Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[jonnyb098]

All this discussion over eye strain on a $1000 phone. Even if 10 percent of users are affected that’s millions of people and I think that’s unacceptable. For this price, the thing needs to be damn near perfect. Instead there’s loads of discussion over eye fatigue , the notch, Face ID. Sounds like a lot of compromise at a high price point for so many. These phones should be a pleasure to use, not painful. Hah

If you’re on the fence just get the 8 or wait till they most likely release an LCD version this year that’ll end up being cheaper and not cause your eyeballs to want to explode.

 

[matthijst]

Returned my X in December. But still having eye problems. Went to a optician today and got my eyes checked. Turns out I have a slight (0,5) error in my eyes. Also a cyl of 0,5 and a minor priSma.

Never had eye problems before and didn't notice I had unsharp eyesight (still don't, but slight headache and eye twitches).

So it may be that the X triggered this (as in: made a problem that was there visible) because of the PWM flicker?
So even though you think you have no eye problems it may be worth doing a free test

 

[Wyckham]

I would not touch OLED with your willy let alone my own!

I am mid thirties with perfect eye sight.... OLED is not worth the risk since Apple LCD is so goddam good! Why did they bother with the OLED? I guess marketing due to the Android rubbish out there...

 

[newellj]

I am just wondering if different units have different effects. I was at Best Buy the other day and was playing with the display model and it did not effect me. The second I use what was my old iPhone X (gave it to the wife) I feel it. Maybe different build dates have different screens? Would explain why the people on this thread who bought the phone again at a later time didn’t have a problem...

I don't know and very few people would, but Apple has in the past made changes in hardware while iPhones were in production in response to problems not discovered in testing that became known after commercial introduction. So, it's possible that a newer phone could be different than an early phone. It probably wouldn't be the display that changed. They would probably need to change the power/dimming components that power the display, fwiw. But Apple doesn't talk about these changes (nor do other manufacturers, so it's very hard to say without tearing apart a few phones and comparing the components on the PC boards. It's also possible (though not likely) that they were able to tweak iOS (11.2.2?) to change the PWM characteristics. TLDR: you're not crazy, it's definitely possible.

 

[karinatwork]

Glad to hear the 8+ is working out better for you. Would you recommend it as a good replacement for the X?

Actually, I got an 8 - not plus. The plus is way too big for me. I had one in the past (6+) and I never really liked the size. And yes, I love the 8. It's a beautiful phone, fast, great screen - and no headaches.

 

[Faste]

Thank you. I had the phone on beta 11.2.5 and it still was bugging my eyes, so i doubt 11.2.2 did anything. Hopefully hardware change will happen. I’ll purchase another iPhone X maybe in March

I don't know and very few people would, but Apple has in the past made changes in hardware while iPhones were in production in response to problems not discovered in testing that became known after commercial introduction. So, it's possible that a newer phone could be different than an early phone. It probably wouldn't be the display that changed. They would probably need to change the power/dimming components that power the display, fwiw. But Apple doesn't talk about these changes (nor do other manufacturers, so it's very hard to say without tearing apart a few phones and comparing the components on the PC boards. It's also possible (though not likely) that they were able to tweak iOS (11.2.2?) to change the PWM characteristics. TLDR: you're not crazy, it's definitely possible.

 

[MICHAELSD]

I think I simply got used to eye pain even though the same eye pain has been persisting over the past few weeks. If Apple doesn’t have a resolution soon then I’ll have to get rid of my iPhone X for my health. I’m still concerned whether these symptoms will continue long-term since I experience them even when I’m not using my iPhone X.

 

[bevsb2]

I think I simply got used to eye pain even though the same eye pain has been persisting over the past few weeks. If Apple doesn’t have a resolution soon then I’ll have to get rid of my iPhone X for my health. I’m still concerned whether these symptoms will continue long-term since I experience them even when I’m not using my iPhone X.

I would recommend that you stop using the X now and see if your eye pain resolves and if it does get rid of the X. If it does not see a physician.

 

[TDDM]

I think I simply got used to eye pain even though the same eye pain has been persisting over the past few weeks. If Apple doesn’t have a resolution soon then I’ll have to get rid of my iPhone X for my health. I’m still concerned whether these symptoms will continue long-term since I experience them even when I’m not using my iPhone X.

What kind of symptoms are you having & how long does it usually take for them to appear while using the X?

Also, if you do end up getting rid of it, are you going to try to return it even though it's outside of the return window? I'm gonna ask, since it's a health issue.

 

[MICHAELSD]

What kind of symptoms are you having & how long does it usually take for them to appear while using the X?

Also, if you do end up getting rid of it, are you going to try to return it even though it's outside of the return window? I'm gonna ask, since it's a health issue.

Most concerning is a throbbing pain behind my eye. It almost feels like the back of my eye is twitching, if that makes sense. These symptoms usually appear within minutes of using the device.

I’m still working with Apple on this issue so I’ll refrain from posting updates until there is a resolution.

 

[TDDM]

Most concerning is a throbbing pain behind my eye. It almost feels like the back of my eye is twitching, if that makes sense. These symptoms usually appear within minutes of using the device.

I’m still working with Apple on this issue so I’ll refrain from posting updates until there is a resolution.

Sorry to hear that, those symptoms sound pretty bad.

When you say you're still working with Apple, do you get the feeling there's still a chance they might do something about it? Or have they just given you the generic "we'll keep it in mind, thanks for the feedback" response?

 

[ekivo]

I am experiencing the same issue with my X - mild headache, eye strain.
It just took me a while to find out where it does come from and unfortunately, that while was longer than 14 days return period.
Does anybody know, if there is still a way to return a device which actually causes me pain? I would be happy to downgrade to 8.

 

[newellj]

Most concerning is a throbbing pain behind my eye. It almost feels like the back of my eye is twitching, if that makes sense. These symptoms usually appear within minutes of using the device.

I’m still working with Apple on this issue so I’ll refrain from posting updates until there is a resolution.

I am experiencing the same issue with my X - mild headache, eye strain.
It just took me a while to find out where it does come from and unfortunately, that while was longer than 14 days return period.
Does anybody know, if there is still a way to return a device which actually causes me pain? I would be happy to downgrade to 8.

I certainly don't know the answer, but I do know that Apple has been very flexible with me over lesser issues over the years. I would politely be clear about the discomfort/pain issues and express your desire that they accept a return on this, possibly by replacing it with an 8/8 Plus + credit back for the difference.

I think there is a lot of creditability and sensitivity that goes with a health issue, and I would politely be clear that this is what it is.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Sorry to hear that, those symptoms sound pretty bad.

When you say you're still working with Apple, do you get the feeling there's still a chance they might do something about it? Or have they just given you the generic "we'll keep it in mind, thanks for the feedback" response?

It’s still technically a “high-priority” case that the main engineering team is working on. So it’s definitely beyond the typical “thanks for the feedback” support level.

 

[TimoAlegrio]

It's just unbelievable that Apple does not comment on this issue and pretends it does not affect anyone. Many complain for weeks about regular headaches and no apparent reason .. Incredible and a big disappointment!

 

[Faste]

It's just unbelievable that Apple does not comment on this issue and pretends it does not affect anyone. Many complain for weeks about regular headaches and no apparent reason .. Incredible and a big disappointment!

Commenting on an issue means somewhat acknowledging it. Acknowledging it can cause lawsuits, stock price scares, and much more. Even let’s say 20% of people had this effect and it was all over the news, you would rarely see an acknowledgement. Like an earlier poster said they just implement the fix without speaking about it.

I honestly think only 1% of people have the problem. At my job daily I interact with about 50-100 people, I am in a wealthy area and most people have the X, I ask every single one of them if they have the problem and I have only seen maybe 10 people at most over the last month.

For many years companies have released products knowing it effects a small percentage of people. I am sure Apple is well aware of this problem and knows it effects a small group. Imagine how many people who suddenly start feeling eye pain just from the news of it, or others who actually have the problem but can’t pin point the source.

God I loved the iPhone X and are so jealous of everyone who can use it no problems. I highly doubt there is any hope for the smaller group of us. I will just pray the 6.1” LED module is not a rumor.

 

[newellj]

It's just unbelievable that Apple does not comment on this issue and pretends it does not affect anyone. Many complain for weeks about regular headaches and no apparent reason .. Incredible and a big disappointment!

Apple literally has no structure in place to capture this information at this time, other than sending people to read the Apple support forums and enthusiast forums like this one. If you return an iPhone X to the Apple Store and say "the only reason I'm returning this phone is because it gives me headaches" the Genius will tell you that they can only mark the return "buyer remorse" and sympathetically suggest that you go to the feedback page on the Apple website to register your concern.

You can't act on data that you don't have.

 

[GlenK]

I provided feedback directly to Apple using their own feedback link when I returned my X due to this issue.

Would recommend anyone returning one do the same.

https://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

 

[TDDM]

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/01/19/kgi-larger-iphones-to-offset-weak-iphone-demand/

"We believe the addition of 6.5-inch OLED and 6.1-inch LCD iPhone models will boost Apple's market share in China, and that the US$650-750 6.1-inch LCD iPhone will make it easier for users worldwide to own a 3D sensing and full-screen design iPhone which offers an innovative user experience"

Fingers crossed on this one.

 

[Deacon-Blues]

If that 6.1" LCD version shows up, I'll be opening up my wallet forthwith.

 

[MICHAELSD]

The Plus model will likely use an OLED display from LG, which will hopefully not utilize PWM.

 

[newellj]

I provided feedback directly to Apple using their own feedback link when I returned my X due to this issue.

Would recommend anyone returning one do the same.

https://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

This ^^^ is precisely what the Genius told me to do. Thanks to Glen for posting that!
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The Plus model will likely use an OLED display from LG, which will hopefully not utilize PWM.

This is not an argumentative post, just a question: are there phones with OLED displays that don't use PWM to control display brightness?

Also, the measurements I've seen on various review websites for phones with OLED displays show that manufacturers differ greatly in how they use PWM to control display brightness. It's very possible that Apple could simply implement PWM differently and greatly reduce the impact.

Apple needs to be told that this matters...

 

[barjam]

I would not touch OLED with your willy let alone my own!

I am mid thirties with perfect eye sight.... OLED is not worth the risk since Apple LCD is so goddam good! Why did they bother with the OLED? I guess marketing due to the Android rubbish out there...

OLED is a far superior display technology that the industry is rapidly moving towards. The top rated TVs are OLED for example. OLED just looks better, better contrast, real blacks, better picture and so on.

PWM isn't specific to OLED either, monitors, laptop screens, TVs, fluorescent lights, LED lights (that dim) and so on all use PWM. I honestly have to call BS on some of this, unless a person lives in a cave they are going to be subjected to PWM every day.

 

[TDDM]

OLED is a far superior display technology that the industry is rapidly moving towards. The top rated TVs are OLED for example. OLED just looks better, better contrast, real blacks, better picture and so on.

PWM isn't specific to OLED either, monitors, laptop screens, TVs, fluorescent lights, LED lights (that dim) and so on all use PWM. I honestly have to call BS on some of this, unless a person lives in a cave they are going to be subjected to PWM every day.

Well, keep in mind that the flicker rate varies a ton between devices and we don't stare at lights etc the same way we do with phones. I do agree that OLED looks a lot better, but they really need to either get the Hz a lot higher than 240 max or give us a way to dim the screen without involving the brightness controller like some programs can already do on computers (Iris)

 

[newellj]

OLED is a far superior display technology that the industry is rapidly moving towards. The top rated TVs are OLED for example. OLED just looks better, better contrast, real blacks, better picture and so on.

PWM isn't specific to OLED either, monitors, laptop screens, TVs, fluorescent lights, LED lights (that dim) and so on all use PWM. I honestly have to call BS on some of this, unless a person lives in a cave they are going to be subjected to PWM every day.

This is true, in part, but if you read in depth on the use of PWM you see that how it's used varies greatly from one type of device to another, and sometimes varies greatly within a given class. For example, the three Dell U2410 displays I'm looking at right now use PWM to dim the CCFLs, but in a way that's extremely unlikely to bother anyone. Amplitude and frequency matter - not all devices present equal potential for annoyance/eye strain/headaches.