damn OLED phones, it should have taught me something.....😵‍💫 Even the Pro ipads seem to bother my eyes but this maybe the 120hz refresh which I actually find affects how I see the rest of the world after using.

Still. I don’t want you denigrating yourself.

(I hear you. I feel you. I’ve been trying every year since the X.)

While you have the phone, let’s just call it an experiment. Right now. This phone. Observe. Analyze data.

And then return and be bummed. Or keep and be delighted. But for now @jimmy_uk just experiment. 👍🏻

 

[jimmy_uk]

Yes, I was starting to wonder about that as well!! It just seems to have a bite to it, kind of sharp on the eyes and it may not even be about the PWM.

When I had a 12 Mini back when it was released, I bought a privacy screen protector and that helped a bit as it darkened the screen just a bit. Not sure if it makes enough of a difference that it would help anyone else, and I may have adjusted and been fine with out it, who knows.

Another weird observation I've made is how much these displays draw our focus. When scrolling on my 7 Plus I actually feel my eyes slightly unfocus and relax until locking on again when I hit my target. The OLED iPhones and even the Pro ipads look so much sharper and clearer that my eyes are constantly locked in and my peripheral vision totally blurs. I feel like I'm starring intensely.

I was using an iPad Pro 11" 2020 at work last week and found my eyes feeling strained. I switched off the 120hz refresh and it helped a little but I'm aware this iPad has PWM according to notebookcheck. I loved using the ipad again surprisingly but bummed the brightness and glare bothered me - again it felt like I was intensely focusing.

 

[happy orchard]

With the positive notes here about the regular non-pro 14, I am tempted to pick one up at my local Apple store and try it side by side with my SE, to see for a few weeks how it works out for me. I suppose given the eSIM nonsense that would be involved, I could just use it at home for a couple of weeks, still using my SE for calls and texts and when leaving the house- until I decide if the 14 is indeed the phone I'm going to keep.

I keep reading about people just using the phone at home or not setting up the esim like it’s a real phone. And I get it. But, to share my specific experience, I found that colors the experience.

I have found when I get a phone and set it up as my legit phone, I get a stronger sense of my use of it.

Do I grab a different phone to look up something because the screen is gentler?

Do I go to grab my phone to return a text and be so focused on that task that I forget it’s a new phone—and did the phone bother me or not?

Stuff like that. If it’s not the first, the primary choice, then I don’t know what I really think of it. For me, there is value in whether I choose to reach for it (even though it’s not my main phone) or I choose to reach for something else (because I don’t like this new phone I’m using as my main phone.)

Of course, you do you. If the secondary scenario works for you, awesome. Just wanted to mention a perspective in case it could help.

 

[jimmy_uk]

With the positive notes here about the regular non-pro 14, I am tempted to pick one up at my local Apple store and try it side by side with my SE, to see for a few weeks how it works out for me. I suppose given the eSIM nonsense that would be involved, I could just use it at home for a couple of weeks, still using my SE for calls and texts and when leaving the house- until I decide if the 14 is indeed the phone I'm going to keep.

That appears to be what I'm doing as I ordered an SE a few weeks ago and it should be coming next week. I don't really want it hence the fast decision to get the 14 again ahead of it. If the 14 works out then hopefully I can cancel in time, otherwise it's my backup option. I pray one of these options sits right with me because I'll be hitting the store for an AW Ultra and iPad something to compliment.

You should go for it.

 

[jm31828]

I keep reading about people just using the phone at home or not setting up the esim like it’s a real phone. And I get it. But, to share my specific experience, I found that colors the experience.

I have found when I get a phone and set it up as my legit phone, I get a stronger sense of my use of it.

Do I grab a different phone to look up something because the screen is gentler?

Do I go to grab my phone to return a text and be so focused on that task that I forget it’s a new phone—and did the phone bother me or not?

Stuff like that. If it’s not the first, the primary choice, then I don’t know what I really think of it. For me, there is value in whether I choose to reach for it (even though it’s not my main phone) or I choose to reach for something else (because I don’t like this new phone I’m using as my main phone.)

Of course, you do you. If the secondary scenario works for you, awesome. Just wanted to mention a perspective in case it could help.

Great callouts!!
I normally would just swap SIM cards when doing this kind of test, but in my limited experience, the eSIM has been a huge pain, having to talk to the carrier to move the SIM over, and then if I want to go back to my old phone, they have to try (and can fail) at moving it over as an eSIM, and if it fails- I have to go to their office to get a new SIM card.

 

[jm31828]

That appears to be what I'm doing as I ordered an SE a few weeks ago and it should be coming next week. I don't really want it hence the fast decision to get the 14 again ahead of it. If the 14 works out then hopefully I can cancel in time, otherwise it's my backup option. I pray one of these options sits right with me because I'll be hitting the store up for an AW Ultra and iPad something to compliment.

You should go for it.

I hope the 14 works out for you, especially as you don't sound thrilled with the idea of the SE!

I bought my SE last weekend from my carrier, and so a return isn't much of an option- they claim they don't really take returns though if I pushed I probably could- but there would be a restocking fee.

Aside from getting it to go back to LCD as it should be easier on the eyes (but yet I am finding it gives me dry, stinging eyes when I use it), I wanted the smaller size. I do really like it, but if the 14 could be even easier on the eyes, I'd be all for keeping it in spite of the larger size.

I would then have to sell the SE in that scenario- fortunately I had gotten a $150 discount from the carrier due to some incentives I had available to me, so I could probably get more than I ended up paying out of pocket (but would be throwing away a good chunk of this $150 discount I got since I suspect I couldn't sell it for anywhere near the full price).
That sucks because maybe I should have just bought a 14 from my carrier, getting that discount- but I didn't want to do that as if it doesn't work out, it's a huge hassle to try to return.

1st world problems, I know. lol

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

I have the iPhone 14 pro for a week now…
And I just don’t know if I am troubled…. AnThe uncertainty is totally stressing me out and is like a self fulfilling prophecy. I am so over focused and aware of my eyes and my head… and it certainly doesn’t help that I tend to be a bit of an hypochondriac…
But I just don’t know if my „symptoms“ (mainly dry eyes and maybe a hint of a very slight headache) are real and caused by the phone or just by working concentrated for 8hours…
I definitely had way more severe symptoms from the iPhone Xs… but still…

I would love to upgrade from my 12pro… but it’s still a lot of money even if I plan on trading my old one in… I don’t wanna regret it and get more severe symptoms later on, or just be unable to properly use my phone like I am used to…

It’s really driving me crazy, that just because I forgot about the holiday return period and therefor buying the phone 2 days to early, I am probably going to return it next Monday…

(Sorry… I just had to rant… 😤😫)

Right there with ya. Given I tend to over analyze and hyper focus, I often wonder if I’m even sensitive or if the fear of being sensitive takes over and brings on the symptoms.

Compared to others here, I must fall towards the lesser sensitive side of the spectrum. I’ve never had an actual migraine from the screens. Headaches perhaps, but zero migraines. I also have zero issues with all LCD options, all Apple Watch’s, my M1 Air, etc. I don’t see fuzzy text, I don’t see any of the flickering with my naked eyes, I don’t get caught up on the color tuning of the displays, etc. I just simply get dry eyes and feel the occasional headache while being a person with poor posture and a non-curved neck who has headaches regularly as it is. I’m going to try the Pro Max again now that I have 2 months to use it exclusively. If it doesn’t work out I’ll stay on the 11 as it’s the only LCD option I’ll entertain.

 

[john g.]

With the positive notes here about the regular non-pro 14, I am tempted to pick one up at my local Apple store and try it side by side with my SE, to see for a few weeks how it works out for me. I suppose given the eSIM nonsense that would be involved, I could just use it at home for a couple of weeks, still using my SE for calls and texts and when leaving the house- until I decide if the 14 is indeed the phone I'm going to keep.

Essentially, that's what I'm going to do too. Last time I tried the whole eSIM thing and sent a phone back to Apple, it was impossible to reverse it back to the iPhone 11 without going into Verizon and getting a physical Sim card. I don't wanna do that stupid dance again so I'm only doing the eSIM thing if I'm 100% keeping the 14+

Don't give me wrong, I'm still going to use it while I'm evaluating it. I'll bring it with me with my 11 kind of like Marques Brownlee when he reviews things and always carries two phones

I'll even set it up to be able to take calls from my 11. I just don't want to deal with eSIM by having to get a physical card again. Also, to be honest my expectations are super low that I will keep this 14+. It's a last ditch try and I'm gonna be just fine if I send it back and stay on my 11.

 

[jm31828]

Essentially, that's what I'm going to do too. Last time I tried the whole eSIM thing and sent a phone back to Apple, it was impossible to reverse it back to the iPhone 11 without going into Verizon and getting a physical Sim card. I don't wanna do that stupid dance again so I'm only doing the eSIM thing if I'm 100% keeping the 14+

yes!

When I tried a 14 Pro that didn't work for me, I was in my carrier store for a full hour as they tried to transfer the eSIM back over to the 13 Pro I had at the time.... it never worked so they finally just assigned a new physical SIM card to me and I popped that in and away I went.

I don't want to go through that again!

But to your situation- I hope it works out for you!

 

[john g.]

Another weird observation I've made is how much these displays draw our focus. When scrolling on my 7 Plus I actually feel my eyes slightly unfocus and relax until locking on again when I hit my target. The OLED iPhones and even the Pro ipads look so much sharper and clearer that my eyes are constantly locked in and my peripheral vision totally blurs. I feel like I'm starring intensely.

I was using an iPad Pro 11" 2020 at work last week and found my eyes feeling strained. I switched off the 120hz refresh and it helped a little but I'm aware this iPad has PWM according to notebookcheck. I loved using the ipad again surprisingly but bummed the brightness and glare bothered me - again it felt like I was intensely focusing.

This!

I feel like I have to remind myself to blink and relax my gaze!

 

[happy orchard]

Great callouts!!
I normally would just swap SIM cards when doing this kind of test, but in my limited experience, the eSIM has been a huge pain, having to talk to the carrier to move the SIM over, and then if I want to go back to my old phone, they have to try (and can fail) at moving it over as an eSIM, and if it fails- I have to go to their office to get a new SIM card.

Yes! Hasn’t that been crazy frustrating?! I’ve been to Verizon twice this year—after having not been at all for half a decade. Also, I’ve spent hours on the carrier’s chat or on phone calls dealing with e-sim stuff. When the e-sim transfer goes smoothly, it’s awesome. Still not as easy as just switching a physical sim. The absence of a physical sim has definitely been a hindrance. Agreed.

 

[esaelias187]

I’m trying to wait for @pwm away to share their findings for the amplitudes of the iPhone 14 series before trying one again.

Yes i need to see this too

 

[Ac1d 8urn]

Another weird observation I've made is how much these displays draw our focus. When scrolling on my 7 Plus I actually feel my eyes slightly unfocus and relax until locking on again when I hit my target. The OLED iPhones and even the Pro ipads look so much sharper and clearer that my eyes are constantly locked in and my peripheral vision totally blurs. I feel like I'm starring intensely.

I've noticed this happens to me with smaller screens. My SE's LCD doesn't strain my eyes by itself, but focusing on the small screen definitely does. The LCD on my 8+ is the most perfect screen I've ever had, I can literally feel my eyes working less to take in the larger area. I'm guessing this is why the 14+ doesn't bother me but the 14 does, despite both being OLED. It also makes sense that I was able to use multiple android phablets with OLED screens just fine. Took about a week of adjusting but I didn't have any problems with them after that. The Note 20 ultra and Z flip 3 gave me headaches, but both had variable refresh rates. Galaxy S2 gave me headaches, static refresh rate but it was small. HMM... I've been wracking my brain for the past year trying to figure out why iphone screens are bothering me all of a sudden but I don't think it's iphones or OLED at all. All signs are pointing to variable refresh rates and/or small screens.

GOD THIS PROBLEM IS SO WEIRD. Why can't it just be one factor for everyone lol. As much as I love small phones, it doesn't look like I have much choice but to go back to a phablet 😕

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Now that I am down to the wire, ignoring all things PWM and sensitivity related, I am once again torn between 6.1 and 6.7. The pro does feel lighter and better in the pockets. But I have pretty large hands and typing on the pro max feels a bit more comfortable. Sometimes I dislike having choices lol. Granted this is all moot if I cannot use the phones symptom free.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Now that I am down to the wire, ignoring all things PWM and sensitivity related, I am once again torn between 6.1 and 6.7. The pro does feel lighter and better in the pockets. But I have pretty large hands and typing on the pro max feels a bit more comfortable. Sometimes I dislike having choices lol. Granted this is all moot if I cannot use the phones symptom free.

Well, if I could use the PM I'd be all over it. The annoyance of the size at the times it's in your pocket and you're moving around is outweighed when the phone is in use. The large, wide display is like having a mini tablet in your hand and everything looks good. My 2 pence (cents).

 

[majkom]

does notebookcheck have it right? is it really like non pro has 60hz refresh rate (that to me seems really bad, like this upper value that can cause epileptic attack right?) pro seem sto be quite good, 480 or 240 hz, constant.. or do I understand it wrong?

 

[jimmy_uk]

does notebookcheck have it right? is it really like non pro has 60hz refresh rate (that to me seems really bad, like this upper value that can cause epileptic attack right?) pro seem sto be quite good, 480 or 240 hz, constant.. or do I understand it wrong?

It's a strange one. So far out of every OLED iPhone, the standard 14 is the only one I can use without my eyes feeling strained while using and doesn't trigger a migraine. So something is very different with this display.

That said.....

...after an evening setting up the phone and swiping around the web (and thoroughly enjoying the speed compared to my 7 Plus), I have woken today to bloodshot eyes and my lower eyelids have a stinging sensation. Ugh....still early doors on this "experiment", but ugh.....

 

[esaelias187]

It's a strange one. So far out of every OLED iPhone, the standard 14 is the only one I can use without my eyes feeling strained while using and doesn't trigger a migraine. So something is very different with this display.

That said.....

...after an evening setting up the phone and swiping around the web (and thoroughly enjoying the speed compared to my 7 Plus), I have woken today to bloodshot eyes and my lower eyelids have a stinging sensation. Ugh....still early doors on this "experiment", but ugh.....

Sometimew takes eyes to adjust

I think by reading your comment i may have to go back to iphone 11 not even the se is helping my eyes odd strain

 

[jimmy_uk]

Sometimew takes eyes to adjust

I think by reading your comment i may have to go back to iphone 11 not even the se is helping my eyes odd strain

I miss the old Apple quality LCDs.


WOW - we are 299 pages = 7470 posts!!

 

[jm31828]

Sometimew takes eyes to adjust

I think by reading your comment i may have to go back to iphone 11 not even the se is helping my eyes odd strain

Yeah, to be fair it does seem some of us need a few days, even a week to adjust on these phones. The longer holiday return window right now allows us to take our time to see how things go, instead of that rush to figure it out within two weeks.

 

[asus389]

I've noticed this happens to me with smaller screens. My SE's LCD doesn't strain my eyes by itself, but focusing on the small screen definitely does. The LCD on my 8+ is the most perfect screen I've ever had, I can literally feel my eyes working less to take in the larger area. I'm guessing this is why the 14+ doesn't bother me but the 14 does, despite both being OLED. It also makes sense that I was able to use multiple android phablets with OLED screens just fine. Took about a week of adjusting but I didn't have any problems with them after that. The Note 20 ultra and Z flip 3 gave me headaches, but both had variable refresh rates. Galaxy S2 gave me headaches, static refresh rate but it was small. HMM... I've been wracking my brain for the past year trying to figure out why iphone screens are bothering me all of a sudden but I don't think it's iphones or OLED at all. All signs are pointing to variable refresh rates and/or small screens.

GOD THIS PROBLEM IS SO WEIRD. Why can't it just be one factor for everyone lol. As much as I love small phones, it doesn't look like I have much choice but to go back to a phablet 😕

Its funny I had the opposite experience. I'm so used to the 4.7" LCD screens from the 6/6s/7 that when I tried the 8 plus I had to put it in zoom mode. Zoom mode makes it the same effective screen space as the 4.7". The default size on the 8 plus is approximately 1080p, but my eyes didn't like it or the scaling done to get to it or something. So weird...

 

[jm31828]

Its funny I had the opposite experience. I'm so used to the 4.7" LCD screens from the 6/6s/7 that when I tried the 8 plus I had to put it in zoom mode. Zoom mode makes it the same effective screen space as the 4.7". The default size on the 8 plus is approximately 1080p, but my eyes didn't like it or the scaling done to get to it or something. So weird...

Totally makes sense! Our eyes really get comfortable with something and some of us don't adjust well to anything else.

What phone do you use now- are you on an SE?

 

[moviemaster7777]

Now that I am down to the wire, ignoring all things PWM and sensitivity related, I am once again torn between 6.1 and 6.7. The pro does feel lighter and better in the pockets. But I have pretty large hands and typing on the pro max feels a bit more comfortable. Sometimes I dislike having choices lol. Granted this is all moot if I cannot use the phones symptom free.

Coming from a "compact" 6" phone, the 6.7 PM is quite a bit bigger. I wouldn't mind the larger size but for me, it seems the phone is a bit too wide - so that my hands hurt from holding it after a long phone call or using it one handed for a while on it's side, like shooting a long video or watching a video laying in bed.

Unfortunately in my case though, for the few older iPhones that I've tested, the PM line has not bothered me with PWM or other issues as much so that is really my only option at this point (other than the SE).

 

[esaelias187]

Yeah, to be fair it does seem some of us need a few days, even a week to adjust on these phones. The longer holiday return window right now allows us to take our time to see how things go, instead of that rush to figure it out within two weeks.

Well the se has been giving me headaches iphone 14 isnt here yet i have no hope

 

[jm31828]

Well the se has been giving me headaches iphone 14 isnt here yet i have no hope

Sorry to hear that- headaches now from the SE, so it has progressed beyond the dry eyes you had mentioned?
I hope that fades away for you, it's so frustrating to deal with this when simply trying to use a basic phone.


Did you say your 14 is arriving soon?