Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up
- Thread starter Kitkad
- WikiPost WikiPost
- Start date
-
- Tags
- eye strain xs max
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
I would like to know which other iPhone oleds you used and what syptoms and when you had ?
I'm pretty sure this is something that changed with iOS. I have a SE3 on iOS 16.1.1 that I can use without issues. Any iPhone SE3 (or SE2) that I've tried beyond 16.1.1 makes me feel ill almost immediately. This also happens with previous iPad versions that I've tried that used to be "good". I can put devices on different iOS's right next to each other and visually they look identical but one will make me sick and one won't. There HAS to be someone at Apple who knows what the differences are. I tried corresponding with their Accessibility e-mail address earlier this year. They did respond and said they'd send feedback to the team but I didn't get any further than that.
I stupidly ordered it the same time as my new prescription glasses arrived (with a big prescription change)
Its set up and I was ok for 30mins or so but my glasses are causing eye ache and dizziness whilst I adjust so I will back back to the phone in a week or so
I’m one month in on the 16 pro, I’d say I’m good 95% of the time. When I do get symptoms, it’s mild eye strain/tension headache, and only once or twice did I feel any nausea. This is the only Pro phone I’ve ever been able to tolerate.
I’m intrigued by those of you who are on the 16 plus — is it still working perfectly for you?
Do I dare tempt fate and turn in a phone that generally works well in search of perfect comfort??
I’m intrigued by those of you who are on the 16 plus — is it still working perfectly for you?
Do I dare tempt fate and turn in a phone that generally works well in search of perfect comfort??
That would be unacceptable for me. I only use an iPhone when I don't notice anything.
Yes, I have no symptoms 100% of the time.
Two questions:
When you ordered your 16 plus, did you pick it up at the store or received it in the mail?
Do you know the first three letters of the screen's serial number? As we know not all screen panels are the same and produce different results.
Better or the same as iPhone 16?
I could somewhat tolerate iPhone 15 Plus, and still got headaches from iPhone 15 in the Apple Vision Pro try-on.
I wouldn't personally if you consider yourself fairly sensitive. I tried the 15PM several times, including during the extended return window, and had to return it each time. Wasn't until a final third try that I achieved a similar 95% satisfaction like you described.
I recently mentioned I was intrigued by the 16PM because of a few improvements, and another member shot a dose of perspective into me for which I am grateful for. I am clutching tightly to this particular phone because I believe that it'll take more than what they've done with any of the 16 series phones before those sensitive to PWM will feel perfect comfort again. Just my two cents
I wasn’t going to do this because it feels like a waste of time at this point, but as far as Notebookcheck’s reviews iPhone 16 Plus is definitely > iPhone 16, whereas iPhone 16 Pro > iPhone 16 Pro Max. iPhone 16 Plus is probably the flatter of the amplitudes, while both iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro are relatively flat compared to previous generations.
I know you’ve been putting it off like a champ and little within believes one of these will work, but why not take advantage of what is left of the holiday return period and try? Hear me out. I tried and failed the 15 PM (like every OLED before it) twice. I decided screw it, and ‘rented’ a third and it worked for me when by all accounts it shouldn’t have!
Do it so you know. Do it cause you love tech. Do it for science lol. But if you do, I encourage you to go in with the proper perspective. In all sincerity, go in hoping for 95% comfort or whatever your tolerable floor is, but don’t go looking for 6S LCD comfort. Gotta let go of some of the color calibration criticality and quest for the perfect screen. Ergonomic quips need set aside as well. We sufferers are seeking a usable modern phone. Our days of picking and choosing went with the 8. Try and give it a chance to simply not make you sick.
I’m at 93-95%. No nausea. No migraines. Very seldom a headache. Inconsistent eye strain/dryness/ache with extended use particularly at night. I have attention awareness off and that’s it. I make no other concessions. The 5-7% compromise to me is worth it. Hope ya try again brother and if so best of luck!!
Has anybody heard anything about using Nano texture on an iPhone? I have 2 ASDs, one with nano texture and one without and the one with it is much easier on my eyes.
I got the nano first and just took it for granted that it didn't bother me at all because no display ever has. But when I got the new one without it that one is bothering me. Not bad enough not to use but it just got me thinking!!!
Wonder if it would help on phones?
I got the nano first and just took it for granted that it didn't bother me at all because no display ever has. But when I got the new one without it that one is bothering me. Not bad enough not to use but it just got me thinking!!!
Wonder if it would help on phones?
The question then is: which iPhone?
I am warming up to the idea for old time sake. At the same time, one new iPhone from this generation should be plenty. The scientific data we obsess over shows that iPhone 16 Pro Max has familiar PWM curves and that Max iPhones in particular have remained largely consistent over the year.
That brings me to iPhone 16 Pro, my naturally-inclined choice. It just appears different and flatter, but I’m most pessimistic about the Pro iPhones.
Apple does seem to put the gentler PWM implementation on base iPhones, which makes sense since they’re sold the most and under less scrutiny for color accuracy. Of the two, iPhone 16 Plus has a gentle, flat curve. I’d say this is the iPhone least likely to cause issues on paper. Perhaps I should visit a store, but I’m really not in a rush knowing that it’ll be a similar rinse and repeat process of buying it and returning it because it’s probably too uncomfortable for daily use.
The next step change generation, which I expect to be iPhone 17, I’ll have no problem testing an iPhone 17 Air, Pro, etc. I do suppose people return iPhones for far more menial reasons than PWM sensitivity, and our feedback is generationally valuable. What’s another refurbished iPhone?
iPhone SE 4 Said to Feature 48MP Rear Lens, 12MP TrueDepth Camera
Apple's forthcoming iPhone SE 4 will feature a single 48-megapixel rear camera and a 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera on the front, according to...
www.macrumors.com
Also, if iPhone SE receives an OLED display I find it difficult to believe Apple will have no options for PWM-sensitive customers beginning next year.
I’m using a 15 pro from release last year. I’ve had enough of suffering from eye strain since iPhone X.
I ordered an se 2022 from Apple last week but the battery went from 90% to 16% while powered off overnight. I can’t live with that so 8 plus on order from eBay. I’ll get a new battery fitted and see how I get on with iOS 16 for a year.
I may order an iPhone 11 but reading up it is 50/50 if the 11 causes eye strain.
I’m about to make the switch from an M1 Pro MacBook to a Mac mini. The M1 Pro Display is awful to look at. I’ve tried every trick and nothing makes a difference.
I’m reducing screen time on my phone so this is forcing the solution. Minimal apps to be installed, waiting on new compact camera releases next year and moving from iOS photos to an alternative on my NAS.
Looks like I will have to switch to android eventually.
Edit - In work I have a HP zbook 14” which makes me dizzy. Probably 3-4 years old. I also have a zbook g5 17” and it’s the complete opposite, my eyes are relaxed and it can be used all day.
Both of the HP laptops are full hd not 4K.
I ordered an se 2022 from Apple last week but the battery went from 90% to 16% while powered off overnight. I can’t live with that so 8 plus on order from eBay. I’ll get a new battery fitted and see how I get on with iOS 16 for a year.
I may order an iPhone 11 but reading up it is 50/50 if the 11 causes eye strain.
I’m about to make the switch from an M1 Pro MacBook to a Mac mini. The M1 Pro Display is awful to look at. I’ve tried every trick and nothing makes a difference.
I’m reducing screen time on my phone so this is forcing the solution. Minimal apps to be installed, waiting on new compact camera releases next year and moving from iOS photos to an alternative on my NAS.
Looks like I will have to switch to android eventually.
Edit - In work I have a HP zbook 14” which makes me dizzy. Probably 3-4 years old. I also have a zbook g5 17” and it’s the complete opposite, my eyes are relaxed and it can be used all day.
Both of the HP laptops are full hd not 4K.
Last edited:
Iphone 16 plus is a no-go from me.
Felt ok when setting it up but familiar pain returned.
Shame, that screen is gorgeous but back to my trusty 11 on IOS 16.
Felt ok when setting it up but familiar pain returned.
Shame, that screen is gorgeous but back to my trusty 11 on IOS 16.
Are you one of the people that typically has an immediate reaction to Apple OLED screens? (I am) Honestly at this point feeling okay for the time it takes to set up the phone would be a huge improvement.
I'm still on my iPhone SE 2022 on IOS 16.1.1 but every few days I seem to lose access to another important app that require a later IOS version. Feels like the walls are closing in terms of having something I can use.
Yes I am very sensitive but strangely used the X for 2 years no problem.
I've told my story in great detail in earlier posts but the Iphone 11 pro triggered a migraine which never goes away. I have a condition called NDPH (diagnosed by a headache neurologist) and take a cocktail of drugs which help my brain receptors block most of the pain.
It has been 2 years since the pain broke through the drugs but trying the 16 plus has caused it to spike. Hopefully it will slowly calm down to my usual pain level.
Fingers crossed for Iphone 17......
Hi ctjack,
With that treatment were you able to solve the problem? I mean, you couldn't use iPhones with OLED screens before, and now they don't give you issues anymore?
What was your main symptom? Eye strain or migraine?
Thank you
Welp, I’ve been on a 16 plus for two days. It’s not perfect for me, but not unbearable. I’m experiencing some symptoms, primarily mild but sharper eye strain and some nausea. I had a different response to the 16 pro. The question I have to answer is which version (the 16 pro or the 16 plus) is most tolerable for me? Or do I return both and wait for next year?
Whatever the result, I am encouraged that there are two models this year that I can stomach. In previous years, there was no way I could even consider keeping something.
Whatever the result, I am encouraged that there are two models this year that I can stomach. In previous years, there was no way I could even consider keeping something.
I’ve been deliberating between iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro, and this gives me further confirmation neither will be perfect so I think I should go with my gut on iPhone 16 Pro—at the same time not being perfect means there’s a strong chance it will get returned. I do still expect the Plus to be a better experience based on my past experiences. What were your issues with the Pro?
Please consider your long term health before trying to tolerate something which upsets you. I cannot believe there are people changing phones that they cannot use to its full potential.
I'd rather a pain free Iphone 4 over anything giving pain.
Wait another year
What symptoms do you have with the 16 pro? Migraine?
I can accept using a phone that causes me eye strain because I don't spend 8 hours a day in front of the phone as I do with the notebook for work. But the migraine I just can't handle it because then I'm sick even with the business notebook which normally doesn't give me problems!
On the 16 pro, I had mild, dull eye strain. I’d call it a two out of 10 on the pain/annoyance scale. It would come and go the first few weeks, then became a bit more noticeable around one month in. On the 16+, I have eye strain that feels sharper almost immediately, combined with a bit of a queasy feeling in my stomach. Overall, I’d give it a three out of 10 on the pain/annoyance scale.
Tolerable? Yes to both. Perfectly comfortable like that glorious 7+? No. It’s a shame, too, because I’m really digging the screen size and form factor of the 16+. The 16 Pro is great, too, though for whatever reason, the 16+ felt like more of an upgrade. I think the pro and the plus weigh the same, but the pro felt more like a brick in hand. The 16 series in particular feels like the pro model is just not worth the extra money.
I still have the 16 Pro, so I’m planning to switch back to that for a bit later this week to see how I respond after using the 16+. I will try to keep you all updated.
If they both go back, I’m going to have fun watching the Apple Store employees accept the returns on the very last day of the extended return period. Might as well get some good pictures over Christmas out of these phones! 🤷♂️