Instead of trying to adjust the amplitude and frequency, let’s just get rid of it. Apple has always avoided PWM in the past, it’s historically a technology used by lesser manufacturers to cut cost, and it’s clear they made a compromise with iPhone X in order to implement the Samsung OLED panel as-is.
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Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up
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Instead of trying to adjust the amplitude and frequency, let’s just get rid of it. Apple has always avoided PWM in the past, it’s historically a technology used by lesser manufacturers to cut cost, and it’s clear they made a compromise with iPhone X in order to implement the Samsung OLED panel as-is.
Oh man have you seen the backlash of Google Pixel XL 2 users fed up with LG OLED screens? The blue shift and lack of midtones is awful. The quality control has improved a bit but they still aren't that great.
Ironic because LG produces the current best TV on the market (it’s debatable whether Pioneer Kuro is still king) which happens to be OLED. A lot of potential in the tech once they get it right.
Agreed. LG OLED televisions are the best. And yes it's too bad plasma fell out of fashion (I'm still using a Panasonic plasma tv!). But LG phone screens are behind at the moment. I've used the LG V30 and Pixel XL 2 and they both just fall a bit flat. Very blue, unbalanced, no midtones. Apple has invested heavily in LG recently so here's hoping they improve quickly.
[doublepost=1516634050][/doublepost]Hi all
I am also having issues with iPhone X display
My eyes are getting blurry and painful even though I am not using the x for extensive period of time.
I raised this issue with Apple and they seem reluctant in accepting that it is a problem with there phone.
Gave me a solution to put screen protector on my x to save my eyes from OLED.
They are making me to believe that I am the first to report this problem I am sure this is not the case.
Please provide updates here from all those who are having issues
Hi, I am also having headache problems with my phone, I don't know if any of you guys know about SAR's (radiation) I am going to get the SAR levels checked out on my phone to see if that might be an issue.
Worryingly I am now getting headaches with my other gadgets!
Worryingly I am now getting headaches with my other gadgets!
I have had my iPhone X for 2 days now, and I am returning it immediately due to unforeseen eye strain, headaches, and allergic type reactions to the display.
My background: I'm a video professional, both in production and post production. I'm a published photographer, cinematographer and video editor.
I've used OLED, AMOLED, LCD, LED LCD, Plasma, etc etc. over the years and I have never experienced anything like this. I've used $25,000 Color Grading monitors that were only 17", basically I've had my eyes on a lot of different screens, and I'm still a young dude.
I am really taken aback by this development. I am someone that has traditionally NEVER gotten headaches in life.
I wouldn't even get hangover headaches after big nights of drinking. I am super lucky in that regard.
I've been on the iPhone since the iPhone 4 came out, and I ditched my Blackberry. I've been using Apple since 2003 though for all my computing and professional needs.
This is a HUGE issue for Apple.
The only other time I can remember an issue of this significance is the first generation 27inch iMacs that had Yellow banding on the screen displays. I had to return my iMac two times before a decent screen arrived.
But that was a different era, and I'm not sure if Apple plans to do anything about this if more noise isn't made.
My hope is some engineer is curious enough to peruse these forums and see that people are reconsidering what is supposed to be a flagship model of their most popular product, if not the most popular and important pieces of technology in our lifetime.
I can't spend more than 5-6 minutes looking at my phone without my eyes twitching, feeling like I have pinkeye symptoms, and today I had to pull over from driving because my eyes were watering because I was looking at the GPS.
This is a health issue brought on by the iPhone, and it shouldn't be ignored, minimized, or dismissed like some foolish people have been saying, "go to an eye doctor, ophthalmologist, neurologist, etc"
For someone who has to stare at a screen for hours on end for my job, my small smartphone screen shouldn't tax my eyes after 5 minutes, give me a headache, amongst other symptoms.
33 pages and 47% of users experiencing this (for this sample size) is significant enough for a recall, or a redesign of the screen.
Let's see how and if Apple responds.
My background: I'm a video professional, both in production and post production. I'm a published photographer, cinematographer and video editor.
I've used OLED, AMOLED, LCD, LED LCD, Plasma, etc etc. over the years and I have never experienced anything like this. I've used $25,000 Color Grading monitors that were only 17", basically I've had my eyes on a lot of different screens, and I'm still a young dude.
I am really taken aback by this development. I am someone that has traditionally NEVER gotten headaches in life.
I wouldn't even get hangover headaches after big nights of drinking. I am super lucky in that regard.
I've been on the iPhone since the iPhone 4 came out, and I ditched my Blackberry. I've been using Apple since 2003 though for all my computing and professional needs.
This is a HUGE issue for Apple.
The only other time I can remember an issue of this significance is the first generation 27inch iMacs that had Yellow banding on the screen displays. I had to return my iMac two times before a decent screen arrived.
But that was a different era, and I'm not sure if Apple plans to do anything about this if more noise isn't made.
My hope is some engineer is curious enough to peruse these forums and see that people are reconsidering what is supposed to be a flagship model of their most popular product, if not the most popular and important pieces of technology in our lifetime.
I can't spend more than 5-6 minutes looking at my phone without my eyes twitching, feeling like I have pinkeye symptoms, and today I had to pull over from driving because my eyes were watering because I was looking at the GPS.
This is a health issue brought on by the iPhone, and it shouldn't be ignored, minimized, or dismissed like some foolish people have been saying, "go to an eye doctor, ophthalmologist, neurologist, etc"
For someone who has to stare at a screen for hours on end for my job, my small smartphone screen shouldn't tax my eyes after 5 minutes, give me a headache, amongst other symptoms.
33 pages and 47% of users experiencing this (for this sample size) is significant enough for a recall, or a redesign of the screen.
Let's see how and if Apple responds.
Please contact Apple in as many manners as possible and let them know what you’re experiencing.
Everybody posting in this thread needs to explicitly contact Apple to let them know that this isn’t an isolated issue.
Evening lads,
I can definitely say that there are iPhone X devices with zero issue, and there are some with beyond garbage in terms of eye comfort and health. Looking at my first iPhone X was a disaster. Staring and focusing that screen was too hard. While u look at it, my heart rate was increasing noticably. Something was with that screen. And i was reading here since november, and because of that i thought that is the experience i should expect. And also my first iPhone X screen wasn’t even remotely uniform. It’s too important for me. So i decided to exchange the phone even if it was a sore to look at it, i was just wanted to assume that i can get used it.
Then my second iPhone X unit arrived. It was passed one week since my last iPhone X usage. And i thought i just get used to it. I adapted it. The screen was so nice to look at it. I can even focus on the smallest details on the screen, and it didn’t feel anything odd. And after using it 5 days, i hadn’t felt anything uncomfortables. And i can even say that i have never looked at that comfortable screen ever. It was like looking at a paper. It was like there are no light source to look at. And also it wasn't just me, even the folks around me had seen that night and day difference. And btw i returned also phone because of uneven screen :d. It was definitely better than the first one in terms of uniformity but once OCD kicks in u can’t do much. So i continue to playing screen lottery but this time i have to both uniform and healthy screen. Wish me luck
.
TLDR: There are screens that looking at it joy, and there are also screens that looking at it misery and they may cause some health issues. Good luck with the lottery.
I can definitely say that there are iPhone X devices with zero issue, and there are some with beyond garbage in terms of eye comfort and health. Looking at my first iPhone X was a disaster. Staring and focusing that screen was too hard. While u look at it, my heart rate was increasing noticably. Something was with that screen. And i was reading here since november, and because of that i thought that is the experience i should expect. And also my first iPhone X screen wasn’t even remotely uniform. It’s too important for me. So i decided to exchange the phone even if it was a sore to look at it, i was just wanted to assume that i can get used it.
Then my second iPhone X unit arrived. It was passed one week since my last iPhone X usage. And i thought i just get used to it. I adapted it. The screen was so nice to look at it. I can even focus on the smallest details on the screen, and it didn’t feel anything odd. And after using it 5 days, i hadn’t felt anything uncomfortables. And i can even say that i have never looked at that comfortable screen ever. It was like looking at a paper. It was like there are no light source to look at. And also it wasn't just me, even the folks around me had seen that night and day difference. And btw i returned also phone because of uneven screen :d. It was definitely better than the first one in terms of uniformity but once OCD kicks in u can’t do much. So i continue to playing screen lottery but this time i have to both uniform and healthy screen. Wish me luck
.TLDR: There are screens that looking at it joy, and there are also screens that looking at it misery and they may cause some health issues. Good luck with the lottery.
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Just spoke to a senior advisor for an hour, and let them know explicitly my issues with the X.
I recommend everyone else do the same, even if they keep you on hold for a bit, this is HOW CHANGE is made.
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Kabir8, I feel like I'm in the same boat as you. I'm not a "casual" electronics user. I do graphic design and UI/UX, and test websites and apps on multiple screen technologies and platforms. When I had the iPhone X I noticed the migraine-inducing, eyeball-hurting symptoms within 15 minutes! It was obvious something totally different was happening with only this phone. I still strongly believe that it's the Face ID causing the problems, mostly because I have never had any problems with OLED or PWM dimming. Even if you disable Face ID, I think it's still on. Apple has actually implemented an update recently where even when you "disable" Bluetooth and GPS, they don't actually get disabled. They are still on. I wonder how many users know this. The same is probably true with Face ID and the 30,000 infrared dots blasting in our faces, but nobody has confirmed it yet. So yeah, we need some engineer to test out why this is happening instead of everyone here, including myself, guessing at the cause.
I JUST returned it and replaced it with the 8 Plus.
I URGE anybody to do the same.
Apple is already discontinuing the first generation Iphone X by this Summer (announced today 1/22/18)
I have IMMEDIATE relief now that I'm on the 8+.
I am still in shock this was an issue to begin with. Totally caught off guard, and very concerned about those who "are getting used to it" and what kind of long-term health effects, vision impairment it may cause.
Remember, smartphones are tested for "acceptable levels" of certain signals, frequencies, radiation, etc.
They are not fully tested for the Synergistic and combined effect of all these signals, and with the X they have added an IR camera, amongst the already active proximity, and light sensors that are on the front of the screen.
WE HAVE TO BE VIGILANT.
Do I sound dramatic? Good.
Tech is taking over our lives, and if a product has an issue that is affecting the HEALTH of loyal users (especially those like yourself and myself who use the devices in professional capacities), then we must create NOISE.
Seriously people, don't accept any device that is causing discomfort. This is too significant of an issue, and knowing how corporations run, nobody is going to want to accept responsibility, and the LAST thing Apple wants is a class-action lawsuit or a major recall.
Today's news leads me to believe they are getting out in front of this issue before it balloons, and starts happening to some giant tech blogger or popular Youtube tech reviewer.
The iPhone X first generation is an absolute failure in my opinion. Good riddance.
This isn’t an Apple issue, they don’t even make the display (its Samsung I believe). This would be a technology industry issue *if* true. If there is a segment of the population that can’t handle OLED, they should pick a different product. Just because a tiny fraction of the population are allergic to nuts doesn’t mean we should recall peanut butter.
I have bad news for you, OLED is largely considered the only option for high end TVs and that will continue to filter down market.
Your claim that you have not experienced this problem with other OLED displays is suspect. For one you have used displays from the same folks that make Apple’s and OLEDs all work fundamentally the same way. PWM is the only real differentiator from older iPhone displays and all OLEDs would have the same issue.
There are millions and millions of OLED displays out there and other than a few tiny references to general eye stain (all displays have complaints like this) nothing. This isn’t an issue of any significance.
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FaceID isn’t always on (IR emitter), that would be a big drain on the batteries. It is on demand.
Infrared dots “blasting” at your face? Did they not teach science where you grew up? The iPhone isn’t even in the same order of magnitude as other constant sources of IR that you are exposed to.
Do you avoid people, warm things, the sun, fires, ovens, etc? All significant sources of IR.
I am guessing you never go outside?
Hey barjam, How are you? Having a good evening, yes?
Maybe you missed the post where I mentioned I work in video production.
Basically your post is implying that I am a liar, and that my issue is insignificant.
So let me put into context a few things about my experience (at the risk of sounding as insufferable as you):
-I've used monitors that you probably didn't know existed, and probably will never see unless you work on a major film set or post-production studio or color-grading suite.
My gear consists of several production monitors for my cinema rig that is are in fact OLED screens by the company SmallHD (www.smallhd.com).
I've spent hours of my life staring at one of these screens, 4K screens, plasma screens, IPS screens, 14-bit LCD screens, HDR monitors, and many other with no eye pain or eye strain.
I have no medical issues, and no history of headaches.
I have LITERALLY NOTHING to gain from being vocal about this.
I am in fact still an iPhone user, except now I have the 8 instead of the X. So Apple still gets my business.
But Apple is already moving on from this iteration in less than a year, which isn't a decision made on a whim by one of the biggest companies on the planet.
So you saying this is of no significance by trying to "educate" me on the state of Televisions on the market is laughable, and completely ignorant. Look at the poll in this thread, and tell me 47% of those that voted are full of it too.
____
In regards to Samsung creating their screens, this is widely documented. I knew this back when I got the first gen iMac because they were currently shipping models with either Samsung or LG made screens. (There was a site where you could enter your Serial And MACID and find out what panel you had).
Now that Samsung is firmly in the mobile space, they have become more of a competitor, and I don't know what their current manufacturing stance is.
Though from what I've been told, OLED screens can be engineered and "fine-tuned" to react differently at different output levels depending on the intended usage and size of the screen.
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Jeez, if your eyes had no trouble with all of those, I wonder what's up with the X screen causing all these issues. You'd think Apple of all companies would make sure this stuff wouldn't happen. Just out of curiosity, what brightness level did you usually use the X at? & did you ever have True Tone on? We've found through testing that having the screen too dim can cause headaches from the 60hz flickering, and having it too bright is just horrible to look at anyway. The sweet spot seems to be at around 55% brightness + no true tone.
I also definitely agree about being vocal with them, at the very least it lets them know that there are people affected by this stuff.
Anyway, I have some interesting news. I found that Iris actually does have an iOS app, it just has to be side loaded with cydia impactor. Unfortunately, it just crashes upon opening for me. Anyone want to try this out and see if it helps? Apparently it can adjust brightness in a way that doesn't affect PWM. So, theoretically, you'd be able to have the phone at max brightness internally, but adjust it with iris so it's easier to look at.
Here's the download page:
https://iristech.co/iris-ios/
And here's a guide for cydia impactor:
https://www.cydiageeks.com/download-cydia-impactor-install-apps.html
I’m hoping for a jailbreak soon, I’m too used to using my own fonts and color schemes.
But going back to the X issue, man I didn’t want to have this issue at all. I didnt want to have to go through now needing to return my case and tempered glass to amazon, and remove a new popsocket I just put on the case.
But I couldn’t shake the “allergic feeling” all weekend that was renewed every time I looked at the phone longer than 4 minutes.
I did see the PWM Charts mentioning the lower brightness frequencies versus the middle brightnesses.
I am a low brightness person by default but experimented with and without truetone and nightshift and also in low battey mode and without faceid on at all.
Same results.
The worst part of the feeling besides the pain concentrated behind my eye and in my sinuses (all of which have disappeared in the hours since Ive returned my X), was the feeling like I was getting pink eye or something, and the subsequent watering my eyes would get.
I had to pull over today after my eyes watered so much looking at the GPS on the way to work.
I couldn’t even hold the X straight in front of my face like I would any other phone, because it would bring on that variety of symptoms.
And as I type this on my 8plus, And have no other variables in my life, it had to be the X causing all of this, which I still find shocking and totally understand how others could too.
Honestly, you have no idea what you're talking about. Do some research. PWM implementation varies extremely widely thought the various industries that use OLED displays. Apple's implementation for the iPhone X is very different from Samsung's implementation in its "flagship" phones. These all vary greatly from implementation in various TV brands. It is patently untrue that "all OLEDs would have the same issue."
[doublepost=1516711656][/doublepost]
Look at the test results. PWM varies a lot. Amplitude and frequency are used differently from device to device and can cause very different results.
Polls on here aren’t useful, folks that think they have an issue are drawn to it whole folks who aren’t interested move on.
I have no doubt that you feel there is an issue so I wouldn’t say you are a liar. There just isn’t anything that could support your specific stance that somehow an iPhone X using commodity OLED panels from Samsung (as I recall) somehow magically has an issue that’s isn’t anywhere else.
The moving on from the X is expected, it was a special edition. The iPhone 9 or whatever they call it will be an X style phone with the 8 being the cheapie model. The X was never going to be the tic/toc cheap model.
Funny reply. Sure go ahead and keep staring at the IR emitter. A big corporation told you everything will be okay! What could go wrong? I realize the emitter is weak, but infrared is still heat radiation and it slowly cooks your eyeballs. Not so slowly if you're getting hit a few hundred thousand times a day. You realize how delicate retina tissue is right? And yes I do avoid fire
thanks for asking.Anyways there is a proximity IR emitter that's always turning on, on every smartphone, separate from what Face ID does. I can't help but think Apple is using the same IR emitter for Face ID and the proximity sensor as well. I no longer have the iPhone X but it wouldn't be hard for someone out there to record a video to confirm or discount that theory.
People need to stop repeating that BS. The IR lasers on the iPhone are NOT the same as other sources of IR. When you go outside, do you really think your face is being blasted with IR at the same intensity as Face ID? If that were so, how would it work in sunlight?
Further, biometric IR hasn’t been adequately studied. The studies that do exist raise some concerns. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Samsung products with iris scanners were causing serious eye pain for some users. I plan to stay far away from this tech until it’s very thoroughly studied, which is why I’ll probably be sticking with an 8 Plus for quite a while.
I'm not gonna comment on the safety of Face ID, since I haven't done any research on it or anything.
However, I’m still convinced this is a PWM issue. Our symptoms are consistent with PWM-sensitivity, and this is already a well-documented issue.
I've personally already tried turning off all Face ID related features for a few days, and my symptoms were still there. If you're convinced that it's Face ID related, you should try doing the same and see if it helps at all.
However, I’m still convinced this is a PWM issue. Our symptoms are consistent with PWM-sensitivity, and this is already a well-documented issue.
I've personally already tried turning off all Face ID related features for a few days, and my symptoms were still there. If you're convinced that it's Face ID related, you should try doing the same and see if it helps at all.
Well, I just sent Tim Cook an email. Let's hope someone reads it.