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

[myhaksown]

I am posting this to seek guidance/compare notes with fellow iPad Pro users, in particular the M4 iPad Pro 11-inch. I just experienced 5, back to back, iPad Pros with dead pixels. I took advantage of the EDU discount and gift card and when I got home, I noticed a black dot, with a pink halo around it towards the upper right hand corner (if you are looking at the iPad in landscape with camera on the top side). I took this iPad back the next day and exchanged it for a new unit. Took it back home, open it up and notice another dead pixel in slightly different spot, but still in the upper right hand quadrant of the display. This morning, I took it back and was approached by the manager of the Apple Store. I explained to him the situation and he and I looked at the screen, confirmed it was indeed a dead pixel. Instead of just processing the exchange, he offered to allow me to open up the iPads in store prior to completing the transaction.

We ended up opening 2 more space black models (color I originally purchased) and 1 silver model. The 2 space black iPad Pros had visible dead pixels with similar behaviors. The silver one at first glance looked good until I got home in a darker room and immediately found a dead pixel in the center of the display. Again, it was a dark, dead pixel, with some pink hues around it. Went back to the Apple Store, did one more exchange. This time chose a space black iPad Pro and he mentioned this would be the “last“ exchange since he could not guarantee an iPad would be defect free (at this time the count was 4 iPads I had gone through). I opened up the iPad and lo and behold, another dead pixel. This time, it’s closer to the bezel on the top left hand side. It basically lives in the toolbar of safari, right by the reader/font icon.

He recommended it could just be a bad batch and recommended I wait a while and go through a warranty exchange for the dead pixels in the future.

So what gives here? I have never experienced this from Apple in all the products I have purchased over 20+ years. Not out of the box anyway. I am not really sure what to do. I see it as pointless to continue exchanging. At least this dead pixel is towards the border? Do I just live with it? Do I take his advice and replace it via warranty in 3-6 months?

I have attached some photos of the dead pixel. It appears to be a dead green subpixel by the looks of it. It’s mainly visible on green and white backgrounds but in normal operation, it just appears to be a black dot on just about anything.

The photos are trying to convey what I see. In white backgrounds, it’s just a black dot. But it also shows in UI Elements, and mixed usage. Thankfully, for video, it’s within the letterboxing but if I go full screen, its still a black dot.

Seems green is its worst color. From the green image it looks like there are 6 or 7 dark pixels. That’s horrible. I’ve never had an iPad or iPhone with a dead pixel but ever Mac I’ve had has had one or two.

 

[MarcoMHanna]

Hah, my phone just locked up while I was responding to you, something both it and the iPad do on forums, Facebook, etc.

Anyway, I gave a list of failures and problematic Apple responses, mostly related to the MBPs of 2016-2019. Frankly I don’t feel like typing that all out again.

Yes I appreciate the no questions asked returns for the first two weeks, but once you pass those two weeks, it gets dicey. Keep in mind, I still suspect it’s better support than a PC manufacturer would offer, but there’s still room for improvement.

In terms of the OP’s predicament, I really think it’s a bad batch kind of situation. I think trying to find models from another batch, either in a few months, a different location, or both, would be a good next move, especially considering we don’t know how wide spread the defect is. Some folks claim they have no dead pixels. If true, good, it’s not a universal, and hopefully not even a widespread problem.

I’m a little wary of a manager saying “keep it past two weeks, return it then,” unless they provided these instructions in writing. What if they’re off the day the OP tries to return it? What if that manager leaves the store?

I spoke to him on the phone. I also have the paper trail of the documented issues.

 

[MarcoMHanna]

Seems green is its worst color. From the green image it looks like there are 6 or 7 dark pixels. That’s horrible. I’ve never had an iPad or iPhone with a dead pixel but ever Mac I’ve had has had one or two.

Uh, not sure how you are seeing 6 or 7? These are sub pixels and what you see in between is called screen door effect, quite common on OLEDs. There’s only 1 dead sub pixel.

 

[Mlrollin91]

may I ask why you needed a replacement iPad Pro? Display?

No, I was having charging issues. iPad was almost three years old.

 

[currocj]

Coming on here to post about making returns (especially multiple returns) just makes one look petty.

One level pettier, your post about pettiness

 

[derdante]

Just got another replacement iPad in and it also has a dead subpixel. At this point I'm just going to shelve the idea of getting an M4 iPad. Either tandem OLED is inherently susceptible to these issues or Apple has massively reduced their QC efforts. I had like 5 iPads lifetime and many more devices in hand at work and none of them had any display issues. Not going to start accepting it on the most expensive iPads yet.

 

[burgman]

One level pettier, your post about pettiness

I imagine this made sense in your head. Many times on MR newbie’s perform their multi return drive by postings then disappear.

 

[DeepSix]

You can always put a small piece of masking tape on top of the dead pixels and you won't see them anymore.

 

[steve123]

Read the warranty carefully. As I recall Apple does specify an internal "acceptable number of dead pixels" policy. If that is not to your liking then you have to do the return within the 14 day window.

This report is a few years old so I do not know if it reflects the current policy but it does show that Apple considers that an iPad can have several dead pixels:

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

 

[bushman4]

QC at Apple should be better
While it has improved there’s still a ways to go
Wondering if they even check the screens for dead pixels in the factory. Or they just make sure it turns on

 

[Jackbequickly]

If I were Apple, I would refund the OP’s money, take the unit back and ask him to move on.

 

[steve123]

If I were Apple, I would refund the OP’s money, take the unit back and ask him to move on.

If the OP has the time to continue playing the display lottery I would suggest he continue to return until gets an acceptable display and keep us updated. I would be interested to learn how long this continues. I would think once per week would be an adequate sampling rate. I recently purchased two of these and wonder if I should go looking for dead pixels?

 

[dantay]

Expecting my 11” Pro tomorrow……no way on earth I will be accepting screen defects or any other QC issues at this price point.

 

[jterp7]

yeah once u get over the initial fascination of the screen, check for dead pixels within the 14 days. As mentioned earlier it is much harder for warranty swaps after that.

 

[MaxGolden12]

If the OP has the time to continue playing the display lottery I would suggest he continue to return until gets an acceptable display and keep us updated. I would be interested to learn how long this continues. I would think once per week would be an adequate sampling rate. I recently purchased two of these and wonder if I should go looking for dead pixels?

It depends how sensitive you are to dead pixels. I find most people here (including myself) are very sensitive to them and find them completely unacceptable. For me specifically, I tend to notice them relatively quickly when I’m not even looking for them and once I find them, I can never unsee them. That’s why one of the first things I do after getting a new device is check for dead pixels by doing a quick RGB test or any other screen issues and take it back for a return/exchange if necessary. But I understand that not everyone has the same standards when it comes to screen quality, so you have to decide what you consider to be acceptable.

 

[steve123]

It depends how sensitive you are to dead pixels. I find most people here (including myself) are very sensitive to them and find them completely unacceptable. For me specifically, I tend to notice them relatively quickly when I’m not even looking for them and once I find them, I can never unsee them. That’s why one of the first things I do after getting a new device is check for dead pixels by doing a quick RGB test or any other screen issues and take it back for a return/exchange if necessary. But I understand that not everyone has the same standards when it comes to screen quality, so you have to decide what you consider to be acceptable.

Is there an app for doing a pixel test?

 

[lakerchick4life]

yeah once u get over the initial fascination of the screen, check for dead pixels within the 14 days. As mentioned earlier it is much harder for warranty swaps after that.

my 11 inch iPad Pro is out for delivery today..since Ive never looked for dead pixels before, I dont think my 2018 ipad pro had any heck who knows I never checked LOL..what should I do in order to locate any if just in case the ipad pro has it..should I open up a particular web site or something with a background in order to see it

 

[jterp7]

my 11 inch iPad Pro is out for delivery today..since Ive never looked for dead pixels before, I dont think my 2018 ipad pro had any heck who knows I never checked LOL..what should I do in order to locate any if just in case the ipad pro has it..should I open up a particular web site or something with a background in order to see it

Theres a few out there on google https://lcdtech.info/en/tests/dead.pixel.htm

 

[dantay]

Is there an app for doing a pixel test?

I used these to check for dark grey uniformity and dead/stuck pixels, I’m pleased to say the screen on my new Pro 11” has no issues.

 

[Jackbequickly]

my 11 inch iPad Pro is out for delivery today..since Ive never looked for dead pixels before, I dont think my 2018 ipad pro had any heck who knows I never checked LOL..what should I do in order to locate any if just in case the ipad pro has it..should I open up a particular web site or something with a background in order to see it

Best to go into a dark closet with a magnifying glass. Take your time and search ever square inch multiple times.🤣

 

[lakerchick4life]

Best to go into a dark closet with a magnifying glass. Take your time and search ever square inch multiple times.🤣

Ya know what funny thing I did exactly that in an apple store many many yrs ago when the ipads had the light bleed issue..I did that til I found the perfect one 🤣
🤣

 

[Jackbequickly]

Ya know what funny thing I did exactly that in an apple store many many yrs ago when the ipads had the light bleed issue..I did that til I found the perfect one 🤣
🤣

I am so glad for you!

 

[DeepSix]

I'd just put a piece of masking tape over the dead pixels and call it a day. Call it a feature of the new ipad pros.

 

[bluegt]

I'd just put a piece of masking tape over the dead pixels and call it a day. Call it a feature of the new ipad pros.

Darn, if only I had seen this sooner. I used a black sharpie…

 

[DeepSix]

my 11 inch iPad Pro is out for delivery today..since Ive never looked for dead pixels before, I dont think my 2018 ipad pro had any heck who knows I never checked LOL..what should I do in order to locate any if just in case the ipad pro has it..should I open up a particular web site or something with a background in order to see it

You should. I use a magnifying glass to get a closer look.