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iPad Pro 12,9 M1 shows a dark and a bright spot
- Thread starter makra
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That looks like pretty typical pressure damage rather than a defect. If you have AppleCare+ it might be covered under the accidental damage portion of that but it's unlikely to be covered for free. However, only Apple can actually answer this question so talk to them.
I have the exact same bright and dark spots on the right side of my M1 iPad Pro 12.9 screen and it started in the same month. My iPad Pro has been in a hard case with a thick, Belkin glass screen proctor and there is no way it is related to pressure or physical damage. I suspect this is either an iPadOS issue or a component that is either failing as a result of the update -or- age. I should also point out it is an intermittent fault that sometimes disappears after restarting the iPad and only appears when certain apps are launched or media is played in Safari.
I specifically checked to see if there were other users with the same issue and your thread was already at the top of the forum confirming it is not unique to my iPad Pro. I am now using iPadOS 17 and the latest update may or may not have reduced the frequency of the spots appearing.
My intuition is that it is most likely a failing component in the M1 iPad Pro 12.9 that I hope won’t eventually show up in all M1 iPad Pro 12.9 units. And now I’m suspect about the reasons/motivations Apple might have added hover to the M2 and what else they changed.
I specifically checked to see if there were other users with the same issue and your thread was already at the top of the forum confirming it is not unique to my iPad Pro. I am now using iPadOS 17 and the latest update may or may not have reduced the frequency of the spots appearing.
My intuition is that it is most likely a failing component in the M1 iPad Pro 12.9 that I hope won’t eventually show up in all M1 iPad Pro 12.9 units. And now I’m suspect about the reasons/motivations Apple might have added hover to the M2 and what else they changed.
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That looks like the same issue my brother had with his IPP M1. Does it go away when you put a light pressure on the display? It was an intermittent issue for him and we didn't know how to replicate it. It just happened randomly. We went to a nearest Apple store to get it checked because it was still within warranty. They performed their usual initial investigation and took the iPad for a replacement. He got his replacement unit after 2 weeks.
That’s precisely the issue. At the time, I preferred the 12.9 size but was weary of purchasing the first generation Mini LED iPad Pro displays from Apple due to the blooming— and now the display may very well be beginning to fail. I hope that it disappears with a software update.
I reported this back in November 2021. No one in this forum responded. :-(
Hi everyone. Today I noticed a small black dot on the left bottom in landscape mode of my 5th generation Ipad 12.9 Pro. I have an appointment with the Apple Store tomorrow afternoon. Please see the picture. Does anyone have an idea what that black dot/smudge is? I have cleaned the screen with a soft damp cloth, but it will not go away.
Update: I took my 5th generation 12.9 IPAD Pro to the Apple Store today. The Genius identified another spot at the top left of the screen. The spot was white. The Genius gave me a brand new 5th generation 12.9 IPAD Pro as a replacement. My previous IPAD Pro was only 4 months old. I only did light gaming and occasionally watched TV shows on the IPAD. I'm not sure if this will be an issue with other's 5th Generation 12.9 Pros, but keep an eye on it.
This is a copy of the work order:
Steps to Reproduce: Confirmed during appointment
Cosmetic Condition: Leightleakage on the display
Proposed Resolution: Customer isn’t concern about data
Swap under warranty
Contact Apple Support Case: 101553201262
Employee 366938673
The above estimate does not include applicable taxes. Taxes will be calculated at the time of payment.
I acknowledge that I agree to use REFURBISHED part(s)/unit(s)
Work Authorization. I agree that the Repair Terms and Conditions on the reverse side of this page will apply to the service of the Product identified above; Apple is not responsible for any loss or corruption of the data on my product during service; as unintentional loss of data may occur as a result of the service, it is my responsibility to make a backup copy of my data before bringing my product to Apple for service; goods presented for repair may be replaced by refurbished goods of the same type rather than being repaired. Refurbished parts may be used to repair the goods.
View attachment 1915042
Hi everyone. Today I noticed a small black dot on the left bottom in landscape mode of my 5th generation Ipad 12.9 Pro. I have an appointment with the Apple Store tomorrow afternoon. Please see the picture. Does anyone have an idea what that black dot/smudge is? I have cleaned the screen with a soft damp cloth, but it will not go away.
Update: I took my 5th generation 12.9 IPAD Pro to the Apple Store today. The Genius identified another spot at the top left of the screen. The spot was white. The Genius gave me a brand new 5th generation 12.9 IPAD Pro as a replacement. My previous IPAD Pro was only 4 months old. I only did light gaming and occasionally watched TV shows on the IPAD. I'm not sure if this will be an issue with other's 5th Generation 12.9 Pros, but keep an eye on it.
This is a copy of the work order:
| Apple Staten Island | |
| Nov 21, 2021 | 718.568.2230 |
Genius Bar Work Authorization & Service Confirmation
Repair No: R516698992Customer Information | Product Information | |
| Alan Howard | Warranty Status: In Warranty (W) | |
United States | Model: iPad Pro, 12.9-inch, 5th Gen, Wi-Fi | |
| Date of Purchase: Jul 13, 2021 | ||
| Serial No: CY9RQJ4K45 | ||
| IMEI: | ||
Problem Description/Diagnosis
Issue: Customer stated that he display has light leakage on itSteps to Reproduce: Confirmed during appointment
Cosmetic Condition: Leightleakage on the display
Proposed Resolution: Customer isn’t concern about data
Swap under warranty
Contact Apple Support Case: 101553201262
Employee 366938673
Repair Estimate
| Item Number | Description | Price | Amount Due | Customer KBB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 661-20335 | Space Gray, 256 GB, iPad Pro 12.9-inch, 5th gen, Wi-Fi : V4HPD2NR99 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | |
| SC2Y2Z/A | IPAD PRO 12.9,5GEN,WIFI,FLAT RATE,RETAIL | $ 699.00 | $ 0.00 | |
| Total (Tax not included) | $ 699.00 | $ 0.00 |
I acknowledge that I agree to use REFURBISHED part(s)/unit(s)
Work Authorization. I agree that the Repair Terms and Conditions on the reverse side of this page will apply to the service of the Product identified above; Apple is not responsible for any loss or corruption of the data on my product during service; as unintentional loss of data may occur as a result of the service, it is my responsibility to make a backup copy of my data before bringing my product to Apple for service; goods presented for repair may be replaced by refurbished goods of the same type rather than being repaired. Refurbished parts may be used to repair the goods.
Parts and Service
| Item Number | Description | Price | Amount Due | Customer KBB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Same as described above | ||||
| Total (Tax not included) | $ 699.00 | $ 0.00 |
View attachment 1915042
Attachments
There goes another one. Thank you for adding your case to this thread.
I now this is an old thread, but this is my 8th iPad issue. This showed up on my 12.9" iPad Pro M1. About done with iPads. I love them, but I just can't throw away this much money every year or so, and Apple will never fess up to a hardware issue. But I don't want to go Galaxy Tab S8 or S9 Ultra as it has a stinking notch.
The dark spot syndrome has struck my iPad about a month ago. I have a screen protector and hard rear case that supports the Magic Keyboard. I use the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil a lot, but I have not done anything to damage the screen. The spot tends to float from one side to another. Some days it does not appear, and others it disappears and reappears.
I have also recently hit buy this problem. I have an ipad 5th gen 12.9 that is out of warranty and has a dark blotch appear where the spacepar would be on the keyboard. It appears out of no where and then disap with gentle pressure that is put on the backside of the screen. With it being out of warranty i doubt apple will be of any help. I am hoping it will be a simple fix if i take it to a third party repair store, something along the lines of loose fitting etc. The spot does not bother me too much but i am worried it will spread, any advice?
I have a launch 12.9 M1 Pro and thankfully don't have this issue. BUT I have also extended my AC+ on a month-by-month, so if it does happen then I'll demand an express replacement.
Would also solve my 89% battery health issue
Would also solve my 89% battery health issue
Please read my report I posted back in August 2023. It happened to me back in November 2021. The spot started at one location and then to another location. I was still in the warranty period and the Genius gave me a replacement IPAD. Expect the spot to spread to another location.
Jupp juuppp jupp Jupp. This just showed up on mine! Litterally 3-4 days ago. Dark spot left side, white spot right. They seem perfectly aligned to boot. I sort of (perhaps imagining it) notice a faint line between them, but only sometimes.
It’s not really where I would hold my thumbs either..and they wouldn’t be perfectly aligned anyway.
Is it the magnets in the case? I have also noticed a huge increase in temperature after the recent updates as well. Charing goes HOT currently.
With AppleCare or without? I got added to family plan and couldn’t use my credit card to renew AppleCare and then it was all a hassle…then I forgot and it went out and couldn’t renew…
Looks like the iPad Pro M1 has this issue pretty often. I’ve seen a bunch of people reporting it. Maybe it’s a good time to think about upgrading to the M5.
I've been investigating a little.
My iPad 12.9 has never ever been out of it's Apple Folio case and it always travels inside a plush slide in laptop case.
IF it were direct pressure from above, the damage to the LEDs would most likely show warping/pixelation or other damage to the visual part of the display assembly. It would also most likely not affect such a limited pinpoint part of the display. I'd argue you can't flex the glass at such a small location. But if not, glass against glass (LED) would break the LED.
The only pressure the screen has been under (hehe) is holding it one handed with the thumb on the screen. Which I'd argue it needs to have been designed for. So now undue pressure there. It's also not in the spot I most often hold it.
IMO this issue seems to affect the light source behind the LED. If this is damaged by pressure from above, the LEDs should also show some sign of damage. They do not.
BUT what if there is a protruding component under the light source affected, now THAT could damage the light source but not the LEDs. This I would argue is a design flaw or too low tolerance for movement/flex.
I've seen lots of separate posts on Reddit for this issue, but these posts don't get a lot of traction and there's no unison "oh that's the wfg5738e_%6696gg part that's sourced from Facory B that gives out after 50.000 miles".
The weird thing is, everyone reports it either comes and goes for a while before becoming permanent OR it's possible to make it disappear by light pressure on the spot itself.
So it seems to me it's a case of faulty wiring to the light source. I have no idea about the technical aspects of Mini LED, clearly. But perhaps putting pressure on it re-engages the wiring somehow? Perhaps it's glued together and heat wears that down over time?
Or the light source itself is on its way to die? Like old incandescent bulbs. They'd flicker and you'd knock them and they'd shine brighter for a short while before the tungsten died completely.
Since I have one dark spot on my left side of the screen and an identical sized WHITE spot on the right that's perfectly paralleled, I'd bet it's some wiring issue and inherent issue with Apples chosen mini led screen technology.
In any case, don't think it's user error or holding it wrong.
My iPad 12.9 has never ever been out of it's Apple Folio case and it always travels inside a plush slide in laptop case.
IF it were direct pressure from above, the damage to the LEDs would most likely show warping/pixelation or other damage to the visual part of the display assembly. It would also most likely not affect such a limited pinpoint part of the display. I'd argue you can't flex the glass at such a small location. But if not, glass against glass (LED) would break the LED.
The only pressure the screen has been under (hehe) is holding it one handed with the thumb on the screen. Which I'd argue it needs to have been designed for. So now undue pressure there. It's also not in the spot I most often hold it.
IMO this issue seems to affect the light source behind the LED. If this is damaged by pressure from above, the LEDs should also show some sign of damage. They do not.
BUT what if there is a protruding component under the light source affected, now THAT could damage the light source but not the LEDs. This I would argue is a design flaw or too low tolerance for movement/flex.
I've seen lots of separate posts on Reddit for this issue, but these posts don't get a lot of traction and there's no unison "oh that's the wfg5738e_%6696gg part that's sourced from Facory B that gives out after 50.000 miles".
The weird thing is, everyone reports it either comes and goes for a while before becoming permanent OR it's possible to make it disappear by light pressure on the spot itself.
So it seems to me it's a case of faulty wiring to the light source. I have no idea about the technical aspects of Mini LED, clearly. But perhaps putting pressure on it re-engages the wiring somehow? Perhaps it's glued together and heat wears that down over time?
Or the light source itself is on its way to die? Like old incandescent bulbs. They'd flicker and you'd knock them and they'd shine brighter for a short while before the tungsten died completely.
Since I have one dark spot on my left side of the screen and an identical sized WHITE spot on the right that's perfectly paralleled, I'd bet it's some wiring issue and inherent issue with Apples chosen mini led screen technology.
In any case, don't think it's user error or holding it wrong.