MacBook Pro 15 inch 2017 Flexgate / Stage Light problem

"Apple does not admit that this is a problem and not offering

any program. They are asking ~700$ US for repair"

so far that looks like what can be interpreted from their silence.

They admit / take responsibility for this exact issue with the 13 inch, less expensive to fix models, but for the 15 inch, more expensive to fix models, yes, they didn't admit this is a problem yet.

Apple does not admit that this is a problem and not offering

any program. They are asking ~700$ US for repair

There is no replacement program for any 15” or even 2017 A1706/08 with EXACTLY the same FlexGate issue that is experienced in the 2016 models. Exactly the same PN of the display in 2016 A1706/98 but no program. How does that work Apple?

At this time the Service Program is limited to 13".

https://support.apple.com/13-inch-macbook-pro-display-backlight-service

however if at any time it is expanded to include your 15", typically Apple will issue a refund for out of pocket expenses for parts & labor... Having a service ticket will be your receipt..."affected by this issue, and you paid to have your display repaired, you can contact Apple about a refund."

In the mean time—

• Find an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
• Make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store.
• Contact Apple Support to arrange mail-in service via the Apple Repair Center.

please submit your feedback as well on your effected machine:

Apple Feedback http://www.apple.com/feedback

There is currently no replacement program for any 15" with FlexGate issues which is ridiculous. They will not even cover the 2017 A1706 / 1708 which has EXACTLY the same display as the 2016 version of these two models. This was a bad design, Apple knew it and buried their collective heads in the sand.

They are not honoring this program for the 15 inch models. Please contact Apple to tell them to fix these models. https://getsupport.apple.com/?PFC=PFC1002&category_id=SC0999&symptom_id=99918&caller=erep

Well It has been very obvious that flexgate / Stage Light effect is hitting MacBook Pro 2016 models and later.

https://www.change.org/p/apple-fix-all-macbook-pro-2016-and-later-with-stage-light-effect-or-backlight-shutdown-flexgate

But the question is why is Apple ignoring this issue although they admitte this problem with 13 inch 2016 models by lunching a service program which the display will be replaced at free of cost.

https://support.apple.com/13-inch-macbook-pro-display-backlight-service

I have a MacBook Pro 2017 which started to develop symptoms of stage light effect by showing vertical bright areas along the entire bottom of the screen then with the time the backlight stopped working when the lid is opened at certain angle. This clearly shows that my 2017 MacBook

pro has the same issue as 2016 models.

Even an AASP technician found out that my device is affected by the same issue but he couldn't replace the screen for free as Apple hasn't included this model to the service program and he quoted me +$700 for a new display.

So is this my fault to fix a bad manufacturing design and spend an amount that nearly cost more than a half of a new device. Is this Apple policy to make the customers to buy a high end laptop every 2 years!?

Apple 2 days ago launched a new service program for 2016 & 2017 models for a battery recall https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212163

As far I know the number of times customers of these models have complained about the above problem is way lesser than customers have complained about the backlight display program but Apple keeps ignoring.

I really don't know why Apple is doing that.

Is this a PR thing that makes Apple won't acknowledge the design flaw that they made on these devices?

OR

Is this because of the lawsuit ongoing against Apple regarding this issue?

https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/33962843/Taleshpour_v_APPLE_INC

What also frustrating is Apple design choices as the display backlight problem caused by the worn out of a ribbon cable as this cable gets damaged by opening and closing the lid many times and this could be solved by spending only $6 to change the cable but that solution is impossible because the cable is built in with the display so you have to spend over $700 to fix a problem that could be fixed with $6 only.

Also for the record the flexgate / stage light effect is starting to show on 2019 models

Which means maybe within 2 years we will see flexgate is happening with 2019-2020 models (even the M1 chips models as they have the same chassis).

This generation of Macbook pro (2016-later) is the worst generation of MacBook of all time. It has so many design flaws such as:

Display backlight problem. https://support.apple.com/13-inhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212163

Horizontal lines on the screen and pink screen

Keyboard problem https://support.apple.com/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks

SSD problem https://support.apple.com/13-inch-macbook-pro-solid-state-drive-service

Battery Problem https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212163

T2 chip problem

Apple should toss this generation into the trash and go back with the powerful reliable previous generation and stop the obsession of thickness.

This is a message from someone who love Apple products but also a disappointed customer who paid a huge amount

to buy this machine which all his business and work depends on this machine but this machine failed him and couldn't last 2 and half years.

Now I'm using an old PC laptop which I never take care of it and dropped so many times but it still working fine and I will stop using it till Apple decides to include 2017 models into the service program.

https://support.apple.com/13-inch-macbook-pro-display-backlight-service

The rep is only for 13 inch models so it can not be applied on 15 inch model

Here’s what happens https://www.classaction.org/blog/apple-hit-with-class-action-over-allegedly-defective-retina-displays-in-2016-and-later-macbook-pro-laptops

Hey guys,

here is my experience regarding my MacBook Pro 15 inch 2016.

Two weeks ago on a Saturday I opened my MBP and there it was - flexgate.

From day one I applied a protector to my MBP and carried it from my desk at work to my desk at home

travelling by car. As you all can imagine not really a stressful environment for a MBP concerning external impacts.

So what was Apples response?

Since I have no warranty anymore I called Apples Hotline and they told me repair costs are on me. Next step would be to go to an Apple Store and ask for the exact costs but there is a twist - you need an appointment. Therefore I opened the Store-Site for Munich and - what a surprise - no dates available. Well I use my MBP on a daily basis therefore I am not very pleased that there is no possibility to book a date besides the website.

In the end what are my options now? Since I'm not the clumsiest person I ordered a replacement lcd via ebay which cost me around 350 EUR (refurbished).

There are some videos on youtube where people showed how to replace lcd screen (meaning display with case and cables). The shipment will arrive in the next 2 weeks so fingers crossed that everything ist fine and I can change the display myself.

Thanks for nothing Apple!

---

Personell opinion:

Apple claims to be a premium supplier but the recent products I bought showed me that the reality is quite different.

About a have year ago my iPhone 7 Plus had the IC-Chip problem. Which I also had to pay myself.

Since day one my MBP had problems - there where some popping sounds when the MBP reached a specific temperature.

(it came not from the speakers!)

Apple replaced the whole upper body of the lower case (meaning the part with the keyboard) which helped nothing. I told the Apple hotline that the problem still is there. The response was - go repair it again. As I wrote earlier I need my MBP on a daily basis so I can't always have it in repair since I actually need it for work. I know that's shocking - somebody could really need Apple products for work - but that's really it.

I accept that there can be problems with products but pushing the repair costs towards the customer for obvious design / production failures is not what the term 'premium supplier' stands for.

Shame on you Apple!

Besides all the negativity I really like Apple products. iOS / WatchOS / MacOS / iPadOS work all fine together. Sure there a some bugs from time to time but until now no deal breaker. Also iMac, iPhone, iPad, Watch, Macbook Pro are great and useful products.

I think the problem are the different expectations inside Apples coming from the quality management and financial department.

Start listening to your engineers and developers and rethink (blind) obedience to financial department.

The only thing that u can do is let Apple know about this issue on Apple support, call them and tell them about this issue.

https://support.apple.com

And, u should also fill the Apple feedback form at the following link:

https://www.apple.com/feedback

As per my knowledge, Apple does not monitor these community discussions, this is for users discussion only.

also, tweet on Twitter using #flexgate

when he/she tell you that they will not take your mac under warrantly, you have to tell them that you want to do a claim.

Or do it by phone. Call apple, explain your issue and that your are not agree and want to do a claim.

after, you have to write a letter explaining the topic and reason of why you think that it’s a DESIGN ISSUE with links to web pages talking about flexgate and pictures. And send it at the address given by phone or mail by apple.

There has been petitions, many YouTube videos, law firms hired to take action... so far I haven’t heard of any results at all from any efforts made, even simply for Apple to comment on this.

there may be some reasonable position they have to share... I am sure many people are like myself in that with new information I can change my opinions and views. As it stands in Apples total silence about the 15 inch model... we have put forward a very reasonable case with evidence that the issues that tens of thousands + MacBook Pro customers have had is due to a design flaw which Apple is responsible for.

what other reason are people left with, than too be embittered and resentful towards Apple being silent on this subject ? and for posts like this, where people are saying, “how can we work together to get an answer out of them?”... when there is silence on this subject this is quite saddening and maddening, as what it LOOKS LIKE, is as Apple continue to have opulent financial profits pouring into their accounts, they are leaving tens of thousands + people in the dirt in critical times where we need our tools to work, the most.

this might not be the case, but this is what it looks like ! and if they are truly remaining silent as a way of letting time brush this under the carpet... saying, “well, we’re talking about machines that are over 3 years over their warranty, this is out of our hands”.... if that’s the case, why don’t they just say something like that ? Or say something ?

that doesn’t seem likely that this would be there position... but how do we know anything when they don’t answer ?

how much have I spent on Apple in my life ? I don’t know... $50,000 USD ? ... I don’t know...

there must be people within Apple who believe that customers deserve an answer on this...

have I missed something ? Have they spoken on this ? Or do we just have silence ?

I have same exactly issue with my MacBook Pro 15” 2017 .

after 2.5 years

Apple asking 680 $ for repair .

It Is now Class Action Lawsuit Over Macbook Pro's "Flexgate"

Scandal

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/parris-law-firm-apple-hit-with-nationwide-class-action-lawsuit-over-macbook-pros-flexgate-scandal-301055528.html

It mainly talking about 2016 13” Flexgate defect . I will be

contacting law firm to clarify if 15” included as well

Apple acknowledges the backlight issue, but only if your MacBook Pro is a 13" 2016 model. The display design with the integrated display cable is exactly the same on their 15" models. And their 2017 models. But if you have a 2017 13" Mackbook Pro with "stagelights" at the bottom of the screen and it goes black if you open it more that approx. 45 degrees and you can see the icons in the **** and other stuff on the desktop if you point a flash light to it ... it's not the backlight issue, it's just bad luck and you probably mishandled it or ran it over with a steam roller or took it diving or something else which is clearly your own fault.

I have the same issue on a 2017 13" MBP and I called Apple - that was a very interesting support experience ... if you can call it support. I wrote about it here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253225328