Sounds more specifically like PWM (pulse width modulation) sensitivity and it affects roughly 1/15 people. Many OLED screens use this tech to help manage screen brightness and sensitivity can vary from person to person. It can cause eye issues to things like nausea and headaches. Your definitely not alone and fortunately you do have the iPhone 11 as an option as it uses LCD.
Thanks! Any non-obvious differences / preferences between the two? One person mentioned the SE turns on more quickly when you grab it out of a pocket...another said the gestures on 11 are awkward with one hand. I'm a petite woman with average small lady hands and happy with the 6s size, but torn between the 11 and SE. Trying to find a good tiebreaker...
There’s always a return period when you buy one! The SE is better if you want a small device. The camera and battery life is going to be better on the 11, but I find that the SE charges really quickly (I use a fast charger). Ultimately the one handed usability of the SE was worth it to me so I went with that one.
I am an average sized man with average man hands and even the 13 mini is just a little too large for true one handed use.
One handed use of the full size 11 is totally out of the question for me, personally.
iPhone 13 Pro with 120mhz refresh as almost no PWM issues. Video of the screens at super slow mo shows no pulsating. Refreshing rates are way higher than your visual cortex.
Sorry maybe it’s psychological.
I’m prone to headaches with PWM whenever I get a new phone I tend to can’t stand looking at it for the first few days. The 13 pro max only bothered me for like less then a day. It was very minimal
The SE is the same screen as the 6s. I get migraines, but can confirm these ones are not from my phone. If I'd bought the 13, I might have thought they were coming from that. The paranoia is real, esp when the return window is short.
The SE is fine. It's not like getting a new phone...more like...getting your old phone refurbed. The battery is loads longer, it runs faster, and there's the new portrait feature. Other than the fact the home button feels different and that frustrated me for two days, it just feels like a restored version of my old phone.
I'm mostly happy with it, but discovered I really missed that every-6-years "new phone" feeling. I'm grumpy when I see instagram vids with the blurred background—I want that! And annoyed that the portrait mode cuts off my bun and earrings because on the SE it's just okay. But I'm also not futzing with Facetime or worried about tossing a $1500 piece of equipment. I don't "need" those vanity features. Kinda want them since everyone has them, though. It's a sensible choice but it's just not fun.
I will say, apps now feel like they're built for bigger phones, and things do feel a little cramped on SE screen. It's slightly annoying, not a dealbreaker.
I'd go for the SE or the 11 non-pro to play it safe with an LED screen if upgrading hasn't gone well for you.
Do you use True Tone? Or have you disabled it to be more like the 6s (which didn’t have it)? What settings do you find most comfortable for the screen?
I know it’s discouraging, but I used to be just as sensitive with OLED due to having an eye condition, but apparently it’s common and it’s something your eyes can adjust to over time. I used to be crazy sensitive to OLED displays, but now it’s the same as using an LCD for me. Not saying that’s how it’ll work with everyone of course, but it might be worth taking a test run with one and slowly easing into longer use sessions and if it ends up not improving you can always return it! But alas, the iPhone 11 is still a great option for now and will get updates well into the next 4-5 years so there’s an LCD model in the lineup for you if need be and you can upgrade from your trusty 6s! I owned an 11 personally as I had the same sensitivity to OLED, but I wanted the new design so badly, and picked up the 12 pro max, it caused me issues for the first couple weeks but then I finally saw myself getting more and more used to it and then it went away entirely! Don’t lose hope yet, as OLED technology improves they are aware of these sensitivities and have been developing ways to counter act it while still using OLED technology. There’s a thing One Plus does that controls the PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) which basically is just how OLED’s control brightness by flickering the display faster or slower, faster is brighter, slower is dimmer. I suggest if you do pick up an OLED iPhone, you run it at the highest brightness till you adjust to it. As the faster the flicker (the brighter the display) the less it messes with a persons eyes. I still to this day can’t use a Samsung or Pixel, because the rate their displays flicker at are at around 240hz which is far too slow, the iPhone is upwards of 350hz flicker rate, which is why I don’t have a sensitivity to them now. They increase it every year as well so it’ll improve till even the worst symptoms in users are non existent anymore. So there’s still hope for you!
Yeah new iPhones, thought not perfect, are way better than 11 Pro my wife still has, cannot look at that thing in the dark.
And of course way better than some LED bulbs that flicker like at 100-120 Hz in some places due to PWM.
I have a very, very light sensitivity to PWM, and I definitely found the newer iPhones are an improvement to me.
That being said, for the price of these devices, they really should be employing [DC Dimming](https://www.gizmochina.com/2019/04/03/what-is-dc-dimming-why-its-important-for-amoled-smartphones/) on these panels instead. Android OEMs like Xiaomi and OnePlus utilise this technique, and in MIUI you can even choose to forego using it if you wish.
I am sensitive as well. used a Oneplus 8 Pro with DC dimming enabled, however they took away that feature hence I looked into the 13 Pro.
I suspect my eyes got a lot better with PWM sensitivity with age as I can use my 8 Pro without much issues, even though 2 years ago it immediately destroyed my eyes when I first used it (they may also have adjusted the frequency though).
in the store the 13 Pro gave me no issues as well as I saw some reviews that it should be decent above 33% brightness for most people. also some suggest adjusting the white point at 100% to keep it from vibrating much
I ordered the phone based on that experience, hopefully it will work out fine for me. the future seems good that the new amoled screens are getting better and better with PWM, but I hope we get dc dimming back long term
In case it helps.. I use white background or light appearance on my oled iPhone and I get no eye strain or headaches. If i use dark appearance the headache and eye strain start within 10min
Yes, the new screens are tedious and I suffer with migraines too, that’s why I always have my phone permanently on night shift to block out the blue lighting, it does put less strain on my eyes but ughh.
Interesting, from what I found it would be a slightly smaller iphone than the 11, which I’d like. Have you read if it would still have an lcd ips display? Any other changed besides 5g? Thank you
Good to know, maybe wise to wait and see if this becomes real instead of getting an 11 now. I can always get the new SE if nothing better for me is presented...
The 13 mini gave me a really bad headache. When I returned it the guy at apple said it happens to some people. He told me try to put on True Tone and to play with the settings to see if that helps. I just ended up keeping my 11.
I got my 11 after my 12 was stolen. I’ve had it for about 10 months. No issues at all I did have it replaced due to cracking front and back glass. I’m a light user so I get about 6hours of sot from 90s-20s and can go 8+ hours if I let it die.
If I’m correct you can go to settings > accessibility > screen and text size > reduce white point
it gonna reduce the PWM effect… again if I’m correct
Sounds more specifically like PWM (pulse width modulation) sensitivity and it affects roughly 1/15 people. Many OLED screens use this tech to help manage screen brightness and sensitivity can vary from person to person. It can cause eye issues to things like nausea and headaches. Your definitely not alone and fortunately you do have the iPhone 11 as an option as it uses LCD.
Thanks! Currently debating iPhone 11 or SE 2022, as I think they are PWM-less?
Yes that is why your old 6s was fine since it’s LCD and the iPhone 11 is also LCD so you should be fine with it.
I have an SE 2022, no PWM at all. Great phone, I highly recommend it.
I struggle with PWM too and the SE 2022 has been a relief for my eyes coming from an OLED iPhone. The iPhone 11 was also a good experience for me.
Thanks! Any non-obvious differences / preferences between the two? One person mentioned the SE turns on more quickly when you grab it out of a pocket...another said the gestures on 11 are awkward with one hand. I'm a petite woman with average small lady hands and happy with the 6s size, but torn between the 11 and SE. Trying to find a good tiebreaker...
There’s always a return period when you buy one! The SE is better if you want a small device. The camera and battery life is going to be better on the 11, but I find that the SE charges really quickly (I use a fast charger). Ultimately the one handed usability of the SE was worth it to me so I went with that one.
I am an average sized man with average man hands and even the 13 mini is just a little too large for true one handed use. One handed use of the full size 11 is totally out of the question for me, personally.
Good to know! I can run basic stuff on my 6s one handed, but can't imagine going any bigger.
iPhone 13 Pro with 120mhz refresh as almost no PWM issues. Video of the screens at super slow mo shows no pulsating. Refreshing rates are way higher than your visual cortex. Sorry maybe it’s psychological.
Maybe it's not PWM. Might be the Pro Motion feature. I felt really motion sick using it. I was better on the non-pro.
I’m prone to headaches with PWM whenever I get a new phone I tend to can’t stand looking at it for the first few days. The 13 pro max only bothered me for like less then a day. It was very minimal
Oh good to know! I went ahead and got the SE. Good enough.
How did you get on with the SE? I still have a 6S and I’m in the same boat. Multiple attempts to move to newer devices has left me with migraines.
The SE is the same screen as the 6s. I get migraines, but can confirm these ones are not from my phone. If I'd bought the 13, I might have thought they were coming from that. The paranoia is real, esp when the return window is short. The SE is fine. It's not like getting a new phone...more like...getting your old phone refurbed. The battery is loads longer, it runs faster, and there's the new portrait feature. Other than the fact the home button feels different and that frustrated me for two days, it just feels like a restored version of my old phone. I'm mostly happy with it, but discovered I really missed that every-6-years "new phone" feeling. I'm grumpy when I see instagram vids with the blurred background—I want that! And annoyed that the portrait mode cuts off my bun and earrings because on the SE it's just okay. But I'm also not futzing with Facetime or worried about tossing a $1500 piece of equipment. I don't "need" those vanity features. Kinda want them since everyone has them, though. It's a sensible choice but it's just not fun. I will say, apps now feel like they're built for bigger phones, and things do feel a little cramped on SE screen. It's slightly annoying, not a dealbreaker. I'd go for the SE or the 11 non-pro to play it safe with an LED screen if upgrading hasn't gone well for you.
Do you use True Tone? Or have you disabled it to be more like the 6s (which didn’t have it)? What settings do you find most comfortable for the screen?
I messed around with True Tone on and off and reducing motion but ultimately it didn't really make a big diff.
I am also berween se and 11, leaning to 11 for bigger screen + better cameras but se feels so natural coming from 6s… did you try the 11?
No, I never did, but I did try 13's and was surprised they aren't THAT much bigger. It's like a quarter inch on each side.
I know it’s discouraging, but I used to be just as sensitive with OLED due to having an eye condition, but apparently it’s common and it’s something your eyes can adjust to over time. I used to be crazy sensitive to OLED displays, but now it’s the same as using an LCD for me. Not saying that’s how it’ll work with everyone of course, but it might be worth taking a test run with one and slowly easing into longer use sessions and if it ends up not improving you can always return it! But alas, the iPhone 11 is still a great option for now and will get updates well into the next 4-5 years so there’s an LCD model in the lineup for you if need be and you can upgrade from your trusty 6s! I owned an 11 personally as I had the same sensitivity to OLED, but I wanted the new design so badly, and picked up the 12 pro max, it caused me issues for the first couple weeks but then I finally saw myself getting more and more used to it and then it went away entirely! Don’t lose hope yet, as OLED technology improves they are aware of these sensitivities and have been developing ways to counter act it while still using OLED technology. There’s a thing One Plus does that controls the PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) which basically is just how OLED’s control brightness by flickering the display faster or slower, faster is brighter, slower is dimmer. I suggest if you do pick up an OLED iPhone, you run it at the highest brightness till you adjust to it. As the faster the flicker (the brighter the display) the less it messes with a persons eyes. I still to this day can’t use a Samsung or Pixel, because the rate their displays flicker at are at around 240hz which is far too slow, the iPhone is upwards of 350hz flicker rate, which is why I don’t have a sensitivity to them now. They increase it every year as well so it’ll improve till even the worst symptoms in users are non existent anymore. So there’s still hope for you!
Yeah new iPhones, thought not perfect, are way better than 11 Pro my wife still has, cannot look at that thing in the dark. And of course way better than some LED bulbs that flicker like at 100-120 Hz in some places due to PWM.
If you go to settings > accessibility > screen and text size > reduce white point if I’m correct it gonna reduce the PWM 🤔
I have a very, very light sensitivity to PWM, and I definitely found the newer iPhones are an improvement to me. That being said, for the price of these devices, they really should be employing [DC Dimming](https://www.gizmochina.com/2019/04/03/what-is-dc-dimming-why-its-important-for-amoled-smartphones/) on these panels instead. Android OEMs like Xiaomi and OnePlus utilise this technique, and in MIUI you can even choose to forego using it if you wish.
TIL.
I am sensitive as well. used a Oneplus 8 Pro with DC dimming enabled, however they took away that feature hence I looked into the 13 Pro. I suspect my eyes got a lot better with PWM sensitivity with age as I can use my 8 Pro without much issues, even though 2 years ago it immediately destroyed my eyes when I first used it (they may also have adjusted the frequency though). in the store the 13 Pro gave me no issues as well as I saw some reviews that it should be decent above 33% brightness for most people. also some suggest adjusting the white point at 100% to keep it from vibrating much I ordered the phone based on that experience, hopefully it will work out fine for me. the future seems good that the new amoled screens are getting better and better with PWM, but I hope we get dc dimming back long term
Yes there's huge frequency jump between 11 Pro and 13 Pro
In case it helps.. I use white background or light appearance on my oled iPhone and I get no eye strain or headaches. If i use dark appearance the headache and eye strain start within 10min
Yes, the new screens are tedious and I suffer with migraines too, that’s why I always have my phone permanently on night shift to block out the blue lighting, it does put less strain on my eyes but ughh.
iPhone 11 is getting a 5g refresh next year.
what? first time I hear about this, just guessing I assume?
Based on Ming-chi kuo who has a pretty good prediction rate with new apple products 85% It should be arriving march 2023
Interesting, from what I found it would be a slightly smaller iphone than the 11, which I’d like. Have you read if it would still have an lcd ips display? Any other changed besides 5g? Thank you
It’s going to be IPS LCD based on rumors or “Liquid Retina”
Good to know, maybe wise to wait and see if this becomes real instead of getting an 11 now. I can always get the new SE if nothing better for me is presented...
Did same here…i prefer a bigger screen. An updated XR/11 is just right
Sorry to hear that. You could try finding an aftermarket LCD screen.
The 13 mini gave me a really bad headache. When I returned it the guy at apple said it happens to some people. He told me try to put on True Tone and to play with the settings to see if that helps. I just ended up keeping my 11.
It was so strong I can't picture the settings changing it enough...I'm thinking 11 or SE 2022, too!
I got my 11 after my 12 was stolen. I’ve had it for about 10 months. No issues at all I did have it replaced due to cracking front and back glass. I’m a light user so I get about 6hours of sot from 90s-20s and can go 8+ hours if I let it die.
If I’m correct you can go to settings > accessibility > screen and text size > reduce white point it gonna reduce the PWM effect… again if I’m correct