That sounds awful. I also had a Galaxy S4, and a Note 4 and Galaxy S8 but I didn't experience any eyestrain with those. Actually I've never experienced PWM problems at all. Switched to the Google Pixel 2 after using the iPhone X. The X is the only phone that ever gave me eyestrain. For me I have to keep going back to Face ID as the culprit, but I won't rule out PWM. It's just weird that OLED never bothered me before. The pain I had with the X was immediate, a clue that the infrared Face ID might be responsible. Personally I've moved on, but I still check on this discussion because so many people I know use the X or may buy one, and I guess I'm looking out for them now. And just curious how it plays out.
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Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up
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I thought so also on the Face ID, but I covered all front facing including the camera and it did nothing.
It is not the OLED itself but how Apple implemented PWM into the OLED screen.
Ya I should have tried taping over the IR sensors when I had my iPhone X. The eye pain was so bad I couldn't return it fast enough. If I can get my hands on another I may try this to rule out IR radiation.
Just one observation so far on this. My iphone 6S Plus broke and I got issued the Iphone x at work. Was definitely eystrain for the first day. It stopped after that. I'm on day 4 now and not feeling strain any more.
However looking back, I note that I also turned off the default setting of screen "awareness" function on day 2 and I use only "tap to wake". So it could be that the frequent scanning of the infra red sensor for "awareness" causes this syndrome.
But it could also be that the PWM implementation causes it and takes time to get used to. Hard to say so far.
But honestly I must note again that on Galaxy S and Note 4, this was a total non-issue and in practice those screen were already very well done. The Note4 in particular was in practice perfect for normal use and I used that phone very heavily as a Kindle reader in daytime and also nighttime in bed. So there's nothing intrinsic to OLED that must create any such problem. If it's OLED display on this phone causing the eyestrain, then it would be a result of poor design choices by Apple.
As far as I can see, the S4 screen has the same surface level implementation as the X (Hz, flicker appearance, etx), and I'm also seeing people complain about the flicker on those phones as well.
For example, here's what the flickering looks like on the S4:
There must be some other factors that we just aren't aware of, I really hope Apple addresses this for the X+
Been running iOS 12 since it came out and I have noticed a marked improvement in my eye strain
Previously it was so bad that I went back to an iPhone 8...
Now the discomfort is negligible and not as intense as before...and I actually think that the eye soreness is to do with my watching of the World Cup and the early hours!
Previously it was so bad that I went back to an iPhone 8...
Now the discomfort is negligible and not as intense as before...and I actually think that the eye soreness is to do with my watching of the World Cup and the early hours!
That's great, but has someone checked with an oscilloscope if the PWM changed?
That might help the epidemic of distracted drivers. HAH
I have the opposite problem: I don't get eyestrain with my X but non-oled ios devices are harder to look at for some reason.
I also use smart invert on the X to save on battery and for reading text that is the easiest for my eyes to deal with.
My iPad (bought last december) is easier to look at than my old iPad2 but not as "clean" visually as the X screen.
I've had Lasik several years ago - I wonder if there's any effect going on there?
I also use smart invert on the X to save on battery and for reading text that is the easiest for my eyes to deal with.
My iPad (bought last december) is easier to look at than my old iPad2 but not as "clean" visually as the X screen.
I've had Lasik several years ago - I wonder if there's any effect going on there?
I was just gonna make a new topic about this, when I found this giant thread with +50 pages. Looks like I'm not alone!
I am seriously thinking of downsizing my digital life, going iOS-only, and perhaps even iPhone-only (especially now when a 6.5" is being released).
I definitely get eyestrain with my iPhone X. Not at all with my iMac. Not with previous phones either (but maybe I'm getting old and can't spend a lot of time with a tiny display?).
I can only think of two reasons. 1) The iPhone is always positioned much closer to the eyes compared to the iMac, and my eyes may have problems re-focusing to objects far away. 2) OLED. This is the first time I have a OLED device.
Is there any TLDR for people that may not have time to read all +50 pages? I found this site today when I googled, is that something that have helped people? Or is the only solution to go with the 6.1" LCD iPhone this year? (which would be sad, since I use portrait photo every single day)
Edit: I should more clearly define my symptoms. I don’t get headache or anything like that. It’s more that my vision gets fuzzy.
Edit2: I haven’t experienced this until quite recently. So either my eyes are aging fast, or iOS 12 made it worse for me.
I am seriously thinking of downsizing my digital life, going iOS-only, and perhaps even iPhone-only (especially now when a 6.5" is being released).
I definitely get eyestrain with my iPhone X. Not at all with my iMac. Not with previous phones either (but maybe I'm getting old and can't spend a lot of time with a tiny display?).
I can only think of two reasons. 1) The iPhone is always positioned much closer to the eyes compared to the iMac, and my eyes may have problems re-focusing to objects far away. 2) OLED. This is the first time I have a OLED device.
Is there any TLDR for people that may not have time to read all +50 pages? I found this site today when I googled, is that something that have helped people? Or is the only solution to go with the 6.1" LCD iPhone this year? (which would be sad, since I use portrait photo every single day)
Edit: I should more clearly define my symptoms. I don’t get headache or anything like that. It’s more that my vision gets fuzzy.
Edit2: I haven’t experienced this until quite recently. So either my eyes are aging fast, or iOS 12 made it worse for me.
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The iPhone X and other OLED phones use a technique called Pulse Width Modulation to regulate the brightness (No other iPhone has had this before), which causes the display to rapidly flicker on and off to simulate lower levels of brightness. Most people have no issue with this flickering, since it's so rapid. However, something like 5-15% of the population (The numbers are fuzzy, there hasn't really been a ton of research on this) get eye strain, headaches, etc from using devices with PWM.
We're all hoping Apple is able to figure out a solution for this year's OLED models, but we have no way of knowing until launch. Also, there are currently no ways to fix this issue in Settings or anything, if you're getting eye strain from the X, you'll have to rely on Apple for a fix (Or use the LCD models)
TLDR: OLED devices use PWM flickering to regulate brightness, which causes some people to have eye strain and headaches. You should probably get the 6.1" LCD model, as that would have no PWM at all.
We've discussed that article before, it doesn't fix the problem. The iPhone X has PWM flickering at ALL levels of brightness, you can't just put it at 100% with a dark filter and be PWM free.
I doubt you spend a few hours per day minimum staring at the touch bar.
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They are tiny icons and only lit up when you use them. And not the primary focus of your eyes.
No those aren’t a problem no.
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Agree with you about everything. I’m having the exact same problems. I find it happens more at night than any other time, so it could be a combination of things like eye strain first and foremost & just needing to take a break from staring at iPhone X screen. I went to see my optimoligist about the issue and she adjust my reading glasses to a higher strength which did help a bit, but not completely. So in my opinion it’s my eyes getting tired at the end of the day, eye strain from starting at computer or iPhone screen to long, and your eyes themselves. I have found ussing Dark Mode really helps when my eyes start going blurry. Overall excellent question though.
So, we're about a month away from the new iPhone announcements, are you guys still hopeful that Apple figured out a solution for the PWM? I haven't heard anything either way, so I'm not sure what to think. I really would rather not have to get the budget LCD model, I've been waiting for something like the 6.5 Pro model for such a long time
Here's hoping for an increased Hz or some kind of other software fix!
Here's hoping for an increased Hz or some kind of other software fix!
I agree TDDM, but so far it's looking like the LCD 6.1 is going to have to be my choice. Can't deal with the headaches, literally!!!
For anyone wanting to see the strobe effect that the X produces using PWM, it easy:
In a dark room with the X screen on, quickly move the phone across your field of vision without looking at the display. You can (should) see a strobe effect in your periferal vision. Another way to see it is to rapidly move your eyes from side to side (in a darkened room) with the iPhone X a bit out of your central field of vision — flickers.
It's like all those horrible led tail lights on modern cars (Escalade being the worst).
In a dark room with the X screen on, quickly move the phone across your field of vision without looking at the display. You can (should) see a strobe effect in your periferal vision. Another way to see it is to rapidly move your eyes from side to side (in a darkened room) with the iPhone X a bit out of your central field of vision — flickers.
It's like all those horrible led tail lights on modern cars (Escalade being the worst).