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iPad Air 2 Screen distoring when holding.
- Thread starter Millionaire2K
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I've read tons of posts in this thread about "distortion-gate". I've got iPad Air 2 SG 16GB cell and there is distortion issue on the right side when holding one hand but there is also problem on the left side symmetrically to the right area. To show the problem I don't need to press back of my iPad but only tap screen (not really hard, normal finger press) just over the problematic place and within 2" from it. It's annoying as hell. I've been using iPad from 3 months and now I think there is a light visible blue spot in this place caused by regular stamping by hardware (edge of battery?) under the screen. Sometimes when I hold iPad by one hand I hear clicks inside. I'm going to replace my machnine but I'm worried I'll get scratched/dusty/moredistortiongated refurb (in the past I've replaced many Airs 1 with dust under the screen). Apple QC sucks...
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My Air 2 doesn't have the problem. To get any distortion to show up I have to press pretty hard. Way more than I would under normal usage conditions which for all intents and purposes means the problem doesn't exist for me.
If you are seeing distortions while simply holding it and it bothers you, get it replaced before the warranty expires.
If you are seeing distortions while simply holding it and it bothers you, get it replaced before the warranty expires.
I have not been able to induce any sort of distortion under any conditions that are even remotely normal.
I am now in the position where I am on my third iPad Air 2 unit (the first one is what I bought from Apple, and the second two are Genius Bar swaps). I got a Silver 128GB WiFi only unit, for those that care. Given that this is my third one with issue, I have gotten customer relations involved and am going to see what I can do to get a different product. Sadly, this is the first time where there isn't a newer product to replace it with. I'm guessing they'll either let me buy a cellular mini 4 or an iPad Pro (provided I shell out the difference). Lame that there isn't an iPad Air 3 that I can conveniently opt for instead.
I'll put it this way: I've looked at a lot of iPA2s since they came out, in many different stores, and I have yet to find a single unit that doesn't do this. I cannot definitively say they all do it, because naturally I haven't seen all iPA2s, but I strongly suspect this to be the case. I think many folks around here just don't know what to look for.
So, I think you just have to accept this is very common with (if not inherent to) the device (the iPad Mini 4 does the same thing, by the way), and decide if you can live with it. I opted for a refurb iPA1 and it's fine, but the newer model is a helluva machine and if I were making the decision today I'd probably just go for it.
Mine does not do this. At all. Well maybe if I intentionally press my finger into the back with force, but that'd just be me trying to create an issue where none exists. I haven't seen distortion at all when holding it in hand and I do that a lot.
Mine is a refurbished model, maybe that makes a difference?
Mine is a refurbished model, maybe that makes a difference?
I don't see it on my model either, but I'm not really trying to recreate the problem. I figure if I don't see it in day to day usage (and I'm not pressing the back of the A2 in usage), then it's not an issue.
I have a feeling people saying that most or all A2s have this issue are manhandling them. It's similar to the iP6 "bend-gate" issue where people were complaining the phones bent, but had to use a significant amount of force to do so.
I have a feeling people saying that most or all A2s have this issue are manhandling them. It's similar to the iP6 "bend-gate" issue where people were complaining the phones bent, but had to use a significant amount of force to do so.
So, besides annoying, does this issue cause permanent damage? I know CR says no, but any other sources?
I bought 2 Ipad air 2s.
1 of the 2 I noticed that just from holding the ipad with 1 hand the slight pressure on the back of the ipad distorts the screen as if I was pressing hard on the front of the screen.
Does anyone else have this problem?
This does not happen with my air "1".
I notice it only on the right side. You can see it happen more on the bottom half. It's easy to see happen with any screen EXCEPT a white screen.
My 2nd air 2 I notice does it very lightly in 1 small area. I'm not even sure I would have noticed if I didn't see it first on the other ipad.
Any thoughts? Is this a normal thing? Will it stop doing this?
The only difference between the ipads are 64/128 gb
Thanks
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10/25 update:
Ok,
So I went to the Apple store today.
I showed the guy the issue on my 128 Silver LTE.
He said "wow" and picked up the ipad. He was able to see it VERY EASY. He said "that's not right, lets get you another"
So he brings out the new 1 and sure enough the new 1 did it also. However the new 1 only does it in the middle spot on the right. The one I brought in does it on the entire right side.
We then went over to the display units and ALL of them did it. He said that he will let his manager know.
I then asked if I could keep the new one that does it less and he said sure.
So Apple was VERY nice about the entire thing. The guys was super nice. He also took notes to forward to the repair team. He asked if they could contact me with any questions and I said sure.
In the end I'm VERY happy with my iPad air 2. This is NOT a deal breaker for me. I just needed my last one traded out because the problem was much worst then my new 1.
I just needed to be sure I didn't have a defective unit.
Anyone with this issue in just 1 or 2 spots, Id say you got a good 1. If it doesn't bother you, you should keep it.
Anyone with the issue in more then 2 spots on the right I'd suggest you exchange it.
PS- side note. beyond this issue, The ipad air 2 is great. Of all 3 I had, all 3 had great screens.. No yellow/pixel/spine issues.
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10/26
ISSUE CONFIRMED:
Consumer Reports now says it happens:
"In fact, the Air 2 is so thin that you can depress the screen from the back of the device. You know how poking an LCD with a fingertip produces a temporary distortion, a small puddle of color? The same thing happens on the Air 2 if you press it from behind—there's no reason to think this will damage the device.)"
So if you support enough weight of the ipad air 2 on your fingers it acts like you're pressing the ipad and it happens.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...th-your-current-ipad-skip-the-air-2/index.htm
Yeah same here, I have had 2 iPad Air 2 units and both of them have had distortions especially mainly when you press the middle of the back softly but anywhere else you have to press quite hard to get the distortion, I still have my 2nd unit and am very happy with and the screen distortions does not bother me one bit, it does not cause me a problem!
I think the problem is that the iPad Air 2 is ridiculously thin at 6.1mm and I think if Apple does not sort this out and not fix the problem with the Air 3 and making it even thinner then I am afraid to say that the screen distortions will only going to get worse and worse and worse......
Thankfully according to the rumors the iPad Air 3 will be slightly thicker then the Air 2 because of the A9X chip and new speakers.
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