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iPad Pro Fingerprints

L

lockerc18

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 17, 2012
553
209
I know that any touch device has this issue, but it would be good if Apple could devise some way to prevent fingerprints from being so evident on device displays. Yes, I do wash my hands on occasion, and I think I get most of the jelly off my fingertips. Still, it's a shame that there isn't some kind of coating which can be applied to displays during manufacture that would eliminate the fingerprints. The display on my new 10.5 inch IPP is SO good that seeing these smudges, especially in slanted light, is really too bad.

First world problem, for sure.
 
Eating and using your iPad will always produce some finger prints. Do not know of any coating that could resist sticky jelly.

I try to keep my hands clean and just wipe off my iPad every day with a micro fiber cloth.
 
Newtons Apple said:
Eating and using your iPad will always produce some finger prints. Do not know of any coating that could resist sticky jelly.

I try to keep my hands clean and just wipe off my iPad every day with a micro fiber cloth.
Click to expand...
Sure. But I've read, on reliable Internet sites, that the little circular thing in the top bezel isn't really a camera. IOS11 will activate this and we'll see that it's really a little shower head that pops out when the AI functions detect that the display needs cleaning. I was hoping for a small accessory like those carpet robots that cats ride around on instead, but, oh well.

But back to reality... if NYC can make subway cars that are immune to graffiti, Apple should be able to come up with a display that is immune to smudges. I mean, why have such a great display when it takes no time at all for it to get so blurry?
 
lockerc18 said:
...it would be good if Apple could devise some way to prevent fingerprints from being so evident on device displays.
Click to expand...
Apple has, it can only do so much and does not work well with very oily or dirty fingers.

olephobic.jpg
 
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That's part of the reason I went with white devices this time around. I notice the white doesn't ever look as "dirty" as the black models. I know the screen when its off looks the same on both but, there is something to be said about the bezel area, even when its on, just looks cleaner in white.
 
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lockerc18 said:
Sure. But I've read, on reliable Internet sites, that the little circular thing in the top bezel isn't really a camera. IOS11 will activate this and we'll see that it's really a little shower head that pops out when the AI functions detect that the display needs cleaning. I was hoping for a small accessory like those carpet robots that cats ride around on instead, but, oh well.

But back to reality... if NYC can make subway cars that are immune to graffiti, Apple should be able to come up with a display that is immune to smudges. I mean, why have such a great display when it takes no time at all for it to get so blurry?
Click to expand...

I am betting I can make a huge mess with a jar of jelly in your NY subway.

Enjoy!
 
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Wow, the fingerprints are much worse on my 10.5 in comparison to the Pro 9.7. What in the world did Apple do differently this time around?
 
I think it to do with the anti reflective coating as the air 2 wasn’t as bad as the ipp 9.7. They seem to get progressively worse each time they up the anti reflective coating.
 
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lockerc18 said:
But back to reality... if NYC can make subway cars that are immune to graffiti, Apple should be able to come up with a display that is immune to smudges.
Click to expand...

NYC subway cars are not immune to graffiti, it is just simply easier for paint to be washed and scrubbed off...sort of like using a spray cleaner and cloth on glass surfaces...;)
 
lockerc18 said:
I know that any touch device has this issue, but it would be good if Apple could devise some way to prevent fingerprints from being so evident on device displays. Yes, I do wash my hands on occasion, and I think I get most of the jelly off my fingertips. Still, it's a shame that there isn't some kind of coating which can be applied to displays during manufacture that would eliminate the fingerprints. The display on my new 10.5 inch IPP is SO good that seeing these smudges, especially in slanted light, is really too bad.

First world problem, for sure.
Click to expand...

Apple Pencil is great for wiping those smudges off. I use one and can't see any! :rolleyes:
 
I think what you're going to find out with these new iPad displays or previous ones, it's no two situations will be alike. Everybody has different situations where their hands have been and oil varies from everyone's hands on touching the display.
 
Relentless Power said:
I think what you're going to find out with these new iPad displays or previous ones, it's no two situations will be alike. Everybody has different situations where their hands have been and oil varies from everyone's hands on touching the display.
Click to expand...
I haven't changed my anti-jelly fingertip rituals in years, but this display seems to like getting smudgier than my iPad3. Apple should include a microfiber rag in the box when they ship this thing. I now walk around with one in my pocket in case the display happens to run into a smudge someplace. That said, the display quality is SO good that sacrificing some pocket space seems a worthwhile trade-off.
 
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rrjr80 said:
Wow, the fingerprints are much worse on my 10.5 in comparison to the Pro 9.7. What in the world did Apple do differently this time around?
Click to expand...
I didn't use the 9.7" but have the 10.5". From what I've read, the 10.5" has more tooth to it when drawing, so they might have changed the way the surface glass is to make it slightly rougher at a microscopic level, or might have used a different coating. I had tried the pencil on my 9.7" Air 2 before giving it to my grandparents last weekend, and even though it didn't work, I just wanted to see how it felt on the glass and it slid around really easy. I noticed immediately on my Pro that there was a bit more friction. So that's one theory. Haven't noticed a big difference in fingerprints yet, but I had my iPad Air 2 for a little over 2.5 years and so maybe the oleophobic coating had worn down and I was more used to it.
 
gui0312 said:
That's part of the reason I went with white devices this time around. I notice the white doesn't ever look as "dirty" as the black models. I know the screen when its off looks the same on both but, there is something to be said about the bezel area, even when its on, just looks cleaner in white.
Click to expand...
This is true. However, I got sick of my white switch when I got them on all my iPads and phone 3-4 years back. I went back to black with my last phone and my 12.9 iPad. I think I'll be happier. The white just got bothersome.
 
Hands are amongst the most dirty things on a person’s body. We’re constantly wiping those hands all over the glass display -- its going to get dirty.

Wash your hands often. Wipe down your iPad. That is as good as it’s going to get.
 
I believe that the Mini 4 is also supposed to have that ogliophobic coating, but mine always seems to be coated in prints no matter how clean my hands are. I don't know how much can be done about it. Human fingers secrete oil.
 
Bryan Bowler said:
Hands are amongst the most dirty things on a person’s body. We’re constantly wiping those hands all over the glass display -- its going to get dirty.
Click to expand...
One thing I noticed, the iPad Air, iPad Air 2 and 2017 iPad 9.7 aren't as big of a fingerprint magnet as the iPad Pro 9.7.

Going to have to see if it's any better on the 2nd gen Pro 12.9.
 
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rui no onna said:
One thing I noticed, the iPad Air, iPad Air 2 and 2017 iPad 9.7 aren't as big of a fingerprint magnet as the iPad Pro 9.7.

Going to have to see if it's any better on the 2nd gen Pro 12.9.
Click to expand...

Interesting. It will be good to hear more after you’ve had a chance to compare.
 
as far as I know All ipads and phones have the oleo-phobic coating, but some have also a different anti reflective coating, that could account for differnce in fingerprints.
but if the coating wasn't there the prints issue would be 10x times worse, so don't complain :)
I exchanged an iPad that had a badly applied coating, and the difference in parts of the screen was huge.
 
rui no onna said:
Lol, my Space Gray 512GB LTE is backordered through AT&T. Won't be able to compare until end of June/start of July. :p
Click to expand...

Same situation; parallel boat! I’m waiting on my 12.9 Space Grey 512 GB to come in stock at B&H. The waiting game is tough!
 
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