iPad All This Talk Of Bad Screens Is Seriously Putting Me Off

[mcdj]

Having second thoughts now might just stick with my iPad 3. I know my luck and I'll more than likely end up getting a bad one...

And I don't like how the Apple Store staff patronize you when you point out a problem and ask for a replacement!

This is why you don't ask for a replacement. You BUY a replacement, inspect it, then return the defective one, no questions asked.

 

[mattoligy]

I hate to check my iPad in the store after I buy it. I want to have my own pleasant unboxing experience at home

Completely agree, but my local store is a 45 minute drive away and I don't fancy going back and forth...

This is why you don't ask for a replacement. You BUY a replacement, inspect it, then return the defective one, no questions asked.

And what if that one is defective also? Lol. It's happened to me before...

 

[puma1552]

It IS a bit disheartening that people are still getting book spine screens, considering the panels are presumably completely different than the original Air, being laminated etc.

Mine is pretty damn good, but my 4 is absolute perfection - might swing by Apple today or tomorrow and pick up another Air 2 and if that's not perfect, then just return it and keep my current one - it's really quite nice as it is - but it would also be nice to be sheer perfection like my 4.

 

[mcdj]

Completely agree, but my local store is a 45 minute drive away and I don't fancy going back and forth...



And what if that one is defective also? Lol. It's happened to me before...

It gets tricky, but it's doable. You return them staggered. And keep buying them staggered. This assumes a health bank account and/or empty credit card.

 

[mattoligy]

Define perfection?

 

[flur]

It gets tricky, but it's doable. You return them staggered. And keep buying them staggered. This assumes a health bank account and/or empty credit card.

Or just walk in there with both boxes, tell them the problem, and inform them that you want to open the next one in-store to make sure it's good, and keep opening them until you get a good one. Had to do this with my Nexus 7, because so many of the screens were coming apart due to a glue failure. It sucked, but I got a good device.

Nothing ruins an unboxing like getting your third/fourth/fifth bad device. Might as well just rip that band-aid off as fast as possible, and get on with enjoying the good device that you finally get.

 

[betabeta]

Simple, offer more controls like White Balance, Contrast, Etc.. or allow app developers access to screen settings, then someone would have to download an app for more advanced controls.

This is becoming a content creation device with all the adobe products, as such it would help to have more controls over the display.

They have that odd white point setting, why not a simple slider for white balance, some like a warm display and some like a cooler or cold display.

Contrast is another setting people can have issues with, I know a few people who need to lower contrast or they get headaches, not me, but people do.

 

[mcdj]

Simple, offer more controls like White Balance, Contrast, Etc.. or allow app developers access to screen settings, then someone would have to download an app for more advanced controls.

This is becoming a content creation device with all the adobe products, as such it would help to have more controls over the display.

They have that odd white point setting, why not a simple slider for white balance, some like a warm display and some like a cooler or cold display.

Contrast is another setting people can have issues with, I know a few people who need to lower contrast or they get headaches, not me, but people do.

With the Air last year, the problem wasn't so much overall color as color that shifts across the screen...pink to green, yellow to neutral, etc. No amount of color calibration can fix that.

 

[Harthag]

This is why you don't ask for a replacement. You BUY a replacement, inspect it, then return the defective one, no questions asked.

Exactly. Went through 4 Air 2's at an Apple Store last night and all had a dead black pixel in the screen, which I never will tolerate. The folks at store were super cool and suggested I keep the 4th one for a week or so as the pixel may need time to burn in / light up (it doesn't, it's a dead pixel). So today I was close to a different Apple Store by work and bought another Air 2, perfection on the 1st try. I am returning the bad one shortly to the original store.

 

[c14nhl]

My screen is as it should be!

 

[betabeta]

With the Air last year, the problem wasn't so much overall color as color that shifts across the screen...pink to green, yellow to neutral, etc. No amount of color calibration can fix that.

Yeah I had the same issue so I know what you are saying and white balance wouldn't fix that, but could help to some degree. Mine was minor and only noticed it when looking for it. My main issue has always been some screens are more yellow, "warm" some more blue, "cold"

I learned a valuable lesson when going to the 5s from my cold 4s screen. At first I was not happy, but later I found the warmer screen to be more photo accurate, so now I favor a slightly warmer screen. So what happens this year? I get a colder iPhone 6+

The answer to many issues (not all) is more user controls to fit each persons needs.

 

[donnaw]

Define perfection?

Perfection - no defects that bother you personally.

When I got my iPad 3 it had some light bleed at the top and the 'book spine thing'. I kept it thinking I would get used to it. Used it a year and it bothered me all the time. The only time the discoloration didn't bother me was when I was reading a book and that's because I use white type on black screen.

But when I got my Air 1 (which has a great screen) and gave my 3 to my husband I mentioned the discoloration and bleed. He couldn't even see what I was talking about and has been happily using it for another year.

Shrug....I NEVER question other people who see the defects. Some people just notice things like this more and simply can't ignore them. On our mobil devices, the bigger ones in particular, the screen IS the device. It's the part you interact with the most. If someone sees a defect then the odds are they will never get used to it.

Keeping my fingers crossed my Air 2 is good (being delivered tomorrow). I absolutely hate returning things.

 

[Ipadfever]

Completely agree, but my local store is a 45 minute drive away and I don't fancy going back and forth...



The only problem with that is Apple stores are extremely bright. It's hard to tell until you use it in everyday situations and different lightings.

 

[Nismo73]

Pretty sure I got a perfect one. Played the screen game with my 3 in March 2012 so I've seen pinkish ones, etc. But my Air 2 has no weird hue, color shift or banding.

 

[mattoligy]

Exactly. Went through 4 Air 2's at an Apple Store last night and all had a dead black pixel in the screen, which I never will tolerate. The folks at store were super cool and suggested I keep the 4th one for a week or so as the pixel may need time to burn in / light up (it doesn't, it's a dead pixel). So today I was close to a different Apple Store by work and bought another Air 2, perfection on the 1st try. I am returning the bad one shortly to the original store.

Wow, that's bad, sorry to hear you went through all that! This is exactly what I want to avoid! What store had four units with dead pixels in a row? People may want to steer clear of it lol. My local store is Lakeside in Essex and I've got to admit, I've had a lot of defective products from there! I usually put it down to my bad luck but after so many bad experiences I'm starting to wonder...

 

[ABSjazz]

OP, if it makes you feel any better - I received mine this afternoon and can report the screen has absolutely no issues. Its a beautiful display.

 

[Harthag]

Wow, that's bad, sorry to hear you went through all that! This is exactly what I want to avoid! What store had four units with dead pixels in a row? People may want to steer clear of it lol. My local store is Lakeside in Essex and I've got to admit, I've had a lot of defective products from there! I usually put it down to my bad luck but after so many bad experiences I'm starting to wonder...

I think I just got extremely unlucky. I wouldn't avoid a particular store unless the staff is really rude or unhelpful. I've had nothing but positive experiences at all the stores in my area (Chicago). Figured to try another store since I was right by it for work.

 

[FrankB1191]

My new Air 2 screen is dandy, and I went through MANY last year. Actually, my wife and I each bought an Air last year, so I had two devices to scrutinize and return. Best Buy only takes so many returns, so we went to Walmart. Use a debit card, and when you return it, they give you cash. I finally found a good one at Walmart (no noticeable book spine, or unpleasant tint), and found another at Best Buy when they were $80 off in early December.

Long story short, I'm happy. The laminated screen doesn't have the display under glass effect, and it feel more solid/firm under my fingers.

 

[sracer]

It IS a bit disheartening that people are still getting book spine screens, considering the panels are presumably completely different than the original Air, being laminated etc.

Mine is pretty damn good, but my 4 is absolute perfection - might swing by Apple today or tomorrow and pick up another Air 2 and if that's not perfect, then just return it and keep my current one - it's really quite nice as it is - but it would also be nice to be sheer perfection like my 4.

I too have an iPad 4 with a "perfect" screen. But I have gotten into the habit of waiting 3-4 months after a new model is released before I purchase one. (I've done this with every gen except the 1st gen... I was there day-1)

Apple's manufacturers seem to have difficulty keeping up with the initial demand and it takes them a while to fine tune the calibration of their manufacturing equipment. They're not necessarily producing "faulty" products, but there are process/tool tweaks along the way that improve things.

 

[bobbydaz]

After paying this amount of money I don't expect a "lottery" as to whether or not I get a defect free screen! It's a joke!

1) How common are defective screens and what particular defect is most rife?

2) What can one do in store after purchase to check the screen before leaving? Considering the harsh lighting of an Apple Store?

I made this album that one could use to test after purchase... But is it enough on the spot?

https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A55ON9t3QTCMU

stop worrying about it. It's only a tablet for f***s sake. Surely you have more important things to worry about in your life than this pointless paranoia over a problem isn't a problem. Just get one, use it, enjoy it and stop looking for issues.

 

[Danilo - Italy]

Just went to an Apple Store here in Italy. I check about ten iPad Air 2 screens. In my opinion the quality of the new screen is below the quality of the old iPad 4 screen. Anyway not all the iPad Air 2 screens I saw are the same. The range is from almost good to not good.
For me is a little hard to understand why Apple not pay more attention at this problem in a device where the screen is everything.

My suggest is to check the screen before leave the Apple store with your new iPad Air 2.

 

[Dlanod]

My screen is much better in terms of tone than my pervious attempts to get the original Air but yup, it has a dead pixel.

Like just about every Apple product I have bought recently. I had 3 iPhone 6 all with a dead pixel and the iPhone 6 plus was the first device I have bought recently not to suffer from this.

Apple's QC is shocking. As usual. I don't know why I bother. Sticking with my Mini R with its perfect screen and slightly dodgy home button.

 

[mcdj]

Apple's QC is shocking.

I've had my share of problems with Apple stuff, but I've had very few issues with iPhones, zero issues with any computer (8 out of 8 perfect), no issues with a ton of iPods, routers, etc.

The iPad seems to be problematic. A large LCD packed into such a confined space, meant to be held so close to the face. (a 46" TV would never undergo such scrutiny).

That's a big challenge for any manufacturer. But then consider that we're talking about producing millions of these things. The only other manufacturer that comes close is Samsung, and they have similar issues.

The QC process when dealing with 100,000 units is daunting...when you make 2,000,0000, it's mind boggling.

A bunch of things are going to get missed. It's not for Apple not trying. It's about the sheer overwhelming volume.

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Surely you have more important things to worry about in your life

Says the guy who joined a forum to discuss computers on the internet.

 

[Closingracer]

Mine is perfect so much I thought about getting a 64gb cellular model and decided not to since I don't want to get rid of this screen lol

 

[Nozuka]

I too have an iPad 4 with a "perfect" screen. But I have gotten into the habit of waiting 3-4 months after a new model is released before I purchase one. (I've done this with every gen except the 1st gen... I was there day-1)

Apple's manufacturers seem to have difficulty keeping up with the initial demand and it takes them a while to fine tune the calibration of their manufacturing equipment. They're not necessarily producing "faulty" products, but there are process/tool tweaks along the way that improve things.

it does feel like the most complaints are usually coming right after the initial release..