Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[Populus]

We’ve become masters of patience. I’ll wait for iPhone 18 Pro at this point. Then if that doesn’t work hold out hope for the 20th anniversary iPhone…

Man, that would mark a decade of not being able to use the latest iPhones without a severe headache response.

We’re tech resilience!

 

[jimmy_uk]

I use the 60 Ultra and love it, been keeping an eye out for more releases.

This is smaller than the 60, theyre both huge. I have no issue with the processor speed in the 60 however the processor is faster than the one in this new 70.

I do prefer the camera bump on the 70 as my 60 it is huge.

At £300 I am still tempted to try.

Still rocking the 60 Ultra or did you jump on the 70?

The size of the 60 Ultra is the pause point for me. My 11 feels fine, my 7 Plus was my favorite size. The 17e felt a little small. I remember getting the first Pro Max in hand and immediately thought it was too big and heavy - but the TCL 60 Ultra looks like it might be the only real safe alternative for no PMW or dithering.

Also, how are the speakers on the 60 Ultra?

 

[super chimp]

Having finally updated to iOS 26 I cannot say it does much for my bad eye as far as eye strain is concerned. Definitely not trusting it and kind of hard to know what combinations of settings in accessibility and display is going to be best after such a big change. I’ve just be playing around hoping for the best. Had to use reduce motion having had it off and on as the animations with it on are just too distracting.

 

[Abiyork]

Still rocking the 60 Ultra or did you jump on the 70?

The size of the 60 Ultra is the pause point for me. My 11 feels fine, my 7 Plus was my favorite size. The 17e felt a little small. I remember getting the first Pro Max in hand and immediately thought it was too big and heavy - but the TCL 60 Ultra looks like it might be the only real safe alternative for no PMW or dithering.

Also, how are the speakers on the 60 Ultra?

Still with the 60, the 70 is pretty much the same but with a worse battery and worse processor so not bothered about changing.

The 60 is huge, lets be honest and I never wanted a Iphone plue size as it felt too big when holding it in the store.

However I had no option here, my Iphone 11 needed replacing. I got used to the size so quick and now feels like any other phone is too small.

Speakers seem good, I dont listen to music through them etc.

The positives...

1 - Pain free use, no PWM, no dithering too.
2 - The cost, crazy price compared to flagship, I can get 3 of these before a new iphone model.
3 - Battery life is great and its really quick to charge too. I have never needed to charge it midway through the day.
4 - The screen for watching, youtube/playing games is great.


The slight negatives...

1 - The screen brightness, the slider is far too sensitive and its either too bright or too dark.
2 - The camera, for general photos its great, anything using the long zoom or moving subjects and stabilisation lets its down. Basic videos are also jumpy due to the stabilisation.
3 - Bluetooth range isnt great, if I wonder around my house my Garmin watch disconnects a lot.
4 - Screen scratches so easy, I have put a protector on but that adds a sheen to it and cancels out the matt finish somewhat.
5 - The fact its not a major player on the market means 3rd party cases are non existent really.

 

[badger1212]

I tried the Honor Magic 8 Pro, but to no avail.
To their credit though, they did subsequently contact me with various questions regarding my symptoms to better understand the issue. I’ve never had such a follow up from Apple.

I had the same experience with the Magic 8 pro. It was fine for a few days but then I got this pain behind my eyes. And to be fair they followed up with feedback from me too. They really seem to be taking this seriously.

I had the Magic 6 Pro and the Magic 7 Pro before and these were the only OLED phones I have been able to use realitively symptom free so was surprised about the Magic 8 Pro. I only got rid of the 6 and 7 pro because of annoying power intensive messages that I couldn't get rid of and ultimately I need an iOS phone to manage my kids' screentime.

 

[iLuddite]

Having finally updated to iOS 26 I cannot say it does much for my bad eye as far as eye strain is concerned. Definitely not trusting it and kind of hard to know what combinations of settings in accessibility and display is going to be best after such a big change. I’ve just be playing around hoping for the best. Had to use reduce motion having had it off and on as the animations with it on are just too distracting.

Accessibility > Display & Text Size/Motion settings on my 26.4 iPhone 17 Pro Max

Edit—I think that for some reason they posted out of order, sorry

 

[PwmMen]

I can recommend the Vivo X300 Pro.

It has several eye health settings, including
a PWM frequency of over 2000Hz across the entire brightness range.
I've had it for over three months and haven't experienced any eye problems.
Another advantage is the much better camera, the much better Wi-Fi/cellular reception, and the
better battery. We don't even need to discuss the software, as Gemini is far superior to Siri. Android now runs
without any issues and is generally much smoother than iOS 26. In terms of features, Android is superior to iOS anyway.

 

[Leindt]

I can recommend the Vivo X300 Pro.

It has several eye health settings, including
a PWM frequency of over 2000Hz across the entire brightness range.
I've had it for over three months and haven't experienced any eye problems.
Another advantage is the much better camera, the much better Wi-Fi/cellular reception, and the
better battery. We don't even need to discuss the software, as Gemini is far superior to Siri. Android now runs
without any issues and is generally much smoother than iOS 26. In terms of features, Android is superior to iOS anyway.

I was thinking of buying the X300 or the X300 Pro, but ugh, I don’t know – trying out another phone, especially given how expensive it is. I’ve had the iQOO Z8, which has an LCD screen, for two years now, and it hasn’t given me any trouble.

I bought a Motorola G75 a month ago, and although it’s an LCD, I can’t use it – just looking at it makes me feel really sick.

So I’ll see if I take the plunge with the x300!

 

[jimmy_uk]

I can recommend the Vivo X300 Pro.

Not available in the UK, damn.

 

[MarkX]

Not available in the UK, damn.

Have you considered the xiaomi 17 series?

Available in the UK.

 

[PwmMen]

Yesterday I bought another iPhone 17 Pro Max because Android doesn't make me happy.
Like my iPhone 17 Pro Max, which I had from 09/25-12/25, it has a GH3 LG display. As before,
I don't have any eye problems. In between I had a GVC and G9N display. On both displays I had eye problems
after a few days. The GH3 is therefore the best display for me. In terms of quality, everyone was on the same level.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Unless it was really posted somewhere, I had a dream about a MacRumors article stating that iPhone 20’s OLED display would bring fixes for flickering as its top priority. 😵‍💫

 

[BigBen2493]

Yesterday I bought another iPhone 17 Pro Max because Android doesn't make me happy.
Like my iPhone 17 Pro Max, which I had from 09/25-12/25, it has a GH3 LG display. As before,
I don't have any eye problems. In between I had a GVC and G9N display. On both displays I had eye problems
after a few days. The GH3 is therefore the best display for me. In terms of quality, everyone was on the same level.

What didn't you like about android?

 

[PwmMen]

What didn't you like about android?

It's just the habit and the look that differs from iOS.
Since all my other devices are from Apple, the different look of the operating systems bothers me.

 

[badger1212]

Yesterday I bought another iPhone 17 Pro Max because Android doesn't make me happy.
Like my iPhone 17 Pro Max, which I had from 09/25-12/25, it has a GH3 LG display. As before,
I don't have any eye problems. In between I had a GVC and G9N display. On both displays I had eye problems
after a few days. The GH3 is therefore the best display for me. In terms of quality, everyone was on the same level.

I've realised that my iPhone 15 (the only OLED iPhone I have been able to tolerate) is an LG and the 17 pro I tried was a Samsung and I couldn't bear that. So maybe a 17PM might be OK if it's an LG? It's pot luck which type of screen I'll get though I guess.

 

[BigBen2493]

I've realised that my iPhone 15 (the only OLED iPhone I have been able to tolerate) is an LG and the 17 pro I tried was a Samsung and I couldn't bear that. So maybe a 17PM might be OK if it's an LG? It's pot luck which type of screen I'll get though I guess.

Yeah the screen lottery, with the 17 PM but saw the percentages, you'd have 65 percent odds to get the LG screen

 

[badger1212]

Yeah the screen lottery, with the 17 PM but saw the percentages, you'd have 65 percent odds to get the LG screen

That’s interesting. Thanks. I may try the lottery. Decent odds…

 

[BigBen2493]

That’s interesting. Thanks. I may try the lottery. Decent odds…

YW!

 

[PwmMen]

@badger1212
After exchanging my first iPhone 17 Pro Max with GH3 Display for an iPhone 17 Pro
and not being able to tolerate it, it only took four orders until I had an iPhone 17 Pro Max
with a GH3 display again. I hope the iPhone 18 Pro Max also has a GH3 Display. For me it is perfect.😎

 

[badger1212]

@badger1212
After exchanging my first iPhone 17 Pro Max with GH3 Display for an iPhone 17 Pro
and not being able to tolerate it, it only took four orders until I had an iPhone 17 Pro Max
with a GH3 display again. I hope the iPhone 18 Pro Max also has a GH3 Display. For me it is perfect.😎

Where do you order from who would accept that rate of returns? I've already returned loads from Apple and Amazon because of this issue and concerned that they might say no that's enough now.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Where do you order from who would accept that rate of returns? I've already returned loads from Apple and Amazon because of this issue and concerned that they might say no that's enough now.

Be mindful that Amazon can easily ban an account for frequent high value returns.

 

[badger1212]

Be mindful that Amazon can easily ban an account for frequent high value returns.

Yeh was concerned about that. You get 30 days to return on Amazon which gives you a bit longer. I once attempted to return a new iPhone 15 pro max because of eyestrain and they gave me a full refund and said just keep it 😮

 

[PwmMen]

Where do you order from who would accept that rate of returns? I've already returned loads from Apple and Amazon because of this issue and concerned that they might say no that's enough now.

Amazon responds quickly to frequent returns.
Apple apparently doesn't care at all; they've never complained.
I've ordered from Apple, Coolblue, and Otto in Germany. I've never had any problems with returns.

 

[super chimp]

@badger1212
After exchanging my first iPhone 17 Pro Max with GH3 Display for an iPhone 17 Pro
and not being able to tolerate it, it only took four orders until I had an iPhone 17 Pro Max
with a GH3 display again. I hope the iPhone 18 Pro Max also has a GH3 Display. For me it is perfect.

The 18 Pro models are meant to have LTPO+ screens for the first time. So I’m not sure what that will mean for this.

 

[scooterdooter]

@badger1212
After exchanging my first iPhone 17 Pro Max with GH3 Display for an iPhone 17 Pro
and not being able to tolerate it, it only took four orders until I had an iPhone 17 Pro Max
with a GH3 display again. I hope the iPhone 18 Pro Max also has a GH3 Display. For me it is perfect.😎

This is why apple doesn't care. You have told Apple that after three returns, you are completely okay with terrible PWM and LTPO strobing.