Severe Eye Strain due to OLED PWM Dimming

1. I don't believe we're going to get DC dimming for OLED screens as updates.
2. For those who don't understand what PWM is and how it affects a small groups of people, before asking them to go see an eye doctor, at least read a few articles about how PWM affects their eyes, and in some cases, dizziness and vertigo. Here is a start: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Why-Pulse-Width-Modulation-PWM-is-such-a-headache.270240.0.html
3. Currently only iPhone SE 3 have LCD screens. The plain iPhone 11 is the last big display iPhone that have LCD and users who are affect by pwm can only use these 2 phones (that is if they can buy an iPhone 11 model). Note that iPhone 11 Pro & Pro Max uses OLED. And any thing from 12 onwards uses OLED.
4. I am in the same boat as you because I am also affected by the pwm. If apple changes everything to OLED then I just have to say goodbye to iPhone. We are such a small group and I don't think they really care.

As a sufferer of PWM it took a lot of research to realise Apple doesn't care about PWM even though it really should be a great concern to their users eye health regardless of whether people suffer it. I use a company iPhone 14 Pro during the day and because it's not a lot I can use without suffering too much. I ended up buying the Motorola Razor 40 Ultra and don't suffer any PWM and you can also go to Huawei or Honor who both have very high refresh rates. If/when Apple address the issue I will return to Apple.

I returned the iPhone 14 and purchased the iPhone SE 3rd Generation phone that was released in 2022 and uses an LCD screen.

GmXplode wrote:

Can Apple implement DC dimming via software Update? i have tried 14 pro and it had same problems even though flicker has been reduced but doesnt help. I tried every accessibility option like reduce white point , keeping 100% brightness.

No one here in this user-to-user forum would know what Apple can or will do. However, you can let them know your concerns here:

Product Feedback - Apple

I am switching from an OLED phone to an LCD phone. The iPhone SE 3rd Generation released in 2022 has an LCD screen. This iPhone SE 3 phone is in the same group display at the Apple Store with the iPhone 15’s and iPhone 14’s.

I converted the data yesterday, I am pleased with the picture quality. The phone is small but has good clarity. It has rounded edges which remind me of the Galaxy phone I liked that I was converting from back to an iPhone.

Note worthy, I saw several posts where people said they were going back to their iPhone 11 because of getting headaches/migraines with the iPhone 14. Turns out the iPhone 11 is also an LCD phone.

Apple and Verizon have been very helpful while I was sorting this out.

This issue is super annoying and really affects me. I am someone that used to upgrade every year, but now I am stuck on the IPhone 8 Plus. I got the iPhone X, but couldn’t use it. I also got stuck on the iPad Pro 12.9 from 2018.

For those that suffer… these devices are fine for me: iPhone 8 Plus, iPad Pro 11 and 12.9 (both from 2018), and M2 MacBook Air. Some newer iPad Pro 11’s are okay, but that seems unpredictable. I really hope Apple start caring for people that have this as an issue. Lenovo have many TUV eyecare certified products, but Apple seem to be unaware. I have yet to find a ‘genius’ that knows what PWM is!

You can show people the PWM on the worst headache inducing devices by using an app like RAW+ photos and turning the shutter speed and ISO to maximum. It helps people that aren’t affected to understand what you are talking about.

Not so sure Samsung is much better.. I’ve bought a Motorola RAzR flip ultra and have no issues as have set refresh rate to 120.. also the Chinese phones by default are eye safe - Honor and Huawei for example.

TranceVoyager wrote:

I just wanted to help raise awareness, particularly with Apple. Because I can’t imagine not being able to ever buy an iPhone again, which it seems is now the case..

Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum for feedback or suggestions. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Please consult an opthalmologist for your eye issue.

You can make a suggestion to Apple here -

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Yes, I just put in the request. if everyone puts in the same request, maybe Apple will fix this.Feedback - iPhone - Apple

let's all just keep submitting a request to apple until they fix it. Hopefully if enough people need this fixed, they will do it! Product Feedback - Apple

Post this issue on apple's feedback please. With enough people commenting on this, maybe they will do something about it. Feedback - iPhone - Apple