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iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 16 Pro Max bad pixel issue

Zimmy68

Zimmy68

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jul 23, 2008
2,026
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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,
 
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.
 
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Zimmy68 said:
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,
Click to expand...
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’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?
 
FlyingDutch said:
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
Click to expand...
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.
 
russell_314 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Zimmy68 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Zimmy68 said:
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.
Click to expand...
Very sad answer… and you’re right : no point in making the purchase through them. Next time go directly to an Apple Store.
 
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Brooke795 said:
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.
Click to expand...
The store could have done better than that anyway.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
FlyingDutch said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
FreakinEurekan said:
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.
Click to expand...
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?
 
Zimmy68 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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 ?
 
FlyingDutch said:
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 ?
Click to expand...
I did, it doesn't matter. If they don't see it with their own eyes, they are not going to fix it.
 
Zimmy68 said:
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?
Click to expand...
Pretty much, yeah. You may have to submit a photo showing the issue but otherwise - Express Replacement will take care of it.
 
Zimmy68 said:
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.
Click to expand...
Post a vid/pic.
 
Here is two shots, one with a black screen and one with the Home Screen. You can see the red dot in the camera icon.
 

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FlyingDutch said:
It is clearly visible !!!
Click to expand...
But WTF is it and why does it disappear for hours at a time?
I'm going to try the Apple Store once more but this time, not run the diagnostics until the clerk sees the phone.
If that fails, I have a few more days until my chance to buy Apple Care runs out. I'll do that and ask for a new phone.
 
Hi i got the same problem as you ,mine suddenly appeared yesterday night while i was using garageband keyboard i think since i kept the bright white keyboard onscreen may be why it appeared. But mine is little above the action button and wont go away at all, yesterday night i tried resetting the iphone and it went away for 2-3minutes then appeared back and since its been like that, no oled fix videos worked for me , it doesnt flicker for me but changes the red brightness lower when i raise the brightness of my screen ,and brightens the dot when my brightness lows. Maybe its a software bug that will go away but as u said i dont think it will. Oh and im gonna attach a photo , so as u can see i been using it since october,(activated on18 october) and maybe we have early models ?? That have issues? I dont know let me know your thoughts
 

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Zimmy68 said:
But WTF is it and why does it disappear for hours at a time?
I'm going to try the Apple Store once more but this time, not run the diagnostics until the clerk sees the phone.
If that fails, I have a few more days until my chance to buy Apple Care runs out. I'll do that and ask for a new phone.
Click to expand...
Definitely a broken subpixel
 
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