Macbook Pro 2024 Screen Crack. Advice!

Question

Macbook Pro 2024 Screen Crack. Advice!

Macbook Pro 2024 M4 16" (A3403) Screen Crack.

I have a less than 5 month old MBP with a cracked screen that has arose from no known physical damage of my own doing. The laptop was stored away and on opening up after a number of days lines appeared along the bottom and up the left of the screen, eventually with the screen blurring over and largely blacking out (as per picture).

This looks to be a result of normal usage or unacceptable brittleness from what is a premium product.

Apple have stated in-store that this is accidental damage due to a "visible contact point" however I have seen multiple examples of cracks coming from screen corners due to low tolerances on open/closure of the lid. In hindsight having applecare+ would have been purchased within the 60 days of owning and the repair would be £79 over the quoted £830 to replace the screen by Apple. Additionally as the 1 year warranty doesn't cover 'accidental damage' my options seem to be limited to paying an expensive repair that I am not confident won't reoccur on this particular model/screen.

Anyone have similar experiences with these 16" screens? Any second opinions would be great.

Thanks!

Mark

MacBook Pro (M4, 2024)

Posted on Feb 4, 2026 1:00 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 4, 2026 1:36 PM in response to Mark Scrymgeour

if you bought AppleCare PLUS, screen replacement is covered for the deductible (roughly the cost of labor) about US$100.

Apple warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for the one year warranty period, and cracked screens are not considered defective -- they made it halfway around the world from the Far East to you and survived for months afterwards, so, not defective.

Apple is NOT willing to even discuss whose fault are those cracks. Apple employees have no latitude to go against policy. Pressing that issue will only force the employees to be mean to you.

if no AppleCare PLUS, a replacement screen in that 16-in size has been running around US$800.

But you saved about US$350 by not buying AppleCare so the incremental cost is closer to 450.

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Answer 2

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,566 points

Feb 4, 2026 5:41 PM in response to Mark Scrymgeour

Mark Scrymgeour wrote:

Perhaps I just got unfortunate and have to take some lessons from this .. make sure I've got applecare+ on any future devices... And proceed with extreme caution whilst in use.. for what should be a portable device :)

A major disappointment for sure. I hate hearing things like this.

You can submit your Apple Feedback about their Product here: Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 3

Feb 4, 2026 2:43 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant,

Thanks for your response, appreciated!

I understand your points around the warranty and the device not being seen as defective with travel.

My main issue is around the fragility of the screen on what I see as totally standard usage. I've had previous MBPs that have lasted +10 years with zero issues and are very durable. Is it acceptable that the screen is seemingly so fragile to the most miniscule of objects getting between the glass and keyboard seemingly cracking the display? Surely there is an element that the glass should be of adequate protection for a premium device and some better protection for the consumer. Maybe my case is far less common than I think and I've genuinely been clumsy - it just makes me wary of repairing and it happening again for certain. I can see how the staff on inspection can only go on the guidance so I wasn't overly challenging (its the hope that kills ya!)

I do feel my repair options are limited - I've checked home insurance and have no specific 'accidental damage' in this case (comes with an excess even if it was covered). Reality is a repair via apple then take out the applecare+ once they have replaced the screen to cover future reoccurrence and it will last another 5+ years at least.

Perhaps I just got unfortunate and have to take some lessons from this .. make sure I've got applecare+ on any future devices... And proceed with extreme caution whilst in use.. for what should be a portable device :)

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