iPad Pro iPad Pro M4 11-inch, 5 Units & all with dead pixels

[Fuzzball84]

dude returned 5 ipad pros for 1 dead pixel out of over 4 million pixels

i hope you exchange 5 more 😂

Imagine the manager at Apple Store.

Here he is again 😆

He will probably get flagged by Apple if he keeps buying 5 and returning them.

Oh I’m sure those 5 returns by one customer would have been flagged internally as a concern. I’m not sure what action would be taken but I’m sure the manager would have probably communicated it up to higher management also.

I mean if you then go back and go through a few more returns it becomes a serious issue.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Exchange at a different store or call online return center. I will send it back and not risk repair under Warranty.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Imagine the manager at Apple Store.

Here he is again 😆



Oh I’m sure those 5 returns by one customer would have been flagged internally as a concern. I’m not sure what action would be taken but I’m sure the manager would have probably communicated it up to higher management also.

I mean if you then go back and go through a few more returns it becomes a serious issue.

If it’s genuine issue, Apple may compensate. Happened to me once I hit 4 returns on a mac.

 

[Fuzzball84]

If it’s genuine issue, Apple may compensate. Happened to me once I hit 4 returns on a mac.

You must be so unlucky to go through 4 returns on a Mac. This must be very rare… and I wonder if the store he bought iPad from had any other customers returning the same iPads… we will never know. Apple are actually quiet about devices with issues.

 

[TechnoMonk]

You must be so unlucky to go through 4 returns on a Mac. This must be very rare… and I wonder if the store he bought iPad from had any other customers returning the same iPads… we will never know. Apple are actually quiet about devices with issues.

It’s rare but can happen. The 2019 MBP16 was the worst Mac I ever owned. Only good thing that came out of that was Apple throwing in a Beats Studio and some goodies for the mess. I am just so glad that phase is over with Apple silicon.

 

[MarcoMHanna]

Well, I certainly expected to see some “get over it posts.”

For those making claims that I should not expect a perfect panel, I did ask the manager what I should be expecting and his response was, a perfect panel.

And in response to the 5 iPad returns… it was the manager’s idea, not mine. I bought 2 iPads in total, 1 day apart. But the manager of the store insisted I open it with him at a table and check the panels. In each occurrence, we BOTH saw the dead pixels and he went to get another one. He tried looking for different batches based on S/N and it made no difference. The reason he suggested I stop is he now believes it’s a bad batch of all iPad Pros will have some sort of allowed dead pixel count.

I can certainly take the “this guy is expecting perfection” talk; it’s the internet after all. But I’ll defend my ground, I have never experienced a dead pixel out of the box on any Apple Product. Apple does not have a published dead pixel policy for OLED panels. They have a description of tandem OLED and describe the grain that people have complained about but never say nothing about a dead pixel or 2 is allowable. Genius Bar folks also agreed, their policy has always been, 0 dead pixels is the right number for an Apple Product.

 

[aevan]

first generation adopter of tandem OLED.

Feeling pretty good about that. OLED is a proven technology at this point (even tandem OLEDs are not new, just new for this type of product) and Apple is experienced at producing great screens. I was a first generation adopter of their every new screen tech - first iPhone OLED, first mini LED both on Mac and iPad, now this tandem OLED and never had issues. Neither did anyone I know.

Some people, like the OP, won’t be lucky and it’s unfortunate, but that has nothing to do with “first generation”. If you need an iPad Pro, this year is the year to buy.

 

[MarcoMHanna]

It is up to you, however “a warranty exchange in 3-6 months” will not give you a brand new iPad. It will be a “comparable” unit and not necessarily fully refurbished. When I exchanged my iPad Air 4 for screen light leak issues a few years ago, my original Air had around 30 battery cycles and the replacement one - about 200. The screen was much better, though, so I ended up keeping it.

I understand. I may just wait until the 10-months in to make the repair. Or maybe I’ll forget about the pixel all together. It’s certainly noticeable but I also have very good vision and work in documents most of the time.

 

[MarcoMHanna]

Imagine the manager at Apple Store.

Here he is again 😆



Oh I’m sure those 5 returns by one customer would have been flagged internally as a concern. I’m not sure what action would be taken but I’m sure the manager would have probably communicated it up to higher management also.

I mean if you then go back and go through a few more returns it becomes a serious issue.

It was flagged as an issue with the production batch… manager is sending the iPads to Apple. But again, it was his idea to go through the iPads, not mine. We did this all in store.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Well, I certainly expected to see some “get over it posts.”

For those making claims that I should not expect a perfect panel, I did ask the manager what I should be expecting and his response was, a perfect panel.

And in response to the 5 iPad returns… it was the manager’s idea, not mine. I bought 2 iPads in total, 1 day apart. But the manager of the store insisted I open it with him at a table and check the panels. In each occurrence, we BOTH saw the dead pixels and he went to get another one. He tried looking for different batches based on S/N and it made no difference. The reason he suggested I stop is he now believes it’s a bad batch of all iPad Pros will have some sort of allowed dead pixel count.

I can certainly take the “this guy is expecting perfection” talk; it’s the internet after all. But I’ll defend my ground, I have never experienced a dead pixel out of the box on any Apple Product. Apple does not have a published dead pixel policy for OLED panels. They have a description of tandem OLED and describe the grain that people have complained about but never say nothing about a dead pixel or 2 is allowable. Genius Bar folks also agreed, their policy has always been, 0 dead pixels is the right number for an Apple Product.

Good to see further details about what actually happened at the Apple Store.

I still think it’s a minor issue but if so many devices had the same dead pixel I suspect it’s a display panel manufacturer issue and that could be a big issue indeed. Especially if it’s a repeatable manufacturing defect.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Well, I certainly expected to see some “get over it posts.”

For those making claims that I should not expect a perfect panel, I did ask the manager what I should be expecting and his response was, a perfect panel.

And in response to the 5 iPad returns… it was the manager’s idea, not mine. I bought 2 iPads in total, 1 day apart. But the manager of the store insisted I open it with him at a table and check the panels. In each occurrence, we BOTH saw the dead pixels and he went to get another one. He tried looking for different batches based on S/N and it made no difference. The reason he suggested I stop is he now believes it’s a bad batch of all iPad Pros will have some sort of allowed dead pixel count.

I can certainly take the “this guy is expecting perfection” talk; it’s the internet after all. But I’ll defend my ground, I have never experienced a dead pixel out of the box on any Apple Product. Apple does not have a published dead pixel policy for OLED panels. They have a description of tandem OLED and describe the grain that people have complained about but never say nothing about a dead pixel or 2 is allowable. Genius Bar folks also agreed, their policy has always been, 0 dead pixels is the right number for an Apple Product.

You bought it, you decide what is acceptable or not. I personally would exchange from a different batch or return and not risk repairs if it bothered me. There are many folks who don’t care or notice dead pixels. It’s your device, you need to make a call.

 

[MarcoMHanna]

Good to see further details about what actually happened at the Apple Store.

I still think it’s a minor issue but if so many devices had the same dead pixel I suspect it’s a display panel manufacturer issue and that could be a big issue indeed. Especially if it’s a repeatable manufacturing defect.

I do not think I am being unreasonable. I have accepted the iPad for what it is and may go through warranty in the future and try my luck there.

I have owned LG OLEDs for years now and all of them have had at least 2, 3 dead pixels. But at TV viewing distances and varied content, it’s not noticeable. iPads, while are used for content consumption, also browse the web and work in documents, etc. lots of opportunity for white backgrounds to be shown.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Well, I certainly expected to see some “get over it posts.”

For those making claims that I should not expect a perfect panel, I did ask the manager what I should be expecting and his response was, a perfect panel.

And in response to the 5 iPad returns… it was the manager’s idea, not mine. I bought 2 iPads in total, 1 day apart. But the manager of the store insisted I open it with him at a table and check the panels. In each occurrence, we BOTH saw the dead pixels and he went to get another one. He tried looking for different batches based on S/N and it made no difference. The reason he suggested I stop is he now believes it’s a bad batch of all iPad Pros will have some sort of allowed dead pixel count.

I can certainly take the “this guy is expecting perfection” talk; it’s the internet after all. But I’ll defend my ground, I have never experienced a dead pixel out of the box on any Apple Product. Apple does not have a published dead pixel policy for OLED panels. They have a description of tandem OLED and describe the grain that people have complained about but never say nothing about a dead pixel or 2 is allowable. Genius Bar folks also agreed, their policy has always been, 0 dead pixels is the right number for an Apple Product.

You should be fine since the manager suggested all those returns.

 

[Fuzzball84]

I do not think I am being unreasonable. I have accepted the iPad for what it is and may go through warranty in the future and try my luck there.

I have owned LG OLEDs for years now and all of them have had at least 2, 3 dead pixels. But at TV viewing distances and varied content, it’s not noticeable. iPads, while are used for content consumption, also browse the web and work in documents, etc. lots of opportunity for white backgrounds to be shown.

If it was at the managers instruction to do so many returns then it’s fine… I just fine it unusual for so many to have same issue. But 1 pixel, it’s meh… on a retina screen 1 pixel is so so insignificant. As long as further pixels don’t fail, I’d just accept it.

You could even have said to them I’ll take it despite the dead pixel if there is a little discount or other goodie bundled. 😀

 

[SierraVista]

For those making claims that I should not expect a perfect panel, I did ask the manager what I should be expecting and his response was, a perfect panel.

And in response to the 5 iPad returns… it was the manager’s idea, not mine. I bought 2 iPads in total, 1 day apart. But the manager of the store insisted I open it with him at a table and check the panels. In each occurrence, we BOTH saw the dead pixels and he went to get another one. He tried looking for different batches based on S/N and it made no difference. The reason he suggested I stop is he now believes it’s a bad batch of all iPad Pros will have some sort of allowed dead pixel count.

Did they actually process all of those ipads you opened with the manager as exchanges? If not, there’s probably not any record, as far as Apple is concerned, that this ever happened so I don’t think they’d be included in whatever metrics Apple uses to determine return limits…

 

[Fuzzball84]

Did they actually process all of those ipads you opened with the manager as exchanges? If not, there’s probably not any record, as far as Apple is concerned, that this ever happened so I don’t think they’d be included in whatever metrics Apple uses to determine return limits…

It would be logged internally but not linked to the customer id guess. It would be flagged and investigated as to why so many devices were opened and unsold.

That’s thousands of pounds of products… need to look after the bottom line 😆

 

[MarcoMHanna]

If it was at the managers instruction to do so many returns then it’s fine… I just fine it unusual for so many to have same issue. But 1 pixel, it’s meh… on a retina screen 1 pixel is so so insignificant. As long as further pixels don’t fail, I’d just accept it.

You could even have said to them I’ll take it despite the dead pixel if there is a little discount or other goodie bundled. 😀

I didn’t want to push my luck. They were quite accommodating.

 

[MarcoMHanna]

Did they actually process all of those ipads you opened with the manager as exchanges? If not, there’s probably not any record, as far as Apple is concerned, that this ever happened so I don’t think they’d be included in whatever metrics Apple uses to determine return limits…

No, they were opened prior to being sold with the manager.

 

[profcutter]

It was flagged as an issue with the production batch… manager is sending the iPads to Apple. But again, it was his idea to go through the iPads, not mine. We did this all in store.

When a certain aluminum PowerBook g4 line came out, I think it was maybe 2004? I bought one from the university computer store. Within a couple days, there were these round white spots all over the screen. Took it back, new one, same thing. Did it about 4 times, when the store manager said, yeah it looks like a defective batch.
Apple finally acknowledged the problem, replaced people’s screens for free. I ended up with a new one, and the screen was fine for a couple years till the spots showed up again.
With the amount of money you’re spending on these iPads, I would have no tolerance for defects. None. I would return your current one and wait a few months for either Apple to acknowledge the problem or for the next year’s model. I’d be really upset having to look at that dead pixel every day. It’s too much money to settle for a defective display, IMO.
I know people get excited telling forum members they have lots of money and don’t care if the current machine is defective because they’ll just buy another. That’s fine for them. For many of the rest of us, there are too many things to spend money on to take such a sizable chunk of it on a machine that we’re not happy with.

 

[Fuzzball84]

When a certain aluminum PowerBook g4 line came out, I think it was maybe 2004? I bought one from the university computer store. Within a couple days, there were these round white spots all over the screen. Took it back, new one, same thing. Did it about 4 times, when the store manager said, yeah it looks like a defective batch.
Apple finally acknowledged the problem, replaced people’s screens for free. I ended up with a new one, and the screen was fine for a couple years till the spots showed up again.
With the amount of money you’re spending on these iPads, I would have no tolerance for defects. None. I would return your current one and wait a few months for either Apple to acknowledge the problem or for the next year’s model. I’d be really upset having to look at that dead pixel every day. It’s too much money to settle for a defective display, IMO.
I know people get excited telling forum members they have lots of money and don’t care if the current machine is defective because they’ll just buy another. That’s fine for them. For many of the rest of us, there are too many things to spend money on to take such a sizable chunk of it on a machine that we’re not happy with.

I agree you should be happy with purchase but Apple really should be clear about what their dead pixel policy is.

Every component in iPad and other is made to certain tolerances. The silicon is binned, the casing is checked to be within certain size specs, the battery capacities vary within a set limit, the display brightness is within a certain limit etc

This makes it economical at scale production. If everything is required to be perfect and more components are discarded the price of the device rockets.

This is why Apple should really be explicit that a display with x dead pixels, especially on harder to manufacture panels, is acceptable etc.

 

[motorazr]

I did call Apple Support and got a senior advisor. He basically told me one dead pixel is normal for an iPad and he would not consider it an issue. Not really sure. Genius Bar folks said they replace for 1 dead pixel, no questions asked under warranty or AppleCare.

Apple phone support is a real mixed bag. So is Genius Bar; but the Genius Bar at least sees a lot of devices and has a better idea of typical. Also, they have support articles that should define what’s acceptable.

The images you posted look like they qualify for replacement, unless apple has a new article specifically for the m4 (doubtful, but possible) — so if you end up doing support route at all and they say no, make certain they actually look up the guide for display quality issues.

 

[MarcoMHanna]

Apple phone support is a real mixed bag. So is Genius Bar; but the Genius Bar at least sees a lot of devices and has a better idea of typical. Also, they have support articles that should define what’s acceptable.

The images you posted look like they qualify for replacement, unless apple has a new article specifically for the m4 (doubtful, but possible) — so if you end up doing support route at all and they say no, make certain they actually look up the guide for display quality issues.

Yeah, I hear you. One of the Genius Bar folks did come by and checked out the panels and ran their internal test (basically solid colors) testing the subpixels. They verified every unit we went through had at least 1 bad pixel. He said, it would be replaced under warranty as well but maybe this will change with M4 iPads in the future. I really do wish they had a guide about dead pixels… I only found a post regarding LCDs and dead pixels/debris under the panel but it’s vague/open ended.

They do say it can happen to a small percentage of products but this is for products 14 years ago now. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102187

 

[leifp]

I am susceptible to being annoyed by precisely such a thing. I do not have one on my 11” M4…

 

[Apple_Robert]

I agree you should be happy with purchase but Apple really should be clear about what their dead pixel policy is.

Every component in iPad and other is made to certain tolerances. The silicon is binned, the casing is checked to be within certain size specs, the battery capacities vary within a set limit, the display brightness is within a certain limit etc

This makes it economical at scale production. If everything is required to be perfect and more components are discarded the price of the device rockets.

This is why Apple should really be explicit that a display with x dead pixels, especially on harder to manufacture panels, is acceptable etc.

This story is from 2018 and alleged Apple policy may have changed.

Apple's dead pixel policy for iPhone, iPad

Ever wonder how many dead pixels you have to have on an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, or Mac before Apple will issue you a replacement? Well it looks inside sources has given BGR the answer. What you s

www.imore.com

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I am susceptible to being annoyed by precisely such a thing. I do not have one on my 11” M4…

Same with my larger M4.