iPhone 13 Pro Motion sickness from ProMotion / OLED display on iPhone 13 Pro?

[PurpleIsAFruit]

This might sound really strange, but I’ve had my iPhone 13 Pro for a day now and it seems to be giving me a lot of motion sickness and dizziness. I have tried all the recommended display settings which can help to reduce this but no luck.

I refuse to limit the frame rate to 60FPS as this defeats the point of having the Pro model.

I feel sick when I’m scrolling on any app. It’s as if my brain can’t process everything staying in focus as I scroll. Has anyone else experienced this? I don’t know if it’s the ProMotion display or because it’s OLED?

Currently having to consider returning the phone which would be a huge shame. But I can’t keep a phone that leaves me feeling constantly nauseous.

 

[asus389]

It's been a reported issue with some people due to the changing frame rate. Its also possible that you are sensitive to PWM. But if previous OLED phones were ok its less likely.

 

[PurpleIsAFruit]

It's been a reported issue with some people due to the changing frame rate. Its also possible that you are sensitive to PWM. But if previous OLED phones were ok its less likely.

I’ve come from an iPhone XR which didn’t use oled as far as I know, so I’m wondering if this is going to be an ongoing issue for me. But then how am I meant to buy an iPhone of any kind if they’re all oled screens which are causing this issue for some people?

Do we think it’s not a ProMotion issue?

 

[now i see it]

I’ve come from an iPhone XR which didn’t use oled as far as I know, so I’m wondering if this is going to be an ongoing issue for me. But then how am I meant to buy an iPhone of any kind if they’re all oled screens which are causing this issue for some people?

Many people can’t use OLED iPhones for the reasons you describe. They use either older LCD iPhones or switch to Android phones.
I’m using an iPhone 8 Plus.
Some people who get nailed by OLED iPhones can use OLED android phones just fine, so it’s something to do with Apple’s display recipe.

Here’s a thread with fellow comrades in arms:

Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

Hello all, I thought I'd post here about an issue I've been having and see if anyone else is experiencing the same thing. When I'm using the phone my eyes feel strained, like, they're trying to focus on the screen. Also, I've noticed that when I look away from my phone at something else, my...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[baypharm]

"I refuse to limit the frame rate to 60FPS as this defeats the point of having the Pro model."
"Currently having to consider returning the phone which would be a huge shame. But I can’t keep a phone that leaves me feeling constantly nauseous."

I think you answered your own question. You can either keep it and change the frame rate or return it. Since you indicated you don't want to change the frame rate - my response is to return it and buy an 11 Pro Max.

 

[PurpleIsAFruit]

I think you answered your own question. You can either keep it and change the frame rate or return it. Since you indicated you don't want to change the frame rate - my response is to return it and buy an 11 Pro Max.

Well I don’t know if it is the ProMotion that’s the problem. The more I read about this issue, the more I think it’s actually the reported OLED screen flicker issue that’s probably giving me these symptoms.

I’m currently testing how I feel with the phone over the weekend to see if the symptoms are definitely consistent with using the phone, which I sadly think they are.

 

[now i see it]

Get rid of it.

 

[balupton]

I'm a iPhone 11 Pro user and the iPhone 15 Pro caught my eye for an upgrade due to its camera, however anytime I demo it at the Apple Store I start feeling nautious immediately, I've tried the accessibility option to reduce its frame rate but it had no effect, likely because by the time it takes to enable that setting I'm already feeling sick (my body has already reacted to what it thinks is a sensory mismatch by poison). Has anyone who has this motion sickness response had any luck by reducing the frame rate, or is it something else about these modern displays?

 

[Andeddu]

60hz works without giving you symptoms? If that’s the case you’ll have to switch to a non-Pro model or turn off Pro Motion.

If it’s a PWM issue with Apple OLED devices, you cannot use iPhones with OLED panels.

You’ll have to find out what the common denominator is which is down to the process of elimination. First see if 60hz resolves your issue. If it doesn’t then iPhone OLED panels are causing the problem for you. That means that modern iPhones are unsuitable for you, unless you’re willing to purchase an SE as they have LCD panels

 

[snipr125]

60hz works without giving you symptoms? If that’s the case you’ll have to switch to a non-Pro model or turn off Pro Motion.

If it’s a PWM issue with Apple OLED devices, you cannot use iPhones with OLED panels.

You’ll have to find out what the common denominator is which is down to the process of elimination. First see if 60hz resolves your issue. If it doesn’t then iPhone OLED panels are causing the problem for you. That means that modern iPhones are unsuitable for you, unless you’re willing to purchase an SE as they have LCD panels

Can also do some adjustments with this as most of the PWM flickering with OLED screens is at lower brightness, so turn Auto brightness OFF and set brightness to at least 50% (its the flickering which causes nausea, headaches etc). This works for me and some other MR members, but not all.

 

[whrage]

I'm a iPhone 11 Pro user and the iPhone 15 Pro caught my eye for an upgrade due to its camera, however anytime I demo it at the Apple Store I start feeling nautious immediately, I've tried the accessibility option to reduce its frame rate but it had no effect, likely because by the time it takes to enable that setting I'm already feeling sick (my body has already reacted to what it thinks is a sensory mismatch by poison). Has anyone who has this motion sickness response had any luck by reducing the frame rate, or is it something else about these modern displays?

Did you upgrade? I have the same feeling watching a Promotion display.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Welcome to the world of PWM. Regardless if you're sensitive or not I wish companies realized how bad it is for your eyes throughout a lifetime.

 

[whrage]

Welcome to the world of PWM. Regardless if you're sensitive or not I wish companies realized how bad it is for your eyes throughout a lifetime.

I have no problem with the iPad Pro (120hz) so I don't know if it's PWM. I thought that PWM sickness is related to the frequency of OLED displays. I have 60hz OLED display on my 13 mini and have no issue with that.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

I have no problem with the iPad Pro (120hz) so I don't know if it's PWM. I thought that PWM sickness is related to the frequency of OLED displays. I have 60hz OLED display on my 13 mini and have no issue with that.

Depending on the iPad it could or could not have PWM, miniLED iPads have a higher frequency of PWM but it still exists meaning there is flicker present. Additionally, different iPhones have different levels of PWM.

Results may vary obviously.

 

[JuicyGoomba]

I have no problem with the iPad Pro (120hz) so I don't know if it's PWM. I thought that PWM sickness is related to the frequency of OLED displays. I have 60hz OLED display on my 13 mini and have no issue with that.

OLED are always worse for a lot of people. Doubling the refresh rate to 120hz also affects the frequency, but with the newer displays able to change the refresh rate dynamically then if you're susceptible to PWM then it'll exacerbate the issue.

120hz is not what causes this, it's literally just smoother motion.