Excessive screen smudging: is it just iPad Pro?

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Level 1

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Excessive screen smudging: is it just iPad Pro?

Is it normal for iPad screens to become very dirty after just a little use? Is it normal to see the fingerprints as faint grey marks when the screen is on? Or is it possible the following describes a defect on the iPad I had?

I bought a refurbished iPad Pro 10.5 earlier this week, and during the first day I noticed it developing extensive smudging over the screen after only very brief use. It wasn't just fingerprints that show up under a strong light, but it left a residue that was visible all over the screen when in use: when using an app with a white background—which is most of the time—I could see a faint grey patchwork all over where my fingers had been. This is after about 20 minutes. My phone occasionally needs cleaning, but I've never seen extensive visually evident marking like this on a mobile device. I have initiated a return, and am debating whether to try another, but I need more information if anyone could offer it.

iPad Pro Wi-Fi, iOS 11.2.5

Posted on Feb 3, 2018 8:32 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MichelPM

Level 10

81,535 points

Feb 3, 2018 2:00 PM in response to k.burns

IPad screens smudge.

There is nothing you can do about that!

Been like this since the very first IPad in 2010.

iPhone and iPod Touch screens build up fingerprints and smudges, too!

It's just such a smaller and easier screen to clean that the fingerprints and smudges aren't seen as such a big issue.

The oleophobic coating that Apple has been using on iPads and iPhones for years really doesn’t do much to negate fingerprints/finger smudges.

If you have more oily skin, then the fingerprints will be worse and more abundant.

You are going to notice this more an larger screen iPads.

It is what it is.

Purchase a bigger set of microfiber cloth for use with iPads.

I just a use hot or warm water microfiber cloth wrung out to be just damp and a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the IPad screen dry.

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Answer 2

y_p_w

Level 6

17,762 points

Feb 5, 2018 5:37 PM in response to k.burns

I've heard that the antireflective coating makes fingerprints and smudges seem worse than other iOS devices, where the reflections might mask them a bit. I've got various items (especially eyeglasses and sunglasses) with an AR coat, and fingerprints are really easy to spot.

Also the iPad Pro was also designed around using the Apple Pencil. I guess the visibility of smudges wasn't that much of a concern.

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Answer 3

howarduns

Level 2

475 points

Feb 5, 2018 4:43 PM in response to k.burns

1 option is to use a stylus.

Howard

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Answer 4

k.burns Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 5, 2018 4:37 PM in response to MichelPM

Thanks for your reply. I understand what you're saying, I know it's normal for touch devices to get fingerprints. It's hard for me to describe the specific experience I had, but I'll try to reiterate it: the smudging was surprisingly visible when the screen was on, these feint grey blobs all over websites and documents, apps... My phone gets smudging and fingerprints, that's normal, but I don't see it when using it, apart from an occasional slick residue, and every phone I've ever seen gets that.

Maybe I'm wrong, but the visibility of it all on the iPad Pro I bought just looked different, it was noticeably darker. I thought the smudging was more severe than what I've seen before. I guess that's my real question, not whether it's normal for these markings to happen - it is - but if the iPad Pro is worse for it.

Anyhow, thanks again for taking the time.

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Excessive screen smudging: is it just iPad Pro?

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