iPhone Xs/Max screen stutter/lag (4k/HDR/camera)

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sp_2000 Author

Level 1

22 points

iPhone Xs/Max screen stutter/lag (4k/HDR/camera)

This topic has been mentioned on other forums on the net, but I will formally address it here on the Apple forums, as after chatting with an Apple rep, they advised they have not heard of any issues of the sort on Apple forums.

The issue (My model, iPhone Xs Max, 256GB Space grey, iOS 12.0.1):

When playing 4k/HDR/24fps content (tested on Netflix) with auto-brightness on, I experience stuttering or frame rate drops in certain scenes where it looks as if auto-brightness is adjusting parts of the screen to accommodate the HDR feature. It is more apparent in scenes where there are changes in brightness or effects. I have noticed this issue in HDR content in Youtube as well. Others have mentioned they have seen it in iTunes media also.

Also, when recording video in 4k/24fps (with auto-brightness on), I experience the same stuttering when panning the screen side-to-side. I am not talking about the regular OIS (stabilization), this is more of a screen stutter.

Once auto-brightness is off, the issue is gone. I have tested other Xs/Max models in store and they exhibit the same issues. Which leads me to believe this is a widespread issue. Some have claimed that they don't experience this issue, but it is very subtle at times and could be overseen.

Others have mentioned screen/animation stuttering while scrolling as well which I have noticed (with and without auto-brightness), I believe that could be improved as well.

These are the steps I have taken so far:

1. Restarted my phone -> No improvement.

2. Restore my phone to factory and set up as New -> No improvement.

3. Turned off motion/animations, true tone, background activity, location services, notifications. -> No improvement.

4. Tested other Xs (64GB, gold, iOS 12) and Xs Max (64GB, gold, iOS 12) models in store -> No improvement.

5. Tested on an iPhone 8 Plus (64GB, silver, iOS 11) no issues whatsoever, performs much better and smoother than the Xs models.

I am not certain if this is a software or hardware issue.

Hopefully Apple can acknowledge this issue and rectify it.

[Edited by Host]

iPhone XS Max, iOS 12.0.1, null

Posted on Oct 25, 2018 9:27 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

S-Tech

Level 1

28 points

Apr 7, 2019 1:15 PM in response to Dogcow-Moof

Apple eventually called me back. They told me the issue was known, reproducible and will be fixed in one of the upcoming iOS 12 bug fix versions.

For me it definitely helps when I disable auto brightness. Video playback is smooth when it is turned off. This has also been confirmed by the Apple agent who called me back.

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Answer 2

S-Tech

Level 1

28 points

May 15, 2019 3:05 AM in response to eliotkh

I just installed iOS 12.3. This has finally fixed the problem! I could not realize any video stutter anymore. Due to the very fast response times of OLED screens, and if you are sensitive about it, you can still clearly see the typical 24 fps stuttering (just like you can see it on an OLED television when motion compensation is disabled), as well as the 3:2 pull down when watching 24 fps content, but this is normal and not a malfunction of the iPhone. All good now.

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Answer 3

Jdbeduhn

Level 1

22 points

May 15, 2019 6:23 AM in response to S-Tech

I should have posted this earlier. Not long after my post I Beta tested IOS 12.3 and noticed a less laggy experience and it got better over the versions. So I agree with the above post that IOS 12.3 does help. At times I do notice some lag but its only during times when the phone is doing something in the back ground.

Also, If you find this thread after getting a brand new phone or after a fresh install or reset of IOS. Be patient. After a first time install there is a bunch of processing going on in the back ground. I have found in my personal experience that about two days after a factory reset things are a bit laggy but this has been the case with many phone models. I also experienced this with my 2018 IPad Pro 12.9. at first is was upset that it was so laggy after the first install but after about 24 hr everything was working buttery smooth.

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Answer 4

sp_2000 Author

Level 1

22 points

Oct 27, 2018 10:37 AM in response to bcal-user

A user has contacted an Apple rep and apparently Apple is aware of the issue and that it is an iOS issue. The next update 12.1 may very well resolve the issue.

The post is here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/choppy-video-playback-on-iphone-xs-and-xs-m ax.2140783/page-22#post-26707024

This is a big issue and I’m disappointed that Apple has not formally addressed it. Several of customers have already returned their new Xs because of this.

Not to discredit the user who posted in the link above but I really do hope it’s an iOS issue and not hardware because some have said they have no issues on their Xs/Max.

My return window is closing for a refund/exchange so hopefully the update drops in the next few days or Apple makes a statement regarding this. Otherwise my Max is going back.

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Answer 5

airikh

Level 1

4 points

Nov 14, 2018 11:43 AM in response to sp_2000

I'm also experiencing choppy video playback of 1080p 24hz content. 60hz content seems to playback fine.

The issue is present in all apps, including iTunes videos. When auto brightness is disabled, the choppiness isn't present.

The easiest way I've found to reproduce the choppiness is to turn a light on after starting the video in a dark room.

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Answer 6

sp_2000 Author

Level 1

22 points

Oct 30, 2018 2:29 PM in response to sp_2000

Update:

After testing on iOS 12.1, there is no improvement at all.

There is still no response from Apple regarding this very obvious widespread problem.

I’ve tested XS models in 4 different stores/service providers now and they all exhibit the same issue.

Customers have returned their XS/Max several times only to end up with the same issue. It’s embarrasing and frustrating. Apple reps seem to have no idea or useful information to address the issue.

I encourage those experiencing this issue to inform others who are making the move to the Xs/Max’s. It also seems customers with the new XR are having the same issues. I haven’t returned my Xs Max as yet. I will do an exchange since I still have the chance to and try my luck. If no improvement, I will look into the 8 plus. It’s a shame what we have to go through to get a working premium phone.

Apple, we are awaiting your reply!

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Answer 7

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,827 points

Jan 22, 2019 5:58 PM in response to Raj9326Mohan

It's not specifically mentioned, but you may want to update to iOS 12.1.3, released today, to see if it addresses this issue at all.

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Answer 8

Nov 2, 2018 12:50 AM in response to sp_2000

I'm seeing the same issue on my XR too. It doesn't really matter if it is 1080p or 4k 30fps, 60fps. When you pan your camera sideway(or up and down) it jitters. It's more like whole image is vibrating. I can see it on my phone even when i'm recording a video. Playing it on my macbook shows no difference. I'm on ios 12.1.

All the Youtube XR 4k videos seem to share the same issue.

Apple iPhone XR 4K 60 FPS Sample Video - YouTube

iPhone XR video sample - camera test - 4K - YouTube

Apple IPHONE XR Video Sample 4K/60fps - YouTube

I think images are overly sharpened, I'm guessing that's the cause of the problem here. Every sharpened highlights of the video is where it jitters. It's super annoying 😟

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Answer 9

Oct 27, 2018 10:37 AM in response to sp_2000

Same issue here. Very disappointed that a $1250.00 phone can’t play SD movies without serious choppiness. Happened with VUDU, ITunes, SD and HD movies if auto brightness is enabled. Disabling auto brightness seems to make the issue 95% to 100% better. I should not have to do any “hacks” to get my phone to work as advertised. This was an upgrade to an iPhone 6 Plus. It played all my movies flawlessly. My upgrade to this very powerful phone has been a huge disappointment because of this.

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Answer 10

arjun_a

Level 1

14 points

Nov 13, 2018 1:07 AM in response to sp_2000

Ok guys, so have an update here. I had logged this bug on Apple bug reporter. And their engineering team had requested logs from me.

Here is the reply that I got from them post sending them the logs

Hello Arjun,
Engineering has determined that your bug report (45695758) is a duplicate of 45792465 and will be closed.
The open or closed status of the original report your bug was duplicated to appears in a text box within the bug detail section of the bug reporter user interface. For security and privacy reasons, we don't provide access to the original bug yours was duped to.
An example of what the top of bug reporter's bug detail section with your bug and the duplicate bug's info looks like is included below:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
45695758
Iphone XS Max Video stuttering and choppy playback
Created on Oct 31, 2018 09:41 AM for [Product Name] [ OPEN ] [ DUPLICATE OF 45792465 | OPEN ]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------

I then emailed them again with this -

It doesn't matter if my bug is a duplicate of an original bug. If I am facing the issue on my device, I need a resolution for my issue.

Kindly provide categorical answers to the following questions:

1. Is this bug going to get fixed or not. If it is a hardware issue I need a replacement for my device.

2. What is the status of the original bug that has been raised ? Is it going to get fixed at all?

Their reply to my mail -

Thank you for contacting us.

At this time, there isn't any new information, or a timeframe for a fix available for the original issue, or your duplicate bug report. For security and privacy reasons, we don't provide access to bugs that you didn't originate.

You can always log in to the bug reporter, click on the bug and look for the duplicate box in the Problem Detail section on the right where you'll see the status (Open or Closed) of the original bug.

We'll do our best to notify you as new information becomes available. Please check the status of the original bug using the method described above, and peruse the seed and release notes for potential or related fixes that might affect this issue.

We consider this issue closed. If you have any questions or concern regarding this issue, please update your report directly (https://bugreport.apple.com).

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Answer 11

Jdbeduhn

Level 1

22 points

Mar 3, 2019 8:23 PM in response to sp_2000

Im having the same problem on brand new iPhone XS MAX. I have tried everything and did a factory reset using iTunes with latest OS two days ago. No other apps have been installed just what comes with the OS. And still 48 hours later the RAM is all tied up. I force clear some and within min it’s full again. When it’s cleared up it scrolls fine. Then starts Lagging again.

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Answer 12

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,827 points

Mar 4, 2019 3:42 AM in response to Lin1518

I’ve tried to reproduce this and can’t; do you have a link to a file?

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Answer 13

arjun_a

Level 1

14 points

Oct 27, 2018 10:37 AM in response to sp_2000

Facing the exact same issue. Very well documented by you. Did you contact apple support for this?? I did happen to speak to a very incapable person from apple support who completely ignored this post and said go to the apple showroom for hardware check.

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Answer 14

arjun_a

Level 1

14 points

Oct 28, 2018 10:38 PM in response to sp_2000

We should make some noise regarding this. It is just silly that apple refuses to acknowledge this issue. I did get my iPhone device checked in an authorised apple service store ( I am in India do we do not have official apple centres but we do have authorised service centres). They just ran the good old apple diagnostic test on the phone and said, "Sir everything is fine, no defect".

Such a shame. Apple needs to correct this. It is also sad that despite @sp_2000 having detailed such a nice post describing everything properly, there is not one person from the apple community that has risen up to the occasion and provided a response.

Really disappointed in Apple. Looks like with the iPhone XS max they decided that the beta testers of the product will be the customers only.

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Answer 15

arjun_a

Level 1

14 points

Oct 30, 2018 7:34 PM in response to sp_2000

You're right! This is insane. No fix even after 12.1

This is just so disappointing. Do you if there is a way that we can talk to the unbox therapy guy. He would for sure make a video on this. That is when apple will finally learn a lesson.

How do we reach through to him

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