iPad Air has serious display issue

Question

Level 1

13 points

iPad Air has serious display issue

Got iPad Air on Nov.1 and found some serious display issue. As shown below, Area A, B, D seemed to be darker than other areas. This problem was so obvious that the apple store staff replaced it with another new ipad immediately. But the problem remains. Area A and B was less obvious this time but Area C was brighter (backlight is there. this situation happened a lot on cellphone screens like NOKIA ones back in 2006!!!) while Area D was darker.

After checking several samples in the store, I found this was a common issue. A lot of users in China complain about the same problem.

I returned the iPad for now. Hope that Apple could explain why this happens and solve this issue ASAP. I really like this product...

Posted on Nov 3, 2013 9:13 AM

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Answer 1

Diavonex

Level 9

67,217 points

Nov 3, 2013 9:17 AM in response to jerrymc2

You should try it with a solid blue, green and red screen rather than the Home screen.

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Answer 2

Nov 3, 2013 10:03 AM in response to jerrymc2

My iPad air had the exact same issue in the same areas you mentioned. I returned it and my second one also has the issue. I will be returning this second one as well.

Some have it far worse than others. My second unit was better but stil had the display issues.

My advice would be to return the iPad air and wait a few months if possible until apple fixxes this issue or open yours in store to ensure you like what you see first before leaving.

Make sure you check the edges and rotate the ipad to see the side dark cast move around. Check it on white (use the photos app for an almost white screen and backgrounds, etc).

Of course if you are not using the iPad air for any kind of serious photo work or dont mind the slight display problems (some are better than others) the ipad air itself works fine.

Sad to see this though. My old iPad 2 has no issues with the display.

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Answer 3

Nov 3, 2013 12:11 PM in response to jerrymc2

Not normal. Take it to an Apple Store for evaluation.

Make a Genius Bar Reservation

http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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Answer 4

jerrymc2 Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 3, 2013 7:12 PM in response to Diavonex

this picture is just downloaded for me to show where were darker. I figured out this issue while i was looking at the pure white background.

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Answer 5

jerrymc2 Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 3, 2013 7:16 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

i did. the genius told me he actually saw nothing abnormal. "All I see is a gorgous screen." that's what he said. While i tilted the screen to make the darker area more obvious for him to see, he argued "you know, you're not suppose to watch your screen from the angle." anyway, another apple staff told me to wait for a while till next circle of ipads come.

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Answer 6

jerrymc2 Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 3, 2013 7:16 PM in response to Glenn Moller

we have to wait. so sad...

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Answer 7

finepiks

Level 1

49 points

Nov 4, 2013 3:13 AM in response to jerrymc2

There are several threads regarding this issue, wondering if only certain production batches are affected. I got mine on Friday 1st in Hong Kong and no issues whatsoever! I'm tethered nicely to my iPhone, have normal screen and normal wifi connection speeds! Guess I'm the lucky one!

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Answer 8

jerrymc2 Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 4, 2013 10:37 AM in response to finepiks

another guy got his ipad air from HK, too. he said his ipad had no such issue. you had good luck!

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Answer 9

terry3

Level 1

4 points

Nov 4, 2013 12:08 PM in response to jerrymc2

I received my ipad air cellular + wifi today and it's absolutely fine. Already had ipad air wifi that is fine also. Both bought from general stores and no problems ( Not apple store ).

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Answer 10

ryacar

Level 1

9 points

Nov 4, 2013 12:27 PM in response to jerrymc2

I'm having the same issue, although mine seems to be dark only on the left side. Got mine on Nov. 1st as we'll.

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Answer 11

Nov 5, 2013 3:06 AM in response to jerrymc2

I got a 16 gb wifi on opening day and a 32 gb at the apple store. No issues with the screen at all. What color are the iPads that people are having issues with? Mine were both space grey. I'm willing to be the bad ones were white.

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Answer 12

Wow lol

Level 1

0 points

Nov 5, 2013 3:43 PM in response to jerrymc2

I was in the apple store 10 minutes ago. They just refused to solve the problem and said we can't see any difference...... Mine is 32G grey

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Answer 13

SergZak

Level 6

10,338 points

Nov 5, 2013 7:24 PM in response to jerrymc2

I thought this article (linked below) was very interesting in light of this iPad Air display issue.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57610983-37/fewer-leds-mean-leaner-ipad-air-re searcher-says/

Note that the number of backlight LEDs has been reduced in the Air. Previous gen devices used 84 individual LEDs while the Air uses only 36. That's quite a significant drop (less than 1/2 the number of LEDs in previous gen devices).

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Answer 14

Nov 7, 2013 1:54 AM in response to jerrymc2

I'm seeing this as well now in mine which I also purchased on Nov 1st. I originally came across this post as I was wondering if anyone else had issues with the sharp edges digging into their hands. This iPad is superb in so many ways, but the quality control may have been out to lunch.

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Answer 15

Bmw328i

Level 1

0 points

Nov 14, 2013 3:44 PM in response to jerrymc2

Hi,

Be careful, I change mine 3 times. The first two was for 3 dead pixels and this one seems to have this issue.

I will wait another 6 month before change it.

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