Ah another user like me. I also had the iphone X for years without any issues at all.
Yet anything from 12 onward I cant stand for more than a minute or so.
What did the X do that others didnt?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up
- Thread starter Kitkad
- WikiPost WikiPost
- Start date
-
- Tags
- eye strain xs max
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
Ah another user like me. I also had the iphone X for years without any issues at all.
Yet anything from 12 onward I cant stand for more than a minute or so.
What did the X do that others didnt?
Just saw the new rumor of SE 4 with OLED screen like iPhone 14. Apparently they just don't want us using Apple products anymore!! So disappointed!!!
www.macrumors.com
Didn't even bother to read it!!!
Kuo: New iPhone SE With 6.1-Inch OLED Display and Apple's 5G Chip Planned
Apple has restarted development of a fourth-generation iPhone SE with a 6.1-inch OLED display and an Apple-designed 5G chip, according to the latest...
www.macrumors.com
Didn't even bother to read it!!!
For me, this whole PWM & dithering saga started with the X.
Exactly this for me too. And then every OLED iPhone after
I shall be trying the Honor 5 Magic Pro with the reduced flicker screen when it comes out. I'm hoping Apple will start making similar efforts on this in the future.Apple doesn't care, or can't care.Just saw the new rumor of SE 4 with OLED screen like iPhone 14. Apparently they just don't want us using Apple products anymore!! So disappointed!!!
Kuo: New iPhone SE With 6.1-Inch OLED Display and Apple's 5G Chip Planned
Apple has restarted development of a fourth-generation iPhone SE with a 6.1-inch OLED display and an Apple-designed 5G chip, according to the latest...
Didn't even bother to read it!!!
Until we have a real study, from a globally recognised authority, with controlled and specific parameters that can show that PWM & dithering has an adverse effect on X percentage of a population, LG/Samsung/BOE as well as other display manufacturers won't ever truly address this. There are too many powerful players making too much money to allow any authority to make such a report - the implications would be too vast as we have displays everywhere in all industries.
I imagine that any medical study that may have touched on this subject would quickly have been shut down as the institutions they may work for will be funded/sponsored by the very companies that profit from making such technologies. And it would be a very difficult study to undertake with all of the potential variables that would have to be considered.
"I've written a study that shows the displays Apple uses in its devices are causing adverse effects on its users. Oh......I have a letter from a lawyer insisting I cease and desist and my funding has been pulled."
Last edited:
Nah man, I would avoid these conspiracy takes as it does not really make sense unless you can prove me otherwise with facts.
We need to look at this as an extremely rare allergy. Should companies that make milk chocolate stop making it cause of lactose intolerance? Nope. There are, however, enough intolerant people to warrant for a lactose free version.
Would a report stating that milk chocolate is terrible for intolerants make Ferrero or Mars look bad? I don’t think so
Apple does not care because it is not a widespread issue and OLED is a superior technology under so many points of view.
For the amount of OLED phones that are sold every year, we are very very few with such issues. I personally do not know anyone except me with pwm sensitivity, and I am fairly social, not one of my friends have ever heard about this problem. In here we are in a very vocal minuscule bubble.
So I think it isnt PWM for myself which gives me dizziness etc.
After a few LCD-iPhones I tried the 14Pro aswell as the 13Pro which both gave me major headaches and eye strain.
After I shattered my SE, I had to move to a Samsung S9 quickly, which, to my surprise, is usable without any problems at all (120hz PWM). But, I tried a Samsung S10e (120hz), which gave me the same symthoms as the OLED-iPhones.
I tried the Anroid LCDs like Xiaomi X3 Pro and high PWM (1920) OLEDs too, but everytime I noticed it immedeatly.
So my conclusion is: You have to check every device and somehow, you will find the right one.
After a few LCD-iPhones I tried the 14Pro aswell as the 13Pro which both gave me major headaches and eye strain.
After I shattered my SE, I had to move to a Samsung S9 quickly, which, to my surprise, is usable without any problems at all (120hz PWM). But, I tried a Samsung S10e (120hz), which gave me the same symthoms as the OLED-iPhones.
I tried the Anroid LCDs like Xiaomi X3 Pro and high PWM (1920) OLEDs too, but everytime I noticed it immedeatly.
So my conclusion is: You have to check every device and somehow, you will find the right one.
PSA, there are a few iPhone 11's on Apple's refurbished site for the United States. I ordered one for my son and it's his birthday today so I had some good luck! Get them while they are there!
Edit: All gone. They sold out. :-(
Edit: All gone. They sold out. :-(
Last edited:
Likewise in the UK the 11 is still available from retailers in 64GB (£419) and 128GB (£489), I picked up a 128GB just before Christmas.
Question, have the recent iOS updates improved the PWM for any users, I tried my 11 Pro again this morning on latest release and convinced myself it felt a bit better, probably just imagination!
Question, have the recent iOS updates improved the PWM for any users, I tried my 11 Pro again this morning on latest release and convinced myself it felt a bit better, probably just imagination!
Well it says something when Apple use Samsung displays and yet they are brighter than the ones Samsung use in their own phones. As for them putting a flickery display on such an expensive phone as the S23 Ultra words fail me.
Effects on the Ocular Surface from Reading on Different Smartphone Screens: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study
A small sample group of people where used in this study.
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 81870624); the Major Science and Technology Projects of Zhejiang Province (grant number 2017C03046); and the Key Research and Development Project of Zhejiang Province (grant number 2020C03035).
"Flicker refers to low VDT data refreshing rates below critical fusion frequency, the image on an OLED screen is not fixed, but refreshes at 60–90 Hz, which causes the brain to produce temporary vision and discern the screen as stable. In fact, the eyes can still feel the flicker, which easily generates visual fatigue. Conversely, the image on an eINK screen is fixed; thus, what the human eye sees is a real and stable picture without flicker. Another important reason for subjective discomfort is that because the wavelength of blue light is short, its focal point cannot fall on the retina, but instead falls a little in front of the retina, and the distance between the focal points in the eye is the main reason for the blurring of vision. In order to see the image clearly, it is necessary for the lens in the eye to adjust, which causes the eye muscles to remain in a state of tension for a long time, resulting in visual fatigue. The eINK screen does not emit light, so it does not produce blue light‐induced blurred vision and visual fatigue."
A small sample group of people where used in this study.
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 81870624); the Major Science and Technology Projects of Zhejiang Province (grant number 2017C03046); and the Key Research and Development Project of Zhejiang Province (grant number 2020C03035).
"Flicker refers to low VDT data refreshing rates below critical fusion frequency, the image on an OLED screen is not fixed, but refreshes at 60–90 Hz, which causes the brain to produce temporary vision and discern the screen as stable. In fact, the eyes can still feel the flicker, which easily generates visual fatigue. Conversely, the image on an eINK screen is fixed; thus, what the human eye sees is a real and stable picture without flicker. Another important reason for subjective discomfort is that because the wavelength of blue light is short, its focal point cannot fall on the retina, but instead falls a little in front of the retina, and the distance between the focal points in the eye is the main reason for the blurring of vision. In order to see the image clearly, it is necessary for the lens in the eye to adjust, which causes the eye muscles to remain in a state of tension for a long time, resulting in visual fatigue. The eINK screen does not emit light, so it does not produce blue light‐induced blurred vision and visual fatigue."
I used to be a big proponent of putting OLEDs and phasing out LCDs everywhere where possible, because I thought OLED was simply superior display tech.
I was wrong. OLED is only superior in contrast. But some things like flickering on low brightness and black smearing is really annoying.
I was wrong. OLED is only superior in contrast. But some things like flickering on low brightness and black smearing is really annoying.
So LCD phones bothered you too? I was pinning my hopes on the high PWM OLEDs. I'm also not convinced it's all about PWM though I think that could be a factor for me anyway.
Another update on the SE 4: iPhone SE 4 OLED
They mention that Apple will likely use leftover OLEDs from the iPhone 13 and 14; on the upside, they are the better ones when it comes to flicker %; on the downside, there goes the hope of them adjusting the display in any way, potentially for better PWM
They mention that Apple will likely use leftover OLEDs from the iPhone 13 and 14; on the upside, they are the better ones when it comes to flicker %; on the downside, there goes the hope of them adjusting the display in any way, potentially for better PWM
It is very possible that iPhone SE (2022) is the last Apple phone I ever use. Even if they eventually use displays without PWM again, I'll have switched to something else. I think my next move would be a more simple phone with only basic call, text, and GPS/maps capabilities.
The LCD-iPhones were alright, both the 11 and SE. The LCD-Android useing high PWM bothered me to my surprise.
I couldn’t use my first S23 Ultra that I bought. I returned it (unfortunately my return was stolen and is now a legal matter) and I have a new S23 Ultra that I can use. I retained my s22 Ultra which has an OLED display I can use comfortably for as long as I wish. The new S23 Ultra display is still flickery enough my eyes get tired but fortunately nothing worse happens to me, so far.
I’m currently typing this on a 14 Pro Max which I can use for about an hour before eye strain kicks in.
I have problems with those two models, too. I can use some OLED phones. And apparently it’s so much a matter of fine tuned luck of the draw for me that it doesn’t matter if it’s the same model, I might be able to use one particular phone but not the other. For me, I think it isn’t just pwm sensitivity. But I don’t know what it might be that I’m reacting to. Fortunately, I manage to find something I can use every year.
256GB 11 in the Apple refurbished store right now. $509. Very tempting!
I love my 13 mini but can't get on with the OLED screen but I found this
www.aliexpress.com
I asked if it was a TFT screen and they said it was
No idea how easy it is to replace a 13 mini screen
Tests incell For iPhone 13&Pro&Pro Max Mini 13Mini LCD Display Forntal for iphone 13 Screen TFT Digitizer Asse Replacement Part - AliExpress 509
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
I asked if it was a TFT screen and they said it was
No idea how easy it is to replace a 13 mini screen
It's the weirdest thing, but I have not had much trouble with some of the recent OLED phones (13 Mini and 13 Pro)- but the more recent LCD devices- iPhone SE2022, iPad Air 5th gen, iPad Air 10th gen- cause my eyes to feel dry almost immediately when looking at them.
It's the weirdest thing as those do not have PWM, and at least the iPad 10th gen is stated- by Notebookcheck- to not have temporal dithering, either. SO what is it about these that causes this? I don't really get headaches from them, just that dry, somewhat irritated/burning feeling in the eyes. It's not severe, but it lasts for quite a while after using the devices.
I don't have this issue with my Dell work laptop or external monitor, or even my 27" iMac from 2017.
It's the weirdest thing as those do not have PWM, and at least the iPad 10th gen is stated- by Notebookcheck- to not have temporal dithering, either. SO what is it about these that causes this? I don't really get headaches from them, just that dry, somewhat irritated/burning feeling in the eyes. It's not severe, but it lasts for quite a while after using the devices.
I don't have this issue with my Dell work laptop or external monitor, or even my 27" iMac from 2017.