Why is my iPhone 14 Pro causing headache, nausea and eye strain? PWM Complaint...

I've had this issue for a while now. (about 5 years now) Took me a while to figure it out, and it's not unique to apple; it's any screen utilizing PWM for brightness control.

As an Apple user, Im sticking with an older MacBook Pro, and for phone, an iPhone 8 (still), and will most likely get an SE by the end of the year.

Most people I know are fine with it. My kids, for example, have no issues. Even friends that wear glasses for reading...not an issue.

For those that do get headaches though, there is one thing we have in common; a lazy eye. I have one eye, not that you can tell by looking at me, that is classified as "lazy". This impacts my depth perception, and typically forces my good eye to do all the work. (the brain is good at adjusting). Seeing those hidden images in a stereogram photo for example? Impossible for me. Anyway, that's what I get for not wearing the eye patch as a kid.

That said, please don't take this as medical advice. It's simply my own personal observation, and experience. All I know is, PWM controlled displays do not play well with my eyes.

Symptoms:

Eye strain/pressure (like I'm staying cross eyed too long)

Nausea/dizzy

Headaches/migraines

blurred vision

Recovery: usually takes a day

Remediation:

I just turn up the brightness. Doesn't work all the time though. iPhone 12 for example, doesn't help, and the symptoms described above tend to come on quickly (few minutes).

I changed to a honor magic 4 pro that has a 1920 pwm rate and it's much better the iPhone 14 pro is only 480 Samsung s22 ultra is even worse at 240 the higher the number the less your pupils will notice the pulsing and discomfort should improve or even completely go away

Nausea from iPhone 14 pro motion:

I don’t get the headaches or eye sore, but I do get nauseous looking at my 14 pro max within a matter of minutes. I found that if I enable the “limit frame rate” setting (60hz option), I’m perfectly fine. It’s weird bc I do not have that issue with my s22 ultra or pixel 7 pro, both of which has 120hz screens. It happened with the iPhone 13 Pro and I thought i was tweaking. Using the 14 pro max confirmed I just have an issue with Apple’s implementation of the higher refresh rate. My guess is it’s the constant throttling causing the inconsistent refresh rate. Open up twitter or even the settings menu on a newer pro iPhone and the newer android phones and you can see the difference in how smooth the screen scrolls. I also noticed refresh rate tests strangely top out at 60hz for some reason when the phone’s in 120hz mode.

TL:DR try disabling 120hz and see if that helps.

I'm not sure what you're hoping anyone here or from Apple can do for you if the type of screen which Apple, Google, Samsung and others use in modern cell phones. If you have a medical condition which is exasperated by this type of screen technology, there is no magic button on iPhone or for that matter ANY phone or screen which will help you.

You've learned you need to use a phone with LCD screen technology. And that is because you have a medical condition which evidently makes you overly sensitive to the newer screen technologies. But to expect Apple or any manufacturer to be able to make it not an issue for you, is unrealistic.

The vast majority of people using the newer screens on cell phones, have no such sensitivities. It's unfortunate for you, you have an issue. But at least you know what to avoid the next time you buy a cell phone.

Sell your iPhone 14 if you can't use it, seems the only solution anyone could possibly offer you.

Edit: Have you spoken with your eye doctor or medical professional to see if there are any filters or glasses you can use, which will help you with this condition?

The only available iPhone with an IPS screen is the SE.

Note like all LCD screens, they use PWM for the backlight LEDs, so it's not a matter of just avoiding PWM, you really do have to test whatever device you are considering to see if it bothers you.

Your local Apple Store will be happy to let you use the devices on display.

Same issue with iPhone 15 Plus, 5 minutes looking at the screen and here you go with heavy eye strain. The solution here is to buy phones with IPS screens which don't use PWM.

Sorry but who says that PWM issues does not exist is trying to promote the phones which cause these issues, I have PWM issues with Samsung phones as well! I know that Samsung is also involved with the new iPhones. Apple could continue to make lcd screens such as SE at least 6.1 inch and perhaps a 6.7 version and the rest Amoled or OLED if they don’t or can’t resolve the headache issues. Please don’t use fake customer comments who claim PWM does not exist as this is insulting those who really want to upgrade but cannot because of Pwm. I have been to ophthalmologists had scans etc but as soon as I reverted back to my iPhone lcd 11 I was fine as well as my Honor 20 pro which is LCD. Just because there are more customers( you claim) don’t have this issue doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist it’s like saying for example that because the majority of people don’t have Lime disease does not mean it doesn’t exist, that’s just ignorance because the attitude is as I don’t have it then it means it doesn’t exist!

As stated previously, you will also need to avoid premium smart phones from all other vendors as they also use OLED screens sourced from the same manufacturers.

Thats why Apple offers a 14 day return policy - so you can make sure their product is appropriate for you.

dude, stop spreading nonsense here.

Of course, Apple has a huge leverage over Samsung display manufacturing because they are their biggest customer. If they want they can force them to put more efforts into solving PWM issue. In the worst case they can switch to another manufacture who can solve it.

You are also wrong about a huge cost it would require to solve the issue. Chinese manufacturers already addressed it and produce phones with OLED screens which have PWM at 2000 or even 3000 Hz. There are many reviews of these phones from PWM sensitive people who confirmed that it solved the issue for them. And these Huawei/Honor/Vivo phones cost less than iPhones!!

So, the issue can be solved. It is just that Apple doesn't consider it significant enough.

Hello ~ Return it but please see your doctor most importantly.

~Katana-San~

Whazzap wrote:

Apple, if you’re listening:

No, Apple is not reading here for feedback or suggestions. However, you can let them know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Hi, it was in an article saying that 10% of users are sensitive to pwm. If Apple sells 100,000,000 phones then it equals to millions of people. It’s called eye strain. Not everyone is aware of where their headaches, or dry eye is coming from. Also not all oled are affected, as tv screens are not usually being dimmed all the time. And some Samsung devices have already addressed the issue through software. Mini led is a better solution but again it does use pwm too. One solution was to increasing its frequency 2000hrtz or use dc dimming. It’s a real problem and they will need to address it eventually.

An Opthamologist can confirm the sensitivity and determine where you are on the scale. They also can report your data (anonymously) to the FDA, CDC and NIH to establish data points, possibly come up with a name for this, and possibly locate grant funds to do further research. They cannot cure it or treat it at this time. But you can be part of needed research.

Then return it for a full refund and select a different device from a different manufacturer.

There is nothing Apple can do to cause the issue you are suffering or to mitigate it, but that doesn't mean another device from a different vendor won't avoid causing you issues, perhaps one that uses an older-style LCD screen rather than an OLED.

Yes, I have the same problem with IPhone X and 12 pro max. Now I am using SE, my headache is gone. But don’t ask the question on Apple forum, because we won’t get the real answer. Don’t you notice all the commenters with higher points want us to see a doc? It’s ridiculous. It’s clearly IPhone’s screen problem, not our problem.

[Edited by Moderator]