Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[kargurin]

Yeah, I need to get a new phone because my current one has run out of security updates. Some are fine with using a phone without updates, I am not. So the past week I'm looking at all these phones at retail locations. All bother me to some extent. The Razr bothers me the least. The Samsungs, particularly their newest flip, is an obvious no go for me. They are the worst. Pixels, nope. One Plus, nyet. Last year's iPhone is better than most but not quite where the Razr Plus is. It's got a flicker free setting that *seems* to help when brightness is below 50%. It actually says it's designed for low light settings. And the mini screen is quite good. I think it would be best for me if I can avoid looking at a blaring big screen when possible. I believe the Razr will still be a problem but it seems to offer the best tradeoffs all things considered.

 

[jm31828]

Yeah, I need to get a new phone because my current one has run out of security updates. Some are fine with using a phone without updates, I am not. So the past week I'm looking at all these phones at retail locations. All bother me to some extent. The Razr bothers me the least. The Samsungs, particularly their newest flip, is an obvious no go for me. They are the worst. Pixels, nope. One Plus, nyet. Last year's iPhone is better than most but not quite where the Razr Plus is. It's got a flicker free setting that *seems* to help when brightness is below 50%. It actually says it's designed for low light settings. And the mini screen is quite good. I think it would be best for me if I can avoid looking at a blaring big screen when possible. I believe the Razr will still be a problem but it seems to offer the best tradeoffs all things considered.

Though this is an Apple forum, it would be great if you wouldn't mind sharing your experience here with the Razr once you get it- I and I think others would be really interested to hear how it is, and to learn how impactful the flicker reduction setting is.

 

[RangerXML]

Yes, but later I found out through an optometrist test that I needed a prism.

 

[YarosRed]

Maybe someone updated to iOS 17? Do you feel any changes?

 

[5105973]

I’m tempted to preorder a 15 Plus, but I just don’t want the hassle and heartbreak of having to send it back if it doesn’t work out, which is the most likely outcome. Hmm.

Eh, after how many iPhones I tried and returned the year the 12 series was released, I’m pretty resigned to the “Greet ‘em and yeet ‘em” saga I have gone through since.

The hard part for me is restraining myself from buying cases early in the game.

 

[5105973]

I need to find whatever it was that the X had that didn't bother me. I had the X for 3 years and not a problem. Every OLED since has caused issues.

It was the iPhone X that first made me aware I’m pwm sensitive! I couldn’t focus on print at all on X screens. I tried 2 different X’s, mine and my husband’s and the letters looked like they were vibrating!

I’m on a 12 Pro Max but I overdid it following one of the party threads on this forum (we’re partying waiting and stalking our 15 shipments from China) and I can feel the effects. Makes me artificially sleepy! Mild eye strain headache.

 

[kargurin]

I picked up the Razr plus. I'll let you all know how it goes.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Though this is an Apple forum, it would be great if you wouldn't mind sharing your experience here with the Razr once you get it- I and I think others would be really interested to hear how it is, and to learn how impactful the flicker reduction setting is.

When I think of all the thousands of threads I’ve perused, I’d argue we’ve been amongst the very best when it comes to drama free, respectful, and judgment free conversation. Granted we’ve maintained a relatively small family of sorts, but there’s been a lot to pass through the revolving door. I appreciate this group a lot and thank the many of you for this safe space to talk phones. I just wish we could form a new group to discuss our enjoyment using modern flagships without discomfort.

 

[jm31828]

Eh, after how many iPhones I tried and returned the year the 12 series was released, I’m pretty resigned to the “Greet ‘em and yeet ‘em” saga I have gone through since.

The hard part for me is restraining myself from buying cases early in the game.

haha I love it, so true I guess that I would be foolish to feel bad about returning an item that a big corporation built that is painful or otherwise harmful to use.

I haven't caught up on all posts here- are you giving the 15 series a shot? If so, which one- regular 15, or the Pro?

 

[5105973]

haha I love it, so true I guess that I would be foolish to feel bad about returning an item that a big corporation built that is painful or otherwise harmful to use.

I haven't caught up on all posts here- are you giving the 15 series a shot? If so, which one- regular 15, or the Pro?

Yeah I mean people return phones for being a color they decided they didn’t like or having a tiny pinprick size blemish on the case.

I think returning a phone for causing me neurological trauma is reasonable. That’s not an exaggeration to use the term “trauma”. We are experiencing an assault on our senses. Two people have visited this thread since it started to report permanent irreversible neurological damage that their neurologists attributed to the assault of pwm flicker on their brains.

In answer to your question, I ordered a Blue 512 GB Pro Max. That is exactly the color, storage size and model that is my first choice. I’m ordering it like any other person would. I’m not optimistic. I’m not pessimistic. I’m not anything at all about my prospects.

The desperation I felt before over being locked out of iOS is assuaged for the moment by my being able to use the 12 Pro Max.

I admit I felt a bit frantic before trying and failing with the 11, the SE3, and then the 14 Pro Max. When I got this 12 Pro Max from Apple’s Refurbished store and found out I could use it, I felt such a happy sense of relief.

I’m excited to see the new iPhone. I’ll enjoy the unboxing and the setup. I’m having a blast tracking it with everyone else who is tracking theirs on the thread hosted by TheYayAreaLiving.


I’ll open it. Evaluate its effects on my nervous system. Return if necessary and try the Pink 512 GB 15. Maybe the 15 Pro. I’d try the regular 15 before the 15 Pro just in case it’s ProMotion that’s complicating matters for me. I’m just doing this because I can’t keep my 14 Pro Max so I may as well give it all a try while the 14 Pro Max is at its maximum trading value with Apple.

And there have been improvements made to the newer models I’d like to have if I can.

 

[now i see it]

just in case it’s ProMotion that’s complicating matters for me

Speaking of motion in general (not necessarily ProMotion) I have zero tolerance for all of iOSes JANKY transitional animations. They’re horrible (in my opinion) and really really bother me. All the zooming and bouncing and spinning and expanding — god it’s horrible.
Thank goodness they offered REDUCE MOTION in accessibility settings. That setting makes the iPhone tolerable to me.
Make sure to turn that setting on if the screen animations along with ProMotion are giving you trouble. It really helped me.

 

[jm31828]

Yeah I mean people return phones for being a color they decided they didn’t like or having a tiny pinprick size blemish on the case.

I think returning a phone for causing me neurological trauma is reasonable. That’s not an exaggeration to use the term “trauma”. We are experiencing an assault on our senses. Two people have visited this thread since it started to report permanent irreversible neurological damage that their neurologists attributed to the assault of pwm flicker on their brains.

In answer to your question, I ordered a Blue 512 GB Pro Max. That is exactly the color, storage size and model that is my first choice. I’m ordering it like any other person would. I’m not optimistic. I’m not pessimistic. I’m not anything at all about my prospects.

The desperation I felt before over being locked out of iOS is assuaged for the moment by my being able to use the 12 Pro Max.

I admit I felt a bit frantic before trying and failing with the 11, the SE3, and then the 14 Pro Max. When I got this 12 Pro Max from Apple’s Refurbished store and found out I could use it, I felt such a happy sense of relief.

I’m excited to see the new iPhone. I’ll enjoy the unboxing and the setup. I’m having a blast tracking it with everyone else who is tracking theirs on the thread hosted by TheYayAreaLiving.


I’ll open it. Evaluate its effects on my nervous system. Return if necessary and try the Pink 512 GB 15. Maybe the 15 Pro. I’d try the regular 15 before the 15 Pro just in case it’s ProMotion that’s complicating matters for me. I’m just doing this because I can’t keep my 14 Pro Max so I may as well give it all a try while the 14 Pro Max is at its maximum trading value with Apple.

And there have been improvements made to the newer models I’d like to have if I can.

Good luck, hopefully the Pro Max will work for you and you can keep it!

 

[5105973]

Good luck, hopefully the Pro Max will work for you and you can keep it!

Thank you. I wish all of us trying any new phone out the best. I wish we didn’t have to essentially go through so much trial and error, but it is what it is. And at least we all do have each other and know we are not just a bunch of hypochondriacs.

 

[MICHAELSD]

I came across the iPhone X announcement by chance two nights ago, and wow was that the most innovative keynote since the first iPhone. The design was timeless IMO.

The part that most pertains to us is when Phil Schiller explains why OLED displays weren’t acceptable in the past, and why iPhone X had the first display that checked every one of Apple’s criteria.

However, Apple used PWM-free displays for decades—every iPhone prior was entirely PWM-free. Rather than using lesser brightness controllers, Apple prioritized user eye health.

Yet, that’s one box that obviously has yet to be ticked on an OLED iPhone.

Ironically, this comes as Apple is putting a stronger emphasis on eye health again. But unless there’s DC dimming on iPhone 15 or a new Accessibility option only found on the new models it’s a moot point.

This is getting exhausting, but I will have my eyes glued to the tests and experiences of all sensitive users in this little family to determine which if any iPhone 15 is worth trying. If there’s any PWM at all it’s just another year where we’ll go into it neutrally and have similar experiences culminating in returns and disappointment.

To Apple’s credit, I do still think they made an effort on iPhone 13 and that new brightness controllers were part of the keynote. Users do have varying degrees of success as well… so best of luck to all six generations later with iPhone 15.

 

[pwm away]

Thank goodness they offered REDUCE MOTION

I remember when this was added. After the iOS 7 release. iOS 7 was initially released with this option, and a lot of people suffered motion sickness from the standard interface. It made mainstream news headlines, and Apple implemented the Accessibility option. I don't use an iPhone without this option turned on.

But it goes to show that if PWM got more traction, and made headlines, Apple would be inclined to do something.

 

[pwm away]

I’d try the regular 15 before the 15 Pro

Would you try the 15 Plus first, or is it the camera of the 15 Pro Max that tempts you to the larger size?

 

[5105973]

Would you try the 15 Plus first, or is it the camera of the 15 Pro Max that tempts you to the larger size?

It’s the camera and the overall battery life and the usual easier balance in the hand of the larger model. Once those camera bumps got massive since the 12 series, the Max was the easier of the two models for me to hold.

I would go for the smaller regular iPhone 15 because then I’m going for the cuteness and I think the smaller regular phones are cuter. Lol it’s not especially logical. The iPhone Plus is just my last choice but yeah, if that’s what might work, I’ll take it and I’ll love it! 😆

 

[jimmy_uk]

Speaking of motion in general (not necessarily ProMotion) I have zero tolerance for all of iOSes JANKY transitional animations. They’re horrible (in my opinion) and really really bother me. All the zooming and bouncing and spinning and expanding — god it’s horrible.
Thank goodness they offered REDUCE MOTION in accessibility settings. That setting makes the iPhone tolerable to me.
Make sure to turn that setting on if the screen animations along with ProMotion are giving you trouble. It really helped me.

💯 this. I switch off stupid transition/motion animations etc. on all my computing devices. It's a distraction and a waste of system resources.

Has anyone noticed the stupid little animation the youtube app runs before letting you in on fresh start? In now takes a seconds longer to get into the app just to see this 🤷‍♂️ why?

 

[viktorhun]

💯 ezt. Minden számítástechnikai eszközömön kikapcsolom a hülye átmenet/mozgás animációkat stb. Ez a figyelemelterelés és a rendszererőforrások pazarlása.

Észrevette valaki azt a hülye kis animációt, amit a youtube alkalmazás futtat, mielőtt újrakezdené? Most egy másodperccel tovább tart, amíg belépsz az alkalmazásba, csak hogy láthasd ezt 🤷‍♂️ miért?

View attachment 2268809

I have only seen this on TV which version do you have ?

 

[karinatwork]

I did preorder a 15 Pro, it gets delivered on the 22nd. I had horrible problems with the original X, the 11 PRO. I didn't try the 12, but I have been using a 13 Pro for the last two years without problems. The original OLED phones had very low numbers on the PWMR scale (below 400) and that, I think, was the problem for me. When you take a slow motion video of the phone screen, and you can see flickering - THAT is my issue. If it's just a dark band rolling over the screen, then I'm ok. THAT SAID: Everyone here is different. This is just what affects me. I say it, and I will say it again: Try it out. You don't know until you tried it. I usually know within a day or two. Also, watch out for psychosomatic symptoms. We all have some sort of PTSD, we think the phones are out to hurt us, and of course it may cause issues like tension headaches etc. (something that happened to me). I will report back early next week.

 

[DJTaurus]

Waiting notebookcheck review….

 

[Artvandelay1212]

I saw on a YouTube video that the iPhone16 Ultra coming next year might have microLED which I believe is the next type of screen after OLED. Anyone know if this type of screen uses PWM? Could this be what we've been waiting for or just more of the same?

 

[du57in]

I saw on a YouTube video that the iPhone16 Ultra coming next year might have microLED which I believe is the next type of screen after OLED. Anyone know if this type of screen uses PWM? Could this be what we've been waiting for or just more of the same?

From what I’ve read, more of the same. I’m holding out hope that maybe like with LCD DC dimming kicks in above certain levels that don’t affect color.

 

[Artvandelay1212]

From what I’ve read, more of the same. I’m holding out hope that maybe like with LCD DC dimming kicks in above certain levels that don’t affect color.

Oh well. Maybe it'll be a bit different or some settings on the phone that help. Thanks

 

[now i see it]

iPhone16 Ultra coming next year might have microLED

You can pretty much count on the likelihood that the first smartphone to use Micro LED won’t be an iPhone.