From my experience none. Personally after trying all oled iPhones, 16 plus was the most tolerable.
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'm using an iPhone 6s Plus on iOS 15 and I definitely don't need to or want to buy a newer (oled) iPhone. In fact, I also have an iPhone 11 on iOS 16 but I never use it. I much prefer the 6S Plus.
I don't think anyone really needs to buy a newer iPhone - they just want a newer iPhone
In a few short years this statement will no longer be true. I’m optimistic they’ll release a PWM-free iPhone 17, but what happens once they discontinue iPhone 11 and iPhone SE third-generation if there is no solution for those of us who do get the 24/7 PWM headaches?
Not sure I'd be so optimistic. I asked Ross Young (the display industry analyst) about the perpetuated statement attributed to him regarding flicker free iPhone displays and he said he hadn't stated anything regarding it. So strike that particular aspect off my list.
If Apple does improve iPhone displays in the flicker department this year, the way I see it realistically going is it being improved without much fanfare, like the early MacBook Pro's with LED backlighting between circa 2008-2010.
Last edited:
It’s just been so long I would have absolutely expected them to do this by the time they released iPhone 12 at the latest.
Anyone having new problems on iOS 26? I think they changed something cause I was doing fine with my 16 until I installed this beta, now I can barely stand to look at the phone anymore 
I'm gonna roll back to 18.5 but what do I do when they eventually force this update 😭
I'm gonna roll back to 18.5 but what do I do when they eventually force this update 😭
Anyone having new problems on iOS 26? I think they changed something cause I was doing fine with my 16 until I installed this beta, now I can barely stand to look at the phone anymore
I'm gonna roll back to 18.5 but what do I do when they eventually force this update 😭
Be like me and refuse to update past iOS 15 😂 I’m not surprised - they’re probably employing dithering to achieve the new design gamut, especially if you’re on an LCD iPhone. Wild that they’re doing that even on an iPhone 16.
Those of us who cant tolerate these flickering iPhone OLED screens have got to wrap our minds around the fact that (for us) iPhone is going extinct
Let me take a few quotes from notebookcheck reviews:
Iphone 13 PWM Detected: 610Hz
Some users say that the Pro versions gave most issues, some say that the Pro are the best because of higher refresh rate. Some say the simple 14 was the best because of the 60Hz. I was wondering how was the experience around here on these models?
Iphone 13 PWM Detected: 610Hz
Iphone 13 Pro PWM Detected: 510Hz
Iphone 14 PWM Detected: 60Hz
Iphone 14 Pro PWM Detected: 240Hz
Some users say that the Pro versions gave most issues, some say that the Pro are the best because of higher refresh rate. Some say the simple 14 was the best because of the 60Hz. I was wondering how was the experience around here on these models?
The first run of iPhone 13’s (the one I use) were superior and it’s agreed upon on many forums that it is probably the best OLED iPhone for sensitive users that Apple has made in recent years. I can’t use any of the new OLED iPhones but I use the 13 fine.
However, when the 13’s got a re-wave in 2023 as the new “budget” model, I compared my iPhone 13 to multiple ones at several stores and they were completely different screens from the phone I own. Uncomfortable. Now whether that has to do with the fact that my phone is on iOS 15 and the store models were on iOS 17 - who knows. A family member has the same iPhone 13 from the same era and it’s on iOS 18 and while it’s not *as* easy on the eyes as iOS 15, it’s usable, at least for a few minutes. It seems better than it was on iOS 17 at least.
I can’t imagine the 60Hz flickering on the 14 that then jumps to 240Hz past a certain brightness is going to be better. I didn’t know I even had a sensitivity until I tried upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro and that’s how I got introduced to PWM, dithering, etc.
If you’re really set on buying an OLED iPhone, then your best bet is to try to find an older sealed 13 or try your hand at a few refurbished models to see if it’ll work.
I am at the 16 month mark with my 15 PM and thankful I am still able to use it without much issue. My eyes will get a bit fatigued when looking at it for more than 20-30 minute in bed before sleep but that is a bad habit anyways. Any other time it's been fine.
I tried every OLED phone from the X through 15 series and this has been the only model I can tolerate out of all the choices there have been. For me, I know have to personally try the phones because I see little rhyme or reason to the models that work for some and don't for others.
I don't foresee any material change to the 17 series from what's been done to this point. I would like to upgrade to the 17 PM because of the rumored camera improvements but I won't trade this 15PM in.....it's too big a risk for me. I tried a few other 15 PMs that didn't work out. This year I am dialed in on just the Pro Max so if it doesn't work for me I'll wait another year. I sure hope that some of the other long time sufferers can find a usable model this year.
I tried every OLED phone from the X through 15 series and this has been the only model I can tolerate out of all the choices there have been. For me, I know have to personally try the phones because I see little rhyme or reason to the models that work for some and don't for others.
I don't foresee any material change to the 17 series from what's been done to this point. I would like to upgrade to the 17 PM because of the rumored camera improvements but I won't trade this 15PM in.....it's too big a risk for me. I tried a few other 15 PMs that didn't work out. This year I am dialed in on just the Pro Max so if it doesn't work for me I'll wait another year. I sure hope that some of the other long time sufferers can find a usable model this year.
Thank you all for your advices. 15 is out of budget and 13 will be bought used so high chances to get one with a proper screen. Or maybe I'll just try to find an 11 and go with it. Eyes are more important than devices. The only downside of 11 is weaker camera and probably no OS support from next year.
I was wondering, are there cases where user got permanent damage after using oled phones? I saw some reports that said they had problems focusing for a long time after not using the phone. I remember back when I was using pixel 4, I needed like 4 weeks for my eyes to relax again. Or maybe was just a placebo.
I was wondering, are there cases where user got permanent damage after using oled phones? I saw some reports that said they had problems focusing for a long time after not using the phone. I remember back when I was using pixel 4, I needed like 4 weeks for my eyes to relax again. Or maybe was just a placebo.
Last edited:
Well that's terrifying. I've been having a lot of trouble focusing my eyes for the past few months and I just thought it was age or grogginess b/c it's the worst in the mornings, but I used my SE again for several days last week and it seemed to get a bit better. Didn't have to hold things quite as far away. It's coming back now that I've switched back my 16 though, getting tension headaches again too 🤬 You're right, no phone is worth your vision.
At some point, the bands will change and you will need a new phone or suffer dead areas and/or poor reception.
As a crude example, if you had a phone on Verizon CDMA, it won't work once Verizon turns off CDMA.
I just broke my SE 2022. If they can't repair it, I don't know what I'm going to do.
Edit: Apple was able to replace it.
Edit: Apple was able to replace it.
Last edited:
Yep, scroll back through my messages and you'll see my full story.
I now suffer from NDPH diagnosed by my neurologist (I have this for life)
Ironically I am sat in his waiting room right now to discuss an appointment to have 30+ botox injection into my scalp in the hope that it relax's pain receptors in my brain.
I suspect it will be more like the iPad Pro's nano texture display option and will do nothing for PWM or temporal dithering. It might work marginally better than a matte screen protector.
Last edited:
I have had this issue recently, too. It came on after I tested the 13” M2 MacBook Pro Touchbar that was recommended. I thought it may have been a coincidence…I only used the device two days in a row for 20 minutes. The Apple Silicon GPU dithering causes tachycardia - I can feel it when I enable/disable dithering with Stillcolor. I have POTS and dysautonomia, though, so I am pre-disposed to nervous system issues.
Do you occasionally get slight dizziness when looking down at a screen and then looking up or away? I’ve gotten that after having the flu in January. Wondering if I got reinfected with COVID recently and that’s playing a role, too, as my issues get worse with viral infections. I think the focusing issues is triggered by dithering.
Yeah that does happen sometimes, I also get random dizzy spells that seem to coincide with days I use my phone a lot. I 'm 99% sure I have POTS too, I have no insurance so I can't get checked to be sure but I have all the symptoms. Sigh... I'm so tired of playing whack-a-mole with this issue. Every new phone and iOS version is a gamble :/ I'm still having the eye focusing problem even after rolling back to iOS 18 on my 16. I might have to switch back to my SE for good, then once it's no longer usable, get a Chinese phone or something.
A strange thing has occurred
A few weeks ago, I decided to try the new Moto Razr 60. It supports Moto's usual Flicker Reduction setting.
The screen worked well. I didn't experience any significant discomfort. My eyes felt a bit tired after a while, but I was also using it a bit initially.
So, overall, I would say that this screen would work for some sensitive people (it's a LTPO screen, so you can't set the refresh rate to a fixed number).
Then, a week ago, I decided to try the 16e. It was on special, and with some gift cards, I was able to get it at a really good price. Also, even after using Moto's fairly straightforward Android UI, I still preferred iOS, and its smoothness.
I used it not too much initially. I didn't experience significant discomfort either. A bit of eye pressure, after using it for a while in one continuous go. But I still dual phoning with the Razr.
Over the last few days, I've used only the 16e. It works. It doesn't give me significant issues. I am using it with default settings, and a matte screen protector.
I also haven't been well for the past week or two, so it may be that it would cause some discomfort, but I didn't put two and two together. I'm on the up though, so I should soon have a period of time where I'm not sick, to see if anything sticks out.
Let's see where the next few weeks take me.
A few weeks ago, I decided to try the new Moto Razr 60. It supports Moto's usual Flicker Reduction setting.
The screen worked well. I didn't experience any significant discomfort. My eyes felt a bit tired after a while, but I was also using it a bit initially.
So, overall, I would say that this screen would work for some sensitive people (it's a LTPO screen, so you can't set the refresh rate to a fixed number).
Then, a week ago, I decided to try the 16e. It was on special, and with some gift cards, I was able to get it at a really good price. Also, even after using Moto's fairly straightforward Android UI, I still preferred iOS, and its smoothness.
I used it not too much initially. I didn't experience significant discomfort either. A bit of eye pressure, after using it for a while in one continuous go. But I still dual phoning with the Razr.
Over the last few days, I've used only the 16e. It works. It doesn't give me significant issues. I am using it with default settings, and a matte screen protector.
I also haven't been well for the past week or two, so it may be that it would cause some discomfort, but I didn't put two and two together. I'm on the up though, so I should soon have a period of time where I'm not sick, to see if anything sticks out.
Let's see where the next few weeks take me.