iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 16 Pro Max bad pixel issue

[Zimmy68]

I have owned almost every new iPhone since the 3Gs and never had a hardware issue.
My new 16 Pro Max, which I picked up at an AT&T store has, what I consider to be a bad pixel.
I just noticed it yesterday when I was viewing a solid black website.
Near the top left, next to the action button, is a red dot that blinks on and off.
Sometimes it is very apparent and sometimes not there (my wife couldn't see it).

My question, what do I need to do?
Contact AT&T, set up an appointment at an Apple store, something online?

I just want a replacement.

Thanks,

 

[russell_314]

I would take it back to where you bought it. If you have AppleCare, maybe take it to the Apple Store, but it would probably be easier to take it back to AT&T.

 

[FlyingDutch]

I have owned almost every new iPhone since the 3Gs and never had a hardware issue.
My new 16 Pro Max, which I picked up at an AT&T store has, what I consider to be a bad pixel.
I just noticed it yesterday when I was viewing a solid black website.
Near the top left, next to the action button, is a red dot that blinks on and off.
Sometimes it is very apparent and sometimes not there (my wife couldn't see it).

My question, what do I need to do?
Contact AT&T, set up an appointment at an Apple store, something online?

I just want a replacement.

Thanks,

It’s not common to have a bad pixel on a modern display, and it surely isn’t acceptable on a very expensive iPhone. Take it back to the store where you bought it. Apple would probably give you a refurbished while the carrier could give you a new unit if you’re lucky

 

[MS20]

I’ve been using the iPhone 16 Pro Max for a couple of weeks now, and unfortunately, I’ve noticed some bad pixels on the display. At first, I thought it was just a minor glitch, but it’s pretty noticeable in darker scenes and when scrolling. The pixels don’t change color or go away, so it seems like a stuck or dead pixel. Has anyone else had this issue?

 

[Zimmy68]

It’s not common to have a bad pixel on a modern display, and it surely isn’t acceptable on a very expensive iPhone. Take it back to the store where you bought it. Apple would probably give you a refurbished while the carrier could give you a new unit if you’re lucky

I took it back to the same store I purchased and they just shrugged their shoulders and said I need to set up an appointment with Apple. Nothing they can do and I am just out of my 14 days.
They did zero to help me. Didn't even bother to look anything up.
I said, "What is the point of me buying from your store then?"
This was a main AT&T store.

 

[Brooke795]

I would take it back to where you bought it. If you have AppleCare, maybe take it to the Apple Store, but it would probably be easier to take it back to AT&T.

Att doesn’t handle warranty replacements- I work for att and per policy (apple’s) we have to refer customers to apple. Take it to the Apple Store they will warranty it for free.

 

[Brooke795]

I took it back to the same store I purchased and they just shrugged their shoulders and said I need to set up an appointment with Apple. Nothing they can do and I am just out of my 14 days.
They did zero to help me. Didn't even bother to look anything up.
I said, "What is the point of me buying from your store then?"
This was a main AT&T store.

Yeah unfortunately we are just your service provider- authorized to sell Apple and Samsung. Warranties are handled through the manufacturer- esp apple that is what policy apple has us follow. If it was service related (calls text data) that’s what we do.

 

[FlyingDutch]

I took it back to the same store I purchased and they just shrugged their shoulders and said I need to set up an appointment with Apple. Nothing they can do and I am just out of my 14 days.
They did zero to help me. Didn't even bother to look anything up.
I said, "What is the point of me buying from your store then?"
This was a main AT&T store.

Very sad answer… and you’re right : no point in making the purchase through them. Next time go directly to an Apple Store.

 

[FlyingDutch]

Yeah unfortunately we are just your service provider- authorized to sell Apple and Samsung. Warranties are handled through the manufacturer- esp apple that is what policy apple has us follow. If it was service related (calls text data) that’s what we do.

The store could have done better than that anyway.

 

[Zimmy68]

I finally made an appointment and made it to the Apple store.
Just my luck, they could not see the pixel, and the diagnostics showed no issues.
I showed the video I made and of course they could do nothing.
I thought maybe it was a software issue since the pixel went away for the next 3-4 days.
Just told myself to not always try to spot it, maybe it will go away.
But no, there it is back, even worse than before. Instead of a blinking pixel, it is now solid red.
The employee told me they wouldn't give me a new phone anyway, it would have to be a screen replacement.
My question, if I take it to Best Buy (which the Apple Support app gives you the option), would you trust them to do the replacement.
I would hate to risk driving to the Apple store, 30 minutes away when Best Buy is like 5, if all is the same.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

If you have AppleCare+, call or chat Apple and explain you have a stuck pixel, upload a photo, etc. - and request Express Replacement.

If you don't have AppleCare+ then continue what you're doing.

 

[FlyingDutch]

A bad pixel is a bad pixel. It just doesn’t go away and then return. It could be visible under some background colors and less visible under others, but if it is broken, it will be visible. Try to understand which solid background colors make it more visible and then make another appointment showing them.

 

[Zimmy68]

A bad pixel is a bad pixel. It just doesn’t go away and then return. It could be visible under some background colors and less visible under others, but if it is broken, it will be visible. Try to understand which solid background colors make it more visible and then make another appointment showing them.

I am telling you, hand to God, it is always in the same area, it is always either solid or blinking red.
And, it will look normal for hours, even days.
If it is not a bad pixel, I don't know what you would call it.
I am at a loss.
I'll take a photo of it when I get home.

 

[Zimmy68]

If you have AppleCare+, call or chat Apple and explain you have a stuck pixel, upload a photo, etc. - and request Express Replacement.

If you don't have AppleCare+ then continue what you're doing.

Fun story, I was visiting a friend in Alpharetta, GA and decided to make another Apple support appointment.
Lo and behold, right before the appointment, the screen looks normal again.
I cancelled the appt, and it showed back up later that evening.
When you make an appt, Apple asks you to run a diagnostic, I half wonder if that fixes the issue temporarily since it cleared up twice right before.
I don't have Apple Care but the phone is so new, I can still get it. If I do, just calling them will get a replacement?

 

[FlyingDutch]

I am telling you, hand to God, it is always in the same area, it is always either solid or blinking red.
And, it will look normal for hours, even days.
If it is not a bad pixel, I don't know what you would call it.
I am at a loss.
I'll take a photo of it when I get home.

I have no reason not to believe you. It is quite weird…
Can you make a video when the issue is present and show them at the appointment ?

 

[Zimmy68]

I have no reason not to believe you. It is quite weird…
Can you make a video when the issue is present and show them at the appointment ?

I did, it doesn't matter. If they don't see it with their own eyes, they are not going to fix it.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Fun story, I was visiting a friend in Alpharetta, GA and decided to make another Apple support appointment.
Lo and behold, right before the appointment, the screen looks normal again.
I cancelled the appt, and it showed back up later that evening.
When you make an appt, Apple asks you to run a diagnostic, I half wonder if that fixes the issue temporarily since it cleared up twice right before.
I don't have Apple Care but the phone is so new, I can still get it. If I do, just calling them will get a replacement?

Pretty much, yeah. You may have to submit a photo showing the issue but otherwise - Express Replacement will take care of it.

 

[FlyingDutch]

I did, it doesn't matter. If they don't see it with their own eyes, they are not going to fix it.

Did you try another store ? they seems to be quite unreasonable…

 

[black_knight]

I am telling you, hand to God, it is always in the same area, it is always either solid or blinking red.
And, it will look normal for hours, even days.
If it is not a bad pixel, I don't know what you would call it.
I am at a loss.
I'll take a photo of it when I get home.

Post a vid/pic.