Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPad Pro Fingerprints on new iPad Pro 12.9 upon opening box

DMG35

DMG35

Contributor
Original poster
May 27, 2021
2,566
8,548
I picked up a 2021 iPad Pro 12.9” from my local Apple store yesterday evening. I am always careful when I open up my Apple products and I wanted to make sure I didn’t touch the screen as I always install a paperlike product on my iPads. Upon peeling the plastic back, I noticed that there were fingerprints all over the screen. This was obviously very strange as I hadn’t come close to touching the screen.

The iPad was sealed in its box and I picked it up directly from Apple. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I haven’t powered it on yet as it bothered me a little as a $2000 purchase shouldn’t have fingerprints all over the screen upon opening. Should I return it or am I just being too OCD. Thanks!!
 
  • Haha
  • Angry
Reactions: NM08SRT8 and Nhwhazup
Oh that sucks. I’d inspect the device carefully and if there’s any indication of prior use return it.
 
I wouldn’t be happy with that. Makes you wonder why the prints? Wouldn’t surprise me if it was a returned iPad. So many on these forums talk about buying multiples with the intention of returning one based on their preference of size. I would imagine Apple would resell these but should as an "open box" sale.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: SirAnthonyHopkins, NM08SRT8 and haruhiko
DMG35 said:
I picked up a 2021 iPad Pro 12.9” from my local Apple store yesterday evening. I am always careful when I open up my Apple products and I wanted to make sure I didn’t touch the screen as I always install a paperlike product on my iPads. Upon peeling the plastic back, I noticed that there were fingerprints all over the screen. This was obviously very strange as I hadn’t come close to touching the screen.

The iPad was sealed in its box and I picked it up directly from Apple. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I haven’t powered it on yet as it bothered me a little as a $2000 purchase shouldn’t have fingerprints all over the screen upon opening. Should I return it or am I just being too OCD. Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Clean the screen, power it on, and see if there are any problems. More than likely, it will be just fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nhwhazup
Absrnd said:
Take a microfibre cloth and wipe :)
Click to expand...
Lol yes that was my initial response. The only thing that kinda sucks is that the best time to put on a screen protector for Apple devices is right when you open them up. They are free of dust and lint and now I'll have to go through the cleaning process to apply the screen protector.

I've powered it on, will see how its working. I don't anticipate any problems just because of some fingerprints.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VaruLV and Absrnd
Nhwhazup said:
I wouldn’t be happy with that. Makes you wonder why the prints? Wouldn’t surprise me if it was a returned iPad. So many on these forums talk about buying multiples with the intention of returning one based on their preference of size. I would imagine Apple would resell these but should as an "open box" sale.
Click to expand...

That's what I thought, but would they really just reseal the box and then sell it again? Makes me wonder if it just wasn't cleaned properly at the factory before shipping.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EmotionalSnow
DMG35 said:
That's what I thought, but would they really just reseal the box and then sell it again? Makes me wonder if it just wasn't cleaned properly at the factory before shipping.
Click to expand...
I would think the workers are all gloved up at the factory just for this reason. But maybe this worker broke protocol. Either way, clean it up and pay careful attention that it has no defects and works perfectly. You will likely be fine.

I’ve bought sealed items that I could tell had been handled by others. I don’t worry so much that someone else handled it but more so, why did they return it? Again, it’ll probably be the best iPad ever.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EmotionalSnow
DMG35 said:
I picked up a 2021 iPad Pro 12.9” from my local Apple store yesterday evening. I am always careful when I open up my Apple products and I wanted to make sure I didn’t touch the screen as I always install a paperlike product on my iPads. Upon peeling the plastic back, I noticed that there were fingerprints all over the screen. This was obviously very strange as I hadn’t come close to touching the screen.

The iPad was sealed in its box and I picked it up directly from Apple. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I haven’t powered it on yet as it bothered me a little as a $2000 purchase shouldn’t have fingerprints all over the screen upon opening. Should I return it or am I just being too OCD. Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Sounds refurbished to me!
 
Well its up and running but when I plug in the charger nothing happens 🤦‍♂️. Doesn't charge the iPad. Darn it, I can't exchange it because my local store doesn't have them either. What a cluster.
 
DMG35 said:
Well its up and running but when I plug in the charger nothing happens 🤦‍♂️. Doesn't charge the iPad. Darn it, I can't exchange it because my local store doesn't have them either. What a cluster.
Click to expand...

The stores used to be able to do exchanges via shipping the replacements. It requires a little trust, but it worked well. Maybe they stopped doing it that way. It would kinda suck, walking in with something, and walking out with nothing, waiting for it to show up.
 
PinkyMacGodess said:
The stores used to be able to do exchanges via shipping the replacements. It requires a little trust, but it worked well. Maybe they stopped doing it that way. It would kinda suck, walking in with something, and walking out with nothing, waiting for it to show up.
Click to expand...
Will I have to wait until July (Apple says that's the shipping time now on their website) or will I be able to get something quicker than that? I'm going to return it because there is obviously something wrong with it but if I can do a replacement and get it sooner than July I'd happily do that.
 
Nhwhazup said:
Oh no. Sorry to read this. Sucks.
Click to expand...

Yeah real bummer. Hard to complain as I've bought too many Apple products to count over the years and have never had an issue. I guess I drew the short straw this time. It happens, will eventually get a new one or this one replaced. Appreciate your insight here.
 
DMG35 said:
Yeah real bummer. Hard to complain as I've bought too many Apple products to count over the years and have never had an issue. I guess I drew the short straw this time. It happens, will eventually get a new one or this one replaced. Appreciate your insight here.
Click to expand...
I have been buying Apple products from 2005 and only had to return a few defective items - 2 XS Maxes 6 months apart as they both had connectivity issues to the point they were unusable. And one iPad keyboard that wouldn’t connect consistently with the smart connection.

It’s disappointing for sure, as I always expect premium Apple products for premium prices.

Hopefully, they’ll take quick care of you with a replacement.
 
Call AppleCare support - get your case started.
AppleCare should be able to expedite a replacement to you.
There's the additional challenge of a new, just-shipping product, but I think there are always some kept out of the supply chain, just for whatever quick replacements might be needed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MBAir2010
How dare some peasant touch your device!

Seriously though, if it works and is fine... Who cares? This is such a first world problem.
 
sorry this happened to you or anyone
this will eat at you for the remainder of the time when you use the iPad.
Obviously you received a defected chord and careless repackaging of a product.

this is What Tim Cook meant when he told the BBC they wont worry about
the shortages in electronic components last month.
Seems to me that their plan is to try to get away with anything like this situation the can!
it's great to be the king!
 
I wouldn’t worry about it. Possibly QA pulled it for checks with an ungloved hand and it missed a cleanup before wrapping?
 
I’d check it for other defects and if it is OK I wouldn’t worry about it. Likely the last worker touched it without gloves on before boxing it. We’re in the middle of a pandemic where Apple is trying to ship an insane amount of devices. There are humans on the other end building these things and they’re under intense pressure and stress too. We should be very mindful of that.
 
DMG35 said:
Well its up and running but when I plug in the charger nothing happens 🤦‍♂️. Doesn't charge the iPad. Darn it, I can't exchange it because my local store doesn't have them either. What a cluster.
Click to expand...
You did unlock your iPad when it was plugged in ?
otherwise it will not charge, when a cable has not been connected after 3 hours of not unlocking the iPad.
 
DMG35 said:
Will I have to wait until July (Apple says that's the shipping time now on their website) or will I be able to get something quicker than that? I'm going to return it because there is obviously something wrong with it but if I can do a replacement and get it sooner than July I'd happily do that.
Click to expand...

They 'make' a number for swapping. They are in a plane box, no accessories, but are otherwise brand new, never used. That would probably be what you would get. If they still do that...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back