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Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

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The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.

Are you experiencing this issue?

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MICHAELSD

MICHAELSD

macrumors 603
Jul 13, 2008
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First impressions from an Apple Store: the effects aren’t quite as immediate and still not resolved, making it potentially maddening to purchase.

I gravitated towards iPhone 15 Pro, which may be the sleeper product this generation. Both the size and display were the most comfortable, although even that’s relative and I am still noticing a slight bit of a migraine effect afterwards using my iPhone SE. I did cycle between all four iPhones so it’s difficult to judge individual effects. All iPhone 16 models gave some mild symptoms, with my quick ranking from best to worst being iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro Max. I could notice a mild headache sensation while using iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Plus specifically.

This goes to show that testing in a store environment isn’t scientific enough. It’s not as bad as previous generations, but it’s probably still not ideal for everyday usage by a sensitive user.
 
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MICHAELSD

MICHAELSD

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I am definitely experiencing the after-effects of slight migraines now. It’s not all that different — I think I just don’t get the effects as instantly. I still do get migraines just from looking at a friend’s iPhone 14, etc.
 
MICHAELSD

MICHAELSD

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It does still boggle my mind that they can release a product after several years that is capable of causing this type of sensitivity in users that aren’t otherwise sensitive to flickering.

Not scientific by any means, but the Pro flickering does look different on camera:

 
PWMisSuperSUS

PWMisSuperSUS

macrumors newbie
Dec 27, 2022
7
7
Anyone else's symptoms get worse with iOS 18? Updating my previously zero-strain iPhone 11 to iOS 18 made the screen unbearable for any duration. Reverting back to 17.6.1 via IPSW (still signed) reduces the strain a bit, but after 10 minutes or so it begins to feel like Apple's other LCD's for me, headache, pressure in sinuses, nausea, etc. I wish I checked what version I was on before updating, but it was at least 17.5.1, so either 17.6 is where the change occurred, or Apple has the ability to update display firmware via in update, which can't be reverted by downgrading iOS.

Kind of crazy that a simple update can ruin an LCD for me. Though I suppose it's also strange that iPhone 11 was literally the only modern Apple device I could use without strain, LCD or OLED. Not anymore :/

I have an SE 2022 coming in soon, not too optimistic about it but I figured it was worth a shot, especially if it's fine with iOS 18. If not, I'll scour the used market for another 11 on 17.5.1 or earlier and never update it again. Other than going with budget LCD Android phones that lack features iPhone 11 is still the best LCD smartphone available. Minus the headache my 11 still feels like it's got plenty of life left in it.
 
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johhno140

macrumors newbie
Sep 7, 2022
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PWMisSuperSUS said:
Anyone else's symptoms get worse with iOS 18? Updating my previously zero-strain iPhone 11 to iOS 18 made the screen unbearable for any duration. Reverting back to 17.6.1 via IPSW (still signed) reduces the strain a bit, but after 10 minutes or so it begins to feel like Apple's other LCD's for me, headache, pressure in sinuses, nausea, etc. I wish I checked what version I was on before updating, but it was at least 17.5.1, so either 17.6 is where the change occurred, or Apple has the ability to update display firmware via in update, which can't be reverted by downgrading iOS.

Kind of crazy that a simple update can ruin an LCD for me. Though I suppose it's also strange that iPhone 11 was literally the only modern Apple device I could use without strain, LCD or OLED. Not anymore :/

I have an SE 2022 coming in soon, not too optimistic about it but I figured it was worth a shot, especially if it's fine with iOS 18. If not, I'll scour the used market for another 11 on 17.5.1 or earlier and never update it again. Other than going with budget LCD Android phones that lack features iPhone 11 is still the best LCD smartphone available. Minus the headache my 11 still feels like it's got plenty of life left in it.
Click to expand...
This is what concerns me with Apple, and why I think I’m going to switch away from them. Even if you find a device that magically works and doesn’t give you eye strain, I do not trust them not to tinker with the operating system and mess it all up.
 
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devianz

devianz

macrumors newbie
Sep 23, 2024
4
2
dannyh5319 said:
Can this be fixed with software or it’s just panel based?
Click to expand...
It might be fixable by adjusting for example the refresh rate. I'd try swapping phones with a friend if they have one with a different panel, you can have an identical model iPhone but one has an LG panel and the other one uses Samsung. And there are actual differences between the two types, one being more color accurate and generally considered better..
 
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A

Abiyork

macrumors regular
Sep 16, 2012
159
177
It really surprises me the amount of those willing to keep trying phones and opting for one thats 'OK' but still isn't 100% pain free.

Its crap we are in this situation but please consider your long term health over having new tech.

I'm just as gutted as anyone, I love new tech and especially want the cameras but until a phone is released which claims to have a fix I will continue plodding along with an old phone, albeit pain free.
 
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A

Abiyork

macrumors regular
Sep 16, 2012
159
177
johhno140 said:
This is what concerns me with Apple, and why I think I’m going to switch away from them. Even if you find a device that magically works and doesn’t give you eye strain, I do not trust them not to tinker with the operating system and mess it all up.
Click to expand...

Yep, paying the best part of £1k for it to be turned into a pain machine a few weeks later, not happening.
 
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CocoPlops999

macrumors member
Feb 5, 2021
30
15
PWMisSuperSUS said:
Anyone else's symptoms get worse with iOS 18? Updating my previously zero-strain iPhone 11 to iOS 18 made the screen unbearable for any duration. Reverting back to 17.6.1 via IPSW (still signed) reduces the strain a bit, but after 10 minutes or so it begins to feel like Apple's other LCD's for me, headache, pressure in sinuses, nausea, etc. I wish I checked what version I was on before updating, but it was at least 17.5.1, so either 17.6 is where the change occurred, or Apple has the ability to update display firmware via in update, which can't be reverted by downgrading iOS.

Kind of crazy that a simple update can ruin an LCD for me. Though I suppose it's also strange that iPhone 11 was literally the only modern Apple device I could use without strain, LCD or OLED. Not anymore :/

I have an SE 2022 coming in soon, not too optimistic about it but I figured it was worth a shot, especially if it's fine with iOS 18. If not, I'll scour the used market for another 11 on 17.5.1 or earlier and never update it again. Other than going with budget LCD Android phones that lack features iPhone 11 is still the best LCD smartphone available. Minus the headache my 11 still feels like it's got plenty of life left in it.
Click to expand...
On ipsw it says the newest iOS 17 isn’t signed anymore.

Where’d manage to pick it up?
 
M

majkom

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May 3, 2011
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is there any REALIABLE site with pwm rates for iphones and pixels/samsing phones? just checked DXOMark vs notebookcheck and they do have different values for several phones... any idea where to check?

AFAIK - 14 Pro has 480 Hz, would like to know if 15 pro/pro max and 16 pro/pro max got same or other value... or if eg pixels really are only 240Hz
 
MICHAELSD

MICHAELSD

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Jul 13, 2008
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PwmMen said:
I now have the iPhone 16 Pro here. It was really bad yesterday. Neck and eyes hurt.
Then today I deactivated the animations (movement) and deactivated 120Hz. Since then I can use it well.
Will test it now and then report again
Click to expand...
I personally think that reducing the refresh rate is placebo for this purpose since it doesn’t affect the PWM rate. I remember all too well wanting some combination of settings to work, so I’d attribute a positive difference to testing that wasn’t there or that was based on a different factor like time of day or even caffeine/coffee making the iPhone slightly more tolerable.

The new Pro is really nice for such an incremental generation: I loved the new 6.3” display size since 6.1” felt small to me while the feel in the hand is more comfortable than a Max.
 
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K

kerplunknet

Cancelled
Oct 8, 2006
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majkom said:
is there any REALIABLE site with pwm rates for iphones and pixels/samsing phones? just checked DXOMark vs notebookcheck and they do have different values for several phones... any idea where to check?

AFAIK - 14 Pro has 480 Hz, would like to know if 15 pro/pro max and 16 pro/pro max got same or other value... or if eg pixels really are only 240Hz
Click to expand...
It’s challenging to measure because Apple uses variable rates and (I don’t know how to communicate this well from a tech perspective) there are often multiple frequencies occurring in the newer iPhone generations. Also, the equipment to accurately test even just one frequency is very expensive.

My take is that if any PWM is present, I’d never consider using it. No reason to subject my eyes or health to that completely unnecessary nonsense.
 
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dannyh5319

macrumors member
Oct 6, 2023
43
26
Will return 16 pro and go back to 13 pro, I’ll wait one more year if it’s the same issue next year then I’ll just go with a different brand, lighting cable in 2025 is gonna be annoying
 
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majkom

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May 3, 2011
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kerplunknet said:
It’s challenging to measure because Apple uses variable rates and (I don’t know how to communicate this well from a tech perspective) there are often multiple frequencies occurring in the newer iPhone generations. Also, the equipment to accurately test even just one frequency is very expensive.

My take is that if any PWM is present, I’d never consider using it. No reason to subject my eyes or health to that completely unnecessary nonsense.
Click to expand...
my point is that i am fine with 14 pro, so if 16 pro is similar, Ill be fine.. do not want to downgrade to lower frequencies
 
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now i see it

macrumors G4
Jan 2, 2002
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PWM vs MSG
Does this similarity look familiar?

What is MSG? Is it bad for you?

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer often added to restaurant foods, canned vegetables, soups, deli meats and other foods. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient that's generally recognized as safe. But its use is still debated. For this reason, when MSG is added to food, the FDA requires it to be listed on the label.

MSG has been used as a food additive for many years. During this time, the FDA has received many reports of concerning reactions that people have attributed to foods that had MSG in them. These reactions — called MSG symptom complex — include:

  • Headache
  • Flushing
  • Sweating
  • Face pressure or tightness
  • Lack of feeling (numbness), tingling or burning in the face, neck and other areas
  • Quick, fluttering heartbeats
  • Chest pain
  • Feeling sick (nausea)
  • Weakness

Researchers admit, that a small number of people may have short-term reactions to MSG. Symptoms are often mild and don't need to be treated. The only way to prevent a reaction is to not eat foods that have MSG in them.

————-
Basically, those who are sensitive to PWM flickering are essentially ALLERGIC to OLED displays.
 
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