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
yes. I had purchased exact same 2020 MacBook Air model and it had worse camera than 2015 MacBook Pro. After a lot of research I figured out that since 2018 Apple changed the MacBook design and made the lid slimmer and put in the same camera they’ve used on older macbooks but made the camera hole much smaller. If you compare both camera holes side by side and look at the size you’ll see the new MacBook has small tiny camera hole which leads to less light and all photos and videos look grainy in low light thus your new MacBook has grainy and low quality camera. It doesn’t actually have a worse camera but due to this flaw in the design the camera sensors get less light and makes it blurry. The only fix is to add more brightness with better lighting but it doesn’t help much or to pay for an app and download it to enhance your webcam to apply filters over it and increase the brightness of the image. There doesn’t seem to be any other fix. Just return the MacBook if you aren’t satisfied and wait for new one or buy an external wireless camera or use your phone as the camera or iPad. A lot of users on here have this issue but on reddit and other places most people have ignored this issue and instead blamed the users for not knowing how to use the MacBook properly and not doing their “research” for calling this a downgrade in camera quality. They’re ignorant of the fact that in 2018 this design change happened. The brand new users who don’t complain are either upgrading from latest macbooks or those who never bothered paying attention to camera quality or don’t care or new MacBook users. Only people with older macbooks like 2015 or 2012 are the ones complaining and if you google 2018 MacBook camera issues or 2018 MacBook low quality grainy camera you’ll find tons of posts and stories and even YouTube videos and some general advice or fixes. That’s the best advice I can give you. Google that maybe you’ll find something there. That’s how I found out about this whole issue. You can even google check my webcam resolution and I compared the resolution and sensor of 2015 MacBook and 2020 MacBook side by side and the 2020 has same exact model of camera same exact resolution just worse contrast and brightness due to low light. But do the experiments to find yourself. Good luck!
I just talk to an Apple tech. He seemed to be new, as he was not aware of this problem, but when connecting remotly to my MacBook, he agreed that the quality of the image was poor. At first he asked me to reinstall OS Big Sur, but after searching through his database, he told me it was a known issue, and that the technicians only suggest to adjust the lighting. They cannot repair it and they are not offering any compensation. I think it was the last time I paid more for a « better » computer.
An answer in cases such as these, had been suggested to acquire an external
USB cam (with microphone?) to use instead of the low-resolution built-in one.
Issues such as this had been known to mac users who've visited discussions online
in the past year; some had used advance warning to consider other options. A few
bought other models, or stayed with an older product that worked adequately.
Depending on where the product was bought, the opportunity to return within
14-days of initial purchase ~ appears to be valid only those from Apple directly;
and not a policy of those bought from 'authorized independent reseller' outlets.
While my older portable Macs are doing OK, they're not put upon for newer tasks.
Good luck & happy trails!🌿🌞🌤🐝🎣🐢
All the posts in here should be enough for you. There is no fix, either you live with it, return it ASAP (14 days max), or call Apple Support and ask them to send you a free webcam for false advertising seeing how they advertise "high-quality" FaceTime on the Macbook Air's page. There are no other options.
I have the same problem with a recently purchased device. The camera is so bad that I am constantly being asked about it during conferences. The Apple dealer says this is normal. But compared to my MacBook 2015, the picture quality is much worse. I even got the tip to buy an external camera for my new laptop. This is really more than ridiculous.
I thought it was just me! I had a 2015 MacBook Air that just went out, and the quality on this new MacBook Air is HORRIBLE. The camera looks like it went back in time instead of forward. This is a huge problem.
I recently went to the Apple store for this issue for my 2019 MacBook Air. I had my screen replaced and it still have the same grainy image. The service person says that it is working as is (per specification). They can replace the hardware but it will most likely not fix the issue because the Apple seemed to have not this type of camera for quite some time. Apple knew this was a problem and decided not to do anything about it. When I purchased the Air, the sales person did not mention anything about the grainy camera image. So they lied to sale this laptop and now I'm stuck with it. My advice to anybody who is having the same issue with their 2020 MacBook Air and is within the return policy, return it. Don't buy this crap, don't accept mediocre quality, and also suggest going to a competitor. I'm frustrated with this situation and hope that it doesn't happen to you. PLEASE DON'T BUY THE 2020 MacBook Air.
To add to what Dylan is saying, remember that the Product page for the MacBook Air claims:
"The image signal processor in the M1 chip helps you look your best for every FaceTime call and video conference. "
"FaceTime HD camera
Get clearer, sharper images. See more detail in shadows and highlights."
The previous page (before M1 Macs, said it was a "super clear image" or some other obviously false advertising. You can always use the Wayback Machine to view a websites past pages.
I was just on Amazon looking for a webcam, so I can do my work properly, including recording myself for youtube and my podcast, etc. So that means I'll have to fork out another $60 at least to get a decent camera.
I'm having the same problem. I had the 2017 MacBook Pro 13" and the camera quality was great. Last week I bought the 2020 MacBook Pro 13" M1. I immediately noticed how bad the camera quality was. I returned the MacBook because I thought it was defective. Only to get a new one and it had the SAME problem. I noticed that all the display models at the Best Buy store had this same issue. I don't know if I'm the only one that sees this. I am a teacher and have used the 2017 MacBook camera everyday almost for the past year. And when I used the 2020 MacBook camera it was so noticeable to me and even my students said it looked weird. I know it's not the internet or fingerprints! It looks like it's zoomed in and just blurry and dark. I wish I could find out if this is a hardware or software issue. I'm hoping an update will fix it. If not, I'm going to return the 2020 model and just stick with my 2017 only for the camera.
I suggest you return the Macbook. I went to the apple store with the same issue with my 2019 Air, and they replaced the screen, but the problem persists. Apple says it's a known issue and within specification, so they cannot do anything. Apple knew this problem and did not fix it for the 2020 model. Go to another computer manufacturer.
It's really weird that in this time of video conferencing, an important component is so bad. Actually, it's a technical step backwards. If I didn't hear constant comments at Zoom conferences ("You need to set your camera to HD" or "You're so hard to see"), I wouldn't really care. But unfortunately, you come out a bit old-fashioned and unprofessional. And buying an additional camera - no way! That's more than ridiculous. I am already annoyed by the many adapters, hubs and various other external devices that I now need.
I've been a Mac user for 25 years, and I'm seriously considering breaking my "loyalty" to Apple this time and trying another brand.
Apple claims the camera hardware is the same as in the previous models. If it isn't the camera, then it is a design problem. When I compared the MacBook Air 2020 with the 2015 model, I do notice a much smaller area around the camera, not letting enough light in. If you can, return the MacBook and wait for a better model.
So a couple interesting things have played out since I came to this post and tried to fix the issue through talking to customer service. After a failure to fix the issue I attempted to submit a BBB complaint which came back that if it was a hardware issue I am still covered under apple warranty. So I went to an Apple Store, was told to buy an external webcam and basically that my thoughts were invalid.
On my way home I called customer service, who then helped me update my computer which did nothing. He walked me through a few things and said that if they wouldn't work they would accelerate the issue. So the issue did get accelerate to the highest position in customer service who then reached out to engineers. They also said they could not resolve the issue. So the customer service representative offered to purchase a webcam. Apple doesn't sell webcams!! She was surprised when she noticed the incongruence.
The intel based 2020 vs the m1 MacBooks webcam images look completely different despite having the same camera. After being told there was nothing they could do, I called Amazon who I bought the computer through.
Luckily there is one loophole with Amazon, if the manufacturer doesn't honor their warranty Amazon will refund 100% of the costs of the item you purchased. I have bought an M1 MacBook Pro and replaced my i5 MacBook Air and the webcam images are a night and day difference. Apple customer service were sweet over the phone, but not helpful. Amazon really was helpful, generous, and I will never purchase anything directly from Apple again.
@tim_cook 1/2 T#0019 Today I step out of my teens! But my MBA 2020 M1 continues to be a laggard with blurry grainy camera. I understand in the Apple community that this grave matter is still eluding you with Zero resolution. How tough to believe why Apple gave commercial sign off for its
2/2 production. I’m aghast at the quality process & controls at Apple, how did M1 get a commercial sign off? Seriously are you aware or is it just a time pass testing the customers patience? May I ask you again to recall and replace my MBA? Or does it go under the hammer. Help me Tim
This will most likely never be repaired to anyone's satisfaction. The camera hardware is very poor quality. I recently purchased a Logitech 920s and I'm very happy with it. I sure do wish I could have used the integrated camera, though. While the 920s is an awesome webcam, I'm not crazy about having to use an external one.
Grainy Image on MacBook Air 2020
