punkdthrice
macrumors member
I get this problem on my iPhone 11 now too. The eye strain happens within 5 minutes of using the phone. And looking away from the phone makes my eyes feel out of focus and takes like 10 minutes to adjust my vision.
iPhone XR Eye Strain on iPhoneXR?
- Thread starter sddabrow
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austyn23
macrumors 6502a
WOW, this is crazy.
I have some eye strain after using the 11... not even close as the X has gave me (strong eye strain that last for hours), but is not as good as the iPhone 8 feeling.
I didn't setup Face ID (I use the code every 4 hours, the max the iOs let to put the code in).
Also my wrist hurts, this thing is heavy, incredible, the iphone 8 is perfect (148 g) and this one hurts (194g).
punkdthrice
macrumors member
It's jarring from looking at my iPhone 6s to 11. The 6s is much easier to look at. Have you turned off Face ID Attention Aware features? Don't know if its placebo or not when I disabled it this morning but it doesn't strain my eyes as bad as last night when using it in a pitch dark room, which I assume isn't good for the eyes either way.
EDIT: Didn't notice you had Face ID disabled. Nevermind! Nonetheless this problem is frustrating and is making me want to return the phone.
TDDM
macrumors 6502
Yup, this is exactly what it feels like for me as well. No issues with any other device, but the XR/11 screen makes them feel awful. I’ve tried messing with every display setting, disabling the attention aware stuff, etc, nothing helps.
It’s so weird, I can’t imagine what the cause is.
austyn23
macrumors 6502a
Exactly, everything OFF; I never set up Face ID... I use code, and if I could I would leave it without asking the code never again (maybe to passwords or paying on bank app; but not for unlocking). But set it every 4 hs is fine, I put it twice a day.
I bought twice the XR last year, and sent it back... both times because of the weight. I returned to the 8 (4,7 of course) both times...
The 11... I maybe want to return it, but the camera is good, better than the XR was.
austyn23
macrumors 6502a
I´m tempted to get the 8+, somehow it feels lighter (when is heavier) than the 11.
But I don´t know, is a step back or just a little step up but too much big and heavier than the 8.
timeconsumer
macrumors 68020
I’ve been using the 11 for two days now. Seems good to me, the screen is definitely bright but I don’t notice any of my usual PWM symptoms with this. I also like how I don’t have any issues with glare on this screen either. I am using Face ID with “Require attention for Face ID” and “Attention aware features” disabled. This phone seems like a keeper for me which I’m happy about as I wanted a new phone.
edit: looks like I spoke too soon. Later in the day on Tuesday I did get a headache and all day Wednesday as well. Today (Thursday) I’m back on my iPhone 8 and it’s slowly going away. I will try it again over the weekend possibly.
edit: looks like I spoke too soon. Later in the day on Tuesday I did get a headache and all day Wednesday as well. Today (Thursday) I’m back on my iPhone 8 and it’s slowly going away. I will try it again over the weekend possibly.
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BigBen2493
macrumors regular
Oh wow
TDDM
macrumors 6502
Sorry to hear that, I’m having the same issues. Do you have issues with any other screens? For me, it’s only the liquid retina type screens (iPad Pro, iPhone XR)
Also, I turned the brightness up to about 80-85% today and there seems to be less eye strain. Maybe try doing that as well and see if it helps? I’m hoping that this is a solution, but I’ll have to use it more to make sure.
timeconsumer
macrumors 68020
I can’t use phones with OLED but I usually do fine with LCD screens except possibly the 11 (and probably the XR). I have a Moto X4 I picked up awhile back to test out Android and I have no issues with it. I use LCD IPS monitors at home and at work with no issues; note they are “flicker-free” though. So it seems like I may have an issue with the Liquid Retina screens.
If my headache goes away completely by the weekend, I’ll try the 11 again to confirm but I’m almost not interested in trying that. I changed the brightness as well and even played around with reduce white point. I also tried switching from standard to zoomed view. Nothing seemed to help except to use the iPhone 8 instead.
TDDM
macrumors 6502
Dang, I keep getting headaches from the 11, no matter what settings I change. It’s so weird seeing all these people saying the 11’s screen is excellent for the eyes and really nice to look at, I wonder why it’s messing with some of us like this. It’s crazy, I use the 11 for 30 mins and get an instant headache, but then take a break & switch to another device and am completely fine.
Anyone else have any updates on their experience with it?
Anyone else have any updates on their experience with it?
808drums
macrumors member
Try disabling the system animations in accessibility
timeconsumer
macrumors 68020
Have you tried Reduce White Point yet?
Created an account to check in and share my experience. I’ve had an 8 Plus for the last year and a half and decided to try the 11 due to a carrier promotion. No previous issues with the 8 Plus, briefly had a X but suffered from typical PWM sensitivity symptoms.
Because I set up the 11 from an 8 Plus iOS 13 backup, I had Reduce White Point turned on by default (53%) and Dark Mode enabled. I left all default Face ID features turned on. Like my 8 Plus, I continued to leave the brightness on the low end, usually around the lower 1/4 of the scale.
The first day with the 11 (yesterday), I experienced significant strain. The best way I can think of to describe it is like a draining feeling that made my eyes feel tired rapidly, almost like I had been working on a paper for several hours without a break. Of course, my usage was higher than usual because I was setting up the new phone, arranging things, and checking out the new camera features.
Today, I experienced a series of headaches that persisted throughout most of the day. I continued using the phone while performing other activities, with light to moderate usage until this evening. The same draining sensation returned, so I sought out this thread to check if others are experiencing similar symptoms.
Coming from the 1080p 8 Plus, I wonder if this issue is due to the combination of moving to the lower resolution 720p 11, alongside its Face ID components?
I just disabled the attention aware features within Face ID settings thanks to the suggestions here, and within 10-15 minutes I’ve noticed a small improvement/reduction in the strain. However, the best improvement is noticed when I stop using the phone. I’ll give it a try over the next couple of days and see what happens.
Because I set up the 11 from an 8 Plus iOS 13 backup, I had Reduce White Point turned on by default (53%) and Dark Mode enabled. I left all default Face ID features turned on. Like my 8 Plus, I continued to leave the brightness on the low end, usually around the lower 1/4 of the scale.
The first day with the 11 (yesterday), I experienced significant strain. The best way I can think of to describe it is like a draining feeling that made my eyes feel tired rapidly, almost like I had been working on a paper for several hours without a break. Of course, my usage was higher than usual because I was setting up the new phone, arranging things, and checking out the new camera features.
Today, I experienced a series of headaches that persisted throughout most of the day. I continued using the phone while performing other activities, with light to moderate usage until this evening. The same draining sensation returned, so I sought out this thread to check if others are experiencing similar symptoms.
Coming from the 1080p 8 Plus, I wonder if this issue is due to the combination of moving to the lower resolution 720p 11, alongside its Face ID components?
I just disabled the attention aware features within Face ID settings thanks to the suggestions here, and within 10-15 minutes I’ve noticed a small improvement/reduction in the strain. However, the best improvement is noticed when I stop using the phone. I’ll give it a try over the next couple of days and see what happens.
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TDDM
macrumors 6502
This is *exactly* my experience. I can stare at my other devices all day long without so much as a second thought, but the XR/11 completely tire out my eyes after like 20-30 mins. I don’t think it’s the resolution (For my situation, at least), because I‘m currently using the small iPhone 8 with the same low resolution as the 11 and have no issues.
orbitalpunk
macrumors 6502a
one suggestion i have is blocking the proximity sensor and seeing if it helps. Its fires constantly and its much more powerful on the 11 then it is on older phones. so much so its visible when viewed through a second iPhone in video mode. its not visible on older phones.
click to play
click to play
austyn23
macrumors 6502a
Hi there,
My 11 plays with my head a little bit. The 8 never gave me that feeling. I´ve never set up Face ID, is totally OFF and I have the reduce white point set in 25% (really low).
I used the phone quite intense this days and a little obsessed with this thread (and the X eye strain as well). I normally don´t use the phone this much to be honest, just for email, wapp and taking photos of my kid (this is why I wanted to update the 8; portrait and night mode).
My 11Pro arrives this tuesday so I will give it a try. Can´t use X o r XS (headaches and eye strain) but have been playing with the Pro in the store last week and find it a lote more better to my eyes and head. Of course the store environment is not "real". That´s why I order one and I will test it in my day to day normal use.
I can tell the difference between OLED and LCD when I have both on my hands; but if I use the 11 as my daily phone the screen is perfect.
My problem is size and weight; the 11Pro is near the same weight as the 11, but the smaller footprint makes it really better on hands and pockets.
I let you know this week!
Gollygeewillikers
macrumors member
Where did that perfectly sized sticker come from? Please share!
I have used iPhone 11 for two weeks and I am very happy with it. I was sensitive to X as it burned my eyes and returned it.
I am coming from 7+ and I think iPhone 11 is better than 7+. I can definitely see the screen longer without strain. Ex. I could not play games more than 30 minutes on 7+, whereas I can play hours on iPhone 11.
I previously thought it could be Face ID, but surprisingly it does not bother me at all.
I am very surprised that many people here are actually facing the same strain as X.
Only difference I can think of would be having a glass screen protector on mine. I doubt that makes difference.
I am coming from 7+ and I think iPhone 11 is better than 7+. I can definitely see the screen longer without strain. Ex. I could not play games more than 30 minutes on 7+, whereas I can play hours on iPhone 11.
I previously thought it could be Face ID, but surprisingly it does not bother me at all.
I am very surprised that many people here are actually facing the same strain as X.
Only difference I can think of would be having a glass screen protector on mine. I doubt that makes difference.
Hi,
I recently purchased an iPhone XR as I was not able to look at OLED screens (I get eye strain and headaches). My previous phone was an Android HTC M9 with LCD display and never had any issues, I tried replacing it with a Samsung S10 but was getting eye strain, then tried a Pixel 3 but got the same issue. After some research I found that OLED/PMW might be the culprit, so I decided to buy the iPhone XR because of the LCD screen, the first week was fine but I'm into my second week and started to get some eye strain again, I tried different settings (ex: disabling FACEID) but I have not put a tape over the sensor.
I really like the phone, so any recommendations on settings that might help, this is my first iphone and hoping to keep it.
Thanks in advance
I recently purchased an iPhone XR as I was not able to look at OLED screens (I get eye strain and headaches). My previous phone was an Android HTC M9 with LCD display and never had any issues, I tried replacing it with a Samsung S10 but was getting eye strain, then tried a Pixel 3 but got the same issue. After some research I found that OLED/PMW might be the culprit, so I decided to buy the iPhone XR because of the LCD screen, the first week was fine but I'm into my second week and started to get some eye strain again, I tried different settings (ex: disabling FACEID) but I have not put a tape over the sensor.
I really like the phone, so any recommendations on settings that might help, this is my first iphone and hoping to keep it.
Thanks in advance
tonybarnaby
macrumors 68020
I had to return my xs max a few days after launch last year. I picked up an 11 and so far zero issues.
jimmy_uk
macrumors 68030
I’m tempted to say it’s the slightly lower resolution and the way the screen is backlit. I too am experiencing some eye strain, like the screen is too bright or shimmery. This is felt with white background websites and reading text like this forum. It’s nowhere near like using the OLED iPhones which gave me a headache. I just feel like my eyes are struggling like when someone flashes a torch at your eyes at your vision is slightly off for a minute. I blink a lot more like my vision is blurring. I do not experience this my 7 plus. I can’t really describe it any better.
I do find I’m holding the phone closer to my face compared with the 7 plus. This is because the text is a little smaller and softer due to the weird 828p resolution.
I’m super frustrated as I was very resistant to settling for the 11 as I wanted the Pro Max which I find I can’t use due the PWM. Having used the 11 off and on over a week I’ve started to come around to it as I've come to appreciate Face ID, swiping, all screen landscape videos, the speakers, the speed. I know I’m not doing myself any favours switching between two phones but I think the 11 may also be a bust!
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