Got a new 16 Pro,using with the reduce whitepoint, and its.. ok. I can use it,it isn’t perfect,at all,but usable for now. Lets see if it keeps this way.
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Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up
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@Heman87
No, I have never measured the PWM load. I don't even have the devices.
No, I have never measured the PWM load. I don't even have the devices.
I use it with normal settings and can use it without any problems.
I seem to be able to tolerate both the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. I was also able to use the 15 Pro Max for a full year with minimal to no symptoms. Can’t remember which model it was where I had more symptoms.
A couple of things I noticed for me:
1. The 16 Pro Max screen doesn’t seem to be as bright (compared to the 15 Pro Max I had) which helps my eyes as I have sensitivity to bright screens/lights. I still use reduce white point to help lower the overall brightness.
2. If I set my Pro Max to limit the frame rate, the choppy scrolling seems to bother me. I’m very interested in the 16 or 16 Plus simply because they are lighter than the pro models (I have wrist issues so lighter devices are better for me) but I’ve got a device that I’ve been using for over 2 weeks with zero symptoms so I don’t want to try anything else. And since the lower frame rate seems to bother me, I’m not sure I want to attempt using a regular model.
I’m happy to read that some are having more success this year. I don’t seem to be as sensitive as others are but hopefully with the 17 there will be more improvements. If Samsung or Google is able to deliver a PWM free screen I’ll jump over to that. Not a huge fan of other Android brands.
Hopefully this will get more mainstream attention. Whether you’re sensitive or not there’s no way staring at a screen that’s strobing is healthy.
A couple of things I noticed for me:
1. The 16 Pro Max screen doesn’t seem to be as bright (compared to the 15 Pro Max I had) which helps my eyes as I have sensitivity to bright screens/lights. I still use reduce white point to help lower the overall brightness.
2. If I set my Pro Max to limit the frame rate, the choppy scrolling seems to bother me. I’m very interested in the 16 or 16 Plus simply because they are lighter than the pro models (I have wrist issues so lighter devices are better for me) but I’ve got a device that I’ve been using for over 2 weeks with zero symptoms so I don’t want to try anything else. And since the lower frame rate seems to bother me, I’m not sure I want to attempt using a regular model.
I’m happy to read that some are having more success this year. I don’t seem to be as sensitive as others are but hopefully with the 17 there will be more improvements. If Samsung or Google is able to deliver a PWM free screen I’ll jump over to that. Not a huge fan of other Android brands.
Hopefully this will get more mainstream attention. Whether you’re sensitive or not there’s no way staring at a screen that’s strobing is healthy.
Now that I've tested all 16 models, I have to say that the iPhone 16 Pro is by far the best iPhone since the iPhone 12 Pro. It doesn't cause me any problems. I first thought that the iPhone 16/Plus was better, but then I got a slight pain in my neck. Since I've been using the iPhone 16 Pro, since yesterday, my neck feels like it's been freed. I'm sticking with the iPhone 16 Pro for now. But I hope that Apple will have flicker-free displays in the iPhone from next year. Or a very high frequency, like the Vivo X200 Pro, which has 2100Hz across the entire brightness.
Do you think that using the base models acclimated you towards using the pro model?
At this point, I’m really fine waiting since I’d be positively shocked if iPhone 16 Pro didn’t cause a massive headache response for me. Intrigued, but expecting more of the same rinse-and-repeat process as every year.
That being said, rumors of flicker-free displays on iPhone 17 are based on an unsubstantiated rumor of a Tweet/X that was subsequently deleted.
About that. There's no evidence of the Tweet's existence (let alone a perpetuated screenshot if it was deleted) that has appeared publicly. No idea where anyone got the idea of a supposed deleted Tweet from.
I personally contacted Ross Young, and he replied, stating he never posted anything about flicker free iPhone displays.
I think it is safe that absent further evidence, it's another bunk theory.
They should do something at least, make it 480+480=960 pwm with softer modeulation or something. Its usable but barely.
The new Vivo X200 series: vivo X200 series packs several display improvements for color accuracy and eye comfort
They also have a SVM chart, with very good looking values
The upcoming Oppo Find X8: Oppo Find X8 to be first with low-light eye protection display
Something is definitely moving in the right direction. The upcoming Oneplus 13 is also meant to have Oppo's screen.
They also have a SVM chart, with very good looking values
The upcoming Oppo Find X8: Oppo Find X8 to be first with low-light eye protection display
Something is definitely moving in the right direction. The upcoming Oneplus 13 is also meant to have Oppo's screen.
I’m trying something new this generation. I am using both the iPhone 11 and the 16 plus. The 16 plus gives me neck pain and headache after a few minutes of usage however it seems to be improving every day that I use it. I limit usage to about 30 mins per day and use the 11 for most other things. My test is to see whether my eyes/brain can acclimatise to the pwm. I find this situation very interesting from a medical point of view. I am a surgeon, so it baffles my mind how a screen can create such distinct symptoms in the neck. It would be interesting to hook up at EEG to a person sensitive to pwm and see if the screen is causing brain wave abnormalities.
True pwm sensitivity causes headaches, nausea, tension in the neck etc. symptoms that make it unusable. These symptoms should be studied. I have tried to explain to one of my neurology colleagues and he told me to use a blue light filter glasses. 🤦🏽♂️ He couldn’t understand how this affects us.
Having dry eyes or slight tiredness of the eye muscles isn’t really pwm sensitivity. That is likely due to the contrast/brightness of oled compared to lcd.
I find it fascinating that the majority of the population can look at an oled screen without a single symptom. We have a disease of the eyes/brain that hasn’t been studied yet. I wish Apple would do an experimental study on this using data (eeg, mri etc).
Having dry eyes or slight tiredness of the eye muscles isn’t really pwm sensitivity. That is likely due to the contrast/brightness of oled compared to lcd.
I find it fascinating that the majority of the population can look at an oled screen without a single symptom. We have a disease of the eyes/brain that hasn’t been studied yet. I wish Apple would do an experimental study on this using data (eeg, mri etc).
Being back from overseas, I had a short opportunity the other day, in a store, to test the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro.
The 16 has values similar to the 15: iPhone 15 results
The 16 Pro has values similar to all the other Pro models previously (see iPhone 13 Pro here: Results for different models)
I spent a few minutes with each in the store, and all I can say so far, is that I didn't feel discomfort in that short period of time.
It's making me seriously consider the 16 series, even though, as many here have also previously stated, I'm getting over the yearly try & return game. Plus, there's a small feeling of wonder as to why I (we all?) should support Apple financially, when they are obviously not interested in finding a solution for this issue, that they are most certainly aware of.
Oh well ... the 14 day return period has just begun. Let's test the 16.
Update: I have tried a new technique that I read about on a website for binocular vision dysfunction. Eye patching. If I patch my eye - I can use the iPhone 16 plus for several hours without much discomfort.
So my theory as to why these phones cause us neck pain and headache - when both eyes are trying to focus on the screen it is sending a 2 signals to the brain due to misalignment of our vision. This is causing the symptoms. I am hopeful for the first time in 6 years! I used my 16 plus with 1 eye for 4 hours yesterday whereas both eyes give me symptoms within 5 minutes.
So my theory as to why these phones cause us neck pain and headache - when both eyes are trying to focus on the screen it is sending a 2 signals to the brain due to misalignment of our vision. This is causing the symptoms. I am hopeful for the first time in 6 years! I used my 16 plus with 1 eye for 4 hours yesterday whereas both eyes give me symptoms within 5 minutes.
I can still use the iPhone 16 Pro without any problems.
There is hope that I have finally found an iPhone with OLED after the iPhone 12 Pro.
I use it with the normal settings including 120Hz, which I now find more comfortable than 60Hz.
There is hope that I have finally found an iPhone with OLED after the iPhone 12 Pro.
I use it with the normal settings including 120Hz, which I now find more comfortable than 60Hz.
Based off your good luck I bit the bullet and switched over to the dark side (to a 16 Pro Max from a 16 Plus) the final day of my return period. Even though the 16 Plus was pretty much perfectly comfortable to my eyes this Pro Max with its G9N-serial—presumably Samsung—display is on another level, and for the first time I can remember ProMotion is pleasantly benign. Thanks for the inspo…but for some reason I doubt my bank account is as grateful.
For what it’s worth I’m running the latest iOS 18 developer beta, build 22B5075a.
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How did you guys tolerate iPhone 15 Pro? My eyes seemed okay for about two minutes, then I definitely noticed familiar-if-not-slightly-subdued headaches after leaving. I did switch between all four devices in my testing at an Apple Store.
The Pros last year didn’t quite seem fully-baked to my eyes upon trying out in an Apple Store. Although I did have luck with a base 15, before that I tried and immediately returned a 14 Pro which made me feel nauseous with its weirdly dim and bloom-ridden ProMotion display. Perhaps it was just a dud unit but I’m glad I stuck with my 13 mini at the time.
OLED iPhones I’ve tolerated enough to keep long-term include the base 12, 13 mini, 15, 16 Plus (comfortable but I only had it two weeks due to exchanging), and now 16 Pro Max. Ones that I found objectionable enough to box back up and return were the XS—after which I discovered this thread—and the 14 Pro.
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When you say on another level, do you refer to just the quality, or also PWM symptom comfort level? You mention the 16 Plus is very comfortable; is the 16 Pro Max equally comfortable, but just nicer due to ProMotion, or more comfortable than the 16 Plus?
I personally find the 16 Plus more comfortable although the Pro Max is more than usably close. Something about ProMotion just rubs my eyes the wrong way although such an effect seems (again, speaking personally) mostly tempered this year.
Also yes, the display quality is superb on my Pro Max.
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In my experience, eye patching, works in most cases but not always.
However, yes, I can use iphone 15 with one eye for hours, while with two eyes I stop at 15 minutes.
The same goes for gaming PC etc..
Currently I am still using the iphone X which I can use with both eyes.
However, I have ordered the iphone 16 pro and we will see how it goes....
Day 5 with the iPhone 16 Pro.
It's still perfect. I have no complaints.
Hope it stays that way. Love the new tech.
It's still perfect. I have no complaints.
Hope it stays that way. Love the new tech.