Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[MICHAELSD]

FWIW I disabled auto-brightness and set the brightness to 15%, and iPhone 14 marks yet another Apple device where I can see the PWM lines in use.

Edit: Maybe this is just because it’s easier to stare at, but I still prefer the display quality of the conventional OLED’s compared to the LTPO panels.

 

[jm31828]

I thought maybe at first this would be a unicorn DC dimming iPhone that would cause no headaches and I’d be able to keep it for the next year, but unfortunately I’m finding quite quickly that’s not the case.

I had the slo-mo in my head, but then playing with one in an Apple Store yielded a crisp, clear, colorful display with no apparent PWM—sometimes we forget that the flicker isn’t supposed to be visible in use. Maybe they’re just easier on the eyes, but I prefer these OLED panels to the LTPO on the Pro models. Still that varied as some iPhone 14’s looked better than the iPhone 14 Pro next to it and vice versa.

My optimism with these 60Hz iPhones was that since the high-frequency PWM on the Mini LED displays, including the newest 12.9” iPad Pro with a 20,000Hz rate, bother me was that this would be similar to an Apple Watch where the amplitudes are low enough where I don’t pick up on the flicker. But that hasn’t been the case. iPhone 14 Plus also seemed to immediately bother me in an Apple Store, but I preferred the 6.1” size after seeing how it isn’t too much larger than iPhone SE.

I thought that if Apple moved away from 610Hz on iPhone 13, which still caused measurable issues for me, that the 60Hz on iPhone 14 would be drastically better. The display looks nice, but there’s still a slight PWM sensitivity in the background.

A bit of a shame since I was excited originally thinking that this would be the first OLED iPhone I could keep long-term, but I’m quickly finding that isn’t the case. Upon first impression I had a better experience with iPhone 14 Pro Max, but I do like the smaller size now.

I woke up with a headache from my MacBook Pro, which I figured could bias results, but it’s still apparent that I’m sensitive to the PWM on this iPhone.

I’ll continue to leave auto-brightness on, as no combination of settings seems to reduce sensitivity.

So that probably leaves us another iPhone generation without truly viable options for PWM-sensitive users, but users seem to have varying levels of success.

Ugh, so sorry to hear that.

 

[jm31828]

I thought maybe at first this would be a unicorn DC dimming iPhone that would cause no headaches and I’d be able to keep it for the next year, but unfortunately I’m finding quite quickly that’s not the case.

I had the slo-mo in my head, but then playing with one in an Apple Store yielded a crisp, clear, colorful display with no apparent PWM—sometimes we forget that the flicker isn’t supposed to be visible in use. Maybe they’re just easier on the eyes, but I prefer these OLED panels to the LTPO on the Pro models. Still that varied as some iPhone 14’s looked better than the iPhone 14 Pro next to it and vice versa.

My optimism with these 60Hz iPhones was that since the high-frequency PWM on the Mini LED displays, including the newest 12.9” iPad Pro with a 20,000Hz rate, bother me was that this would be similar to an Apple Watch where the amplitudes are low enough where I don’t pick up on the flicker. But that hasn’t been the case. iPhone 14 Plus also seemed to immediately bother me in an Apple Store, but I preferred the 6.1” size after seeing how it isn’t too much larger than iPhone SE.

I thought that if Apple moved away from 610Hz on iPhone 13, which still caused measurable issues for me, that the 60Hz on iPhone 14 would be drastically better. The display looks nice, but there’s still a slight PWM sensitivity in the background.

A bit of a shame since I was excited originally thinking that this would be the first OLED iPhone I could keep long-term, but I’m quickly finding that isn’t the case. Upon first impression I had a better experience with iPhone 14 Pro Max, but I do like the smaller size now.

I woke up with a headache from my MacBook Pro, which I figured could bias results, but it’s still apparent that I’m sensitive to the PWM on this iPhone.

I’ll continue to leave auto-brightness on, as no combination of settings seems to reduce sensitivity.

So that probably leaves us another iPhone generation without truly viable options for PWM-sensitive users, but users seem to have varying levels of success.

So it sounds like the pwm sensitivity might be pretty mild with the 14, but you aren’t quite sure yet since you are dealing with symptoms resulting from the mbp?

So sorry to hear that- it’s so very frustrating.

I still keep getting this light stinging, dry eyes feeling with the SE I picked up a week ago… I actually love the phone but it’s driving me nuts as to why it would be making me feel this way.
I might just pull the trigger tomorrow on a 14 to see how it goes for a week or so.

I know everyone will have different experiences- but is the general consensus that the regular 14 should be better pwm-wise than all previous oled iPhones? That many here found it to work for them when no others would, with those here who aren’t finding the 14 to be suitable also unable to really get along with any of Apple’s other oled phones, either?

 

[Tb87Bln]

So I ended up returning my gorgeous iPhone 14 pro and stay with my iPhone pro 12…

It’s not worth it to risk any headaches as minor they might be if I don’t experience anything with the 12 pro, which I am very thankful for… start crossing my fingers for next years phone though…

 

[now i see it]

Buying an iPhone nowadays is like buying a beautiful snake at a foreign bazaar.
Maybe it’ll be poisonous and maybe not.

 

[john g.]

Buying an iPhone nowadays is like buying a beautiful snake at a foreign bazaar.
Maybe it’ll be poisonous and maybe not.

Yep. And maybe it won’t kill you right away, maybe it’ll slowly kill you over time. Or just paralyze you

 

[happy orchard]

Think my analogy is more...a decadent cake. You know it has all that sugar and gluten and just not good for you at all, but it looks and tastes so good. Until you have more than a single bite, and then you feel worse the more you have of it.

 

[MICHAELSD]

I’m slightly torn as to whether I should box this iPhone 14 up, or restore a backup and use it for a few days.

PWM sensitivity is still quite immediate and worse than iPhone 14 Pro Max.

I have doubts that iPhone 14 Plus is any different: I assumed iPhone 14 would also have DC dimming if it did, with perhaps lower amplitudes.

If I absolutely had to have a modern iPhone then iPhone 14 Pro might be the best choice, but I was mostly satisfied with iPhone SE until I tried these newer iPhones.

None of these iPhones are like the OLED display on Apple Watch that causes zero PWM sensitivity.

Edit: I was going to avoid RWP, but 50% brightness 80% RWP it is. There’s still no setting on any of these OLED iPhones where I can leave it and be fine. On second thought, this is already causing as much if not more headaches.

Edit 2: This iPhone 14 isn’t ideal. It’s not like I can control the headaches, as I still get a fairly constant response behind my eyes that isn’t as profound as iPhone X. I’m trying to use it to no avail, and I already know any kind of adjustments will be temporary and fleeting.

 

[MICHAELSD]

So it sounds like the pwm sensitivity might be pretty mild with the 14, but you aren’t quite sure yet since you are dealing with symptoms resulting from the mbp?

So sorry to hear that- it’s so very frustrating.

I still keep getting this light stinging, dry eyes feeling with the SE I picked up a week ago… I actually love the phone but it’s driving me nuts as to why it would be making me feel this way.
I might just pull the trigger tomorrow on a 14 to see how it goes for a week or so.

I know everyone will have different experiences- but is the general consensus that the regular 14 should be better pwm-wise than all previous oled iPhones? That many here found it to work for them when no others would, with those here who aren’t finding the 14 to be suitable also unable to really get along with any of Apple’s other oled phones, either?

It’s worse than the Pro iPhones this generation. Possibly worse yet than iPhone 13 Mini, or similar.

 

[john g.]

I have doubts that iPhone 14 Plus is any different: I assumed iPhone 14 would also have DC dimming if it did, with perhaps lower I have doubts that iPhone 14 Plus is any different: I assumed iPhone 14 would also have DC dimming if it did, with perhaps lower amplitudes.

If I absolutely had to have a modern iPhone then iPhone 14 Pro might be the best choice

I doubt the plus would be good enough for you. I found the screen a bit better but I don’t think that if you’re getting headaches that bad from the 14, that the plus is going to be any salvation. Sounds like the last one to try, if any, is the 14 pro. I sure liked my last one that I tried. But I think the promotion, specifically the variable refresh rate, really jacked my motion sickness symptoms.

 

[jm31828]

I’m slightly torn as to whether I should box this iPhone 14 up, or restore a backup and use it for a few days.

PWM sensitivity is still quite immediate and worse than iPhone 14 Pro Max.

I have doubts that iPhone 14 Plus is any different: I assumed iPhone 14 would also have DC dimming if it did, with perhaps lower amplitudes.

If I absolutely had to have a modern iPhone then iPhone 14 Pro might be the best choice, but I was mostly satisfied with iPhone SE until I tried these newer iPhones.

None of these iPhones are like the OLED display on Apple Watch that causes zero PWM sensitivity.

Edit: I was going to avoid RWP, but 50% brightness 80% RWP it is. There’s still no setting on any of these OLED iPhones where I can leave it and be fine. On second thought, this is already causing as much if not more headaches.

Edit 2: This iPhone 14 isn’t ideal. It’s not like I can control the headaches, as I still get a fairly constant response behind my eyes that isn’t as profound as iPhone X. I’m trying to use it to no avail, and I already know any kind of adjustments will be temporary and fleeting.

It’s interesting about the 14 plus, as notebookcheck specifically states that model has dc dimming implemented. I wonder how they make that determination?

 

[MICHAELSD]

I doubt the plus would be good enough for you. I found the screen a bit better but I don’t think that if you’re getting headaches that bad from the 14, that the plus is going to be any salvation. Sounds like the last one to try, if any, is the 14 pro. I sure liked my last one that I tried. But I think the promotion, specifically the variable refresh rate, really jacked my motion sickness symptoms.

This is frustrating since it’s still like staring at this amazingly gorgeous display, and getting a headache response at the same time.

I’m not quite sure if I’m just focusing better on the iPhone 14, but I still feel more of an attachment and like the display considerably more than I did on iPhone 14 Pro Max.

In retrospect iPhone 14 Pro Max remains as my best experience with an OLED iPhone, but even the AOD has the potential to cause headaches. I have found that I do prefer the smaller size coming from iPhone SE, and that my preference could still change surprisingly. But I’m just not sure it’s worth trying iPhone 14 Pro when the most likely scenario is going to end up in headaches and a return after waiting a month for a highly in-demand iPhone.

 

[jm31828]

It’s worse than the Pro iPhones this generation. Possibly worse yet than iPhone 13 Mini, or similar.

I had tried a 14 pro at launch and it was mostly ok, but had a minor bite to my eyes, like the display was a bit too bright, sharp colors, or whatever. I returned it to go back to my 13 pro at the time that was a bit more gentle on the eyes.
So now I’m doubtful on even trying the regular 14 as a test considering some recent experiences here from you and others.

What was your experience with 13 pro and mini- was mini better for you than the pro?

 

[MICHAELSD]

It’s interesting about the 14 plus, as notebookcheck specifically states that model has dc dimming implemented. I wonder how they make that determination?

Notebookcheck even states that they’re not certain, but making an assumption due to the low 59Hz PWM rate.

That being said, the PWM curves between iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus appear similar beyond the rates being measured as 60Hz and 59Hz respectively.

 

[MICHAELSD]

I had tried a 14 pro at launch and it was mostly ok, but had a minor bite to my eyes, like the display was a bit too bright, sharp colors, or whatever. I returned it to go back to my 13 pro at the time that was a bit more gentle on the eyes.
So now I’m doubtful on even trying the regular 14 as a test considering some recent experiences here from you and others.

What was your experience with 13 pro and mini- was mini better for you than the pro?

Yes, I preferred the display on the Mini and got significantly less headaches but still too many for it to be practical.

Apple seemed to make a push towards fixing this with iPhone 13, but unfortunately for me it wasn’t enough and even the 20,000Hz PWM on iPad Pro’s Mini LED display consistently bothers me.

 

[john g.]

This is frustrating since it’s still like staring at this amazingly gorgeous display, and getting a headache response at the same time.

I’m not quite sure if I’m just focusing better on the iPhone 14, but I still feel more of an attachment and like the display considerably more than I did on iPhone 14 Pro Max.

In retrospect iPhone 14 Pro Max remains as my best experience with an OLED iPhone, but even the AOD has the potential to cause headaches. I have found that I do prefer the smaller size coming from iPhone SE, and that my preference could still change surprisingly. But I’m just not sure it’s worth trying iPhone 14 Pro when the most likely scenario is going to end up in headaches and a return after waiting a month for a highly in-demand iPhone.

For me, I have tried a regular 14 and two different pros and now the plus. First of all, that’s kind of embarrassing.

But, I think the 14+ is the best looking screen of them all. For whatever reason. Screen lottery, promotion, who knows?

That doesn’t mean it’s symptom-free for me, it just means that it is the most pleasing looking screen for me

 

[MICHAELSD]

For me, I have tried a regular 14 and two different pros and now the plus. First of all, that’s kind of embarrassing.

But, I think the 14+ is the best looking screen of them all. For whatever reason. Screen lottery, promotion, who knows?

That doesn’t mean it’s symptom-free for me, it just means that it is the most pleasing looking screen for me

The display on the Plus objectively measured as the best overall, so you’re picking up on color accuracy and display differences as I do—I’m still surprised how well iPhone 13 Mini worked for HDR content even side-by-side with iPhone 13, and how much I liked the display quality. It just felt more vibrant and consistent.

Can you sum up your experience with all the respective iPhones?

I tried every iPhone in the iPhone 13 series except iPhone 13 Pro Max since it seemed like at least one of those would be usable after Apple developed a new brightness controller, but the only one I felt an attachment to and remember as more than a blip of a week or two was iPhone 13 Mini.

 

[john g.]

Can you sum up your experience with all the respective iPhones?

The display on the Plus objectively measured as the best overall, so you’re picking up on color accuracy and display differences as I do—I’m still surprised how well iPhone 13 Mini worked for HDR content even side-by-side with iPhone 13, and how much I liked the display quality. It just felt more vibrant and consistent.

Can you sum up your experience with all the respective iPhones?

I tried every iPhone in the iPhone 13 series except iPhone 13 Pro Max since it seemed like at least one of those would be usable after Apple developed a new brightness controller, but the only one I felt an attachment to and remember as more than a blip of a week or two was iPhone 13 Mini.

Yes, I will try to work on a summary, without making too long of a post might need another day or so with the plus though first

 

[Ac1d 8urn]

It’s interesting about the 14 plus, as notebookcheck specifically states that model has dc dimming implemented. I wonder how they make that determination?

What's funny is in the next paragraph they say it flickers at 59hz, "likely utilizing PWM". I... don't think they proofread that review very well 😅

 

[jm31828]

What's funny is in the next paragraph they say it flickers at 59hz, "likely utilizing PWM". I... don't think they proofread that review very well

Lol yeah- that section seems to be a template that doesn’t get customized.

I wish they would go into more detail on the display section and go into detail on the screenshots they show with the pwm frequency snd modulation.

 

[jm31828]

I’m looking at the iPad Pro 11” that is on sale right now at Best Buy- it has the M1 chip and an lcd display, with notebookcheck confirming no pwm.

Does anyone have any experience with this, possibly as the device that gets most use and a phone for truly just using when out snd about?
(I have an SE 2022 that I got for about $300 after incentives)

Just curious as the sale popped up in my email today.

 

[DJTaurus]

I’m slightly torn as to whether I should box this iPhone 14 up, or restore a backup and use it for a few days.

PWM sensitivity is still quite immediate and worse than iPhone 14 Pro Max.

I have doubts that iPhone 14 Plus is any different: I assumed iPhone 14 would also have DC dimming if it did, with perhaps lower amplitudes.

If I absolutely had to have a modern iPhone then iPhone 14 Pro might be the best choice, but I was mostly satisfied with iPhone SE until I tried these newer iPhones.

None of these iPhones are like the OLED display on Apple Watch that causes zero PWM sensitivity.

Edit: I was going to avoid RWP, but 50% brightness 80% RWP it is. There’s still no setting on any of these OLED iPhones where I can leave it and be fine. On second thought, this is already causing as much if not more headaches.

Edit 2: This iPhone 14 isn’t ideal. It’s not like I can control the headaches, as I still get a fairly constant response behind my eyes that isn’t as profound as iPhone X. I’m trying to use it to no avail, and I already know any kind of adjustments will be temporary and fleeting.

Did by any chance tried the color tint tip ?

 

[jimmy_uk]

I’m slightly torn as to whether I should box this iPhone 14 up, or restore a backup and use it for a few days.

PWM sensitivity is still quite immediate and worse than iPhone 14 Pro Max.

I have doubts that iPhone 14 Plus is any different: I assumed iPhone 14 would also have DC dimming if it did, with perhaps lower amplitudes.

If I absolutely had to have a modern iPhone then iPhone 14 Pro might be the best choice, but I was mostly satisfied with iPhone SE until I tried these newer iPhones.

None of these iPhones are like the OLED display on Apple Watch that causes zero PWM sensitivity.

Edit: I was going to avoid RWP, but 50% brightness 80% RWP it is. There’s still no setting on any of these OLED iPhones where I can leave it and be fine. On second thought, this is already causing as much if not more headaches.

Edit 2: This iPhone 14 isn’t ideal. It’s not like I can control the headaches, as I still get a fairly constant response behind my eyes that isn’t as profound as iPhone X. I’m trying to use it to no avail, and I already know any kind of adjustments will be temporary and fleeting.

That's not great to read.

My first 14 was the best I've ever tried out of all the OLED iPhones as I used it for nearly a week (part time) while my experience with the second one was much worse and felt as bad as the 14 Plus. Screen lottery is in effect as the first 14 had a very yellow tint. The 2nd was leaning more to red.

The 14 Pro was fantastic while using as I didn't notice any immediate downsides, but the next day I had a terrible migraine.

My experiences to date has now left me never wanting to try another OLED iPhone. The variable differences amongst every iphone released makes this so much harder. I really don't think there are any settings which will help us.

 

[john g.]

That's not great to read.

My first 14 was the best I've ever tried out of all the OLED iPhones as I used it for nearly a week (part time) while my experience with the second one was much worse and felt as bad as the 14 Plus. Screen lottery is in effect as the first 14 had a very yellow tint. The 2nd was leaning more to red.

The 14 Pro was fantastic while using as I didn't notice any immediate downsides, but the next day I had a terrible migraine.

My experiences to date has now left me never wanting to try another OLED iPhone. The variable differences amongst every iphone released makes this so much harder. I really don't think there are any settings which will help us.

I’m trying to remember, why did you send your first regular 14 back?

 

[jimmy_uk]

I’m trying to remember, why did you send your first regular 14 back?

It made me feel queasy, a general unease. It wasn't terrible but enough to return it especially as I wanted the upcoming Plus model + I thought the screen looked far too yellow. In hindsight, I probably should have kept it for longer to see if this feeling passed and maybe I'd have a new iPhone. This is why I bought a 2nd 14 but had a bad experience this time.