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iPad Air screen uniformity problem and photos to illustrate

This post is about a well discussed issue regarding the screen uniformity problem of the iPad Air. Below are some existing discussions:


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5520922

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5515024

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1665549

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1665350


The main issues associated with the screens are:


1) Darker vertical bar down the left edge (when holding in portrait), and/or a darker vertical bar about one inch into the screen from the left edge


2) Difference in color on the two sides of the screen. Warmer (more yellowish) left side and cooler (more blueish) right side.


There have been a number of photos posted by users of the iPad Air's screen to illustrate the problem. Many of them confirm the above two issues.


The issue seems to associate with the majority of batches of the iPad Air that are currently available. Users who report the problem are from different countries. Many users reported that the issue was persistent after a number of exchanges. There are also reports that the majority of display units at Apple Stores also have the same problem.


I personally bought an iPad Air in Australia on launch day. Noticed the screen issue fairly quickly after unboxing. The left side was more yellowish, and darker than the right side. I asked for a replacement on the same day. The second unit, unfortunately also had the same problem. The left side was warmer. It was fairly obvious when using the split keyboard (the left half is warmer than the right half of the keyboard, when held in portraint). When viewing a web page with white background, it is sometimes very obvious that the left side is different from the right side. Later I also noticed that there was a darker stripe down the left (slightly away from the left edge). There were also darker horizontal lines across. The horizontal lines were fairly minor but occasionally noticeable during normal use.


I asked again for a replacement. Sadly the replacement has more or less the same problem.


At the end of the post are some pictures that illustrate the problem. I took photos of my second and third units in a dark room using a DSLR camera. Pure white pictures were displayed with brightness maxed out. It was immediately apparent from my camera screen (and from the viewfinder) that there was a darker stripe on the left. Increase the contrast in Photoshop it is even more obvious. As for color shifts, I max out saturation in Photoshop and the result confirms what I, and many others see in daily use.


We should acknowledge that it's impossible to make a perfectly uniform screen. However the unevenness should not show up in daily use either. I myself often get distracted by the uniformity issue when using Safari to browse white-background web pages. This is not an isolated case and has been reported by many others. I hope Apple can rectify this. After all, I bought an Apple product partly because of the generally superior and more accurate screens compared to others, and most importantly Apple is a company about perfection.


My second unit, increased contrast:

User uploaded file

My second unit, increased saturation:

User uploaded file

My third unit, increased contrast:

User uploaded file

My third unit, increased saturation:

User uploaded file

iOS 7.0.3

Posted on Nov 4, 2013 7:37 PM

Reply
35 replies

Nov 6, 2013 11:34 PM in response to stanleyguan

I have already notice this since iPad 2, I thought it's a common issue out there. I'm having this thought is because since Apple annouce iPad 2 with Smart Cover, which is using a strong magnet inside iPad body. As we all know that strong magnet will affect many electronic components and that's the main reason why the color inbalance obviously at the left side. Usually the inbalance will only becoming obvious after a long period.


Unless Apple decide to replace the magnet machanism with other technology or improve the panel, I already deal with this issue since iPad 2..

Nov 7, 2013 4:35 AM in response to stanleyguan

Same issue here in Singapore, bought 64GB white version from online store. Obvious yellow tint on the whole left side. The right side turns out to be more reddish comparing to my iPhone 5. Just called apple and they arrange a pickup next Monday. They said full refund would be issued but need wait 7 to 10 days :( really frustrating with this problem. Will keep my smart cover and wait until the problem being solved to buy a new one.

Nov 7, 2013 4:45 AM in response to stanleyguan

Same here. Blue/yellow tint at the top of the screen, Wifi 16gig grey iPad air. If you are on a website with white background, text at the bottom is crisp black on white, when you scroll the same paragraph to the top of the screen, the background appears a "muddy" version of white. More yellow than anything. Vice versa if you turn the device round so the home button is at the top. Deffo a problem with the top portion of the display.


Off to Apple store this weekend to get a 2nd opinion & see what can be done.


Edit: I have compared the screen to an iPad 4, although the 4 display is overall more "yellow", its far more uniform in its colors than the Air. Which is a shame because the bottom, non-defective portion of the Airs screen is incredible, blows the iPad 4 away.

Nov 7, 2013 6:54 AM in response to stanleyguan

Same issue here. Yellow and darker on the left side and blueish on right side when held in portrait. 32GB Space Gray wifi with DMPL serial. Does seem to evolve and even out somewhat with device temperature and time but may only be me getting used to it.

It's a shame because apart from this backlight issue visible on white backgrounds (unfortunately pretty much everywhere in iOS 7) the LCD itself is very good.

Nov 8, 2013 11:28 PM in response to stanleyguan

I bought mine in Germany. 32GB + 4G. Same Problem here. Also recognized it right after unboxing. My asumption is that at least for the problem of the darker and other tint left side the magnet for the smartcover is responsible. So most probably all iPad Airs have this issue. It is just not as severe on evere single unit. It seems to be a product design mistake of apple, I do not think it is the screen itself. It is very unlikely that all LG screens have exactly the same issue on exactly the same spot.

Nov 9, 2013 1:28 PM in response to stanleyguan

(Posted this on other threads)


I am now on my 4th iPad air. It seems to be a widespread production problem. I got my replacements from 3 different locations just to be sure it wasn't a single bad batch (In the inland empire, California) Most of the screen is pinkish white with a strip of yellow going across the middle/bottom area when holding it in portrait mode. I am unable to get a refund at this point so I plan on selling it and getting an ipad mini retina. Apple corporate executive relations offices did everything they could to help me out and they earned a customer for life because of their kindness, the apple store did as well, as did target. This is out of their hands until the screen suppliers fix the problem. If you can live with it and not be frustrated every time you pick up the device then keep it. Otherwise get a refund till they fix the problem. If you keep returning them you will most likely end up with the same problem but in a different area of the screen. The genius said that they consider it within spec. Which is a round about way of saying we see the issue but our hands are tied until apple acknowledges the issue, I could see it in his expression that he saw it on the newest replacement.


I have refresh rate issues with my iPhone 5c, got a few replacements for that as we'll. Out of 4 devices one was free of the issue but had extra light leakage in the top left corner. I wish I could have that device back because it's a better trade off than the refresh problems the current replacement has. My daughters new 5c is flawless, my moms 5s has the same issue my 5c has.


Basically what we all may be experiencing are the perils of being an early adopter. I agree that it should not be the case, but that doesn't change the fact that it seems to be. I love apple and am unwilling to go back over to the dark side (android), but I really hope they resolve this so that I don't have to be afraid of buying a new version of their products. What do you guys think? That's just my personal point of view. I may be wrong.

iPad Air screen uniformity problem and photos to illustrate

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