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Are you experiencing this issue?


  • Total voters
    1,931
Downgraded (more like side-graded) from green, 256 GB 13 mini to red, 256 GB third-gen SE last Saturday and couldn’t be happier with this comfy little LCD. There were things I liked (probably a bit too much, honestly) about the mini, but it’s nice to finally be free of the ocular irritation its screen induced.
 
Not much longer until my return window closes on the 15 Pro - the symptoms are improved but the random muscle tightness and pain at the back of my head is still present intermittently after a period of use even with Pro-Motion off

I really want to love this phone but I resent it like a foster child who drawers on my walls and smashes plates

I have no other option but to grit my teeth and return yet again to the warm embrace of the iPhone 11 with its huge bezels - inflated weight and size and notoriously bad intel modem and lack of 5G, no MagSafe and potato camera but the alternative is either getting an aneurysm from the 15 Pro or having some normality returned to my life
 
This poll started in 2017. At that time I voted “no” as I never had an issue.
It’s been about a year and I am having trouble seeing the screens. Seems to have started about the time I started with the iOS17 beta’s.
Using my devices has become more of a chore. I don’t get headaches but experience problems with scrolling, including nausea.
Even just doing regular things like reading the news or mail, performing photo manipulation, games makes me need to close my eyes frequently.
I do have my yearly eye exam today, maybe I just need new glasses or have a problem.
I’m running the most current iOS17 beta on Gen 5 iPad Mini, 3rd or 4th Gen 12.9 iPad Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
 
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Did you come at all from the 15 Pro/Max? and if not, have you had any PWM symptoms, adjusted any settings etc?

I tried both the pro and pro max. Both gave me symptoms. Played with all the different settings. Some helped, WP and increased brightness but then hard to see outdoors. Disabling promotion seemed to help but too many variables at that point. The plus was decent like the regular 15 but too big for me.
 
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Hey fam. I have been observing while trying some of the phones myself (formerly Siamese_Dream until a recent name and picture change). I was able to use the 15 PM the entire 13 days I had it which is by farrrrrr a record for me. I only recall two times where I had some eye strain. But it was before bed, gone when I woke up, and not an issue. Well, I decided maybe I would like the smaller form factor so I returned it for a 15 Pro.

Wow. Every symptom I have ever had came on strong and quickly. Temporal headache, tension headache, neck ache, slight nausea, head in a vice, pressure behind the eyes, pain behind the eyes, a "gripping" feeling, very red eyes, etc. It is already packed up to go back.

So, Friday I get another 15 PM and pray that I can use it like the former, without this being a case of screen lottery. Not sure this helps anyone. I have not tried the 15 or the 15 Plus and do not intend to unless the Max proves to no longer be an option for me.
 
@MICHAELSD Did you end up returning the 15 Pro? and if so, what have you done to hang onto your sanity?
Thanks for checking in!

I did return iPhone 15 Pro after eight days once I realized that it wouldn’t be practical as an everyday device and it may have very well been quite similar to my past experiences had I continued using it as my full-time smartphone.

I am currently testing a Motorola Razr+, and it has been simply wonderful. A major kudos to Motorola for even offering a Flicker Reduction setting, and I am convinced that it works to mitigate the effects of traditional PWM. The Razr+ uses DC dimming above ~ 45% brightness regardless.

Granted, the Razr+ isn’t free of PWM/flicker sensitivity. But even without Flicker Reduction enabled I would still say that it has been significantly better than any OLED iPhone that I’ve tested in terms of usability and persistent headaches. This would be a 1/10 on my far-too-generous PWM sensitivity scale compared to the 24/7 headaches of iPhone X.

As far as my sanity, I’m not sure that it’s worth keeping a smartphone that causes any degree of post-use headaches. I also don’t love the urgency in having to decide whether or not to keep this device, as it is a major transition switching over from iPhone. I do have to add that Motorola provides a mostly stock version of Android with a lot of smart optimizations, and I now believe Motorola to be an underdog in the space. Motorola Edge+ may be worth a try too as it uses a combination of 720Hz PWM and DC dimming above ~ 35% brightness, even if it’s a comparatively mundane flagship.

I’m highly skeptical that my experience with a Samsung Galaxy device would be any better if not worse than modern iPhones, but I am now more convinced that there are more options available that utilize DC dimming and even some modern options have PWM rates up to nearly 4,000Hz.

I’m not set on keeping the Razr+, and may still end up replacing the display on my iPhone SE. Nonetheless I do hope that Apple releases a flippable/foldable/rollable phone and soon switches to extremely high-frequency PWM/DC dimming or a true flicker-free brightness controller as any flickering on smartphone OLED panels, even DC dimming, bothers me to an extent.
 
Hey fam. I have been observing while trying some of the phones myself (formerly Siamese_Dream until a recent name and picture change). I was able to use the 15 PM the entire 13 days I had it which is by farrrrrr a record for me. I only recall two times where I had some eye strain. But it was before bed, gone when I woke up, and not an issue. Well, I decided maybe I would like the smaller form factor so I returned it for a 15 Pro.

Wow. Every symptom I have ever had came on strong and quickly. Temporal headache, tension headache, neck ache, slight nausea, head in a vice, pressure behind the eyes, pain behind the eyes, a "gripping" feeling, very red eyes, etc. It is already packed up to go back.

So, Friday I get another 15 PM and pray that I can use it like the former, without this being a case of screen lottery. Not sure this helps anyone. I have not tried the 15 or the 15 Plus and do not intend to unless the Max proves to no longer be an option for me.
Interesting to know this! I am having every symptom with my 15 pro max now and think to change to an 15pro. Hope for you the 15 pro max works again!

But this really shows that the screen lottery still exists!
 
Anyone in here tried S23 Ultra or fold 4 ?
Yes. I have been using the s23 Ultra for about 4 months now and it's fine for me. I haven't been able to tolerate any OLED iPhone since the X and have been following this discussion since then. Every year I try the latest one - this year I tried the 15 Pro Max but after a few days use the familiar eye strain and headaches were back. I couldn't justify paying 1200 quid for a phone if I had to limit the use of. I've no idea why I am fine with the s23 Ultra as I know that has PWM too. So for me at least I know the issue isn't just with PWM. I am though relieved to be able to use a flagship phone having stuck with my ageing 11 for years. It's frustrating as the rest of my family are on iOS and I actually prefer iOS still but the s23 Ultra is a decent phone and I'll stick with it for now.
 
Thanks for checking in!

I did return iPhone 15 Pro after eight days once I realized that it wouldn’t be practical as an everyday device and it may have very well been quite similar to my past experiences had I continued using it as my full-time smartphone.

I am currently testing a Motorola Razr+, and it has been simply wonderful. A major kudos to Motorola for even offering a Flicker Reduction setting, and I am convinced that it works to mitigate the effects of traditional PWM. The Razr+ uses DC dimming above ~ 45% brightness regardless.

Granted, the Razr+ isn’t free of PWM/flicker sensitivity. But even without Flicker Reduction enabled I would still say that it has been significantly better than any OLED iPhone that I’ve tested in terms of usability and persistent headaches. This would be a 1/10 on my far-too-generous PWM sensitivity scale compared to the 24/7 headaches of iPhone X.

As far as my sanity, I’m not sure that it’s worth keeping a smartphone that causes any degree of post-use headaches. I also don’t love the urgency in having to decide whether or not to keep this device, as it is a major transition switching over from iPhone. I do have to add that Motorola provides a mostly stock version of Android with a lot of smart optimizations, and I now believe Motorola to be an underdog in the space. Motorola Edge+ may be worth a try too as it uses a combination of 720Hz PWM and DC dimming above ~ 35% brightness, even if it’s a comparatively mundane flagship.

I’m highly skeptical that my experience with a Samsung Galaxy device would be any better if not worse than modern iPhones, but I am now more convinced that there are more options available that utilize DC dimming and even some modern options have PWM rates up to nearly 4,000Hz.

I’m not set on keeping the Razr+, and may still end up replacing the display on my iPhone SE. Nonetheless I do hope that Apple releases a flippable/foldable/rollable phone and soon switches to extremely high-frequency PWM/DC dimming or a true flicker-free brightness controller as any flickering on smartphone OLED panels, even DC dimming, bothers me to an extent.
I haven't been able to try the Motorola, but I have tried the Xiaomi 13 with DC Dimming and although it doesn't kill me, I couldn't have it as my main phone. But I have tried the Xiaomi 13T Pro instead, it has 2880 hz PWM, and it was much more comfortable.

They were side by side, and while the Xiaomi 13 instantly felt a bit heavy in my eyes, the 13T Pro it was much more comfortable. It doesn't mean I can use it or not forever, but at least it's like you say, some brands are working on solving these problems. So hopefully we will be able to use these screens in the future.
 
Yes. I have been using the s23 Ultra for about 4 months now and it's fine for me. I haven't been able to tolerate any OLED iPhone since the X and have been following this discussion since then. Every year I try the latest one - this year I tried the 15 Pro Max but after a few days use the familiar eye strain and headaches were back. I couldn't justify paying 1200 quid for a phone if I had to limit the use of. I've no idea why I am fine with the s23 Ultra as I know that has PWM too. So for me at least I know the issue isn't just with PWM. I am though relieved to be able to use a flagship phone having stuck with my ageing 11 for years. It's frustrating as the rest of my family are on iOS and I actually prefer iOS still but the s23 Ultra is a decent phone and I'll stick with it for now.
I went to the store and s23 ultra made me feel nauseous after 15 minutes only. :(

I was an android user since when i switched to iPhone 4S and never looked back. My 15 minutes of s23 reminded me why I want to stay with iOS. iOS is a lot more simplistic direct and interactive. Too much information on android. Hardware-wise s23 is gorgeous…. screen/speakers/camera etc. But i am more of a software guy….for example i even didn’t like the keyboard structure. Maybe if i ll ever try an android phone it would be only pixel with stock android that seems more simplistic. :)
 
I'll say goodbye now because I still have no problems with the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
I wish everyone else good luck in finding their perfect high-end smartphone.
But I keep checking back here just to see if there will be more compatible Smartphones available soon.
And the best thing for me as an Apple user is that I wasn't driven to Android.😂
 
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Interesting to know this! I am having every symptom with my 15 pro max now and think to change to an 15pro. Hope for you the 15 pro max works again!

But this really shows that the screen lottery still exists!
I hope likewise the Pro works for you! I fear I returned a unicorn and could find myself back on the 11 but I guess I’ll know soon. Ugh. It shouldn’t be this difficult.
 
I'll say goodbye now because I still have no problems with the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
I wish everyone else good luck in finding their perfect high-end smartphone.
But I keep checking back here just to see if there will be more compatible Smartphones available soon.
And the best thing for me as an Apple user is that I wasn't driven to Android.😂
Whilst I am happy for you sir, I am also enraged 👍 going to try the regular 15 before the inevitable return and back to the 1800’s iPhone 11 for another soul destroying 11 Months of tedium!
 
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I've seen a few reports on other groups/pages that the new Pixel 8 has been good for some people who previously couldn't use any modern phones. Has anyone tried this?

I'd prefer not to switch from Apple but there are getting to be no Apple products I can use with the exception of the SE phones (and even those it seems I need to keep on iOS 16)
 
I've seen a few reports on other groups/pages that the new Pixel 8 has been good for some people who previously couldn't use any modern phones. Has anyone tried this?

I'd prefer not to switch from Apple but there are getting to be no Apple products I can use with the exception of the SE phones (and even those it seems I need to keep on iOS 16)
Fascinating about the Pixel 8. I've always thought the Pixel phones were cool, and camera-wise they are either on par or even ahead of iphones, so it would be a great phone to move to if we had to leave the Apple ecosystem, if the PWM was not problematic.
 
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I've seen a few reports on other groups/pages that the new Pixel 8 has been good for some people who previously couldn't use any modern phones. Has anyone tried this?

I'd prefer not to switch from Apple but there are getting to be no Apple products I can use with the exception of the SE phones (and even those it seems I need to keep on iOS 16)
8 or 8 pro ?
 
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