Grainy Image on MacBook Air 2020

Yes, I just upgraded my 2014 MacBook Air to the 2020, and the camera is better on the old one!!! I feel so cheated! With everything virtual now, this is horrible. At first I thought it was just me, but looks like its all the 2020 computers! Apple Im disappointed.

I've also had the same issues and actually found this thread due to me Googling the issue. I thought it was my new 2020 mac air, but bitter sweetly am happy to know it's just not me. Apple needs to fix this problem ASAP. We have all spent too much money on this device especially during a pandemic.

Please keep me posted if anyone heres any updates or a resolution to this shared problem.

You should return the Air if you dislike the quality of the camera before the return period ends. Apple does not have a resolution for this problem. The only way to get Apple to resolve this issue is through your wallet and not accept poor quality products. If you search through YouTube, not many reviewers mentioned this problem either, which disappointed me because they knowingly misled their audiences for a corporation.

I agree that the reviewers misled us. My purchase happened because my son was going back to college and needed to upgrade his failing computer.

So I checked the reviews. It was never mentioned. I actually didn’t even think the camera would be an issue because I’ve owned two other MacBooks with no issues, and Apple is such a sold brand when it comes to innovation and technology.

Unfortunately it’s too late to return it. Because Apple has such a strong brand, I kept thinking I was the one doing something wrong. The only reason I now know that the problem is with the computer is because I finally started to google the issue and saw this forum. Now I know that it wasn’t me after all, it was an atrocious, expensive product.

I call it expensive because I paid more than it’s worth. We did not get what we paid for. Shame on you Apple.

Same here. I bought a 2020 Macbook Pro in November 2020, paid £1800.00. Worst image from camera I've seen for a long time in ANY computer in Zoom or FaceTime. My 2015 Macbook Pro that I replaced had a much better camera image!!! In my meetings the other participants immediately noticed the difference. I spoke with the people in the shop (IStore , Strand, London), but they couldn't offer any sensible explanation or help. There's something very strange with this. Apple has to do something!

Hi, sorry, no it's not a matter of Apple was plays bad with cameras. My 2015 Macbook Pro has a perfectly decent camera image for today standards to use in Zoom meetings etc. The problem is with the recent MacBooks which have a really awful grainy camera image, totally unacceptable by ANY standards.

It is unbelievable that this discussion about the poor camera of all MacBook Air 2020 now goes over 19 pages. I also want to emphasize that I have really tried everything possible that Apple support recommends for this problem: check the Internet, remove possible fingerprints, select HD settings, provide better lighting conditions, etc.... None of this works, the video image always looks bad and unfortunately so do I. Again: In times of video conferencing, the camera is extremely important! And I don't want to buy additional equipment (external camera, lighting...) to let my ultra-light MacBook Air grow into a device mania. That's really not state of the art, is it?

Apple, please finally make a concrete proposal on how this really annoying defect can be professionally fixed!

Yeah. I am facing the same issue the camera quality on my new MacBook is very poor. It is not even three days since I bought my Mac. Very disappointed.I hope apple takes my concern and necessary steps to my needy.

So far, after almost a year, they haven't taken any steps. So I'd say it's unlikely they'll start now. Since you're still within the 14 days return window, you should seriously consider if this is something you're willing to live with. If not, return it and get something better. I wish I had.

Yup exactly. Its ALL computers as well Ive realized.

I bought a 5300 dollar macbook pro 16 inch after returning the macbook air for this reason.

Same exact issue!

They told me its not expected behaviour until I was past 14 days... and now they say it is!!!

Apple is literally scamming customers right now.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

I own 3 businesses and am on Zoom all day looking like I'm on mars.

Apple has seemingly overnight turned into a complete joke of a company.

I'm not one to give power to first world issues, but c'mon my macbook air 2015 camera beside my brand new macbook pro 16inch is better!

Its simply unacceptable they should be sending us all webcams or fixing it.

Everything in my home is apple and this will be my last purchase for sure if they don't solve this.

I bought a MacBook Air as a way to take zoom meetings from home for work and meet with family during the pandemic. We have a strong internet connection and the first time I turned on the camera I realized it was worse that any old computer (or phone) I have. The cannot take work calls from home. When you invest so much in apple products you expect quality is every aspect. Since most people bought this as a good way to zoom during the pandemic, I expected other people will also be devastated by this feature. Will apple consider alleviating this issue for people who have purchased (and are now stuck with) this computer?

I returned it. Complete waste of a month’s time waiting for this computer. Went and bought a different brand and the camera looks crisp and clear as it should in the year 2021. Very bad innovation by Apple.

I just bought this laptop for school and everything is online. People keep telling me my images are grainy especially over ft.

Why is this the case, my camera is clean.. is the quality just bad? That makes me very upset considering this is what I will be using my computer for for the majority of the time.

If someone could provide some assistance that would be greatly appreciated as this was not a cheap purchase!

Thank you

Hey,

I also have this grainy image issue, I've complained to Apple and they basically said, this is what they expect of the MacBook Air 2020. So, if this is the case, how do I proceed? Will there be a callback or a software update available? And if not, do you have any recommendations on making this grainy issue better?

Thanks

I don't use the camera in my new M1 MBA but saw this thread so I tried it for the first time. Pretty impressed overall; even in low light conditions. Every bit as good as the camera in my iPhone X, as far as I can tell.