Are MacBooks with Apple Silicon affected by "flexgate"?

[noeXzTi_]

In Internet there are mixed opinions about whether MacBooks with Apple Silicon chips that have the 2016 MacBook Pro exterior design (MacBook Air M1 and MacBook Pro 13" M1/M2) are affected by the fatigue present on the display flex cable due to opening and closing the lid, so I would like to ask here if anyone have experienced the famous "flexgate" issue on these models of MacBook.

If anyone is going to reply that Apple fixed the problem with 2018 MacBook Pro models, extending the flex cable 2mm didn't fix the issue (only delayed it at best).

 

[JMStearnsX2]

We have 40+ of these at work (the M1 versions, I work in the IT dept), and we've not had any issues with this so far.

 

[noeXzTi_]

We have 40+ of these at work (the M1 versions, I work in the IT dept), and we've not had any issues with this so far.

When did your workplace started to use the MacBooks? What model are they? (Air M1, Pro Touch Bar M1/M2)

 

[EastHillWill]

Well, as is usual with these things you're likely to only hear from folks with problems, and I don't think there are (m)any. I spend a lot of time in Apple and Mac communities, and I don't recall seeing a single display-related issue with the older-style M1 MacBooks.

 

[JMStearnsX2]

When did your workplace started to use the MacBooks? What model are they? (Air M1, Pro Touch Bar M1/M2)

All M1 & M2 Models. Air, MacBook Pro 13" 14" & 16". We started issuing them as soon as they were available through our Apple portal (usually within a week of public availability).

 

[Odessa]

my gf's 14" m1 pro (2021) has, since yesterday, a 1px vertical line of red/pink color showing up intermittently. it seems that this would qualify as 'dustgate'? (some dust or debris getting stuck and piercing through the data line) she take great care of the laptop and don't even use it that often but she always close it when she doesn't need it.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Flexgate only affects 2016 and 2017 model 13-inch MacBook Pros. I've heard wind of it also happening on some 2016 and 2017 models of 15-inch MacBook Pro as well, but that's nowhere near as common. Apple started putting in a cable of the proper length from the beginning on 2018 and newer models. Which is to say, 2018 and newer MacBook Pros (up to and including the newest M2, M2 Pro, and M2 Max based 13-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch MacBook Pros) are unaffected.

 

[Odessa]

Apple gave an extra 3mm to the cable, that is still very short and it's the same cable in the end...
Beside, there is that dustgate issue as well that affect the data line, i found a few people complaining about that with newer macbook pro on /r/macbookrepair

Just a quick search on youtube and i found one person with m1 macbook that has flexgate:

 

[Yebubbleman]

Apple gave an extra 3mm to the cable, that is still very short and it's the same cable in the end...
Beside, there is that dustgate issue as well that affect the data line, i found a few people complaining about that with newer macbook pro on /r/macbookrepair

Just a quick search on youtube and i found one person with m1 macbook that has flexgate:

Flexgate is not a widespread issue on anything other than 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pros and, again, mostly 13-inch models. They used longer cables across the board after that. That's not to say that newer machines won't have flex cable issues. Just that it's not going to be a part of a widespread issue.

I have 5 M1 MacBook Airs and 2 M1 13-inch MacBook Pros. Nothing even remotely resembling Flexgate on any of them.

 

[lulenger]

Flexgate is not a widespread issue on anything other than 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pros and, again, mostly 13-inch models. They used longer cables across the board after that. That's not to say that newer machines won't have flex cable issues. Just that it's not going to be a part of a widespread issue.

I have 5 M1 MacBook Airs and 2 M1 13-inch MacBook Pros. Nothing even remotely resembling Flexgate on any of them.

It is less widespread than the 2016 MacBook Pro, yet the same problems can occur within newer MacBooks. My MB Air from 2020 with M1 chip, for example, has the same issues described within the Flexgate problem from 2016. You can open the display until a certain degree without having any problems. But going over that degree, the colours tunr negative.
Adding a few mm of cable does not resolve the issue of overstretching them while opening up the MacBook. So I think, there is still a Flexgate within newer MacBooks, until Apple gets rid of the flex cables and starts using more thicker, stronger ones.

 

[Yebubbleman]

It is less widespread than the 2016 MacBook Pro, yet the same problems can occur within newer MacBooks. My MB Air from 2020 with M1 chip, for example, has the same issues described within the Flexgate problem from 2016. You can open the display until a certain degree without having any problems. But going over that degree, the colours tunr negative.
Adding a few mm of cable does not resolve the issue of overstretching them while opening up the MacBook. So I think, there is still a Flexgate within newer MacBooks, until Apple gets rid of the flex cables and starts using more thicker, stronger ones.

Colors inverting is not the same issue though. I'm not saying your M1 Air isn't having an issue related to the video cable. But, on top of not being anywhere near as common, that's not the same issue.

 

[noeXzTi_]

For any person that is researching about the topic: there are now several cases of flexgate on these Apple Silicon MacBooks on the Internet, with more or less the same frequency as 2018-2019 MacBook Pros (which makes sense as they have the same display assembly design).

I have moved on from my MacBook Air M1 and have purchased a M3 one, which theoretically has a completely different display cable design and flex gate should not appear anymore (or at least there isn’t any documented case available in the internet, and 3 years have already passed since the release of the MBP 14-inch and 16-inch of 2021).

 

[throAU]

Confirming my november 2021 macbook pro 14" has had zero issues. Period.

Used literally every weekday for 8+ hours for work plus time at home.

 

[Yebubbleman]

In Internet there are mixed opinions about whether MacBooks with Apple Silicon chips that have the 2016 MacBook Pro exterior design (MacBook Air M1 and MacBook Pro 13" M1/M2) are affected by the fatigue present on the display flex cable due to opening and closing the lid, so I would like to ask here if anyone have experienced the famous "flexgate" issue on these models of MacBook.

If anyone is going to reply that Apple fixed the problem with 2018 MacBook Pro models, extending the flex cable 2mm didn't fix the issue (only delayed it at best).

It's only 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pros. You MIGHT have it on 2018s, but that's pretty rare.

They also tweaked the body style significantly in 2019 (with the 16-inch MacBook Pro) and 2020 (with the MacBook Air and all models of 13-inch MacBook Pro, including both the final Intel and the M1 models), so, I'd be extremely shocked if that problem was still there by that point.

If it helps you, I have two MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020) computers that I've owned for just over three years (just extended AppleCare+ on one of them just last month, in fact!) and have never once had an issue. I can't imagine an M2 13-inch MacBook Pro wouldn't be similar in this regard as well.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Not flex gate but an interesting observation with another range. My brother bought an M2 (2022) 16" Max and I the same model but in 2023. I spoke with him today how I had KB marks on the screen but yet he never did. I also had indentations appearing after 2-3 months with no particles being stuck when closing the lid. In the end, a few months ago, almost all of the HW on my MBP was changed due to an incident and Apple Care came to the rescue. Well, since then I've been using the thin factory sheet b/ween KB and screen when closing the lid.

I know this has zero to do with your thread but I wanted to get this off my chest and also highlight that there's variables to consider due to manufacturers tolerances of the same model.

 

[throAU]

Not flex gate but an interesting observation with another range. My brother bought an M2 (2022) 16" Max and I the same model but in 2023. I spoke with him today how I had KB marks on the screen but yet he never did. I also had indentations appearing after 2-3 months with no particles being stuck when closing the lid. In the end, a few months ago, almost all of the HW on my MBP was changed due to an incident and Apple Care came to the rescue. Well, since then I've been using the thin factory sheet b/ween KB and screen when closing the lid.

I know this has zero to do with your thread but I wanted to get this off my chest and also highlight that there's variables to consider due to manufacturers tolerances of the same model.

Anecdotally, every single MacBook I have owned has left minor key marks on the screen.

The 2021 MacBook Pro has been the least prone to it, but my MacBook Pro 13" 2015, MacBook Air 2020 and MacBook Pro 15" 2011 all did this to varying degrees.

The only one this has been a real issue with was the 2015, that eventually got impacted by stain-gate around 2021, after I'd given it to the GF.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Anecdotally, every single MacBook I have owned has left minor key marks on the screen.

The 2021 MacBook Pro has been the least prone to it, but my MacBook Pro 13" 2015, MacBook Air 2020 and MacBook Pro 15" 2011 all did this to varying degrees.

The only one this has been a real issue with was the 2015, that eventually got impacted by stain-gate around 2021, after I'd given it to the GF.

I've nothing to compare, except my 2009 MBP that I still also use. No key imprints and one can almost use sandpaper when cleaning the (matte) screen. Well, it's on a new pre-loved screen due to shorting out when the hinges broke.

 

[noeXzTi_]

Confirming my november 2021 macbook pro 14" has had zero issues. Period.

Used literally every weekday for 8+ hours for work plus time at home.

So it seems that Apple has finally acknowledged and fixed (NOT DELAYED) the issue with the new redesign, that’s good to hear.

Nonetheless I have acquired the habit of not closing the lid and leaving it opened as long as possible if I don’t necessarily need to close it so I still babysit the new MacBook, but maybe I will start to close the lid more often so no dust enters the keyboard.

 

[noeXzTi_]

It's only 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pros. You MIGHT have it on 2018s, but that's pretty rare.

They also tweaked the body style significantly in 2019 (with the 16-inch MacBook Pro) and 2020 (with the MacBook Air and all models of 13-inch MacBook Pro, including both the final Intel and the M1 models), so, I'd be extremely shocked if that problem was still there by that point.

If it helps you, I have two MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020) computers that I've owned for just over three years (just extended AppleCare+ on one of them just last month, in fact!) and have never once had an issue. I can't imagine an M2 13-inch MacBook Pro wouldn't be similar in this regard as well.

As I have said a few days earlier, there are reports of flexgate happening on all Apple Silicon MacBooks that have the 2016-esque MacBook Pro design (M1 MacBook Air and all 13-inch MacBook Pro), but with a frequency of more or less the same as the 2018 and 2019 models. You can find it yourself on Google and clearly differentiate which model they are (different size between butterfly and scissor keys, arrow keys size, different function keys…).

The thing that it happens with less frequency (or later than expected) than the 2016-2017 models does not mean that it has been fixed.

 

[noeXzTi_]

Not flex gate but an interesting observation with another range. My brother bought an M2 (2022) 16" Max and I the same model but in 2023. I spoke with him today how I had KB marks on the screen but yet he never did. I also had indentations appearing after 2-3 months with no particles being stuck when closing the lid. In the end, a few months ago, almost all of the HW on my MBP was changed due to an incident and Apple Care came to the rescue. Well, since then I've been using the thin factory sheet b/ween KB and screen when closing the lid.

I know this has zero to do with your thread but I wanted to get this off my chest and also highlight that there's variables to consider due to manufacturers tolerances of the same model.

Hasn’t happened to me with the M1 Air and hopefully won’t with the M3 one, but I’ve read about it years before (especially with staingate).

Probably you could use your country’s consumer rights law or Apple standard warranty to replace the display for no cost.

 

[throAU]

So it seems that Apple has finally acknowledged and fixed (NOT DELAYED) the issue with the new redesign, that’s good to hear.

Nonetheless I have acquired the habit of not closing the lid and leaving it opened as long as possible if I don’t necessarily need to close it so I still babysit the new MacBook, but maybe I will start to close the lid more often so no dust enters the keyboard.

Mine gets closed and put in a bag when not in use.

Every day it gets put in a backpack to go to/from work.

 

[Yebubbleman]

As I have said a few days earlier, there are reports of flexgate happening on all Apple Silicon MacBooks that have the 2016-esque MacBook Pro design (M1 MacBook Air and all 13-inch MacBook Pro), but with a frequency of more or less the same as the 2018 and 2019 models. You can find it yourself on Google and clearly differentiate which model they are (different size between butterfly and scissor keys, arrow keys size, different function keys…).

The thing that it happens with less frequency (or later than expected) than the 2016-2017 models does not mean that it has been fixed.

I have not read any kind of reports of this happening on anything past a 2018 model. And, again, I've got two M1 13-inch MacBook Pros, six M1 MacBook Airs, and that doesn't count the additional M1 13-inch MacBook Pro and 4-port 2020 Intel 13-inch MacBook Pro that I used at a previous company, all of which had nothing even close to this happen. Obviously, I'm not going to take my relatively small 8-Mac sample size and declare that it's a non-issue. But you'd have to figure that if it was even remotely widespread on machines PAST the 2017 13-inch models (let alone 2018 13-inch models), we'd be seeing WAY more chatter about it.