Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[unobtainium]

The screen is the culprit

You don’t know that.

Samsung IR scanners caused eye pain and migraines for a minority of users. When Apple announced the X, I was waiting for the explosion of reports of eye pain/headaches. People have never had IR lasers blasted into their eyes up to 100 times a day before. I feel safer taking a wait and see approach with this tech, since retinal damage does not repair itself over time. You only have one set of eyes.

 

[brad1001]

You don’t know that.

Samsung IR scanners caused eye pain and migraines for a minority of users. When Apple announced the X, I was waiting for the explosion of reports of eye pain/headaches. People have never had IR lasers blasted into their eyes up to 100 times a day before. I feel safer taking a wait and see approach with this tech, since retinal damage does not repair itself over time. You only have one set of eyes.

There ain't enough health research to certify the safety of blasting your eyes with IR let alone continuously flooding the face with the IR flood illuminator. I'm afraid if more complaints come in on dizziness or blurred vision, Apple may have to tune down the frequency of IR beams. If this design is baked into all future iphone designs, I wonder what else can be done if this becomes a real problem. This might/might not be a ticking time bomb.

 

[gold///]

I doubt that our issues are caused by the FaceID scanner, but I'll turn off all the scanning features for a few days just to rule it out. Most of our symptoms are consistent with PWM-sensitivity, so that's what I'm betting on.

 

[nperei]

how about try reduce transparency in Accessiblity section? Might be worth a shot

 

[unobtainium]

I doubt that our issues are caused by the FaceID scanner, but I'll turn off all the scanning features for a few days just to rule it out. Most of our symptoms are consistent with PWM-sensitivity, so that's what I'm betting on.

Is it possible to totally turn off the IR scanner? Isn’t it used for the front facing camera shots as well?

 

[techtechtech]

I doubt that our issues are caused by the FaceID scanner, but I'll turn off all the scanning features for a few days just to rule it out. Most of our symptoms are consistent with PWM-sensitivity, so that's what I'm betting on.

Agreed, the OLED screen is more likely to be the cause, the other OLED based phones I have used that caused eye strain and dizziness did not have any kind of IR facial scanning technology. Interesting to see if turning of the facial scanning does improve things regardless.

 

[gold///]

how about try reduce transparency in Accessiblity section? Might be worth a shot

Nah, unfortunately, it's related to the brightness of the display. No matter what you do, the screen always flickers.

Is it possible to totally turn off the IR scanner? Isn’t it used for the front facing camera shots as well?

Not sure, but I really don't think it has to do with the scanner anyway. I've done a lot of testing with brightness levels, accessibility settings, etc, and it's all consistent with PWM issues.

 

[Sanlitun]

This is the price to be paid with OLED and it's PWM flicker. I'm not getting headaches with my X, but it feels uncomfortable to use it. When I go back to using the 8 Plus everything is fine again.

I'm still struggling with the idea of returning the X and staying with the Plus, but all the neat new technology is in the X.

Just wait a few months when burn in starts to show and the forums here will light up with complaints about that as well. Welcome to OLED.

 

[Proteinaceous]

I’m afraid I am also struggling with some of these same symptoms. I set up my iPhone X on Sat 04 Nov and have had a headache every day since with some occasional mild motion sickness/nausea while using the device. I don’t suffer from migraines and don’t experience headaches very often so this is very out of the ordinary for me. It’s a mild headache, but it is the exact same type of headache that I experienced in the past when I had an improper contact lens prescription (ie, optically-induced).

I did begin to suspect my device after a couple of days since that was the only thing new in my life that I could possibly correlate with these symptoms. I realize that correlation does not prove causation. However, the growing circumstantial evidence (timing, type of headache, potential causative factor [PWM]) has prompted me to do a bit of experimenting. I’m going to attempt a challenge-dechallenge-rechallenge experiment. This morning I decided to not use my phone at all to see if the symptoms alleviate over the next couple of days (I’m more of an iPad junkie so I can use that in lieu of my phone for most/everything I use my iPhone for). If the symptoms alleviate, I may try to use the phone again to see if the symptoms come back. If so, that’ll be proof enough for me and I’ll have to get rid of the phone. I suppose I’ll either exchange it (within the 14-day return period) or give it to my wife.

I want to thank the original poster for starting this thread. I checked the iPhone forums early in the week but didn’t notice this thread at the time. I checked this forum this afternoon on a whim to see if anyone else had also posted similar issues regarding the iPhone X. Though I’m sorry to see others experiencing some of the same issues, I am a bit relieved that it is not just me (or that I likely don’t have something more sinister going on with my health).

I haven’t used my phone since Saturday evening. I’ll try to check in later this week.

 

[gold///]

This is the price to be paid with OLED and it's PWM flicker. I'm not getting headaches with my X, but it feels uncomfortable to use it.

This is what kinda confuses me. I know most people don't have an issue with PWM, but how can they stand to use it for long periods of time? Even if they aren't PWM-sensitive, doesn't it hurt to constantly stare at a rapidly blinking screen like that?

Do they just not notice it? Or are OLED screens just not meant to be used for long stretches of time? I'm kind of baffled that we're still using this kind of tech in 2017, it seems harmful to eyes no matter how resistant to PWM you are.

I think OLED is great for TV or certain comp screens, where it'll mostly be at max brightness, but kinda a bad choice for phone screens where you'll be reading small text and staring for a long time.

 

[john g.]

I have posted a few times in this thread and decided to just keep my 8 for a while.

Out of curiosity, I went to the Verizon store yesterday and checked out the X again.
After a mere 10 minutes or so I noticed a lot of eyestrain and felt a headache looming.
I hope they can figure this out in the future, as I really like the size.
I was someone who always felt like the 8+ was too big and the 8 sometimes on the small size.

 

[tcellguy]

What surprises me is that in my experience when anyone complains about eye strain related to a new device there is usually an influx of people dismissing it as hypochondriasis. This thread has been very civil so far .

Also interesting to me is how 1 or 2 iPhones with a green line or a buzzing speaker results in front page news, while people experiencing eye strain is virtually never discussed.

 

[techtechtech]

What surprises me is that in my experience when anyone complains about eye strain related to a new device there is usually an influx of people dismissing it as hypochondriasis. This thread has been very civil so far .

Also interesting to me is how 1 or 2 iPhones with a green line or a buzzing speaker results in front page news, while people experiencing eye strain is virtually never discussed.

I wonder what percentage of users with OLED based screens on previous Samsung/Oneplus/LG phones have experienced this, assume pretty low otherwise surely it would have cropped up more often on various forums or news sites. With the number of people purchasing the iPhone X maybe this percentage will become more apparent in due course.

Also keep in mind the X has only been in peoples hands for a few days so users that are affected might only be picking up on it or may not have even made the link yet if they are experiencing any eye strain, headaches or similar.

For myself and others who suffer this negative reaction I hope in the long term that there is a solution so we can experience the benefits of OLED style technology, not that I'm unhappy using the IPS screen on my current iPhone of course

 

[Sanlitun]

This is what kinda confuses me. I know most people don't have an issue with PWM, but how can they stand to use it for long periods of time? Even if they aren't PWM-sensitive, doesn't it hurt to constantly stare at a rapidly blinking screen like that?

I feel it's an issue with personal sensitivity and certainly many just don't see it.

In my case I feel it's not just the flicker issue, but the reduced resolution of the pentile display. The users eyes have been trained to focus a certain way on their phone display, and the different display changes mean your eyes are trying to focus in a different way producing discomfort.

I'm still in a honeymoon period with my X, but I can easily see myself returning it when the hype wears off.

 

[techtechtech]

I feel it's an issue with personal sensitivity and certainly many just don't see it.

In my case I feel it's not just the flicker issue, but the reduced resolution of the pentile display. The users eyes have been trained to focus a certain way on their phone display, and the different display changes mean your eyes are trying to focus in a different way producing discomfort.

I'm still in a honeymoon period with my X, but I can easily see myself returning it when the hype wears off.

This is certainly not something that affects everyone, most likely the opposite and like you say many people simply aren't having the problem. I know users of other OLED phones which I've also owned and they have no problems at all, where as I couldn't use them for more than 20 seconds without struggling. Likewise some don't see the reduced effective resolution that certain pentile displays exhibit whereas my eyes are quite sensitive to this and like for like I would take an IPS if resolution was the same vs certain pentile arrangements.

Lots to like with OLED displays, battery life benefits, contrast ratio and the blacks are just incredible

 

[HuskerHarley]

What a read!!!

My X is scheduled for delivery from Apple this Thursday (11-16)...

If I have the problems everyone else in this thread is experiencing...How many days/weeks do I have before I can no longer return it + doesn't it have to be in immaculate condition for Apple to accept a return?

I'm one of those who had issues with cheap Plasma TVs, Until I purchased Pioneer Elites, no more problem...Hope my subconsciousness (This Thread) doesn't convince my Brain that the X is bad no matter what!!!

 

[Kitkad]

I want to thank the original poster for starting this thread. I checked the iPhone forums early in the week but didn’t notice this thread at the time. I checked this forum this afternoon on a whim to see if anyone else had also posted similar issues regarding the iPhone X. Though I’m sorry to see others experiencing some of the same issues, I am a bit relieved that it is not just me (or that I likely don’t have something more sinister going on with my health).

I haven’t used my phone since Saturday evening. I’ll try to check in later this week.

I'm glad you found the post useful. I made it in case other people were having issues so we could all discuss.

 

[unobtainium]

What a read!!!

My X is scheduled for delivery from Apple this Thursday (11-16)...

If I have the problems everyone else in this thread is experiencing...How many days/weeks do I have before I can no longer return it + doesn't it have to be in immaculate condition for Apple to accept a return?

I'm one of those who had issues with cheap Plasma TVs, Until I purchased Pioneer Elites, no more problem...Hope my subconsciousness (This Thread) doesn't convince my Brain that the X is bad no matter what!!!

You have exactly 14 days, and normal wear and tear is fine.

 

[HuskerHarley]

You have exactly 14 days, and normal wear and tear is fine.

Thank-U.

 

[AppleRobert]

No headaches, no migraines and I am more prone than most getting them.

Lighting is very important, never have a light shining on the side of either eye. Always try to have light coming from behind you.

 

[gold///]

It seems like most people don't have any issue with this, I wonder if it's possible to train our eyes for PWM? I mean, I've never used a device with PWM before, maybe we just need a few weeks to get used to it?

(You can probably see I'm grasping at straws here, I really want to keep this thing )

 

[Kitkad]

It seems like most people don't have any issue with this, I wonder if it's possible to train our eyes for PWM? I mean, I've never used a device with PWM before, maybe we just need a few weeks to get used to it?

(You can probably see I'm grasping at straws here, I really want to keep this thing )

Same here.

 

[Perene]

The issues you are having can be solved with other approaches, too. Read this thread and try applying them to see if it helps:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...t-night-black-background-for-reading.2051591/

P.S. From that thread, check all these relevant links:
http://www.displaymate.com/Displays_At_Night_1.htm#Recommendations

https://www.howtogeek.com/213464/ho...le-watching-tv-and-gaming-with-bias-lighting/
https://lifehacker.com/why-bias-lighting-increases-your-tvs-contrast-and-saves-1695117890
https://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTip...having_a_light_on_behind_your_monitor_like_a/

 

[goshindoman]

Wow, incredible thread. The past two week ends I have visited the not so local mall to visit Starbucks to eat their cheese cake etc. Both times I have looked at the X in the nearby outlet and both times have felt eye strain, slight nausea and headache. I blamed the cheese cake being so sickly!?
It never dawned on me it could have been the iPhone X.

I am a long time OLED user and have never had these possible side affects. I still use the Note 8 as my daily and the S8+ before that and never got sore eyes etc from using them right back as far as OLED screens go. MAYBE its one of the sensors on the iPhone X causing this? I did find looking at that screen tiring on my eyes though? Most odd.

I also think there is no need to cancel pre orders and start a panic over this. IF there is a problem I am sure Apple will sort it.

Going to be interesting to see how this plays out.

Ryland

 

[ArkieBiker]

My doctor started me on anitvert, Amodium AD and Exlax. I'm better now. Should get my iPhone X soon. LOL Silly thread for sure.