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iPad Pro iPad Pro fingerprint madness

A

archimonde

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 19, 2008
15
31
Is it just me or is iPad Pro more prone to fingerprints than other iOS devices?

Not only does mine seem to pick up fingerprints alot, but it is also harder to wipe them off with a microfiber cloth than my 3rd gen iPad or iPhone 6s. One or two wipe on other iOS devices gets rid of the fingerprints, but on my IPP wiping just smears it more until I apply some force on the cloth to really get it off.

Is it just more noticeable because of the large glass size, or could it be that they had to forego the oleophobic coating because of the Pencil?
 
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I thought I was imagining this! This has been my experience exactly. I even had to use a cloth lightly dampened with water (which I've never had to do on other devices) to get the prints completely clean. I suspect it has something to do with the pencil and the surface feel they wanted.
 
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Tom359 said:
I thought I was imagining this! This has been my experience exactly. I even had to use a cloth lightly dampened with water (which I've never had to do on other devices) to get the prints completely clean. I suspect it has something to do with the pencil and the surface feel they wanted.
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Agreed. I have the same issue. It might be because they are using a different coating to ensure latency between screen and pencil is excellent.
 
ZombiePete said:
I have a feeling that this is probably the correct answer. It doesn't seem more finger print-y than my iPad Air 2, at any rate, though it does get messy after using it for a while, especially if I'm not using my BT keyboard.
Click to expand...

This may be part of it, but I have never had any trouble cleaning with micro fiber cloth. I've never had to use water in the past.
 
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Tom359 said:
This may be part of it, but I have never had any trouble cleaning with micro fiber cloth. I've never had to use water in the past.
Click to expand...

Hmmm...I haven't had any issues wiping my iPP screen off with a microfiber cloth. In fact it cleans just as easily for me as my Air 2. I certainly haven't had to use any water to clean it.
 
Are you people seeing more fingerprints with the screen off? If so, does it really matter? If you're seeing more fingerprints with the screen on, it could be because of the lower angle you are likely holding it at as compared to a smaller iPad...surface marks would probably be more noticeable at an oblique angle than straight on.
 
Screen on, even my wife who was sat next to me commented on the dirty screen. Doesn't bother me though, I keep a cloth by me all the time as I always have.
 
I have also noticed that it is clearly different to e.g. an iPhone 6S. I also suspect the iPad Pro oleophobic coating is more durable to cope with the Apple Pencil.
 
Screen off. Sunshine. I noticed it more than previous pads. Slightly damp cloth, then follow up with a glasses cloth. First world problem solved.
 
It's definitely worse than my old iPad 2. I put on a glass screen protector today and that problem is fixed. I still get some fingerprints by not nearly as bad.
 
I noticed this the first day. I got a tempered glass screen protector the next day. They had to clean so many fingerprints off to put the protector on. The tempered glass is much smoother for swiping and even using the pencil.
 
mcdj said:
Are you people seeing more fingerprints with the screen off? If so, does it really matter? If you're seeing more fingerprints with the screen on, it could be because of the lower angle you are likely holding it at as compared to a smaller iPad...surface marks would probably be more noticeable at an oblique angle than straight on.
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It's bigger so yes they are seeing more finger prints. LOL!
 
It's the bezel where I notice them the most, with the edge of screen swipe actions now included in iOS 9.

It's not a big issue, but it's definitely a thing!
 
archimonde said:
Is it just me or is iPad Pro more prone to fingerprints than other iOS devices?

Not only does mine seem to pick up fingerprints alot, but it is also harder to wipe them off with a microfiber cloth than my 3rd gen iPad or iPhone 6s. One or two wipe on other iOS devices gets rid of the fingerprints, but on my IPP wiping just smears it more until I apply some force on the cloth to really get it off.

Is it just more noticeable because of the large glass size, or could it be that they had to forego the oleophobic coating because of the Pencil?
Click to expand...

The screen definitely feels more "rough" to me, if that's the correct word. It's not as slippy slidey as my other idevices.
 
Lol more real estate = more finger prints. I'm wiping mine like crazy because it's brand new and want it to look impeccable each time I use it haha. My air 2 was just as bad before I sold it.
 
HelloMikee said:
Lol more real estate = more finger prints. I'm wiping mine like crazy because it's brand new and want it to look impeccable each time I use it haha. My air 2 was just as bad before I sold it.
Click to expand...

It isn't the size. I believe there is no oleophobic coating at all. The coating not only resists grease but it also makes it easier to clean off. Cleaning the iPad pro is exactly like cleaning a piece of glass with no coating, difficult. That's why you need something like windowlene for a glass table or a window but not for a phone. I suspect as others have that the coating has been deliberately not applied to increase scratch resistance with the pencil
 
archimonde said:
Is it just me or is iPad Pro more prone to fingerprints than other iOS devices?

Not only does mine seem to pick up fingerprints alot, but it is also harder to wipe them off with a microfiber cloth than my 3rd gen iPad or iPhone 6s. One or two wipe on other iOS devices gets rid of the fingerprints, but on my IPP wiping just smears it more until I apply some force on the cloth to really get it off.

Is it just more noticeable because of the large glass size, or could it be that they had to forego the oleophobic coating because of the Pencil?
Click to expand...

Glad to see it's not my imagination. I've, strategically, placed microfiber cloths and pads around the house and placed a couple in my iPad sleeves as well. I sometimes need to use a moistened cloth to get the accumulation of smudges off from time to time. It also seems to help, a bit, if I use a stylus occasionally.
 
Simacca said:
My IPad Air 2 is a massive fingerprint magnet compared to my old iPad 3. I think it has to do with the anti reflective coating they used.
Click to expand...

Same. I usually have to wipe it down a few times a day. I found some really good microfiber cloths (Norwex brand?) and never have to use water or sprays to clean my displays anymore.. just a little breath to fog it up sometimes.
 
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