Very grainy 2018 macbook air facetime camera

I have the same exact problem. I bought my MacBook Air on Sunday. I tried resolving the issue over the phone with Apple but they couldn’t do anything. Now I’m going back to Apple store next week to see if they can fix it. It’s very disappointing.

It’s not normal. The person helping me today at the Apple genius bar agreed that it’s a software problem. He filed a service request for a software update to fix it. The more people complain about it and get them to file service requests the more chance we had to get it taken care of.

Let's all band together with similar language to get this resolved. I have 10 years of experience in crafting messages for the government. Let's make common talking points and all call two times per week over the next two months with identical concerns. Additionally, we should contact the board of directors, advertisers, and investors.

Go big.

Mike

Apple deleted my previous posts but I'll write it again:

I had the same problem. Tech Support asked me to try "solutions" (clean the camera, try new user, check utilities, etc.) nothing worked. They told me that it may be a software problem that would be fixed in the next upgrade. BUT afterwards they admitted that it's a hardware issue and that this model was "designed" to only perform in good quality under very bright environments. Their suggestion was to use the camera in a room with lots of natural light. I live in Germany, we don't have lots of bright sunlight most of the year. Absurd!

Today I went to the apple store and the manager said that the camera is the same as previous models, but the image looks bad because the new screen is soo good that we can see more details /defects now. "What do you want us to do?" - he asked- I suggested that the least apple should do is to provide us with an external -better quality- webcam. He told me to go next door to an electronics' store and buy an external camera by myself, or buy one in amazon. Unbelievable!

I said then apple shouldn't put in their publicity the sharp FaceTime example image (see below), because that is fake publicity. And you won't believe what he said: "it's a publicity image! of course is not real [...] everyone does it: mac donalds, coca cola, everyone!".

I'm speechless and extremely disappointed of Apple. It's seems they are trying to hide the issue as long as possible instead of admitting that they made a big mistake this time. Please complain in the official feedback site because they don't take this forums as an official complaint: https://www.apple.com/feedback/

Depending on where you bought the product, an Apple computer has good return policy

if purchased through official Apple store, or official online store. ~ Within 14-days.

Be sure to contact Apple (or authorized Apple reseller/ or service) for other issues;

an initial Apple warranty, if haven't 14-day option; still could be a serviceable repair.

• Apple - Find Locations

https://locate.apple.com/

• Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

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

This topic added on older topic thread, could've been start of new one.

Same problem here. Obviously not a dirty lens on a brand new laptop.

Here is pic from 2013 Air:

And here is one from 2018 Air:

MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)

I went to the Apple Store in Birmingham today. They said, "All models look the same. So, it's okay."

No. This isn't okay!

I was researching a little bit in the International Consumer Protection:

https://www.icpen.org/resolve-dispute#cross-border-disputes

I think this needs to be taken outside of apple because they are simply giving different excuses about the problem. The last excuse from a store manager in Berlin, was that basically it's my fault for believing in fake advertising from apple and for not doing my research before buying.

In the meantime we can complain in the official apple feedback site although I doubt this helps: https://www.apple.com/feedback/

I have just come from the Apple store in London where they have replaced my entire screen and upper half of the laptop. The issue still remains, and me and the Apple store guy compared the cameras on all of the MacBook Airs in store, and it turns out they all have really grainy camera quality (even when checked with the Quicktime camera, which is meant to be the highest quality).

He was convinced that this was a software issue, and needs to be fixed with an update from Apple. He submitted the feedback to Apple on his end, and recommended me to submit my feedback here: https://www.apple.com/feedback/

I'd encourage everyone here to give their feedback here so that this can get resolved quickly https://www.apple.com/feedback/

I bought 2018 MacBook Air a couple of days ago, and having the exact same problem. I am currently using 2014 MacBook Air as well, so I could compare the quality of their cameras next to each other. The old Mac captures much better, sharper pictures.

You can see how unhappy I am in the bottom picture, which is to my great disappointment, taken by the newest MacBook Air.

(The top one is taken by 2014 Mac Air)

I just did a comparison between my new macbook air 2018 and my macbook air early 2014. it's actually pretty sad that this is the case. going to likely return this machine, if this indeed is a hardware issue.

pics were taken side by side, same time, same lighting

macbook air 2018

macbook air early 2014

It's utterly bad and Apple is ignoring it and deleting critical posts. Someone stuffed up supply chain QC and this thing got produced in millions and now WE are stuck with this piece of rubbish. Facetime cameras are being used inside with room lighting. It's a major design fail when the picture is worse than a 2005 Nokia GSM phone. I really need this fixed PLEASE!

Just a warning, MacBook Pros have the SAME issue. Upgrading to MacBook Pro does not fix this issue! Because they have the same crappy camera. Here's a screenshot from my 2019 MacBook Pro in bright indoor light. I paid about $4k for top of the line specs, only to find out it has a hideously grainy camera. Totally unusable. I'll have to buy a separate webcam (which of course will have to plug into my separate USB adapter).

unbelievable worst camera experience, I don't have face to face classes because of Covid 2019, so i had to recored myself for a presentation , when i turn on the camera I was like What, I was shocked , Macbook Air 2018 has the worst camera ever, Iphone 3gs camera was better than this. Apple please fix it. what about those who have daily video conferences. :(