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iCorz87

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 30, 2019
227
262
Sydney,Australia
I currently have an iPhone 11 Pro but I’m finding looking at the screen for prolonged periods is giving me head aches and a weird feeling like I’m looking at something but looking straight through it (hope that makes sense) I’ve always just upgraded and not thought about anything but remembering back to when I had iPhone 8, I never got these feelings. Is there a setting I can change that helps this? Should I just change phones iPhone 8 or SE2? Wait for the 12 and see if it’ll be the same issue?

Side note: I have epilepsy (if that makes a difference with anything)
 

imp3rator

macrumors 6502a
Dec 25, 2019
534
467
Non Pro model will be probably the same, but 120hz panel in iPhone 12 Pro can be a different (maybe higher PWM) and will not cause a issues...

Using brightness from 50% to 70% and reduce white point can help...

Some tests
 
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iCorz87

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 30, 2019
227
262
Sydney,Australia
Thanks for the links. I have always set my brightness on the lower side as it keeps the battery lasting longer for me.

I was playing with my wife’s iPhone 8 last night and had no issues. The other settings you mentioned I have already changed when the phone came out of the box.

I suppose I just have to weigh up SE/8 with no flicker and mediocre battery or 11 pro with flicker and awesome battery
 

imp3rator

macrumors 6502a
Dec 25, 2019
534
467
lower side = maximum pwm...
Try few days 75-90% brightness setting...
Why not try a iphone 11 ? With 25% brightness i have 10 hours SoT...
 

iCorz87

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 30, 2019
227
262
Sydney,Australia
I guess a trip to the Apple store is in order, hopefully I can play with the 11 and the SE. and make a decision from there. Thanks
 

ssledoux

macrumors 68040
Sep 16, 2006
3,763
3,428
Down south
This is one reason I am fearing going to the 11 pro - so worried about the potential for the darn headaches. I had an issue with the XS Max, and it seemed like I also did with the 11 pro I had a few weeks ago (not sure I really gave it enough time, or if it was just in my head, or what).

IDK what that’s gonna mean for me going forward with phones, as I really don’t want something quite as small as the SE2 for the long-term, and I was so ready to downsize a bit from the 11. Not happy.
 

iCorz87

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 30, 2019
227
262
Sydney,Australia
This is one reason I am fearing going to the 11 pro - so worried about the potential for the darn headaches. I had an issue with the XS Max, and it seemed like I also did with the 11 pro I had a few weeks ago (not sure I really gave it enough time, or if it was just in my head, or what).

IDK what that’s gonna mean for me going forward with phones, as I really don’t want something quite as small as the SE2 for the long-term, and I was so ready to downsize a bit from the 11. Not happy.

I don’t know wether having epilepsy makes the headaches worse for me or not, or I’m just concerned about it from a different perspective. I’ve only really notice how bad they are since playing with my wife’s iPhone 8. I always had them with the XS and now 11Pro but just put it down to being tired.

I’m in the same boat, wasn’t interested in having something like the SE2 for the long term but my health is more important to me. If I was to have a seizure, I’d lose my drivers licence for 6 months and I drive for work so I don’t want to risk it.

I’m actually looking forward to the size change and being able to use it with one hand, also the weight difference will be great.
 

gaanee

macrumors 65816
Dec 8, 2011
1,421
226
Interesting to see that even at the lowest brightness there is still PWM. Doesn't OLED display turn off individual pixels to get true black so then why is PWM still present at the lowest brightness, or is the lowest brightness not zero brightness for pixels to turn off?

Non Pro model will be probably the same, but 120hz panel in iPhone 12 Pro can be a different (maybe higher PWM) and will not cause a issues...

Using brightness from 50% to 70% and reduce white point can help...

Some tests
 

now i see it

macrumors G4
Jan 2, 2002
10,027
20,649
The OLED screens flicker at about 240hz at any brightness level. The iPhone 8 and SE have LCD screens that don't flicker. If I had epilepsy or a history of problems related to it, I wouldn't get near an OLED screen because of the flickering.
 
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iCorz87

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 30, 2019
227
262
Sydney,Australia
The OLED screens flicker at about 240hz at any brightness level. The iPhone 8 and SE have LCD screens that don't flicker. If I had epilepsy or a history of problems related to it, I wouldn't get near an OLED screen because of the flickering.

Until recently I wasn’t aware of how the screen n my old XS or current 11 pro could affect me. It would be nice if there was a warning like “not suitable for epilepsy sufferers”. At the end of the day it’s on me, and I know from here on out to do my research.
 

jr866gooner

macrumors 68020
Aug 24, 2013
2,106
842
I have to ask and please forgive any ignorance lol but what is PWM and what am I looking for in the video?

(I'm a note 9 user, again forgive me!
 

ssledoux

macrumors 68040
Sep 16, 2006
3,763
3,428
Down south
I have to ask and please forgive any ignorance lol but what is PWM and what am I looking for in the video?

(I'm a note 9 user, again forgive me!

Well, I don’t know what the letters actually stand for (I’ve seen it, but can’t remember), but it’s basically a flickering in the screen that goes on in the background (OLED screens, and apparently, Apple’s moreso than others). It causes some people to have headaches. I experienced this when I bought my XS Max, and returned it. I’ve never had issues with Apple’s other displays. It’s part of why I have been struggling so much with a phone decision.

Probably not the best description - hopefully someone else will embellish.
 

tt061282

macrumors 6502
Mar 18, 2018
359
402
Nevada
I have to ask and please forgive any ignorance lol but what is PWM and what am I looking for in the video?

(I'm a note 9 user, again forgive me!

It stands for “Pulse-Width Modulation” and as the post above me stated it has to do with the flickering screen on OLED devices. For some it causes SEVERE headaches to where they can use any kind of OLED device. For some it could send them into seizures ... such as the OP who is epileptic.

OLED isn’t the end all be all for everyone. I know now that iPhone has OLED a lot of iPhone users like to act like OLED is the only way to go, but it truly isn’t. The sad part is that starting with iPhone 12 Apple will not have anymore LCD iPhones. The iPhone SE will be the newest LCD iPhone you’ll be able to buy. Maybe (hopefully) they keep iPhone 11 around too.
 

ssledoux

macrumors 68040
Sep 16, 2006
3,763
3,428
Down south
It stands for “Pulse-Width Modulation” and as the post above me stated it has to do with the flickering screen on OLED devices. For some it causes SEVERE headaches to where they can use any kind of OLED device. For some it could send them into seizures ... such as the OP who is epileptic.

OLED isn’t the end all be all for everyone. I know now that iPhone has OLED a lot of iPhone users like to act like OLED is the only way to go, but it truly isn’t. The sad part is that starting with iPhone 12 Apple will not have anymore LCD iPhones. The iPhone SE will be the newest LCD iPhone you’ll be able to buy. Maybe (hopefully) they keep iPhone 11 around too.

This has really added to my struggle with deciding on a phone. I had the 11 and really wanted to downsize - went with the SE2 just to have a smaller phone for while and see how I like it. I DO really like it, although it’s not what I want long term, mainly because I want my gestures to be the same for phone and iPP, and I do want a bit bigger screen. The 5.4 is looking like it’s not an option because I just think the phone is gonna be too small, even though the screen is a little bigger overall. My eyesight is getting crappier the older I get.

Honestly, the 12 line just isn’t looking to have anything I’m interested in so I’m basically going to be choosing from an 11 pro (LOVE the size, but getting OLED makes me nervous) or going back to an 11 (obviously I’ve been there and I’m not super pumped about going back to that size phone, but the LCD is tried and true).

I’ve owned iPhones (and Apple products in general) for a LONG time, and I’ve never been this undecided about a dang phone.
 

iCorz87

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 30, 2019
227
262
Sydney,Australia
This has really added to my struggle with deciding on a phone. I had the 11 and really wanted to downsize - went with the SE2 just to have a smaller phone for while and see how I like it. I DO really like it, although it’s not what I want long term, mainly because I want my gestures to be the same for phone and iPP, and I do want a bit bigger screen. The 5.4 is looking like it’s not an option because I just think the phone is gonna be too small, even though the screen is a little bigger overall. My eyesight is getting crappier the older I get.

Honestly, the 12 line just isn’t looking to have anything I’m interested in so I’m basically going to be choosing from an 11 pro (LOVE the size, but getting OLED makes me nervous) or going back to an 11 (obviously I’ve been there and I’m not super pumped about going back to that size phone, but the LCD is tried and true).

I’ve owned iPhones (and Apple products in general) for a LONG time, and I’ve never been this undecided about a dang phone.

Never used to be this hard to decide. There are so many differentials now. Only time will tell what I can do when I want to upgrade from the SE
 

Vanilla35

macrumors 68040
Apr 11, 2013
3,344
1,453
Washington D.C.
It stands for “Pulse-Width Modulation” and as the post above me stated it has to do with the flickering screen on OLED devices. For some it causes SEVERE headaches to where they can use any kind of OLED device. For some it could send them into seizures ... such as the OP who is epileptic.

OLED isn’t the end all be all for everyone. I know now that iPhone has OLED a lot of iPhone users like to act like OLED is the only way to go, but it truly isn’t. The sad part is that starting with iPhone 12 Apple will not have anymore LCD iPhones. The iPhone SE will be the newest LCD iPhone you’ll be able to buy. Maybe (hopefully) they keep iPhone 11 around too.


This has really added to my struggle with deciding on a phone. I had the 11 and really wanted to downsize - went with the SE2 just to have a smaller phone for while and see how I like it. I DO really like it, although it’s not what I want long term, mainly because I want my gestures to be the same for phone and iPP, and I do want a bit bigger screen. The 5.4 is looking like it’s not an option because I just think the phone is gonna be too small, even though the screen is a little bigger overall. My eyesight is getting crappier the older I get.

Honestly, the 12 line just isn’t looking to have anything I’m interested in so I’m basically going to be choosing from an 11 pro (LOVE the size, but getting OLED makes me nervous) or going back to an 11 (obviously I’ve been there and I’m not super pumped about going back to that size phone, but the LCD is tried and true).

I’ve owned iPhones (and Apple products in general) for a LONG time, and I’ve never been this undecided about a dang phone.

OLED is apple's stop gap between LCD (traditionally used) and Micro-LED (more like LCD). It's being used because it can allow for smaller bezels, higher PPI (higher resolution), and higher contrast/saturation (inky colors, etc).

Apple was rumored to start using micro-led as soon as the apple watch series 5, but they stuck with oled again - so my guess is next year we'll start to see them use microled in some products (it's rumored to be coming to macs as well), and then in another 1-2 years we'll see it on the iPhone. So this should be the last time you'll make a decision based on that factor.

With that said, I bought the iPhone 8 instead of the iPhone X because I didn't care about Face ID (less convenient for me), and I didn't like OLED. Since I'm looking to upgrade again now, I'll have to try not to make the screen a big deal, but we'll see how that goes :D
 
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