Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[MICHAELSD]

It’s weird. I have less eye strain when the pro is sitting idle - ie no scrolling or animations/video. I think it’s when it drops to 1hz refresh? It’s still not as good as an lcd but it’s an observation. Any idea why this might be?

They must have adjusted the frequency for the always-on display, as even this used to bother me and it was worlds better on iPhone 16 Pro. There’s no data that I know of measuring this.

To follow up my previous post, I can’t say definitively from a store demo whether iPhone 16 is better than iPhone 16 Pro but it had potential. iPhone 16e was similar or worse. I ranked iPhone 16 Pro first since that my was impression the first time as well. For some reason the larger display iPhones were bothering me more immediately and noticeably, which isn’t the case every generation. There is no miraculous difference with iPhone 16 Plus or iPhone 16 Pro Max: this is why some of the information online can be misleading.

 

[BigBen2493]

FWIW I played with all of the iPhone 16 models in an Apple Store again and I’d still say iPhone 16 Pro > iPhone 16 > iPhone 16e > iPhone 16 Plus > iPhone 16 Pro Max.

iPhone 16, 16e, and 16 Pro are close in a store environment. iPhone 16 Pro Max has a visibly superior display compared to iPhone 16 Plus, while both cause immediate symptoms—especially iPhone 16 Pro Max.

iPhone 16e feels like a “why don’t I spend $229 more for an iPhone 16” decoy device, although I’m sure it will have its audience of the average Joe who can’t tell the difference. Apple made no effort for an LCD-like OLED display, so there’s really no reason to try it for sensitive users.

Did you end up buying the 16 pro? or just checked it out at the Apple store?

 

[MICHAELSD]

Did you end up buying the 16 pro? or just checked it out at the Apple store?

I did, and it was among my best overall experiences. The headaches that were there were enough to make it unsustainable for long-term use, as every OLED iPhone has been, but it was an incremental improvement. Unfortunately it feels like these increments can be measured in single-digit percentages, and we’re not even 50% of the way towards a modern flagship iPhone that I could comfortably use in the same way I can use the last generation of LCD iPhone SE—or any previous iPhone, which feels incredibly odd for me to be saying on what’s approaching the eight-year anniversary of iPhone X.

 

[BigBen2493]

I did, and it was among my best overall experiences. The headaches that were there were enough to make it unsustainable for long-term use, as every OLED iPhone has been, but it was an incremental improvement.

Unfortunately it feels like these increments can be measured in single-digit percentages, and we’re not even 50% of the way towards a modern flagship iPhone that I could comfortably use in the same way I can use the last generation of LCD iPhone SE—or any previous iPhone, which feels incredibly odd for me to be saying on what’s approaching the eight-year anniversary of iPhone X.

Yeah they could have easily made the 16E with a LCD screen like a iPhone 11 with a physical sim tray at like $429-$499 and alot of people would be happy coming from older phones like a XR or 11, Apple not really caring about all their users again, well its a little something positive that it was one of your best experiences even if it was short term

 

[atmacdotcom]

Hello everyone, it’s been a few months since I last posted on here.

On my last update I described how I was having success with the iPhone 16 Plus, however, on the last few days of the return policy, the phone started giving eye strain. I ended up returning the iPhone 16 Plus feeling defeated, since I had already tried iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.

For the last few months I have been using a XR and an iPhone SE 3 since both have LCD screens.

However, when the iPhone 16e was announced it definitely caught my attention.

So here I am typing this from my iPhone 16e. I’ve had it for a few days now and so far so good. No headaches.
No eye strain. These were typical symptoms from iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.

iPhone 16 Pro made the symptoms even worse by causing temporary brain fog and disorientation.

I’m going to continue to use iPhone 16e as my daily phone in order to fully understand how this screen affects me, or doesn’t. Wish me luck everyone.

Yes, it sucks not having two or three cameras. Missing out on cool features like cinematic video, ultra wide mode, macro mode, etc.

But hey, this phone has Apple Intelligence and a processor that will last for hopefully many many updates until this problem is fully resolved. Hopefully sooner than later.

Good luck everyone.

 

[DJTaurus]

Basically stack both the Classic Invert accessibility setting, and the second "Inverted" filter in accessibility Full-Screen Zoom, at the same time (zoom out after you set it so you can still see the whole screen but with the Zoom filter still enabled).

View attachment 2488028 View attachment 2488030

Interesting. So what zoom filter does is bring back the colors that change with the classic invert. I like this setting on my iPhone 11 because it takes away the white glow…..everything also seems more bold. Do you also use reduce transparency or increase contrast ?

 

[john g.]

Hello everyone, it’s been a few months since I last posted on here.

On my last update I described how I was having success with the iPhone 16 Plus, however, on the last few days of the return policy, the phone started giving eye strain. I ended up returning the iPhone 16 Plus feeling defeated, since I had already tried iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.

For the last few months I have been using a XR and an iPhone SE 3 since both have LCD screens.

However, when the iPhone 16e was announced it definitely caught my attention.

So here I am typing this from my iPhone 16e. I’ve had it for a few days now and so far so good. No headaches.
No eye strain. These were typical symptoms from iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.

iPhone 16 Pro made the symptoms even worse by causing temporary brain fog and disorientation.

I’m going to continue to use iPhone 16e as my daily phone in order to fully understand how this screen affects me, or doesn’t. Wish me luck everyone.

Yes, it sucks not having two or three cameras. Missing out on cool features like cinematic video, ultra wide mode, macro mode, etc.

But hey, this phone has Apple Intelligence and a processor that will last for hopefully many many updates until this problem is fully resolved. Hopefully sooner than later.

Good luck everyone.

Congratulations!
I also am trying a 16e right now. Coming from a 14. So far the screens are similar so I am doing well with the 16e after several days. The 14 has been the only OLED phone I've been able to use for whatever reason.

With the 16e, the lack of MagSafe or only having one camera doesn't bother me so much. What does bother me is the smaller sensor in the camera, and especially the worse quality image stabilization. If they have included those in the phone, this would be a home run for me. I like the aesthetic of a single camera and the whole phone just feels a little smaller and lighter. Gonna keep testing and see if the display turns on me or not

 

[Corncab44]

What is the reason this double invert would help? And is the zoom necessary — it makes the text huge.

 

[2mw2]

What is the reason this double invert would help? And is the zoom necessary — it makes the text huge.

Supposedly it turns off the wide colour gamut implementation in iOS ie turns off temporal dithering which has been a cause problem for some of us. Yes the Zoom is necessary, simply zoom back out with the three finger tap.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Congratulations!
I also am trying a 16e right now. Coming from a 14. So far the screens are similar so I am doing well with the 16e after several days. The 14 has been the only OLED phone I've been able to use for whatever reason.

With the 16e, the lack of MagSafe or only having one camera doesn't bother me so much. What does bother me is the smaller sensor in the camera, and especially the worse quality image stabilization. If they have included those in the phone, this would be a home run for me. I like the aesthetic of a single camera and the whole phone just feels a little smaller and lighter. Gonna keep testing and see if the display turns on me or not

iPhone 16e is iPhone 16 with what could be removed, removed.

But in reality it’s a “Frankenstein” phone with parts from multiple generations. There’s discussion on Reddit that it may be possible to swap out the aftermarket iPhone 14 LCD displays as it purportedly uses an iPhone 14 OLED.

 

[john g.]

iPhone 16e is iPhone 16 with what could be removed, removed.

But in reality it’s a “Frankenstein” phone with parts from multiple generations. There’s discussion on Reddit that it may be possible to swap out the aftermarket iPhone 14 LCD displays as it purportedly uses an iPhone 14 OLED.

.

 

[Cobalt Blizzard]

Thanks to forum members who recommended me to disable Font Smoothing and dithering, now my MacBook Air feels much much better and easier on the eyes. 🙂

 

[2mw2]

I am currently re-testing the 16e as it still within the return window. If it doesn't work I will send it back. Managed to snag a great condition SE 2022 with 512GB (yes, 512GB) for 450sgd. My existing SE 2022 will go to replace my daughters SE 2020.

Settings for the 16e

- LG OLED panel
- Double Invert, with per-app settings for reduce contrast for my most frequently used apps
- Auto brightness off
- Brightness at ~60%
- No reduced white point
- Reduce Motion on
- True Tone off
- No night shift

Seems to be bearable but will need a couple of more days. Am now wondering whether the 16/16plus would also be ok with these settings.

 

[DJTaurus]

The double invert trick makes my iPhone 11 more clear to view the screen but it gave me headaches….. so i am back to normal settings. I ll use those settings on an OLED phone to see how it goes.

 

[2mw2]

The double invert trick makes my iPhone 11 more clear to view the screen but it gave me headaches….. so i am back to normal settings. I ll use those settings on an OLED phone to see how it goes.

Did you follow the instructions to turn on reduce motion and per-app settings ? I was getting eye strain on the SE but since enabling these settings as per the instructions, I was fine.

 

[jimmy_uk]

I am currently re-testing the 16e as it still within the return window. If it doesn't work I will send it back. Managed to snag a great condition SE 2022 with 512GB (yes, 512GB) for 450sgd. My existing SE 2022 will go to replace my daughters SE 2020.

Settings for the 16e

- Double Invert, with per-app settings for reduce contrast for my most frequently used apps
- Auto brightness off
- Brightness at ~60%
- No reduced white point
- Reduce Motion on
- True Tone off
- No night shift

Seems to be bearable but will need a couple of more days. Am now wondering whether the 16/16plus would also be ok with these settings.

I'm wondering the same thing regarding the standard 16. Might be my last, last, last roll of the dice......

I'm getting a new battery in my 11 on Friday 🤞 so it will see me out for the rest of the year, but I've got to replace it ASAP so I can fill all the empty spots in my other gear - the phone is going to dictate my eco-system.

 

[DJTaurus]

Did you follow the instructions to turn on reduce motion and per-app settings ? I was getting eye strain on the SE but since enabling these settings as per the instructions, I was fine.

I did everything except the per app settings.

 

[asus389]

Thanks to forum members who recommended me to disable Font Smoothing and dithering, now my MacBook Air feels much much better and easier on the eyes. 🙂

Which font smoothing setting did you find most tolerable for you?

 

[asus389]

I am currently re-testing the 16e as it still within the return window. If it doesn't work I will send it back. Managed to snag a great condition SE 2022 with 512GB (yes, 512GB) for 450sgd. My existing SE 2022 will go to replace my daughters SE 2020.

Settings for the 16e

- Double Invert, with per-app settings for reduce contrast for my most frequently used apps
- Auto brightness off
- Brightness at ~60%
- No reduced white point
- Reduce Motion on
- True Tone off
- No night shift

Seems to be bearable but will need a couple of more days. Am now wondering whether the 16/16plus would also be ok with these settings.

512gb se 2022? I didn’t think they ever made those? Nice score…

 

[Cobalt Blizzard]

Which font smoothing setting did you find most tolerable for you?

There was just Enable/Disable options.

 

[asus389]

What is the reason this double invert would help? And is the zoom necessary — it makes the text huge.

Does this double invert work on MacOS also?

 

[2mw2]

512gb se 2022? I didn’t think they ever made those? Nice score…

Yeah apparently the seller has a friend at, you know where, and they replaced the SSD with the SSD from an iPhone 13 mini

 

[2mw2]

Does this double invert work on MacOS also?

I don't think it's necessary as macOS has an option to set the display to sRGB which limits the colour gamut. I haven't tried. You can see for yourself by looking at the images in the below article

https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...will-lead-to-more-faithful-color-reproduction


I have ordered a standard 16 and test the settings. Hopefully it will be an LG panel, if not I will return to Apple. From what I have seen on reddit with the opple tests, the Samsung panels have higher modulation.

 

[now i see it]

What is so ridiculous about these "billion" color LCD displays that are on the newer Macs is that there's no computer image that contains a billon colors and a human can maybe see 1 million colors and the dithered screens don't look any better than non dithered screens.

 

[dannyh5319]

So with the 16 pro I have no eye strain but my neck tenses up or aches, anyway around this or should I just return the phone, same issue I had last time I got this model in September..so I guess I got the same screen manufacturer.