Very grainy 2018 macbook air facetime camera

Well, after exchanging computers now 4x i have given up. I decided to exchange the new air for the base macbook pro only to see that the keyboard is second gen and any dust particle clogs the keys so apple would need to replace the whole top layer. Apparently this happened so much that apple brought out the third gen keyboard w a silicone cover in the keys so the they wouldnt stick and actually work. Additionally, bc it came out in 2017 its been sitting in stores w a dead battery for the equal amount of time which has caused it to to be very slow somehow and glitchy. Not to mention it comes with os sierra so youll have to upgrade to high sierra and then mojave. after 2 changes one where it didnt power on at all in the store while plugged in, i decided that id rather a newer computer 2018 w a working keyboard. So as crapy as the camera quality is which is VERY crapy (alrhough the macbook pro isnt any better really) Im stuck w the new macbook air. Only other option is macbook pro w touch bar and for pros i get it but for school and work, im not willing to pay 1,800$. Unfortunately this has been a disappointment considering that after all they r apple, who are supposed to have top of the line products.

That looks like as Apple has decided to lower the camera light sensitivity, and the 2018 needs more light so try it with more light.

Or use Chrome or Firefox (not Safari) browser and test your camera at https://webcamtests.com/

This feels completely unacceptable - like many others I use my laptop for virtual meetings and calls all the time, and was part of the reason why I updated my laptop to a 2018 MacBook Air. I can't believe they've released models that have such poor Facetime HD camera quality. Will go to the Apple store to see if they can do something.

Has anyone received any clarification on this issue? I'm concerned about the quality of my work video calls - to whomever I'm speaking to it looks like I'm calling them from a PC with a WebCam ca 2003. Not great!

I got 4 different replies from 4 different apple employees_

Version 1 from apple support: It's a bug but it will be fixed in the next update

Version 2 from a apple technician in a higher "status": It's a hardware issue, apple designed the computer on purpose with this horrible camera, Supposedly because is more sensitive to light and it should work properly if you are in a VERY bright environment with tons of natural light.

Version 3 from an apple store staff: It's a hardware issue, they admit the camera is very bad, nothing to do about it

Version 4 from an arrogant apple store manager: I'm stupid for buying that computer without checking reviews about the camera. It's our fault.

My conclusion is that apple somehow made the very stupid decision to lower the quality of the camera and advertise it as "HD". This is fake advertisement and they don't want to respond to it. No one is offering a solution.

Very disappointed with apple for the very first time. using apple air 2013 and pro 2016 works brilliantly. Bought Air last week. facetime camera is very grainy.

Apple you will get device back tomorrow.

Thank you!

I don't think it can be updated. IN the apple store they told me I could probably have the whole upper part of the computer (screen and cam) replaced for an old one. Obviously paying for it. It's a hardware issue and apple is just silent about it. The problem is the camera itself and I know how you feel because I also use the camera a lot for work and it's embarrassing!

Since apple didn't help in the meantime I'll buy an external camera but apple should be accountable for this!

I'm currently experiencing the same issue. I had the old Macbook Air then recently upgraded to the 2018 Macbook Air and I am shocked as to how bad the camera quality is. I contacted Apple's customer care via live chat and they said that the product I bought was defected. I brought it into the store today and I exchanged my Macbook for a new one. I opened the box and tried out the camera at the Apple store and it was fine, but when I sat in the food court of the mall, the camera was still very grainy. I'm CONVINCED all 2018 Macbook Airs have crappy camera quality in LOW LIGHT.

elinetrish: If you are still on time to return the computer, do it. The camera itself is the problem, it's a hardware problem and it's not defective, Apple "designed" it this way with a crappy camera. Apple will only give you different excuses (they will tell you is a software issue, then they will tell you that you have to use the camera with very bright lights, then they will probably even suggest to change the computer for a new one)... they are just buying time so that you are too late to give the computer back.

You have no idea how many apple staff I talked to, the different excuses they told me, and at the end they even blamed me for not doing my research before buying the computer, that I should have researched that the camera of this model was bad.

Apple is avoiding responsibility for this issue and they are even deleting posts in this forum from customers that already know the truth about this. Probably this post will get deleted as well in some days. My suggestion: return the computer and get your money back.

Apple knows about this issue, they know is their fault and they just give you temporary excuses to make you loose time until is too late to return the computer. I use apple since 1999 and I've trusted the company for many years until now. They lost all my trust and respect for the brand.

Return the computer while you can. It's a hardware issue but they won't tell you until you really make pressure on them. It took me several phone calls until a technician accepted that the computer's camera is actually crappy but it was designed this way and there's not much to do.

I bought a MacBook Air with retina display too just to find out that the camera is just awful, my iMac has the same HD FaceTime camera and the image is crisp and sharp, I don't know if it might be a software issue, I test the camera on Skype and it seems to be much better, I believe it maybe something wrong with the algorithm onto the OS. lets see if apple does something in regards this issue that's not right to give false advertising, I can just sue them for that and get some money, I payed premium for this machine to have a creepy false advertising. lets keep pushing for a fix

i just bought a MacBook air (retina, 13”, 2018 model) and i have to say the camera quality is by far worse than i have ever experienced. The picture is extremely grainy and the product is worst experience I’ve had. For the same price would have gotten something so much better than this.

I have the same issue.After buying a costly laptop and you'll get a poor quality camera in return.Thats something I didn't expect from the apple.The camera quality reminds me of my mp4 camera that I have almost 10 years ago.

Very upset to say I have the same problem. I teach classes online, so I was shocked and unpleasantly startled when I began class with my video camera only to find that my image looked completely grainy and pixelated, similar to what others have experienced on this forum. I was using 2013 and 2015 Macbook Airs before purchasing the 2018 Macbook Air. The quality of the camera on those older models is noticeably better as confirmed in side-by-side comparisons, even though the camera on the 2018 model is supposedly still the 720p.