Seriously?! I'm over here crashing out over the fact that they FINALLY decided to fix this problem only after I've become too poor to buy a new phone. I can get a 17 through my carrier for $420 off if I trade in my 16, but that's still almost $400 I don't have 🤬
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Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up
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Its not a cheap living keeping up with the latest phones, especially when we've been cornered by the technology.
I'm just looking at the fact that I've not spent a penny on a phone for 6 years, and money saved on new Ipad, watch etc
Its going to be an expensive few months if this fix works for me.
If those who get the phone and still have a bit of headache or dry eye, are there filter settings that can be used to try and reduce any temporal dithering which may still be present?
Reduce white point, double invert, zoom filter, disable promotion etc.
Just before its deemed a failure and folk start sending them back.
Reduce white point, double invert, zoom filter, disable promotion etc.
Just before its deemed a failure and folk start sending them back.
final ios26 is released. There is no toggle in accessibility on the 16 plus. This looks like an exclusive 17 series function.
Apple also shared a list with the features in iOS 26 and the PWM toggle is not listed in the accessibility section:
www.macrumors.com
Apple Shares List of Nearly 200 Changes in iOS 26
After releasing iOS 26 today, Apple has shared a list of nearly 200 changes included in the software update, ranging from new features to minor...
www.macrumors.com
Apple also shared a list with the features in iOS 26 and the PWM toggle is not listed in the accessibility section:
Apple Shares List of Nearly 200 Changes in iOS 26
After releasing iOS 26 today, Apple has shared a list of nearly 200 changes included in the software update, ranging from new features to minor...
I wonder if this is because it is only iPhone 17 specific?
A feature like this is built into the brightness controller, so it is mainly hardware-based—Apple can make micro adjustments to the brightness controller after shipping but I’m not sure whether they could make drastic changes. That being said, we would have seen this a lot sooner if it was as simple as a software fix that rewrites the firmware on the brightness controller.
Optimistically, Apple has done elaborate testing over the past few years to create a fix that doesn’t sacrifice color accuracy, encourage burn-in, or drain battery and even more optimistically that’s thoughtfully-designed enough to completely eliminate the possibility of PWM sensitivity.
I also dont think they would have even given this option in the menus if it doesn't do a proper job.
They must have approached some that suffer with the PWM and had their feedback?
It is almost unbelievable at this point to think there’s a real possibility that a PWM-sensitive user could choose a new iPhone and keep it for several years, or upgrade again if so desired.
I’m being even more meticulous in my purchase decision for that reason: keeping an iPhone that isn’t a compromised model like an iPhone SE, which happens to have an LCD, still seems like a pipe dream.
I’ve skipped iPhone XS, iPhone 11 Pro, struggled to give up iPhone 12 Pro Max which I enjoyed even more but was nearly as bad as iPhone X sensitivity-wise, went through numerous iPhone 13 models after Apple increased the PWM rate to no avail, then briefly tested the past three generations and matured enough to return them almost immediately.
Now I’m feeling like my iPhone SE will probably be traded and that I should decide which iPhone to keep for the longer term, which I could make a case for any model from this generation.
I’m being even more meticulous in my purchase decision for that reason: keeping an iPhone that isn’t a compromised model like an iPhone SE, which happens to have an LCD, still seems like a pipe dream.
I’ve skipped iPhone XS, iPhone 11 Pro, struggled to give up iPhone 12 Pro Max which I enjoyed even more but was nearly as bad as iPhone X sensitivity-wise, went through numerous iPhone 13 models after Apple increased the PWM rate to no avail, then briefly tested the past three generations and matured enough to return them almost immediately.
Now I’m feeling like my iPhone SE will probably be traded and that I should decide which iPhone to keep for the longer term, which I could make a case for any model from this generation.
I can say that I’ve been among the most vocal, I made OLED PWM sensitivity more mainstream through my experience and had extended contact with Apple which I haven’t really detailed here, and I was not approached for feedback on this setting other than providing extremely detailed notes during the iPhone X generation.
Unless there are employees at Apple that are sensitive that they employed for testing or conducted a focus group, I can hope that they realized the goal is to essentially eliminate flicker in a manner similar to the flicker-free OLED panels that do exist, and not to prioritize power efficiency or any other consideration. This setting should be virtually flicker-free. No smartphone has a suitable option for truly sensitive users even with flicker reduction or high Hz settings, so this could be a game-changer in numerous markets and segments.
Uh oh...😓Apple also shared a list with the features in iOS 26 and the PWM toggle is not listed in the accessibility section:
Apple Shares List of Nearly 200 Changes in iOS 26
After releasing iOS 26 today, Apple has shared a list of nearly 200 changes included in the software update, ranging from new features to minor...
Hoping its because its only relevant for Iphone 17's which aren't out there yet.Apple also shared a list with the features in iOS 26 and the PWM toggle is not listed in the accessibility section:
Apple Shares List of Nearly 200 Changes in iOS 26
After releasing iOS 26 today, Apple has shared a list of nearly 200 changes included in the software update, ranging from new features to minor...
You'd think if they'd cracked this issue they'd be making much more noise about it.
This thread has now become extremely interesting to me. I had given up visiting here for a long time because it was the same ole story with no resolution on the horizon.
But now with the iPhone 17? There is a glimmer of hope. We may all be disappointed soon or pleasantly surprised. The suspense is real.
Everyone who gets a 17 -- Please post your experience good or bad or meh, even if several others have done so already. The more data points, the better!
But now with the iPhone 17? There is a glimmer of hope. We may all be disappointed soon or pleasantly surprised. The suspense is real.
Everyone who gets a 17 -- Please post your experience good or bad or meh, even if several others have done so already. The more data points, the better!
Well, in a very shocking turn of events I'm about to be a guinea pig come Friday 👀
I was talking to my mom earlier about how I'm gonna start donating plasma again to try to make enough $ to buy a 17 and hopefully get some relief, and she told me to just order it on our family plan and she'll cover the payments. Definitely wasn't expecting that, but I guess she feels bad for me b/c she's seen the hell I've gone through with my migraines and losing my ability to hold a normal job. Long story short- I have an auDHD child who no one but me and trained professionals can handle so babysitters & daycare aren't options, I have some autism of my own, and not even retail will hire someone like me with only 4 hours of availability on school days with zero flexibility. It's incredibly embarrassing to be a charity case at my age, but it is what it is and I thank my lucky stars that I have a mom who'll help me out. I owe her SO MUCH yardwork now 😂
Lastly, in case anyone doesn't trust a MR article stating that it's on all 17s, here it is straight from the horse's mouth. Chatted in earlier and they confirmed.
I was talking to my mom earlier about how I'm gonna start donating plasma again to try to make enough $ to buy a 17 and hopefully get some relief, and she told me to just order it on our family plan and she'll cover the payments. Definitely wasn't expecting that, but I guess she feels bad for me b/c she's seen the hell I've gone through with my migraines and losing my ability to hold a normal job. Long story short- I have an auDHD child who no one but me and trained professionals can handle so babysitters & daycare aren't options, I have some autism of my own, and not even retail will hire someone like me with only 4 hours of availability on school days with zero flexibility. It's incredibly embarrassing to be a charity case at my age, but it is what it is and I thank my lucky stars that I have a mom who'll help me out. I owe her SO MUCH yardwork now 😂
Lastly, in case anyone doesn't trust a MR article stating that it's on all 17s, here it is straight from the horse's mouth. Chatted in earlier and they confirmed.
I can’t imagine someone in the community wouldn’t have hinted at being optimistic for the 17’s if they were approached, so I’m inclined to agree with you.
The good news is that this is likely a hardware-based approach which is the correct way to handle a setting like this.
Assuming this actually eliminates PWM, we unfortunately are not out of the woods yet. I’m already seeing reports from users who have upgraded previously usable devices to iOS 26 and it’s much worse than iOS 18. My best guess is dithering is being utilized yet again. It’s unfortunate because iOS 18 seemed to be an improvement over iOS 16 and 17 which turned even some iPhone SE’s into unusable, flickering messes.
So this would mean only half the fight is won unless the 17 series has a vastly superior color capability and won’t have to rely on dithering for wide color as much. Luckily it wouldn’t take much to add an Accessibility toggle in iOS 26 to disable dithering as at least on the iPhones, it’s probably entirely GPU driven. Stillcolor proved it’s as simple as changing the dither parameter to “no”.
The fight continues.
So here’s my own experience. Previously I could not use any device with pwm. iPhone 12,13,14,15 series all gave me incredible headaches and nausea. I bought a 16 plus. At first it gave me the same symptoms. I’ve had a series of eye tests done where they paralyse the eye muscles. I can now use the 16 plus with minimal eye strain, headache. It’s almost perfect.
Most of these devices take a period of time to get used to the flicker. I also thought there was no hope, but I can now use the 16 plus for 4-5 hrs a day and wake up normal without any headaches now.
I am still buying the 17 pro because I think I would prefer no pwm and hopefully it feels as good as the iPhone 11 screen. My own experience has been that iOS 26 has improved the pwm/flicker for me. I have True Tone turned off though.
Most of these devices take a period of time to get used to the flicker. I also thought there was no hope, but I can now use the 16 plus for 4-5 hrs a day and wake up normal without any headaches now.
I am still buying the 17 pro because I think I would prefer no pwm and hopefully it feels as good as the iPhone 11 screen. My own experience has been that iOS 26 has improved the pwm/flicker for me. I have True Tone turned off though.
So far, iOS 26 just feels a bit off for me. Granted, I only installed it last night, and used it in a low light environment, which reduces the phone's brightness, and that always feels worse.
This is on the 16e, which I've been able to use fairly well, without significant issues. But again, I mostly use it in well lit environments, where the phone's brightness is generally higher.
As to what feels off, difficult to pinpoint, but I'd say that it just seems overall less clear for me to read what's on the screen. Maybe a TD thing.
In any case, looking forward to hearing any iPhone 17 PWM Accessibility switch experiences, and I'll go into the Store myself on Friday.
Ughhhh ... why does Apple always have to try and make up something new to impress and make it "gorgeous", when it's not necessary -> i.e. iOS 26, which right now, simply seems gimmicky, and an unnecessary UI change.
iOS 26 might be giving more people eyestrain simply because its harder to look at with its increased transparency and reduced contrast. The eyes have to struggle more just to see everything clearly. Eye fatigue. It may not be due to increased dithering at all. But I certainly don't know.
Anyone have an idea which Phone would be the most likely to be the best in eliminating PWM? I'm thinking std 17, not pro,
They could have different modulations/rates even with the setting enabled.