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waquzy

macrumors 68000
Sep 9, 2013
1,579
2,409
Leicestershire, UK
This has happened once before, where Apple later pushed a software update that allowed higher screen brightness. Can't remember more than that. For the purposes of validation of results, I'd advice people testing to disable True Tone, automatic brightness and dimming on battery power when making their tests, to rule out any factors relating to changees in setting behaviour.

It happend last year with the MacBook Air. Apple released a software fix that increased the brightness from 300 nits to 400.
 

Pepe4life

Suspended
Nov 15, 2018
396
3,417
It happend last year with the MacBook Air. Apple released a software fix that increased the brightness from 300 nits to 400.
While this is true, I’m not sure if I want to gamble on this possibility as I will have no way of returning this $3000 laptop with dim screen after the return period expires
 
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bevsb2

Contributor
Nov 23, 2012
4,972
15,068
While this is true, I’m not sure if I want to gamble on this possibility as I will have no way of returning this $3000 laptop with dim screen after the return period expires

I agree. If you are unhappy with the screen, return it now during the "no questions asked period". There is no guarantee that it can/will be fixed and after Jan 8 you are out of luck. I'm not returning mine because of a screen that is not quite as bright as the screen on my 2018 model because I'm happy with the screen as is. I'm more concerned about the cracking sound in the speakers that I may return mine for.
 

Checksix2x

macrumors member
Oct 7, 2015
52
67
Hmm.

Sounds like it’s still a good time to stay on the sidelines while they iron things out for a few months.
Here's what I see -

On the left is a 2018MBP and on the right is the 16" MBP fresh out of the box.

First pic is with True Tone on and the 2nd set is with True Tone off. Pics were taken on an iPhone Pro Max. Considerable difference, but in my case, unless there's some other issue, I'll keep mine.
 

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teerexx52

macrumors 68020
May 1, 2005
2,072
173
Florida West Coast
I got 16"MBP base model today. Set it up next to my 2018 13" MBP. No True Tone on. I can see no difference in the screens brightness. This is with brightness set 3 clicks down from max on both units. Screen is just great as far as I am concerned.
 
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yachtmac

macrumors member
Apr 30, 2010
46
26
If its not 500 nits I can't tell. What I do know is that I never have it at 100% brightness and its fine for me. I guess if you are outside it may be noticeable.
What I have noticed is that the automatic setting sometimes dims it too far and I have to nudge it up a little so I set it manually now.
 

esaelias187

macrumors regular
Jul 25, 2017
232
132
seen a few ones in store and also my mate has one, I have now cancelled my order as it is indeed around 400 nits and to those who cannot tell the difference I am abit shocked but I can easily tell.
 
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ascender

macrumors 603
Dec 8, 2005
5,022
2,898
Sitting here on battery, not on mains, I've whacked the screen brightness up to maximum and it makes my eyes hurt ?

I've no idea how many nits it is, but can't see how much brighter it could be and in what circumstances that could possibly be helpful. Landing light for planes maybe?

If you're not happy, return it in the 14 days, otherwise it starts to get messy if you keep it past that date.
 
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sebpettersson

macrumors newbie
Sep 5, 2019
25
23
I've no idea how many nits it is, but can't see how much brighter it could be and in what circumstances that could possibly be helpful. Landing light for planes maybe?

For outdoor use for example. My 2013 rMBP is pretty much unusable outdoors during summer, and I think it's around 300 nits. 500 nits would probably make it usable (tough 1000+ nits is recommended for screens to be useable in direct sunlight), so high brightness is a selling point for me.
 
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Marzel

macrumors 6502
Sep 12, 2018
258
563
seen a few ones in store and also my mate has one, I have now cancelled my order as it is indeed around 400 nits and to those who cannot tell the difference I am abit shocked but I can easily tell.
The previous models were already quite dim for me (at least compared to iPhone or iPad). Sometimes you have to use the device outdoors and I had problems in the past, especially during the summer. Obviously, indoors it's not such an issue although some people do like their screens really bright.
 
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ascender

macrumors 603
Dec 8, 2005
5,022
2,898
For outdoor use for example. My 2013 rMBP is pretty much unusable outdoors during summer, and I think it's around 300 nits. 500 nits would probably make it usable (tough 1000+ nits is recommended for screens to be useable in direct sunlight), so high brightness is a selling point for me.

Ah ok...

This summer was rubbish by even our low standards, but I was using a 2018 13" MBP outside quite a lot last year on bright sunny days, so I'm hoping this screen will be at least as good as that one if not better.
 

leman

macrumors Core
Oct 14, 2008
19,530
19,703
I also have the impression that my 16" is a slightly duller monitor than the 15". Unfortunately, I don't have a tool to measure it. Still, it is a very pleasant screen and it actually looks better than my 2018 MBP (probably because I really should clean it :D)
 

sebpettersson

macrumors newbie
Sep 5, 2019
25
23
Ah ok...

This summer was rubbish by even our low standards, but I was using a 2018 13" MBP outside quite a lot last year on bright sunny days, so I'm hoping this screen will be at least as good as that one if not better.

That's the thing, I've seen posters that said that their older Macbooks are brighter than the 16".

As for your model, this review of the 2018 13" MBP claims that their sample reaches 514 nits which probably would be a noticeable step up from ~420 nits.
 
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Ma2k5

macrumors 68030
Dec 21, 2012
2,566
2,540
London
I’m tempted to do a return (unopened) and A BTO order in the hope screen/speaker issues are less likely to be present. Am I being mad?
 

Velin

macrumors 68020
Jul 23, 2008
2,119
2,189
Hearst Castle
Just got my 16" Pro, brightness and screen appear good to me. Maybe if Apple, via software tweek, could up the nits just a bit, it'd make a few people happy. But with trutone off, and the screen maxed, it's pretty darn bright. Great screen, great keyboard, excellent machine.
 

Sanpete

macrumors 68040
Nov 17, 2016
3,695
1,665
Utah
Here's what I see -

On the left is a 2018MBP and on the right is the 16" MBP fresh out of the box.

First pic is with True Tone on and the 2nd set is with True Tone off. Pics were taken on an iPhone Pro Max. Considerable difference, but in my case, unless there's some other issue, I'll keep mine.
The color balance looks different to me. Might look closer if the color were the same.
 

RyanXM

macrumors 6502a
Jul 7, 2012
544
575
DFW, TX
Has anyone tried setting Automatically Adjust Brightness to ON and shining a flashlight at the camera to see if the screen gets closer to 500 nits?
 

matram

macrumors 6502a
Sep 18, 2011
781
416
Sweden
I have measured the maximum brightness of my new 16" with an X-rite i1Display colorimeter.

I get 320 nits.

For me that is fully OK as I calibrate my screen for 100 nits (cd/m2) luminance for photo work.
 

Ma2k5

macrumors 68030
Dec 21, 2012
2,566
2,540
London
I have measured the maximum brightness of my new 16" with an X-rite i1Display colorimeter.

I get 320 nits.

For me that is fully OK as I calibrate my screen for 100 nits (cd/m2) luminance for photo work.

That is not okay, you wouldn’t be happy if 4GB of your RAM was missing or two of your CPU cores stoppped working just because your workflow isn’t affected by it - you paid for a 500 nit screen...
 
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matram

macrumors 6502a
Sep 18, 2011
781
416
Sweden
For the photography work I do I calibrate the screen for 100 nits. For development I tend to be about 50% brightness which is about 100 - 120 nits. Why would I want to work at maximum brightness for these applications?
 
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