Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[john g.]

Did by any chance tried the color tint tip ?

I know I’m not the person you are asking, but I tried that tip. As far as I can tell it does nothing to ease general symptoms. But for me when I am using the phone at night in dark mode, that’s one of the times I get some eye strain symptoms. It feels like the white text against the black ground has a lot of blooming. Using that color tint shift helps with that. So I have the color tint set up as an accessibility shortcut by tapping the back of the phone three times. So the only time I use it is at night when I want to cut down that blooming affect. Otherwise, I feel like it makes the screen too blue during the day. But I’m still messing with all those settings so that could all change

 

[john g.]

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.

That’s kind of what I’m doing with my 14+. I’m not getting headaches but I get that general queasiness, but only sometimes. So I am giving that some time to evaluate if that is getting better or if there’s certain situations or settings that bring it on more than others. Probably futile, but since I do have a little time with the holiday return policy I’m gonna try it for a bit longer. I really do like the screen, not the size so much

 

[jimmy_uk]

That’s kind of what I’m doing with my 14+. I’m not getting headaches but I get that general queasiness, but only sometimes. So I am giving that some time to evaluate if that is getting better or if there’s certain situations or settings that bring it on more than others. Probably futile, but since I do have a little time with the holiday return policy I’m gonna try it for a bit longer. I really do like the screen, not the size so much

I wish you the best with this - the Plus is the one I would have happily settled on (but would prefer the Pro Max).

 

[now i see it]

allergy
noun

: exaggerated or pathological immunological reaction (as by sneezing, difficult breathing, itching, or skin rashes etc) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual

Face it gang — we’re allergic to iPhones manufactured after 2017

 

[MICHAELSD]

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 😅

I think it’s using PWM since the curves for linear 60Hz flicker would look completely different.

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 definitely expected a better experience, even if I knew there was a 9 out of 10 chance I wouldn’t be able to keep it unless there was zero sensitivity at all.

I don’t necessarily think the variance between displays affects PWM sensitivity, although some users can be more or less bothered by certain tints; I.e., red tones.

Notebookcheck should measure amplitudes as well, as it would be extremely useful to know going into each iPhone generation which device has the lowest levels of flicker.

If the flicker coefficient is lower on iPhone 14 Pro it’s possibly doable for me with the AOD disabled, but it’s still too many workarounds and hassle.

This is really just a major time-sink, and I’m nonetheless typing this on my third-generation iPhone SE.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Did by any chance tried the color tint tip ?

What’s the setting exactly? I’m of course skeptical since even setting it to a greyscale still causes the same headaches.

 

[john g.]

What’s the setting exactly? I’m of course skeptical since even setting it to a greyscale still causes the same headaches.

Here’s a screenshot from the video and page. Turning down the intensity is better but this is starting point. Again, for me it just helps with the blooming of the white text on a dark background in the evening

 

[MICHAELSD]

Apple has been doing a great job eking every last bit of color accuracy and contrast from the LCD technology on iPhone SE, iPhone 11, and iPhone XR—even if I’ve reluctantly but mostly happily accepted iPhone SE as the current solution.

A 458ppi LCD display on an iPhone would probably look amazing at this point, even if OLED is capable of better colors and contrast.

 

[jm31828]

I think it’s using PWM since the curves for linear 60Hz flicker would look completely different.

I am struggling to understand the screenshots on Notebookcheck. The regular iPhone 14 at 50% looks very similar to what it shows for the iPhone SE 3 (which of course has no PWM)- so there must be something in that visual that I am missing since we know that the 14 still has PWM. I assume from this screenshot the modulation is much more shallow than on other phones, so for people who are only slightly sensitive, it should- on paper- be better?

 

[MICHAELSD]

I am struggling to understand the screenshots on Notebookcheck. The regular iPhone 14 at 50% looks very similar to what it shows for the iPhone SE 3 (which of course has no PWM)- so there must be something in that visual that I am missing since we know that the 14 still has PWM. I assume from this screenshot the modulation is much more shallow than on other phones, so for people who are only slightly sensitive, it should- on paper- be better?

That was my hope, but the 60Hz curve itself looks similar to the PWM 60Hz like on iPhone 13 Mini.

I am curious about whether iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus flickers less. The flicker looked slightly less steep on iPhone 14 and I wanted to try having the smaller size, so I went with that.

 

[john g.]

I am struggling to understand the screenshots on Notebookcheck. The regular iPhone 14 at 50% looks very similar to what it shows for the iPhone SE 3 (which of course has no PWM)- so there must be something in that visual that I am missing since we know that the 14 still has PWM. I assume from this screenshot the modulation is much more shallow than on other phones, so for people who are only slightly sensitive, it should- on paper- be better?

 

[MICHAELSD]

View attachment 2113062
Here’s a screenshot from the video and page. Turning down the intensity is better but this is starting point. Again, for me it just helps with the blooming of the white text on a dark background in the evening

What’s the reasoning that this is supposed to work? I’ve enabled it for kicks, but it’s not really helping.

 

[john g.]

What’s the reasoning that this is supposed to work? I’ve enabled it for kicks, but it’s not really helping.

I really have no idea. It just helps me with the blooming effect. What’s really weird is later in the evening I run both the color shift which seems to increase blue light and then my Night Shift kicks in which makes screens yellower. But those two together work better than not at all with the blooming effect. BTW I found the blooming effect more exaggerated on the pro screens. Maybe because they were LTPO? Who knows

 

[john g.]

So far I think I find the screens of the vanilla 14 and 14+ easier to deal with than the pro screens. The pro screens seem like they have more exaggerated contrast and the intense brightness of white text on a dark background. I can’t say that’s the case in all scenarios but the pro screens seem more difficult to manage

 

[MICHAELSD]

So far I think I find the screens of the vanilla 14 and 14+ easier to deal with than the pro screens. The pro screens seem like they have more exaggerated contrast and the intense brightness of white text on a dark background. I can’t say that’s the case in all scenarios but the pro screens seem more difficult to manage

I personally think the screen on iPhone 14 looks amazing, but I’m already getting constant headaches and even 50% brightness with the flat graph is no better. I’ve already tested RWP and various brightness levels and get the behind-the-eye throbbing so I’ll have to return this probably long before the holiday return period is over—by the end of the week if I’m logical about it. I already know extended use, such as watching a movie, won’t improve the situation and neither will continuing on for two months.

iPhone 14 Pro Max was comparatively better, and there were periods I could use it with minimal headaches at least. But I’m skeptical that I was even properly focusing on the display as the LTPO displays don’t look as good to me. Even now my eyes aren’t focusing properly on the OLED of iPhone 14, so I’m not sure if the amplitudes are as low as we’re anticipating.

This leads me to think why Apple can’t just use the PWM-free brightness controller on Apple Watch and replicate it for iPhone. Maybe they’re concerned with burn-in or longevity, and willing to make that compromise for the ~ 1% of users that are affected by PWM.

 

[jm31828]

I personally think the screen on iPhone 14 looks amazing, but I’m already getting constant headaches and even 50% brightness with the flat graph is no better. I’ve already tested RWP and various brightness levels and get the behind-the-eye throbbing so I’ll have to return this probably long before the holiday return period is over—by the end of the week if I’m logical about it. I already know extended use, such as watching a movie, won’t improve the situation and neither will continuing on for two months.

iPhone 14 Pro Max was comparatively better, and there were periods I could use it with minimal headaches at least. But I’m skeptical that I was even properly focusing on the display as the LTPO displays don’t look as good to me. Even now my eyes aren’t focusing properly on the OLED of iPhone 14, so I’m not sure if the amplitudes are as low as we’re anticipating.

This leads me to think why Apple can’t just use the PWM-free brightness controller on Apple Watch and replicate it for iPhone. Maybe they’re concerned with burn-in or longevity, and willing to make that compromise for the ~ 1% of users that are affected by PWM.

It's interesting how different the experiences are- with some saying the 14's are the first of the OLED displays they've been able to use, and others saying they are just as bad as any of the others.

I suppose a survey at this point would have been interesting given how many pages of discussion starting with the iPhone X we have out there, to see what the consensus really is on the "best" display for the bulk of the sensitive individuals who have been taking part in these discussions.

I had a 13 Pro that was mostly pretty comfortable for me, tried a 14 Pro that wasn't bad but had just a bit of a "bite" to the display, I used a 12 Mini back when it was released for a year with no real issues- but yet my wife's XS Max is bad in that I definitely notice some eye discomfort immediately when looking at it.

But, that doesn't mean anything in regards to how the regular 14 would be for me from the way it sounds- with each one it is completely random on how it will impact each of us- no matter how sensitive or not sensitive we were to past phones?

 

[john g.]

It's interesting how different the experiences are- with some saying the 14's are the first of the OLED displays they've been able to use, and others saying they are just as bad as any of the others.

I suppose a survey at this point would have been interesting given how many pages of discussion starting with the iPhone X we have out there, to see what the consensus really is on the "best" display for the bulk of the sensitive individuals who have been taking part in these discussions.

I had a 13 Pro that was mostly pretty comfortable for me, tried a 14 Pro that wasn't bad but had just a bit of a "bite" to the display, I used a 12 Mini back when it was released for a year with no real issues- but yet my wife's XS Max is bad in that I definitely notice some eye discomfort immediately when looking at it.

But, that doesn't mean anything in regards to how the regular 14 would be for me from the way it sounds- with each one it is completely random on how it will impact each of us- no matter how sensitive or not sensitive we were to past phones?

It does feel random. Just to be clear, none of the 14s have been completely symptom-free for me. Even though I am still checking the 14+ out, it’s likely that I will not be able to justify using it as much as I enjoy the phone.

 

[jm31828]

I put a poll out there for all of us to weigh in on which models work best (if any) for us so we can see what the overall consensus is.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/poll-for-those-who-are-pwm-sensitive-which-of-the-latest-generation-phones-are-usable-for-you.2370237/

 

[jm31828]

It does feel random. Just to be clear, none of the 14s have been completely symptom-free for me. Even though I am still checking the 14+ out, it’s likely that I will not be able to justify using it as much as I enjoy the phone.

Thanks for that clarification- and sorry to hear that.

I have started to wonder if my best path forward might be to keep the SE3 that I was able to get for about $330 after a credit I had with my carrier discount, and buy the $699 (on sale now at a couple of retailers) iPad Pro 11" (2021, the LCD version) for more extended use sessions since Notebookcheck states there is no PWM on that device.

 

[happy orchard]

Thanks for that clarification- and sorry to hear that.

I have started to wonder if my best path forward might be to keep the SE3 that I was able to get for about $330 after a credit I had with my carrier discount, and buy the $699 (on sale now at a couple of retailers) iPad Pro 11" (2021, the LCD version) for more extended use sessions since Notebookcheck states there is no PWM on that device.

I think many, too many, of us are have been considering a similar idea,

 

[DaPhox]

305 pages? Why dont people get the SE & continue with their lives? Or you just like torturing yourselves?

 

[Torty]

Thanks for that clarification- and sorry to hear that.

I have started to wonder if my best path forward might be to keep the SE3 that I was able to get for about $330 after a credit I had with my carrier discount, and buy the $699 (on sale now at a couple of retailers) iPad Pro 11" (2021, the LCD version) for more extended use sessions since Notebookcheck states there is no PWM on that device.

No PWM? How does it control the screen brightness without it?

 

[esaelias187]

305 pages? Why dont people get the SE & continue with their lives? Or you just like torturing yourselves?

Se 2022 even causes pain now

 

[Uncohtwo]

I’m not getting headaches but I get that general queasiness, but only sometimes. So I am giving that some time to evaluate if that is getting better or if there’s certain situations or settings that bring it on more than others.

Do you have a screen protector on your 14+? When I was trying the 14PM, I had slight but persistent headaches. I didn't feel any queasiness until I put on a glass screen protector. Took the screen protector off a few days later and the queasiness went away. (Sadly, the headaches stayed, so the phone went back.)

 

[jimmy_uk]

305 pages? Why dont people get the SE & continue with their lives? Or you just like torturing yourselves?

Like any other consumer, some of us would like to buy, own and use a flagship iPhone. The SE ain't it.

Is it our fault that Apple, Samsung, LG and BOE dont disclose the information we would need to make an informed decision before purchase? The only way to know is to purchase and trial, this thread is to discuss. And here we are.