iPad Pro M1 screen

Slight inconsistencies in backlighting, most often seen when viewing a bright “flat-white” screen, are not uncommon. Very often, tiny inconsistencies in the screen backlight are a manufacturing artefact. If only affecting a small area, I wouldn’t be overly concerned; if the the slightly brighter spot becomes more pronounced, or spreads, then you might wish to have your iPad assessed by an Apple technician at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store.

Be advised that the technicians are not well known for finding fault with minor inconsistencies in iPad backlighting.

If the issue becomes more pronounced, then you might consider repair. The iPad screen is a single fully laminated component - and can only be changed as complete assembly. The screen is the single most expensive component of an iPad. An out-of-warranty repair by Apple will typically cost c.60% of the “as new” cost of the iPad:

iPad Repair - Official Apple Support

The issue that your photograph shows is atypical of side-lit backlights - as found in all models of iPad except the fifth generation (2021) iPad Pro 12.9”. This does not suggest that the problem is itself common, but where seen, is characteristic of a side-lit LCD backlight.

The 2021 iPad Pro 12.9” differs from other models in that the screen uses a miniLED backlight panel; instead of being side-lit, the miniLED backlight panel employs over 10,000 individual miniLEDs - in groups of 4 - providing in excess of 2,500 local dimming zones. Failure of an individual miniLED or dimming zone would be very unlikely to exhibit the symptom illustrated in your photo. You photographs might suggest that you have a different model of iPad Pro.

As mentioned earlier, yours is the very first report that I have seen concerning this issue with a 2021 iPad Pro 12.9” M1.

As for your Apple Pencil, these may have shorter service-life than your iPad - the usable lifetime generally being governed by how well the Pencil battery is maintained…

All rechargeable batteries, regardless of battery chemistry, require maintenance through periodic charging. In this regard, the battery within the Apple Pencil is no different to any other device that is powered by an internal battery.

Where the Apple Pencil differs from larger devices, such as iPad and iPhone, is the size of the battery. The Pencil Battery is tiny - and can hold only a tiny fraction of the total charge of much larger batteries. It is perhaps for this reason that the Pencil may appear to be more susceptible to battery failure than other devices. That said, be under no illusion that your larger devices, if left uncharged for long periods, can suffer the same consequence of battery failure.

The tiny internal Li-ion battery is susceptible to permanent/irreversible damage through being left discharged for long periods. Even some “new” pencils can exhibit signs of failure out-of-the-box if they are “old stock”. 

It is essential that if you have an Apple Pencil that you charge it regularly - whether used or not - so as to protect the battery from deep-discharge. Do not allow a pencil to remain in low-charge state for any period of time - as the internal battery will fail, rendering the Pencil useless. Setting aside an unused Pencil, for extended periods, is a recipe for premature death of the Pencil battery. If the Pencil Battery has failed, the only remedy is to replace the Pencil. 

Another common Pencil failure can be attributed to being dropped onto its tip - beneath which is the relatively fragile transducer that interacts with the iPad screen hardware. If the transducer is damaged, the Pencil may not function at all.

LotusPilot wrote:

If the issue becomes more pronounced, then you might consider repair. The iPad screen is a single fully laminated component - and can only be changed as complete assembly. The screen is the single most expensive component of an iPad. An out-of-warranty repair by Apple will typically cost c.60% of the “as new” cost of the iPad:

Of course Apple doesn't actually "repair" iPads to return to the customer. Everything they do is a complete replacement at a single price point unless it's a "battery service" where it's still a complete replacement.

As for aftermarket repairs, I've actually seen a few of varying quality. Some have been complete replacement of the front display (including home button), but obviously the home button won't work if it has a fingerprint sensor. I've actually seen a glass/digitizer only repair, and it was rather ugly. Whoever did it reused the home button, which wasn't aligned exactly. There were also marks. Apple would have likely just scrapped the whole thing except for the logic board since the case was heavily damaged and had to be sanded down. I do remember taking a busted iPad Mini 2 to an Apple Store, and when they told me how much to replace, I asked about aftermarket repair and was told "It's your device and your right to do whatever you want with it." or something to that effect.

As illustrated in your photo, slightly brighter and darker patches - visible against an even white background - may indicate a minor inconsistency in the backlight diffuser. Other than total screen replacement, there is no remedy.

Your additional description suggests a mechanical problem - caused through attempting to use your iPad supported at only one edge.

Given the relative weight of the iPad, gripping a single edge will create considerable mechanical stress to the edge of the screen. While the User Guide does not expressly advise against such use, it is perhaps inadvisable to attempt use in such a fashion.

You might better protect your iPad from user-induced mechanical stress by using a fitted case that incorporates a rigid polycarbonate back and frame.

LotusPilot wrote:

I’m quite aware of Apple’s repair process - but that wasn’t the question. Neither is TouchID of any relevance to an iPad that lacks both a Home button and TouchID sensor.

Sure. But there are a lot of people who won't pay Apple's prices for a complete replacement. Especially over something relatively minor like this. There are certainly other options if the OP doesn't want to pay those prices, but I'm just saying that the results can vary.

I would really just recommend to the OP to just live with it unless it gets worse.

You are very welcome.

Yours is the report of this issue, that I have seen, affecting an iPad Pro M1. For clarification, is your iPad an 11” or 12.9” iPad Pro M1?

I’m quite aware of Apple’s repair process - but that wasn’t the question. Neither is TouchID of any relevance to an iPad that lacks both a Home button and TouchID sensor.