Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[jimmy_uk]

Oh @jimmy_uk I was getting happy for you at the beginning of your post. Then it went sad fast.

I don’t remember, did you ever try an 11? Seems like you might be able to get some of that positive stuff (like Face ID and swipe interface) with it and its LCD screen. Feel like you said the 11 wasn’t an option, but don’t remember exactly…

I'm not throwing in the towel yet. No bloodshot eyes this morning and they are not stinging as much as yesterday. This is my time away from the phone as I'm in the office with my 7 Plus. But I'm hoping 2-3hrs a day over a longer period may help my brain adjust (Honesty, not super hopeful but at least I don't have the 14 days return pressure).

Regarding the iPhone 11, this is a personal choice, I don't really like the size and thickness when coupled with a resolution that is under 1080p. Apple gives a large display but the text is small and not sharp enough for my preferences (text looks fuzzy). My 7 Plus felt more premium (and was the flagship of its day).

Also, I was annoyed having to settle for a lower-tier iPhone when I wanted a flagship one. But while I had one briefly, I did think the glow/shimmer from the 11 LCD was annoying my eyes like an OLED.

I would have preferred to go 8 Plus over the 11 but didn't commit as I was waiting year after year for the next chance to try the latest OLED versions. Now the ship has sailed as there are very few 11's available from reputable retailers (all of which don't offer a returns policy should you "change your mind") and no 8 Pluses.

 

[OSXphoto]

I'm a week in with a new 14 Pro Max. This is my first ever OLED phone. When I tilt the screen left/right I see a green/blueish colour cast. I can now only look at it perpendicular. I never experienced this with LCD/IPS displays, like in my former 8Plus and 11.

Did I get a dud or is this normal for OLED displays?

Thanks a bunch.

 

[jimmy_uk]

I'm a week in with a new 14 Pro Max. This is my first ever OLED phone. When I tilt the screen left/right I see a green/blueish colour cast. I can now only look at it perpendicular. I never experienced this with LCD/IPS displays, like in my former 8Plus and 11.

Did I get a dud or is this normal for OLED displays?

Thanks a bunch.

Sadly it's totally normal for OLED. I hate it but you can learn to adjust (I hope).

With the screen lottery present in most OLED iPhones you can have a display that is warm yellow that shifts to red/green OR a warm red/yellow display that shifts to blue/green (in my experience). My current 14 is the latter, yours looks the same.

 

[OSXphoto]

Sadly it's totally normal for OLED. I hate it but you can learn to adjust (I hope).

With the screen lottery present in most OLED iPhones you can have a display that is warm yellow that shifts to red/green OR a warm red/yellow display that shifts to blue/green (in my experience). My current 14 is the latter, yours looks the same.

Thanks for confirming. I just went to a buddy of mine who owns an iPhone 11 Pro, also with OLED display. I immediately noticed the same phenomenon, yet he told me he had never noticed and is not bothered by it. Same goes for the DI versus notch. I prefer the notch because my brain considers the notch to be part of the display edge, but it classifies the DI as part of the screen content. So when I watch a movie full screen the DI keeps drawing my attention while I instantly forget the presence of a notch.

Oh well, I suppose I'll get used to it. The camera system in the 14PM makes it all worthwhile.

Thanks again.

 

[jm31828]

I experience the piercing brightness, too. However, I wonder if some of that was my own doing.

In the past, when I’ve tried OLEDs, I’ve kept the brightness way high and the RWP way high, hoping that would reduce some of the flickering. So I did that this year when trying the Pro. After reading about people trying lowering their RWP and sometimes just using Auto-Brightness, I thought I’d try that (this time on a Pro Max.) And, I don’t want to jinx things, but that seems to be helping.

Not sure. Know it’s not a panacea. But jic you or others haven’t tried it and want to see if it might help…

I am just like you with that automatic move to high brightness and RWP, thinking that would somehow be better. Thanks for sharing!

 

[happy orchard]

I'm not throwing in the towel yet. No bloodshot eyes this morning and they are not stinging as much as yesterday. This is my time away from the phone as I'm in the office with my 7 Plus. But I'm hoping 2-3hrs a day over a longer period may help my brain adjust (Honesty, not super hopeful but at least I don't have the 14 days return pressure).

Regarding the iPhone 11, this is a personal choice, I don't really like the size and thickness when coupled with a resolution that is under 1080p. Apple gives a large display but the text is small and not sharp enough for my preferences (text looks fuzzy). My 7 Plus felt more premium (and was the flagship of its day).

Also, I was annoyed having to settle for a lower-tier iPhone when I wanted a flagship one. But while I had one briefly, I did think the glow/shimmer from the 11 LCD was annoying my eyes like an OLED.

I would have preferred to go 8 Plus over the 11 but didn't commit as I was waiting year after year for the next chance to try the latest OLED versions. Now the ship has sailed as there are very few 11's available from reputable retailers (all of which don't offer a returns policy should you "change your mind") and no 8 Pluses.

Yes, we like the less severe symptoms. That seems progress. Time to adapt also sounds smart. These are good things. (Think I did that a bit with my latest experiment, and it does seem to help.) Okay, so the experiment continues. Good luck!

Ahh yes I remember now why you’ve not gone with the 11. So frustrating, all these things we have to navigate.

If you think you might be willing to try the 11 again, maybe Apple’s refurbished store could be an option? I’m thinking about buying a spare when/if I can find one there.

 

[happy orchard]

I am just like you with that automatic move to high brightness and RWP, thinking that would somehow be better. Thanks for sharing!

Keep me/us posted. I’m curious to know if I’m experiencing a temporary or placebo effect. And very curious if maybe we’ve stumbled onto a way to make these devices better for us.

 

[jm31828]

Keep me/us posted. I’m curious to know if I’m experiencing a temporary or placebo effect. And very curious if maybe we’ve stumbled onto a way to make these devices better for us.

Sure, will do!

Just to clarify, you are leaving RWP off completely, and setting auto brightness- are you doing anything else- turning off any other settings?

 

[happy orchard]

Sure, will do!

Just to clarify, you are leaving RWP off completely, and setting auto brightness- are you doing anything else- turning off any other settings?

Oh my eyes can’t handle RWP completely off. I vary it, from 65%-85%. Right now it’s 73%. I mostly try to leave it alone. Only find odd moments to change it maybe every other day so far.

Auto-Brightness is ON, but there is a time or two during a day that I drag down control center and move the brightness from lower (maybe 20-25%) to around 50%. Don’t know if that’s better, but I find myself doing it, so I figure I must be getting something positive from it.

If I think of anything else, I’ll let you know. We got this, right?

 

[jm31828]

Oh my eyes can’t handle RWP completely off. I vary it, from 65%-85%. Right now it’s 73%. I mostly try to leave it alone. Only find odd moments to change it maybe every other day so far.

Auto-Brightness is ON, but there is a time or two during a day that I drag down control center and move the brightness from lower (maybe 20-25%) to around 50%. Don’t know if that’s better, but I find myself doing it, so I figure I must be getting something positive from it.

If I think of anything else, I’ll let you know. We got this, right?

Thanks for sharing!! Absolutely, it's such a combination of so many things that some of us are sensitive to- with PWM only being a part of the equation. I am so sure that a big part of it is simply the brightness and sharpness of these screens, so what you are doing makes total sense.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Yes, we like the less severe symptoms. That seems progress. Time to adapt also sounds smart. These are good things. (Think I did that a bit with my latest experiment, and it does seem to help.) Okay, so the experiment continues. Good luck!

Ahh yes I remember now why you’ve not gone with the 11. So frustrating, all these things we have to navigate.

If you think you might be willing to try the 11 again, maybe Apple’s refurbished store could be an option? I’m thinking about buying a spare when/if I can find one there.

If the UK refurbished store had stock of the 11 I think I'd take it despite my feelings about this model. Sadly they don't and they have removed the filter for the 11 as well, so I guess they are not expecting anymore for sale here.

 

[jm31828]

Just an update on my situation, as of last night my eyes are doing better with my new SE- though it doesn't have PWM, I have had dry/irritated eyes whenever using it. My eyes may be adjusting, i didn't have much of that sensation last night- so I'll see how it goes again this evening before I decide to go to the Apple store and pick up a 14 (due to the great news about the 14 here from most).

I actually (strangely) really like the size and form factor of the SE, so if it works out I truly would prefer to keep it.
The clock is ticking, though- Sunday is one week since I bought my latest copy of the SE from my carrier, so at that point I'll only have a week to try to do some sort of an exchange with them if needed, but I think if my eyes are not irritated as I use this for another couple of days, I think I'll be good.

We'll see how it goes!

 

[jm31828]

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[esaelias187]

Sure, will do!

Just to clarify, you are leaving RWP off completely, and setting auto brightness- are you doing anything else- turning off any other settings?

Hows your se

 

[esaelias187]

Just an update on my situation, as of last night my eyes are doing better with my new SE- though it doesn't have PWM, I have had dry/irritated eyes whenever using it. My eyes may be adjusting, i didn't have much of that sensation last night- so I'll see how it goes again this evening before I decide to go to the Apple store and pick up a 14 (due to the great news about the 14 here from most).

I actually (strangely) really like the size and form factor of the SE, so if it works out I truly would prefer to keep it.
The clock is ticking, though- Sunday is one week since I bought my latest copy of the SE from my carrier, so at that point I'll only have a week to try to do some sort of an exchange with them if needed, but I think if my eyes are not irritated as I use this for another couple of days, I think I'll be good.

We'll see how it goes!

So mine are not try but i get a beadace using it and a weird sensation

Iused iphone 8 all morning without issue

Jus had the se for an hour same issue but im going try use it a week to see if i adjust i kmow its not flicker as its lcd might be the temporal dithering levels

 

[jm31828]

So mine are not try but i get a beadace using it and a weird sensation

Iused iphone 8 all morning without issue

Jus had the se for an hour same issue but im going try use it a week to see if i adjust i kmow its not flicker as its lcd might be the temporal dithering levels

Sorry to hear that!
It's very possible it might be the dithering. I am not sure if the 8 had temporal dithering- but maybe not from what you are seeing in your different reactions to those two?

And I don't want to celebrate too soon- it's possible I just had a good day in regards to the phone.... if today goes well, then maybe I will be able to say I'm adjusting to it. My eyes admittedly are weird in that any screen seems to require some adjustment, and after a while I am fine- at least in the past with LCD screens on phones, laptops, even TV's.

But, if this continues at all I will still want to look into trying the 14... they are in stock in every color and capacity at my local Apple store, so I could stop in and pick one up to test. Still sort of itching to do that anyway, since there is no real loss in doing so with the holiday return period.

You are receiving your 14 today, correct?

 

[happy orchard]

If the UK refurbished store had stock of the 11 I think I'd take it despite my feelings about this model. Sadly they don't and they have removed the filter for the 11 as well, so I guess they are not expecting anymore for sale here.

Oh man, that's disappointing to hear. I've been hoping since it's still a filter.

Guess we'll have to keep searching for a solution.

(We should be good at this by now, right?)

 

[jimmy_uk]

My day (evening) 3 of using iPhone 14:

My eyes do not like this screen at all. I can feel them twitching and stinging. I'm starting to feel waves/pulses across my brain at the front of my head. Sounds a bit sci-fi/horror film - but my eyes are clearly sending signals across my brain, this is leading to some tension headache feelings.

I'm feeling after 3 evenings of use I'm storing up a headache storm or my body will cave and I will just feel sick! Definitely forcing myself to plow on as I'm loving using a modern iphone and I'm all out of options.

This is worse than the first time I tried a 14 with a yellowish display as that only really gave me feelings of motion sickness and general unease. My eyes were a little irritated but not like this. I think the redder display definitely doesn't agree with me or its my settings with white point and brightness? Definitely can't switch off WP though as this makes text look shimmery and I feel queasy.

Taking a break but that's after less than an hours use. 😑

 

[jm31828]

My day (evening) 3 of using iPhone 14:

My eyes do not like this screen at all. I can feel them twitching and stinging. I'm starting to feel waves/pulses across my brain at the front of my head. Sounds a bit sci-fi/horror film - but my eyes are clearly sending signals across my brain, this is leading to some tension headache feelings.

I'm feeling after 3 evenings of use I'm storing up a headache storm or my body will cave and I will just feel sick! Definitely forcing myself to plow on as I'm loving using a modern iphone and I'm all out of options.

This is worse than the first time I tried a 14 with a yellowish display as that only really gave me feelings of motion sickness and general unease. My eyes were a little irritated but not like this. I think the redder display definitely doesn't agree with me or its my settings with white point and brightness? Definitely can't switch off WP though as this makes me feel queasy.

Taking a break but that's after less than an hours use. 😑

Dang, so sorry to hear that- and it was sounding so promising leading up to this point!

 

[jimmy_uk]

🤢 warning: video shows flashing/strobing

(sorry for quality, taken with my potatoe 7 Plus camera in dim room)

 

[jm31828]

🤢 warning: video shows flashing/strobing

View attachment 2111278


(sorry for quality, taken with my potatoe 7 Plus camera in dim room)

Wow, that does look terrible!

 

[john g.]

I have had my 14+ for about 24 hours now. I’ve never owned a plus sized older model or a max version of any phone. The biggest I’ve ever used was a 6.1. So it’s kind of a beast of a phone even though I have large hands. I really love the screen. It’s a really good looking screen and with it set to larger text it is nice while I’m using it.

It’s when I stop using it that I am not enamored with. I’m getting some occasional mild dizziness and a full congested head, as well as some minor jaw tension. How much is psycho symptomatic and how much of it is direct causation I’m not totally sure yet
I don’t get any of that with the 11.

so, it’s not looking great so far I don’t know if I can get used to that or if it will subside. I highly doubt it. The plan for now is to use it reasonably over the weekend and make a decision on Monday if I’m shipping it back. It’s hard to imagine that I’ll make friends with the phone because I am not into slightly dizzy symptoms. That just seems stupid to put up with.

Edit: I can say that this is the best looking iPhone screen I have ever used.

 

[john g.]

I have had my 14+ for about 24 hours now. I’ve never owned a plus sized older model or a max version of any phone. The biggest I’ve ever used was a 6.1. So it’s kind of a beast of a phone even though I have large hands. I really love the screen. It’s a really good looking screen and with it set to larger text it is nice while I’m using it.

It’s when I stop using it that I am not enamored with. I’m getting some occasional mild dizziness and a full congested head, as well as some minor jaw tension. How much is psycho symptomatic and how much of it is direct causation I’m not totally sure yet
I don’t get any of that with the 11.

so, it’s not looking great so far I don’t know if I can get used to that or if it will subside. I highly doubt it. The plan for now is to use it reasonably over the weekend and make a decision on Monday if I’m shipping it back. It’s hard to imagine that I’ll make friends with the phone because I am not into slightly dizzy symptoms. That just seems stupid to put up with.

Funny enough, I had an eye exam today and the doctor said my eyes were doing just fine. No noticeable deviation from my last exam. I think we always think of our eyes but to me a lot of these symptoms feel overall neurological.

 

[5105973]

That is so confusing as to why the SE would be making you feel that way.
Good luck with the 14, I truly hope it is a big improvement for you!

Temporal dithering on a small screen? I think the SE display accelerates my unfortunate white shimmer problem in my left eye.

(Is there something up with the forum or did I mess up a setting somehow? Every time I try to like a post I now have to confirm I want to take this action on a separate page!)

 

[jm31828]

Temporal dithering on a small screen? I think the SE display accelerates my unfortunate white shimmer problem in my left eye.

(Is there something up with the forum or did I mess up a setting somehow? Every time I try to like a post I now have to confirm I want to take this action on a separate page!)

It sounds like sensitivity to temporal dithering is even more rare than PWM sensitivity, it is next to impossible to find much about it online or even on discussion forums- but maybe that is a possibility for those few who have experienced some issues on the SE, 11, etc?

And that shimmering in your eye- you don't, by chance, have astigmatism, do you? Just curious if that might cause weird things like what you described.