Grainy Image on MacBook Air 2020

Have just purchased a new MacBook Air (2020 model). Have bought to use for home working (Zoom meetings, etc) and the image is really grainy when using Zoom or FaceTime. Is this normal with Macs?

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 12, 2020 1:50 AM

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Posted on Feb 25, 2021 9:43 AM

Basically what it means is that they are very very aware of this issue.


Their process is to classify issues as either expected or unexpected. If it's expected it means it's "our fault" for not knowing the camera image quality is impacted by poor design not allowing for enough light to enter the lens. That they have no recourse to fix it. It is hardware and it's a design flaw. It actually has nothing to do with the camera quality. Not something they are currently able to fix. I said its false advertising and they said prove it. That's why your camera quality is better on older models. More light coming into the camera. Its beyond stupid they let this happen. haha Someone got fired for sure I imagine.


I have a Macbook pro 2019 I just purchased in Dec for 5500.


Its way better in natural light.


Who the **** has access to natural light in their office lol. I am lucky to have some and can see the clear difference, but at night it is unusable.


When I bought my computer for the Macbook pro this was still not classified expected behaviour. It became expected as I was negotiating with them.


This is why they sent me free accessories.


Now, they have changed the classification to "expected." This means you have no recourse whatsoever with Apple other than complain and hope they offer something in the future who those who did.


All you can do is return it and buy something else or wait for their next release otherwise.


Yes, you and all of these other people have fallen through the cracks. (As of Feb 25.) If "Apple cares" they would immediately fix this issue. They just pretend too like the others. Not a special company lol.


507 replies

Dec 31, 2020 9:02 AM in response to Jackelburger

I have the same problem. My 2011 MacBook Pro has finally bitten the dust for the last time. The camera on it was superb. I just opened up and set up my new MacBook Pro today and took a FaceTime call and the image quality is horrendous! This is not acceptable. Not anywhere in any of the specs did it warn that the loss of image quality was expected in lower light conditions. If it had done so I could have decided if this laptop was for me. So disappointing to have to return this laptop. I will probably buy a second hand older model.

Jan 8, 2021 5:21 PM in response to Jackelburger

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.

Jan 18, 2021 5:02 AM in response to Jackelburger

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?

Jan 19, 2021 2:08 PM in response to Jackelburger

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

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Grainy Image on MacBook Air 2020

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