The 16 caused my eyes to water a bit. The 16 plus seemed better but it's too big for my liking. The 16e seemed more comfortable and the battery life was ultimately a deciding factor.
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Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up
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The 16 caused my eyes to water a bit. The 16 plus seemed better but it's too big for my liking. The 16e seemed more comfortable and the battery life was ultimately a deciding factor.
I've opened three brand new ipad 9's and each one had a completely different panel maker. Ipads seem to have up to four if not more, while phones seem to have at least two. I think fly by night China companies like BOE are featured far more heavily in post-Iphone 8 devices, so you're probably more likely to get something like a BOE than anything else in newer ones.
Anyway, here's a picture of what just about the only good 'new-ish' phone screen you can get looks like. Iphone 8 Plus with JDI panel. Notice how the whites are more like paper white how a good computer screen looks instead of ridiculous, overly-searing like on most LTPS panels.
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There are some people that find LCDs clearer than OLED. I am one of them. Certainly early OLEDS gave me headaches. I think I have got used to the latest ones as they have improved somewhat.
Do any of those panels work for you? I've assumed that when I try a new-ish iPad LCD screen that previously would have worked that it was the iOS versions that were giving me symptoms. But haven't really thought much about how it could be iPads with different panel makers.
Yea, the (rare?) panel vendor with 800ish looking contrast in the Ipad 9 has absolutely no eye strain but: 1). I think it’s a somewhat rare panel while most are probably LG and 2). Image quality on them is pretty bad. Not only is their contrast low, they seem to render text weirdly as well.
The ultra-new stock ipad 9’s that come out of the box on IOS 17 seem to be more like the Ipad 10 type of screens that everyone hates. While if you go browse eBay, it seems like virtually everything you see will have the standard (LG?) panel. I’ve had two Ipad 8’s and those also looked like they both had a similar LG type of panel. For some reason the one in the Ipad 9 is a little less grating for PWM-style effects. You can feel it in your body that there’s something wrong when looking at the Ipad 8 that makes you not want to use it for more than 20 minutes like all Apple display products even though it’s not as intense as a problem as a horrible 200hz PWM laptop.
I just purchased a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 because I got tired of buying and reselling Apple stuff on EBay all day. The S7 has absolutely 0 eye strain or PWM-like effects, but it has it’s own issues like whites being ‘tan’ instead of white and no native color adjustment possible. Someone on XDA did just release an Android 15 ROM for it that does have built-in color adjustment, though. The S8 is rumored to be good as well, but in comparison videos my eyes tell me they are different panels than the S7 with slightly more searing whites/blown out greys which is a trademark problem of annoying to the eyes LTPS panels.
Maybe I will get around to trying S8 someday (S9 seems to be as hated as Ipad10, so don’t get your hopes up about Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE that’s coming out soon. But maybe they will change panel vendors again).
edit: Just saw a post on Reddit from someone who bought Galaxy Tab S10FE 13” version and says it has eye strain. So even vendors that used to have good panels like Samsung are now having bad ones just like Apple. Probably because Samsung stopped making LCDs and only makes high eye strain OLEDs now. They used to be the best LCD vendor there is in terms of eye strain. It’s full race to the bottom now with bad Chinese and LG too thin of panel film LTPS panels (instead of a-Si or IGZO) that usually have high flicker rate modulation on top of that for everyone.
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Anyone know if these issues are even known at Apple? I had my first problems with iPhone X couldn't use it or even look for 1 second at the screen. Traded it for an iPhone 8, had zero issues. Now I'm using the iPhone 11 since 2020 and also have zero issues with it (apart from it's so big). The battery is beginning to go bad, so I'm considering trying a new phone, but this topic doesn't seem hopeful. So I'll probably just go for a new battery and use the 11 as far as I can.
Yes they are known. They don’t want to fix it. Because millions people are using phones without issues.
Second day with the 16e – no issues so far.
I'm not using Double Invert as I can’t stand the washed-out colours – wish me luck.
Raw panel serial number: GVC
Model: Black, 256GB
I believe the GVC panel is from LG. Compared to the GVH display in the 16e I got for my Mum, this one seems to have slightly better contrast and less colour washout when tilted.
Still not a fan of the yellow/red tint on OLED whites, nor the rainbow shimmer when tilting - but I guess I’ll have to live with it. It does still feel like the light is blasting my eyes at 50% fixed brightness but it's not caused any eye strain so far.
I do appreciate the higher PPI compared to my iPhone 11 – it means I can hold the phone a bit further away. That said, I do miss the wider content view I had with my old 7 Plus, and even the 11 gave me slightly more screen width than this 16e.
Probably not the wisest purchase, especially after just getting a fresh battery in my 11. The price stings a bit too, considering it’s an entry-level iPhone mid cycle from the 17 release. I am being hopeful and forcing the issue with the 16e as I want to move forward, and if it finally works out, I’m planning to go in on an iPad Pro and eventually a MacBook – but best not count my chickens…the 16PM worked for two days until it didn't.
I decided to take the plunge after spending several hours using two 16e units without any issues. What really pushed me over the edge was visiting my local Apple Store and trying out the 13" iPad Pro – absolutely loved it, and now I really want one. It makes every other iPad feel like a compromise when it comes to build quality, weight, thinness, and that stunning display. So I have to get used to OLED and that starts with the iPhone.
Not sure if it’s helping, but I’ve been taking natural eye supplements (Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Bilberry Extract, Vitamins A, B12 & Zinc) since November.
I'm not using Double Invert as I can’t stand the washed-out colours – wish me luck.
Raw panel serial number: GVC
Model: Black, 256GB
I believe the GVC panel is from LG. Compared to the GVH display in the 16e I got for my Mum, this one seems to have slightly better contrast and less colour washout when tilted.
Still not a fan of the yellow/red tint on OLED whites, nor the rainbow shimmer when tilting - but I guess I’ll have to live with it. It does still feel like the light is blasting my eyes at 50% fixed brightness but it's not caused any eye strain so far.
I do appreciate the higher PPI compared to my iPhone 11 – it means I can hold the phone a bit further away. That said, I do miss the wider content view I had with my old 7 Plus, and even the 11 gave me slightly more screen width than this 16e.
Probably not the wisest purchase, especially after just getting a fresh battery in my 11. The price stings a bit too, considering it’s an entry-level iPhone mid cycle from the 17 release. I am being hopeful and forcing the issue with the 16e as I want to move forward, and if it finally works out, I’m planning to go in on an iPad Pro and eventually a MacBook – but best not count my chickens…the 16PM worked for two days until it didn't.
I decided to take the plunge after spending several hours using two 16e units without any issues. What really pushed me over the edge was visiting my local Apple Store and trying out the 13" iPad Pro – absolutely loved it, and now I really want one. It makes every other iPad feel like a compromise when it comes to build quality, weight, thinness, and that stunning display. So I have to get used to OLED and that starts with the iPhone.
Not sure if it’s helping, but I’ve been taking natural eye supplements (Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Bilberry Extract, Vitamins A, B12 & Zinc) since November.
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Good so far, I didn't make it 30 minutes with the 16e. Hope you can do it because I did love the phone!!1
Thanks Glen. I was torn as I would have preferred a standard 16 but didn't want to risk it having only spent time with a 16PM, 16 Plus and 16e this cycle. Really, I'd prefer a 120hz display with a Pro model, but if it's cost me £700 for the first OLED iPhone I can use, so be it. It's been too many years......
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I hope it works for you.
Then you'll finally have a current iPhone model and can relax for the next few years,
or rather, hope that maybe a Pro will work one day. Until then, though, you're well taken care of.
Here, an iPhone 16 Plus continues to work without a problem, and I enjoy it every day.
Then you'll finally have a current iPhone model and can relax for the next few years,
or rather, hope that maybe a Pro will work one day. Until then, though, you're well taken care of.
Here, an iPhone 16 Plus continues to work without a problem, and I enjoy it every day.
16e. still working for me just like the 14 used to.
The 16+ did OK, but I had minor symptoms, so I stuck with the 16e.
The 16+ did OK, but I had minor symptoms, so I stuck with the 16e.
Its day 3, no issues to report. I am going in easy and not using my phone as much. I will still note the screen is as not as comfortable as LCD due to the glaring nature of the illumination (LCD backlight illuminates the panel, OLED pixels illuminate outwards at your eyes).
Keep in mind I was able to use a standard 13 for a week before the motion sickness feelings became too much, 16PM was good for two days, so it's still early days for 16e but I'm hopeful. Every phone is different - everyone's sensitivity is unique.
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Day 5 and unfortunately I'm experiencing some minor eye strain and front forehead pressure, so I’ve reverted to using double invert settings. I’ve had a stiff neck since before switching to the 16e, but it’s not letting up—and in fact, it feels like it’s getting worse. I’m not sure if the discomfort is making me more sensitive to the phone, or if the phone itself is aggravating things. Either way, it’s still not as comfortable as my old 11 - the light feels too intense/bright, and doubt is starting to creep in...
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It's always the same pattern guys... for most of us, it seems that an oled screen will work until it doesn't after a while; i solved with the moto g75, of course it's android but the lcd it's really usable for me so... goodbye for now and stay away from oleds for your eyes and mental health 
That's so unfortunate man!
I do want to thank you for keeping us up-to-date on this. It's helpful.
Sad to report that, once again, I’ll be returning an OLED iPhone. Taking a full day off from the 16e didn’t help—within minutes of using it again, I felt that familiar forehead pressure and strain around the inner edges of my eyes.
It’s the same build-up I’ve experienced with previous models, confirming once again that my eyes and brain just can’t tolerate PWM. Duh
It’s the same build-up I’ve experienced with previous models, confirming once again that my eyes and brain just can’t tolerate PWM. Duh
It’s clear that flickering screens don’t work for us. It doesn’t matter whatever the modulation is.