iPad Pro Bright spot on iPad Pro 10.5 screen

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Ok, a little bit of a rant here. Apple recently announced a repair program for the iPhone X to address a problem where the screen becomes unresponsive. Googling "iphone x unresponsive" yields a vague array of results, with a few of them consisting of users having this problem, but nothing that would indicate an epidemic. Yet it apparently has been deemed severe enough so as to warrant a special repair program.

On the other hand, Google "ipad pro 10.5 white spot" (or bright spot), and the results appear to point to a much more defined and widespread issue, with many posts here, on reddit, Apple's own forum, and other places describing this EXACT problem. How is it possibly not a "known issue"?

My theory... the iPhone X issue is fixable, the iPad Pro 10.5 issue is not. The iPhone X problem is described as being the result of a faulty part, which can be replaced. But the iPad Pro 10.5's white spot disease is presumably caused by a design flaw, a part under the screen that, after a period of time, interferes with the backlighting, with perhaps manufacturing variances explaining why some have this problem and others don't.

So, unless we can somehow exert more pressure on Apple by bringing more attention to this, I suspect they are going to just try to sweep it under the rug.

(Sorry for reposting the whole thing, I’m on my phone and it’s being fickle)

That would make sense- that’s what he was saying was they couldn’t fix it if they were going to do anyting about it. I’m going to call AppleCare and bitch but what else do I do? Write the attorney general? Start a petition? Man, I got my thesis review in a few weeks haha, nobody got time for that seriously though... what’s the best option to annoy them enough to fix it?

 

[Ghost31]

Honestly, this feels like one of those problem that don’t get fixed until a class action suit happens

 

[mcaswell]

Honestly, this feels like one of those problem that don’t get fixed until a class action suit happens

Yeah, and if this were a higher-volume device (like an iPhone or a regular iPad), this issue would probably be getting more traction and would have a better chance of hitting "critical mass".

 

[yegon]

Do the replacements exhibit the spot?

Finally taking mine in next Wednesday, after delaying doing it for months for one reason or another.

 

[digitalcuriosity]

Are these bright spots showing up in the early production 2017 iPadPro 10.5" when first being sold, or are they still showing up today in the last production in 2018?

 

[mcaswell]

Are these bright spots showing up in the early production 2017 iPadPro 10.5" when first being sold, or are they still showing up today in the last production in 2018?

Bought mine around the time they were first released, and it was replaced under warranty in February of this year. The replacement (which is what I’m currently using) started showing the bright spot a couple of months ago. On the other hand, my wife’s 10.5, which I bought also in February, is (so far) not showing this problem. However, some have indicated that the problem did not surface until a little over a year.

Perhaps if someone here knows how to decode serial numbers to determine production dates, we can establish some kind of pattern?

 

[digitalcuriosity]

Bought mine around the time they were first released, and it was replaced under warranty in February of this year. The replacement (which is what I’m currently using) started showing the bright spot a couple of months ago. On the other hand, my wife’s 10.5, which I bought also in February, is (so far) not showing this problem. However, some have indicated that the problem did not surface until a little over a year.

Perhaps if someone here knows how to decode serial numbers to determine production dates, we can establish some kind of pattern?

That would be very helpful to know the production dates.

 

[Arkhangelsky]

View attachment 804547 Wow. I have this problem on my iPad Pro 10.5 in after more than a year and out of warranty. Apple wouldn’t repair it unless I fork out a few hundred dollars. Went online and found this thread. Amazing how many people have this problem at the exact same spot. If I read correctly, there are people from USA, Europe, Australia and myself in Singapore. So I sent them a feedback through their feedback channel but I don’t think anything is going to come out of it. Really frustrating, seeing how the screen of the 10.5 is suppose to be one of the selling points!

 

[MacAtYou]

Changed mine at the apple store. Wondering if people are keeping their replacement iPads or selling and upgrading to the 2018 pro as a possible more reliable long term bet? We don’t know if apple have resolved the issue in newer 10.5 models.

 

[GarrettNolan]

Changed mine at the apple store. Wondering if people are keeping their replacement iPads or selling and upgrading to the 2018 pro as a possible more reliable long term bet? We don’t know if apple have resolved the issue in newer 10.5 models.

I'm just armchair engineering here. But given the evidence that they really didn't want you to cover the 10.5's back and went so far to create a keyboard that doesn't cover the motherboard. The fact that they aren't offering a sleeve for the 11 inch iPad Pro is another thing. I don't think this is something they can simply fix in new production units. They can take steps to install some thermal pads, but that can only do so much.

Looking at how they changed the thickness of the folio cover for the 11 inch and how it covers both the front and back you could make the case that they learned from their mistakes. They also added in a thermal cover over the motherboard entirely which transfers the heat to the flat edged sides where it can more effectively remove heat from the device over the curved edges of the 10.5. And lastly the keyboard case was redesigned too and now covers the back.

I'm very happy with my 11 inch iPad Pro, and I think they made a lot of changes to eliminate the potential issues we all faced here with the 10.5. Would I like Apple to do something about this? Yes I would, but I'm not holding my breath. It's gonna take legal action at this point for them to do anything.

 

[mcaswell]

I'm just armchair engineering here. But given the evidence that they really didn't want you to cover the 10.5's back.

That begs the question (which perhaps is already answered elsewhere in this thread), does anyone with the white spot use their iPad WITHOUT a case?

As I mentioned earlier, my wife's is in a case identical to mine, and hers does not have the spot yet, but that doesn't necessarily prove that the case isn't to blame, as maybe it will still happen at some point.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I had the same thing appear on my pristine 10.5” iPad Pro.

Had hardly seen any use.

Returned to an Apple Store, and it was replaced. Upon checking the replacement, I immediately saw another bright spot (different location) so refused it.

They had to order another replacement in. I collected it, and thought it was good: Until I got it home, when I realised it was making a clicking noise when I would pick it up! This was coming from the bottom of the screen.

I returned it and got a full refund under UK’s Consumer Law.

I’m now deciding between buying the new iPad Pro, or waking away from Apple altogether. Only two weeks before I took my iPhone in for a battery replacement, and they damaged the phone so replaced it with another of their “remanufactured” (Frankenstein) units. Guess what? Not only does it rattle, but it also clicks at the bottom of the screen when putting it in the case or even cleaning the screen with a microfibre cloth.

The spiel about “they are new devices, but they aren’t in retail boxes do we are unable to sell them as such” is utter rubbish. They are patently cobbled together from returned units.

 

[mcaswell]

Ok, according to this page:

https://beetstech.com/blog/decode-meaning-behind-apple-serial-number

My original iPad (purchased in June 2017) was made in May of 2017. It developed the white spot roughly 6-8 months later, and was replaced by Apple in February with another that was also produced in May 2017 (was in a plain box, must have been sitting in inventory since release date as a warranty replacement). It too developed the white spot after about the same amount of time.

Now, my wife’s iPad, which was purchased right around the same time that Apple replaced mine (about 9 months ago) does not yet have the white spot. Hers was produced in late November 2017.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Ok, according to this page:

https://beetstech.com/blog/decode-meaning-behind-apple-serial-number

My original iPad (purchased in June 2017) was made in May of 2017. It developed the white spot roughly 6-8 months later, and was replaced by Apple in February with another that was also produced in May 2017 (was in a plain box, must have been sitting in inventory since release date as a warranty replacement). It too developed the white spot after about the same amount of time.

Now, my wife’s iPad, which was purchased right around the same time that Apple replaced mine (about 9 months ago) does not yet have the white spot. Hers was produced in late November 2017.

If you’re in the UK, go and get your money back.

Mine was also bought day one, and I got a full refund this week.

This is patently an inherent issue with the 10.5” model.

 

[Ghost31]

For what it’s worth, I bought mine just a couple months ago and the white spot happened to me as well. Lucky I was under warranty but this is a clear defect and there should be a repair program in place for those affected

 

[mcaswell]

If you’re in the UK, go and get your money back.

Mine was also bought day one, and I got a full refund this week.

This is patently an inherent issue with the 10.5” model.

I'm in the U.S., and I don't think our consumer protection laws are as robust.

I did purchase it with a credit card that doubles the manufacturers warranty, so I've got that to fall back on... going to wait another month or two before I start that process though.
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For what it’s worth, I bought mine just a couple months ago and the white spot happened to me as well. Lucky I was under warranty but this is a clear defect and there should be a repair program in place for those affected

When mine was replaced, Apple sent me a "Your Apple Store Work Authorization & Service Confirmation" email that included the serial numbers of the defective unit as well as the replacement. Could you look back and see what the serial number of the original one was?

Since yours was just recently purchased, I'm assuming it was made significantly later than mine (and weakens the "they fixed the problem in later production" hope), but you never know, maybe it was sitting in inventory for a long time before finally being sold.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I'm in the U.S., and I don't think our consumer protection laws are as robust.

I did purchase it with a credit card that doubles the manufacturers warranty, so I've got that to fall back on... going to wait another month or two before I start that process though.
[doublepost=1542426332][/doublepost]
When mine was replaced, Apple sent me a "Your Apple Store Work Authorization & Service Confirmation" email that included the serial numbers of the defective unit as well as the replacement. Could you look back and see what the serial number of the original one was?

Since yours was just recently purchased, I'm assuming it was made significantly later than mine (and weakens the "they fixed the problem in later production" hope), but you never know, maybe it was sitting in inventory for a long time before finally being sold.

My original one was a day one purchase.

This is a patent, and well documented issue.

Don’t waste anymore time, buddy. Exchange it now, and that way if it happens again you should just demand your money back.

My view of Apple has completely changed. I have gone from loving their stuff, to realising just how greedy they are. Their pricing has sky rocketed, but their QC has diminished.

Don’t stand for it, mate.

 

[Ghost31]

I'm in the U.S., and I don't think our consumer protection laws are as robust.

I did purchase it with a credit card that doubles the manufacturers warranty, so I've got that to fall back on... going to wait another month or two before I start that process though.
[doublepost=1542426332][/doublepost]
When mine was replaced, Apple sent me a "Your Apple Store Work Authorization & Service Confirmation" email that included the serial numbers of the defective unit as well as the replacement. Could you look back and see what the serial number of the original one was?

Since yours was just recently purchased, I'm assuming it was made significantly later than mine (and weakens the "they fixed the problem in later production" hope), but you never know, maybe it was sitting in inventory for a long time before finally being sold.

Here you go buddy. Hope it helps

 

[mcaswell]

Here you go buddy. Hope it helps

Thanks... so that one was made in the first half of 2018. I guess the problem is unrelated to production date.

 

[Ghost31]

Thanks... so that one was made in the first half of 2018. I guess the problem is unrelated to production date.

Must be a serious problem in the design itself. Which makes me wonder why they didn’t just discontinue the 10.5 inch altogether when the new pros came

 

[doboy]

Must be a serious problem in the design itself. Which makes me wonder why they didn’t just discontinue the 10.5 inch altogether when the new pros came

Cause some of us don’t have that issue even after 11 months of daily use. If it happens to every device I think it’ll be more than 12 pages here. Of course it doesn’t mean I’m out of the woods, but I’m just saying that it may be isolated.

 

[Ghost31]

Cause some of us don’t have that issue even after 11 months of daily use. If it happens to every device I think it’ll be more than 12 pages here. Of course it doesn’t mean I’m out of the woods, but I’m just saying that it may be isolated.

Yeah probably. I’m sure apple has some data about this and how widespread it is. But there’s probably some threshold they have to reach where they would actually do something about it. And with no media attention or “gate” associated with it, it’s probably low priority.

Was interesting though when I got mine replaced how the apple genius guy said that they “see this a lot” and immediately knew to replace it

 

[Ladybug]

My 10.5 is 4 months old and it has the white spot too. It’s pretty faint right now and I could live with it I guess. However with AppleCare + I will likely switch it out at some point before the two years are up. I figure the longer I wait then perhaps they will have addressed the problem by then.

 

[MacAtYou]

I'm just armchair engineering here. But given the evidence that they really didn't want you to cover the 10.5's back and went so far to create a keyboard that doesn't cover the motherboard. The fact that they aren't offering a sleeve for the 11 inch iPad Pro is another thing. I don't think this is something they can simply fix in new production units. They can take steps to install some thermal pads, but that can only do so much.

Looking at how they changed the thickness of the folio cover for the 11 inch and how it covers both the front and back you could make the case that they learned from their mistakes. They also added in a thermal cover over the motherboard entirely which transfers the heat to the flat edged sides where it can more effectively remove heat from the device over the curved edges of the 10.5. And lastly the keyboard case was redesigned too and now covers the back.

I'm very happy with my 11 inch iPad Pro, and I think they made a lot of changes to eliminate the potential issues we all faced here with the 10.5. Would I like Apple to do something about this? Yes I would, but I'm not holding my breath. It's gonna take legal action at this point for them to do anything.

Yes, some good points made there. Always used a case on mine. The fact that the spots are over the logic board and this is the only iPad with the A10X (I think) really makes me seriously concerned. I’m at least going to go rear side case free and see if that helps. And only charge when not in use to keep it cooler and keep my fingers crossed for now.

 

[Ghost31]

My 10.5 is 4 months old and it has the white spot too. It’s pretty faint right now and I could live with it I guess. However with AppleCare + I will likely switch it out at some point before the two years are up. I figure the longer I wait then perhaps they will have addressed the problem by then.

Just curious. Do you use yours caseless?