Other Eye strain while using iPhone X and up

[ghanwani]

I still recommend everyone here try out Moto Stylus 2025 (or whatever the global version is). It's almost been a decade for me to find any AMOLED screen that is 100% okay and that screen feels great.

What's wrong with the Motorola Edge 2026 since that is more recent and will get software updates longer?

 

[scooterdooter]

What's wrong with the Motorola Edge 2026 since that is more recent and will get software updates longer?

Nothing, the stylus is the only one I can vouch for personally (snap+AMOLED). Edge 2026 (and whatever equivalent global variants) look great. In US, 2 years of OS updates + 3 years of security updates is what moto offers. Motorola Edge 70 Fusion looks good.

...
Pixel 11 news keeps leaking and nothing about a better/safer screen is being leaked.

 

[ghanwani]

Pixel 11 news keeps leaking and nothing about a better/safer screen is being leaked.

If Pixel or Samsung does something, then Apple will be forced to follow. Until then, I don't see Apple doing anything.

Aside from the display issue, I also don't like the lack of physical SIM card option.

I'm definitely on my last iPhone (SE 2022).

 

[AshX]

Hi guys,

I don’t know if anyone here might be able to help. My only usable device of any kind (computer, phone) has been an iPhone 13 on iOS 15.6.1 for the past several years. Earlier this week while walking out the door I apparently ghost touched the control center Lock Screen and disabled True Tone. I immediately re-enabled it, but ever since my previously super comfortable iPhone 13 has been giving me issues.

I gave it a few days, but it’s definitely the phone. I’ve had no special settings since I got this phone in 2022. I use True Tone, Night Shift from 10 PM to 1 PM the next day, and have auto brightness enabled.

Now, when I use low powered mode, the phone feels worse. Prior to this it didn’t matter whether I had low power mode on or off - the phone felt the same.

I don’t understand what could’ve happened. I’ve combed through forum posts and Apple Support articles and none of this makes sense. To my understanding True Tone only affects white balance and the color temperature based on readings from the ambient light sensors. Is it possible that by briefly disabling True Tone, I reset some sort of “memory” based on years of use? I believe Apple claimed auto brightness learns your preferred brightness over time. Does True Tone influence the auto brightness curve?

I’m at a loss. This is my only device. I have an autoimmune disease and long COVID and this phone has basically been my only tether to the outside world. I’ve not updated the OS or made any other changes.

 

[AshX]

Hi guys,

I don’t know if anyone here might be able to help. My only usable device of any kind (computer, phone) has been an iPhone 13 on iOS 15.6.1 for the past several years. Earlier this week while walking out the door I apparently ghost touched the control center Lock Screen and disabled True Tone. I immediately re-enabled it, but ever since my previously super comfortable iPhone 13 has been giving me issues.

I gave it a few days, but it’s definitely the phone. I’ve had no special settings since I got this phone in 2022. I use True Tone, Night Shift from 10 PM to 1 PM the next day, and have auto brightness enabled.

Now, when I use low powered mode, the phone feels worse. Prior to this it didn’t matter whether I had low power mode on or off - the phone felt the same.

I don’t understand what could’ve happened. I’ve combed through forum posts and Apple Support articles and none of this makes sense. To my understanding True Tone only affects white balance and the color temperature based on readings from the ambient light sensors. Is it possible that by briefly disabling True Tone, I reset some sort of “memory” based on years of use? I believe Apple claimed auto brightness learns your preferred brightness over time. Does True Tone influence the auto brightness curve?

I’m at a loss. This is my only device. I have an autoimmune disease and long COVID and this phone has basically been my only tether to the outside world. I’ve not updated the OS or made any other changes.

Hi guys. Brief update. I did a forced reboot and it seemed to help a little. The phone booted up and it was much warmer. But a few hours later True Tone just stopped working. Symptoms were better, but it seems like something is wrong with True Tone or my ambient light sensors, at least on iOS 15, and that toggling True Tone triggered it. Unsure if this is going to be usable long term…insane that something like this can modify a device so significantly…especially one that was usable for so long.

For what it’s worth, I have a GVC panel, so it’s LG.

 

[ghanwani]

Hi guys. Brief update. I did a forced reboot and it seemed to help a little. The phone booted up and it was much warmer. But a few hours later True Tone just stopped working. Symptoms were better, but it seems like something is wrong with True Tone or my ambient light sensors, at least on iOS 15, and that toggling True Tone triggered it. Unsure if this is going to be usable long term…insane that something like this can modify a device so significantly…especially one that was usable for so long.

For what it’s worth, I have a GVC panel, so it’s LG.

What happens if you disable True Tone and permanently enable Night Shift? The colors may be off, but it may help the phone be usable. That's what I do. But mine is a 2022 SE with an LCD display.

 

[now i see it]

Yes above ^: True Tone is continuously changing the color of the display which likely the brain doesn’t find too pleasant. Just find a Night Shift setting you like and have it set to run always. That’s what I do. I really don’t like True Tone at all.
And if it gets to desperation time - view the screen in grayscale. That’s been a lifesaver for me.

 

[MICHAELSD]

This is still not ideal because I’m getting to the point where I need a new phone and there’s still no solution. None of the frequencies across the generations and models have ever not caused a headache response, and the PWM toggle doesn’t do enough. I almost want to an order an iPhone 17, but I’ll have to continue to see if iPhone 18 offers any improvement.

 

[ghanwani]

This is still not ideal because I’m getting to the point where I need a new phone and there’s still no solution. None of the frequencies across the generations and models have ever not caused a headache response, and the PWM toggle doesn’t do enough. I almost want to an order an iPhone 17, but I’ll have to continue to see if iPhone 18 offers any improvement.

Have you tried Android at all? I fear that is what I will be forced to do. Hoping to hear some success stories before I take the leap.

I am nearly 100% certain that Apple will NOT address this issue.

 

[dannyh5319]

Have you tried Android at all? I fear that is what I will be forced to do. Hoping to hear some success stories before I take the leap.

I am nearly 100% certain that Apple will NOT address this issue.

To everyone’s surprise they brought a pwm feature (although useless for the most part) who knows what surprises they might have for pwm sensitive users on the 18 series.

 

[ghanwani]

To everyone’s surprise they brought a pwm feature (although useless for the most part) who knows what surprises they might have for pwm sensitive users on the 18 series.

More useless stuff, of course. 🙂

 

[aliensporebomb]

"Eye twitching video on the new iPhone Twitch". I don't know, I remember when I first got my iPhoneX the video took some getting used to.

I don't seem to have the issue with the 12 PM, 15 PM and or my newer 17 PM. So, am I just used to it and don't notice it now or has it been addressed?

 

[scooterdooter]

"Eye twitching video on the new iPhone Twitch". I don't know, I remember when I first got my iPhoneX the video took some getting used to.

I don't seem to have the issue with the 12 PM, 15 PM and or my newer 17 PM. So, am I just used to it and don't notice it now or has it been addressed?

LTPO = terrible variable refresh rate
Deep, variable PWM modulation = eye strain
DV, HDR10 = dithering; shimmering effect like you can't focus on text; watching any video should turn this on

Nothing has been fixed at all. If you truly feel nothing, you likely have no issues with PWM at all. Screen lotto is a red herring.

----------
iphone 18:

iPhone 18 Pro's LTPO+ Display Upgrade to Come From Samsung, LG

Apple is expected to finalize OLED panel approvals for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max this month, with Samsung Display and LG Display likely to dominate panel supply, reports The Elec. This year, China's BOE has reportedly been closed out of the premium tier supply chain, despite having landed...

www.macrumors.com

LTPO is terrible. LTPO+ will be even worse.

----
Pixel 11 released. Appears to have the same PWM/screen.

 

[MICHAELSD]

I still can’t fully comprehend why they can’t just give us the Accessibility setting we need: enable a PWM toggle and there’s no flickering whatsoever, or extremely low modulations.

I know the reasons, but I’ve spent so much time and effort trying to get the word out to fix this so I and everyone else affected can use an iPhone again and the Display Pulse Smoothing was 90% ineffective rather than the flickering toggle I’d probably require.

 

[scooterdooter]

I still can’t fully comprehend why they can’t just give us the Accessibility setting we need: enable a PWM toggle and there’s no flickering whatsoever, or extremely low modulations.

I know the reasons, but I’ve spent so much time and effort trying to get the word out to fix this so I and everyone else affected can use an iPhone again and the Display Pulse Smoothing was 90% ineffective rather than the flickering toggle I’d probably require.

Apple can't fix hardware issues with software. Oneplus even tried software "hacks" at first; when enabled their panels got darker and turned green or purple.

The "word out" is meaningless. All apple cares about is sales keep going up i.e. no churn away. Those that actually leave, need to tell Apple very specific models they switched to and specifically say it is the screen/panel. If you do annual buy/returns, do the same thing. "I'm going back to iphone 11" = apple doesn't care since you won't leave apple.

---------

Pixel 11 is confirmed to be just as bad as 10. So Samsung S12 and Iphone18 is all that is left to be released and they likely will be the same.

 

[badger1212]

I’ve been following this thread since the iPhone X because I couldn’t use it due to PWM sensitivity. Two days ago, I got a base-model iPhone 17, and honestly, it wasn’t that bad. I do experience some eye strain, but it’s tolerable.


For the past eight years, I’ve been using the iPhone XR and iPhone 11. They are incredibly solid phones and have served me well.


In case anyone is interested, my iPhone 17 has an LG display, and it seems to be more eye-friendly than the Samsung display.

Ditto for me too. I've had issues since the X almost 10 years ago now. I didn't believe in the screen lottery until I tried it. I ordered a 17 Pro Max as a majority of those have an LG screen and I've been using it for 3 months now with minimal issues. I'm not sure how much of my issues were due to PWM as it didn't seem to make sense that I was fine with the LG but not the Samsung. I can instantly tell an LG panel from a Samsung one and the diagnostic test proved it was an LG. I've slapped a matte screen protector on it which I think helps too. This one's a keeper, finally.

 

[AshX]

Can anyone recommend a phone? My iPhone 13 has finally failed me and despite a battery replacement, the PWM modulation keeps jumping from 30 to 50% and making me dizzy and causing severe eye pain.

I’ve been holding onto this thing because iOS 15 has been the last version I can use comfortably. I’ve tried iOS 18 but even via a carplay connection it’s uncomfortable, whereas iOS 15 is fine. I’ve tried the iPhones as well as every android I could find in Best Buy, and the android phones are even worse (Motorola, pixel, Samsung, nothing phone). I’m not sure what to do other than buying used iPhone 13’s on eBay. I’m cooked, as the kids say.

This phone has been my only usable screen of any kind for the past 4 years since a COVID infection basically destroyed my life and triggered a ton of autoimmune health issues. I have a MacBook Neo I can’t use and an iMac I’m too afraid to even open in case it’s also bad. I have no idea what my triggers even are.

Sorry to share my sob story. The last 4 years have been hell and the last several weeks I’ve basically had no phone and I can’t even pay most of my bills without a usable phone, at the very least. It’s life altering.

Is my only option borrowing money and ordering a few iPhone 17’s? Prior to getting sick I used the 13 Pro, 11 Pro, and X with no issues.

My iPhone 13 has an LG GVC panel for what that’s worth. It’s most comfortable with auto brightness enabled and True Tone enabled. Anything else (reduce white point) makes it worse.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Can anyone recommend a phone? My iPhone 13 has finally failed me and despite a battery replacement, the PWM modulation keeps jumping from 30 to 50% and making me dizzy and causing severe eye pain.

I’ve been holding onto this thing because iOS 15 has been the last version I can use comfortably. I’ve tried iOS 18 but even via a carplay connection it’s uncomfortable, whereas iOS 15 is fine. I’ve tried the iPhones as well as every android I could find in Best Buy, and the android phones are even worse (Motorola, pixel, Samsung, nothing phone). I’m not sure what to do other than buying used iPhone 13’s on eBay. I’m cooked, as the kids say.

This phone has been my only usable screen of any kind for the past 4 years since a COVID infection basically destroyed my life and triggered a ton of autoimmune health issues. I have a MacBook Neo I can’t use and an iMac I’m too afraid to even open in case it’s also bad. I have no idea what my triggers even are.

Sorry to share my sob story. The last 4 years have been hell and the last several weeks I’ve basically had no phone and I can’t even pay most of my bills without a usable phone, at the very least. It’s life altering.

Is my only option borrowing money and ordering a few iPhone 17’s? Prior to getting sick I used the 13 Pro, 11 Pro, and X with no issues.

My iPhone 13 has an LG GVC panel for what that’s worth. It’s most comfortable with auto brightness enabled and True Tone enabled. Anything else (reduce white point) makes it worse.

If it was me in your situation - I'd get a credit card and buy some iphone 17's from Apple or Costco. If they don't work for you, they can be returned with no financial penalty. Then your next port is to seek some iphone 13's from the used market. It's all a lottery sadly and only you will know what feels comfortable once your using the phone. There is no magic bulllet recommendation.

 

[PwmMen]

Hello,

I sold my iPhone 17 Pro Max and now have an Oppo Find X9 Ultra as my daily driver.
Oppo's eye protection features are simply unrivaled, letting me use the Oppo Find X9 Ultra without any discomfort.
In addition, it is technically ahead of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The camera in particular is worlds better.
I also really like ColorOS because it is based on iOS. The interaction with macOS is also excellent, including AirDrop. That makes it even easier for me. ColorOS is the best software I have used so far.
The eye protection functions implemented are really excellent and do what they are supposed to do.
The Ki (Gemini) is a dream compared to Siri. I use it every day and it is so much smarter than Siri.
The Google apps are also more extensive and offer many more functions than the Apple apps.
I love iOS, but after 12 years, and a brief interlude with Vivo, it was time for a permanent change.

I can only recommend it, because you are finally technically up to date.

 

[AshX]

If it was me in your situation - I'd get a credit card and buy some iphone 17's from Apple or Costco. If they don't work for you, they can be returned with no financial penalty. Then your next port is to seek some iphone 13's from the used market. It's all a lottery sadly and only you will know what feels comfortable once your using the phone. There is no magic bulllet recommendation.

Thank you. I was thinking of trying the iPhone 17e’s, since they’re the closest panel to my 13 (60Hz). Or is it better to try the Pro’s and lock the refresh rate to 60Hz?

 

[MICHAELSD]

Thank you. I was thinking of trying the iPhone 17e’s, since they’re the closest panel to my 13 (60Hz). Or is it better to try the Pro’s and lock the refresh rate to 60Hz?

They’re all about the same, and locking the refresh rate has zero effect on flicker.

I need a new iPhone soon, and it still sucks not being able to order one and know that it will even be usable. I’m trying to hold off on trying an iPhone 17 or 17 Pro since I’m sure I’ll regret ordering within weeks of a new generation. I love my iPad Pro so I really think I’ll enjoy a Pro, and in retrospect made a mistake with the Air other than trying it for perspective. There was no benefit to me with the thinness. 17e also unfortunately offers no benefit by having lower modulations or a different PWM approach.

 

[MICHAELSD]

iPhone 18 Pro will more than likely cause my usual persistent OLED flicker headaches, so I’ll have to once again ask myself whether it’s worth compromising on health or continuing to refurbish my third-generation SE until it’s obsoleted.

 

[ghanwani]

I was tricked into updating from iOS 18 to iOS 26 by an ambiguous update prompt from Apple. Now that I'm on iOS 26 on a 2022 SE, it has become unusable. I get eye pain and headaches and my eyes go out of focus within minutes of using the phone. I can force myself to keep using it and symptoms get worse until I start feeling nausea. Right now I have to restrict myself to using my phone for only the most basic tasks. Looks like I will have to go through the pain of migrating to Android. 🙁

 

[now i see it]

I was tricked into updating from iOS 18 to iOS 26 by an ambiguous update prompt from Apple. Now that I'm on iOS 26 on a 2022 SE, it has become unusable. I get eye pain and headaches and my eyes go out of focus within minutes of using the phone. I can force myself to keep using it and symptoms get worse until I start feeling nausea. Right now I have to restrict myself to using my phone for only the most basic tasks. Looks like I will have to go through the pain of migrating to Android. 🙁

I purchased two new iPhone SE3s a while back to prepare for this exact scenario.
I have one on iOS 18 and the other victim is on iOS 26.latest.

I have given up on the phone that has iOS 26 on it. What a horrible looking OS. I’m now using the other one on iOS 18 and it’s a world better. Very nice.
In its default configuration, iOS 26 -shimmers- the horrible thin white border outlining everything. It’s atrocious. It’s not just a thin ugly border surrounding everything, it’s a shimmering ugly border. Such A Great Idea!

I could use that phone for short periods by turning on all the typical Accessibility settings and setting the display to grayscale AND running in Low Battery mode (important - it changes the white point brightness of the screen).
But even still - it’s such an ugly looking OS and I have no reason to use it since I kept my other iPhone on iOS 18.
26 is definitely (IMO) the worst iPhone OS in history. And I only installed it a month or so ago when it was all done.

I’ll definitely install iOS 27 on the iPhone that has iOS 26 on it. - next summer. See how it goes. People are saying iOS 27 looks better.
I’ll keep the other SE on iOS 18 forever.

 

[Ameliacolin66]

iPhone 18 Pro will more than likely cause my usual persistent OLED flicker headaches, so I’ll have to once again ask myself whether it’s worth compromising on health or continuing to refurbish my third-generation SE until it’s obsoleted.

I'm in the same boat as you. I get a new battery fitted every couple of years with my SE3