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Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up
- Thread starter Kitkad
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I just got another idea for people experiencing issues with 17, have you tried low power mode?
I really forgot that I always use it when I feel eye strain on my 11 Pro, and thought it might work similarly on any OLED or HDR-capable iPhone. I would usually use it as a kill switch to disable HDR video playback: it works as hard 8 bit limiter, display cannot go into FRC zone and show 10 bits of color. Haven’t noticed quality degradation in content, and white color doesn’t seem to be as painful (or maybe it just limits peak brightness).
Try to use both low power mode and PWM switch, with 120Hz and without and see if there is a difference for you
I really forgot that I always use it when I feel eye strain on my 11 Pro, and thought it might work similarly on any OLED or HDR-capable iPhone. I would usually use it as a kill switch to disable HDR video playback: it works as hard 8 bit limiter, display cannot go into FRC zone and show 10 bits of color. Haven’t noticed quality degradation in content, and white color doesn’t seem to be as painful (or maybe it just limits peak brightness).
Try to use both low power mode and PWM switch, with 120Hz and without and see if there is a difference for you
Reading 3 hours at a time today and looking at the display. I have no problems.
This is even better than on my iPhone 16 Plus, which was almost perfect. I'm really surprised.
I'm happy that it actually works with 120Hz. I now inserted my iPhone 16 Plus on Ebay. I stick to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
This is even better than on my iPhone 16 Plus, which was almost perfect. I'm really surprised.
I'm happy that it actually works with 120Hz. I now inserted my iPhone 16 Plus on Ebay. I stick to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
I just upgraded from an iPhone 12 to a 17 Pro (Samsung G9N display). Had it since Friday and I am struggling with it... noticed eye strain on Saturday afternoon after using it for a couple of hours, struggled to focus on things after using it, then a migraine started in the evening. Same thing happened yesterday, struggled to focus on things in the evening then woke up this morning with a painful migraine.
I suffer from migraines occasionally (maybe 3 or 4 a year) but never had two occur in such a short period of time. I'm going to stop using the 17 Pro for a few days then try it again towards the weekend. I had high hopes for the 17 Pro and enabled the PWM setting as soon as I set it up on Friday, but it doesn't seem to be helping for me.
To be honest thinking about it, I never really suffered from migraines until I got my first OLED iPhone (iPhone X) so maybe the problem was always there for me but at least they weren't that frequent. So maybe the best option would be to give it to a family member and find a phone with a LCD display - it's a shame there aren't many good options available.
I suffer from migraines occasionally (maybe 3 or 4 a year) but never had two occur in such a short period of time. I'm going to stop using the 17 Pro for a few days then try it again towards the weekend. I had high hopes for the 17 Pro and enabled the PWM setting as soon as I set it up on Friday, but it doesn't seem to be helping for me.
To be honest thinking about it, I never really suffered from migraines until I got my first OLED iPhone (iPhone X) so maybe the problem was always there for me but at least they weren't that frequent. So maybe the best option would be to give it to a family member and find a phone with a LCD display - it's a shame there aren't many good options available.
I used the AIR for 1,5 day. It was ok, but my eyes do get tired and i got minor migraines. I am a heavy user so i rather pick up my iPhone 11. Therefore I decided to return the AIR. It's just not worth it. My eyes are more important. I'll wait for another solution or whenever they finally release a filcker free phone. The screen is from LG
I’m really happy for you. I had also a good run with it but in the end the strain was minimal but it was sadly present. But the more like you can use it comfortably the better!! I’m hoping that the next generation (iPhone 18) will be even more comfortable to more people. Maybe the PWM toggle gets improved until then or in iOS 27 and we get even an additional disable temporal dithering toggle. But enjoy your iPhone 17 Pro Max, it is a great device and a step in the right direction in terms of our wellbeing.
See first post:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/this-years-screen-lottery-17-17-pro-17-pro-max-and-air.2466900/
Don't get too hung up on the screen manufacturer because even then it's down to the calibration. It's what looks good to you and is comfortable.
Same feeling with air on my first day with it. My eyes got gradually tired and very mild headache like non existent. I am curious how i ll wake up next morning. I want to use it one more day but with PWM off. I have enabled every setting available: double invert,60hz,reduce motion and transparency,true tone off,privacy screen protector etc
Keep bombarding them with emails like I did. accessibility@apple.com
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I got a reaction aswell. I hope they solve this issue with iOS 26.1, 27 or with the iPhone 17e or iPhone 18
I really liked the phone, but for me it's just not worth it. I hope you get more luck than me
I sent them an email yesterday and got the same email response this morning
I know I said I was going to do this the other day. But officially switching from the 17PM back to the 15PM... Not majorly sick, but just can't do it. Oh well... May give the Air a try this weekend.. Just that 1 camera doesn't really do it for me...
Day 5 with the iPhone 17 Pro.
While initially there was promise, I'm starting to think that this is not going to work.
The symptoms are minor compared to some other iPhones but nowhere near as comfortable as the 16e.
I'm gonna give it a little more time, but a return seems likely.
Sure going to miss the cameras!
While initially there was promise, I'm starting to think that this is not going to work.
The symptoms are minor compared to some other iPhones but nowhere near as comfortable as the 16e.
I'm gonna give it a little more time, but a return seems likely.
Sure going to miss the cameras!
I also wrote an email to them right now. In short, regarding tuning the PWM toggle (for higher brightness levels) and adding a disable temporal dithering option.
I’ll email them one of my usual essays, instead of expending all of my energy in this thread, after I’ve gotten my hands and eyes on an iPhone 17/Air.
I mentioned earlier in this thread I used the 16 Pro Max for the past year with little to no issues. I picked up an Air last night and had zero issues. Today I am having a headache in my forehead area, fatigue behind my eyes, soreness in the back of my neck, and feeling nauseous. My panel is a “G9P” and this was with the PWM setting on. What’s odd is that my 16 PM also had the G9P panel so I have no clue what’s going on…
Tomorrow is a new day and I’ll see how it goes.
Tomorrow is a new day and I’ll see how it goes.
So, today is my first day after receiving the air and i really want it work. So far it doesnotseem good. I feel irritated looking at the screen, slight headache between the eyes, when look upi have a hard time focusing and this is with PWM toggle on and 120Hz… i will try a bit longer but i am not optimistic.
I have to wonder though, has there ever been a physiological study that links PWM to our issues? What if if was something completely different?
I have to wonder though, has there ever been a physiological study that links PWM to our issues? What if if was something completely different?
I am curious, is the 16e so much better than the other phones? Is that everyone experience? I am asking because i still tely on my IP11
Yeap kinda but not perfect. It depends to the user. My best experience was with 16 plus.
I woke up this morning with eyes not able to focus….. like a blind kinda feeling. Air is going back. I had one with LG supplier.