Not enough media outlets covered the story. Which is strange as usually most jump on anything to do with Apple. Maybe problems are now the norm and they can't be arsed
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Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up
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There is definitely an issue with the iPhone X and it's effect on the eyes and brain. I am a photosensitive epileptic. My condition is successfully controlled by medication and I have not had a seizure for more than 30 years.
I upgraded my phone to the iPhone X a week ago, and from day one I began to experience the warning signs that indicate a seizure is likely to occur. I suspected it was due to the phone but stuck with using it for a few days. Each day these warning signs increased in intensity. I disabled the facial recognition feature and then the true tone setting, but the phone has to still be flashing, and at a rate that is causing an electrical disturbance in my brain. I have used various iPhones without problem for the past 6 years but I can no longer use the iPhone X. At the moment I am still experiencing the dizzyness and eye aches caused by using this phone so there is no chance that I can use it. There must be a constant screen flicker on this phone that earlier iPhones do not have. Apple really should issue a warning with this phone.
Is it only the iPhone X that has this type of screen flicker? My iPhone 6 causes me no problems. Is the iPhone 8 screen similar to the 6? Thanks
I upgraded my phone to the iPhone X a week ago, and from day one I began to experience the warning signs that indicate a seizure is likely to occur. I suspected it was due to the phone but stuck with using it for a few days. Each day these warning signs increased in intensity. I disabled the facial recognition feature and then the true tone setting, but the phone has to still be flashing, and at a rate that is causing an electrical disturbance in my brain. I have used various iPhones without problem for the past 6 years but I can no longer use the iPhone X. At the moment I am still experiencing the dizzyness and eye aches caused by using this phone so there is no chance that I can use it. There must be a constant screen flicker on this phone that earlier iPhones do not have. Apple really should issue a warning with this phone.
Is it only the iPhone X that has this type of screen flicker? My iPhone 6 causes me no problems. Is the iPhone 8 screen similar to the 6? Thanks
Thank you. I'll just have to hope that Vodafone are willing to exchange it for an 8.
Thank you. I'll just have to hope that Vodafone are willing to exchange it for an 8.
Good luck with that. Unless the phone is bought from Apple direct most suppliers refuse to take any exchanges with the phone opened and used.
If you’ve never experienced twitching before this is due to the iPhone X’s use of PWM.
It’s so disheartening that Apple released a phone that some of its users (who have no eye conditions otherwise) can’t use. They’re the most innovative company on the planet, they should be able to develop an alternative to PWM to get rid of the flicker that is causing so much pain for a few faithful fans.
I've spoken with Apple Support this morning. They are aware of the iPhone X causing problems for a small number of migraine and epilepsy sufferers. It is due to the PWM flicker. It is unlikely to be rectified until the release of the next iPhone model. They do not think it can be resolved with just a software download. They recommend I use the iPhone 8 plus instead. Guess that's what I'll have to do.
I've spoken with Apple Support this morning. They are aware of the iPhone X causing problems for a small number of migraine and epilepsy sufferers. It is due to the PWM flicker. It is unlikely to be rectified until the release of the next iPhone model. They do not think it can be resolved with just a software download. They recommend I use the iPhone 8 plus instead. Guess that's what I'll have to do.
That’s what I did. It’s a shame Apple couldn’t of offered some sort of buy back.
The LCD displays (every iPhone currently other than the X) do not use PWM, which is the problem here.
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OP - I don't know whether that's going to be difficult or not, but in your case, you've got a diagnosed medical condition that requires treating with prescription drugs. I would be very firm about this return. Tell them the truth: they sold you a phone that presents a real medical risk to you.
It sucks that we have to switch over to a phone we wouldn’t have chosen otherwise, but I absolutely couldn’t use the iPhone X without it having a negative effect on my health all-day-long. Thankfully iPhone 8 Plus isn’t at all a bad phone, in fact the performance is better than my X. Three months of pain and attempting to find a resolution on my own just to have to switch to an 8 Plus. I’m grateful they’ll take my X back but I wish they did more for us.
It seems like Apple is now aware of the issue, and while they’re probably mistating the issue if they think it’s isolated to those that suffer from migraines or epilepsy, neither of which I’ve had issues with before iPhone X.
I just sincerely hope that iPhone X Plus doesn’t have these issues, or at least has an Accessibility option. On the plus side (I’ll just go with the pun) I do think the design will be better in a Plus format. iPhone X feels a bit small compared to the 8 Plus, I think the X Plus will be a better version of that design. The notch will take up less real estate, more room to grip, etc. Hopefully we also get iPad multi-tasking features like picture-in-picture, there should be enough screen real estate. September feels like a long wait for the X Plus...
It seems like Apple is now aware of the issue, and while they’re probably mistating the issue if they think it’s isolated to those that suffer from migraines or epilepsy, neither of which I’ve had issues with before iPhone X.
I just sincerely hope that iPhone X Plus doesn’t have these issues, or at least has an Accessibility option. On the plus side (I’ll just go with the pun
) I do think the design will be better in a Plus format. iPhone X feels a bit small compared to the 8 Plus, I think the X Plus will be a better version of that design. The notch will take up less real estate, more room to grip, etc. Hopefully we also get iPad multi-tasking features like picture-in-picture, there should be enough screen real estate. September feels like a long wait for the X Plus...
I have noticed that turning true tone off removes almost all of the discomfort. I am puzzled and purplexed, since I enjoy this option very much on my ipad pro! I am also wondering how, I feel no discomfort using Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Iphone uses the sane Samsung Amoled tech!
The PWM flicker of the iPhone X is at 240HZ. The Samsung Note 8 has PWM flicker at the higher frequency of 257,7HZ, so there is a difference.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/PWM-Ranking-Notebooks-Smartphones-and-Tablets-with-PWM.163979.0.html
It's technically possible, tradeoffs with color quality and battery life though.
With my luck they’ll release an option after I ship my iPhone X back to Apple...
I figure they could also silently adjust the PWM frequency via firmware.
there are several settings on the X which will help achieve your perfect screen
These include True Tone, brightness. Smart invert, color filters , white point, text size, boldness of text etc Play with these settings till your eyes are happy
There’s no one setting that fits all when it comes to the screen
These include True Tone, brightness. Smart invert, color filters , white point, text size, boldness of text etc Play with these settings till your eyes are happy
There’s no one setting that fits all when it comes to the screen
Would be interesting to know the true percentage of total users affected in any way by this. The small sample in this thread suggests a high number , but realistically it’s almost certainly less than that.
Gen 1 issue hopefully fixed in Gen 2.
Gen 1 issue hopefully fixed in Gen 2.
None of these settings will affect the underlying issue, which is the invisible PWM flicker.
The flicker is almost visibly apparent to me, so I guess most people are lucky enough to not have to endure it.
I tried restoring my X again and installing 11.2.6 to see if anything changed, and I get a burning headache practically immediately that intensified with use. I absolutely cannot use this phone. I’ve tried comparing on video (though haven’t tried doing it side-by-side) and all X’s exhibit similar flicker so I don’t think a replacement would help but I would’ve tried if Apple was receptive to the idea.
I would have probably been mostly satisfied with the 8 Plus if the X didn’t exist so I’ll just enjoy it for now. It’s a bit of a headache with my bank having to return it but at least I have the ability to do so.
I tried restoring my X again and installing 11.2.6 to see if anything changed, and I get a burning headache practically immediately that intensified with use. I absolutely cannot use this phone. I’ve tried comparing on video (though haven’t tried doing it side-by-side) and all X’s exhibit similar flicker so I don’t think a replacement would help but I would’ve tried if Apple was receptive to the idea.
I would have probably been mostly satisfied with the 8 Plus if the X didn’t exist so I’ll just enjoy it for now. It’s a bit of a headache with my bank having to return it but at least I have the ability to do so.
You must just be highly sensitive to the OLED panel - pity as it's a great device. At least you'll get your money back.
My only quibble with the X is that tru-tone is too agressive compared with the 8 or the iPad Pro. I can't be bothered deeply changing the white balance settings so sometimes leave it on at night, switching it off again in the morning
My only quibble with the X is that tru-tone is too agressive compared with the 8 or the iPad Pro. I can't be bothered deeply changing the white balance settings so sometimes leave it on at night, switching it off again in the morning
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Coming from Android, the iPhone X is truly amazing! I loved the iPhone X. I wanted to keep it... BUT... I had to return it after 2 days due to raging headaches from the screen.
The iPhone X has a PWM (pulse width modulation) module and users who have sensitive; eyes, balance, prone to migraines, or super human vision are most likely to notice it and be adversely affected by it.
It’s more noticeable if you dim the screen, but it IS ALWAYS flickering.
The flickering appears visually similar to a CRT computer monitor refresh rate at 60HZ; stacked inch tall bands running the entire width of the screen that refresh moving upwards.
Not all OLED screens do this. I came from a high resolution OLED on my Blackberry DTEK60 (Alcatel) and never noticed screen flicker on it, even at minimum brightness, and no headaches. Apparently LG OLED displays don’t do this either as they do not use a PWM module.
I also had to ditch wearing polarized sunglasses while driving which give me vertigo. They produce a visual effect when you turn your head on sunny days off surfaces producing high glare or reflections, yes even the expensive brands.
If Apple addresses the flickering, gets rid of PWM and some glitches with UI/iOS I will reconsider it in the future.
For now I’m rocking an iPhone 8 and love it!
[doublepost=1519514876][/doublepost]I tried to upload a video clip of the effect with no luck. If you go to YouTube and search for iPhone X flickering screen you will find videos posted showing it. It is really there, and much easier to detect via video... even if “some people cannot see it”.
The iPhone X has a PWM (pulse width modulation) module and users who have sensitive; eyes, balance, prone to migraines, or super human vision are most likely to notice it and be adversely affected by it.
It’s more noticeable if you dim the screen, but it IS ALWAYS flickering.
The flickering appears visually similar to a CRT computer monitor refresh rate at 60HZ; stacked inch tall bands running the entire width of the screen that refresh moving upwards.
Not all OLED screens do this. I came from a high resolution OLED on my Blackberry DTEK60 (Alcatel) and never noticed screen flicker on it, even at minimum brightness, and no headaches. Apparently LG OLED displays don’t do this either as they do not use a PWM module.
I also had to ditch wearing polarized sunglasses while driving which give me vertigo. They produce a visual effect when you turn your head on sunny days off surfaces producing high glare or reflections, yes even the expensive brands.
If Apple addresses the flickering, gets rid of PWM and some glitches with UI/iOS I will reconsider it in the future.
For now I’m rocking an iPhone 8 and love it!
[doublepost=1519514876][/doublepost]I tried to upload a video clip of the effect with no luck. If you go to YouTube and search for iPhone X flickering screen you will find videos posted showing it. It is really there, and much easier to detect via video... even if “some people cannot see it”.