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Anyone else affected by screen bleed/uneven tint on Series 4? [MERGED]

Is your s4 screen affected by vertical line issue or uneven tint display?

  • Yes

    Votes: 22 51.2%

  • No

    Votes: 21 48.8%
  • Total voters
    43
  • Poll closed .
V

viperGTS

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Nov 15, 2010
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I’m surprised this issue isn’t being talked about here. Basically, a lot of people on Reddit have noticed that their series 4 models have uneven screens where one side looks brighter than the other. My series 4 is also affected by this. :(

Here’s one such thread (there are quite a few though) in case you’re interested, which also has a link to an image to test if you’re affected by it in one of the comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/AppleWatch...ced_their_watch_with/?st=JN63EKX0&sh=b74008d1

I can’t reproduce this on my series 3, so this is definitely a problem with series 4, probably exclusively.

Anyone else affected by this? Keep in mind that a pure black background makes it impossible to see (since the pixels are off).

Many people mistakingly believe they don’t have it: you need an image that forces the pixels to activate, like a dark gray one, to see it. I noticed it in particular when getting directions; the left side looked brighter than the right.
 
Last edited:
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First SBSS had a much lighter left screen edge that was noticeable on grey and other colored screens. With that and a screen not flush with the case I returned and managed to rebuy later the same day. New one has no issues.
 
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viperGTS said:
I’m surprised this issue isn’t being talked about here. Basically, a lot of people on Reddit have noticed that their series 4 models have uneven screens where one side looks brighter than the other. My series 4 is also affected by this. :(

Here’s one such thread (there are quite a few though) in case you’re interested, which also has a link to an image to test if you’re affected by it in one of the comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/AppleWatch...ced_their_watch_with/?st=JN63EKX0&sh=b74008d1

I can’t reproduce this on my series 3, so this is definitely a problem with series 4, probably exclusively.

Anyone else affected by this?
Click to expand...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/series-4-defects-thread.2146496/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/display-bleed.2146691/
 
Vegaspilot said:
First SBSS had a much lighter left screen edge that was noticeable on grey and other colored screens. With that and a screen not flush with the case I returned and managed to rebuy later the same day. New one has no issues.
Click to expand...

Ah, it’s good to know your replacement had no issues. So there does exist good screens!

abdulkar.im said:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/series-4-defects-thread.2146496/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/display-bleed.2146691/
Click to expand...

Perfect, I’m glad there are threads on this! The one specifically about screen bleed hasn’t had activity since Wednesday though. I want to use this thread to see if others are affected by it too, without bumping that one.
 
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newellj said:
Negative. S4 SS, perfect display.
Click to expand...
Did you test with the image from Reddit? Just want to make sure you’re not checking with an absolutely pure black photo. Displays will appear perfect with those even when they aren’t (this includes most watch faces).
 
viperGTS said:
Ah, it’s good to know your replacement had no issues. So there does exist good screens!



Perfect, I’m glad there are threads on this! The one specifically about screen bleed hasn’t had activity since Wednesday though. I want to use this thread to see if others are affected by it too, without bumping that one.
Click to expand...

Create a new thread about something that already has a thread, as opposed to contributing to the existing thread ..... OK gotcha :confused:
 
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viperGTS said:
Did you test with the image from Reddit? Just want to make sure you’re not checking with an absolutely pure black photo. Displays will appear perfect with those even when they aren’t (this includes most watch faces).
Click to expand...

Done. In total darkness, I can see the edges are very, very slightly lighter than the rest of the display. It's undetectable in any normal conditions, even dim light. Since the image is essentially dark gray to start with, rather than black, I will say that the display is for all practical purposes perfect.
 
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I returned my AW4 SS a week ago for this reason and also a very odd cross effect on the screen, looked a lot like screen burn from something having been shown on the screen for a while and damaged the OLED pixels. It was like that from new... Fingers crossed the replacement, which arrives Monday, will be better. Had a bad run on Apple screens lately... :(
 
Deguello said:
So I need to view a color I never want to see, in a lighting situation I almost never use, to see a problem I have no interest in encountering? Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

I mentioned this in another thread, but this is why most consumers who don’t frequent a tech forum, will never have any inclination to search for a defect that they have to go through multiple steps to do so. It’s not worth trying to find something wrong, unless_ it blatantly stands out, which Apple then will rectify/address.
 
viperGTS said:
It’s like you didn’t even bother to read the part of my post where I said I tested it against a series 3. :rolleyes:

@Balders thank you for your input. Hopefully your new screen is great!
Click to expand...
So you’re stirring crap about an issue that doesn’t affect you, and started a new thread even though you knew there were existing threads.

I hope you have received the attention you were seeking.
 
tromboneaholic said:
So you’re stirring crap about an issue that doesn’t affect you, and started a new thread even though you knew there were existing threads.

I hope you have received the attention you were seeking.
Click to expand...

Learn to read, I clearly said the issue affected me.

I'm not trying to seek attention to myself, but rather the issue, with this post.
 
Some pictures of my SS S4 which I purchased yesterday in Munich/Germany.
https://imgur.com/a/n7CSuDs
Both images witch watch screen turned off and increased the brightness using the crown.
The uneven screen on the Kaleidoskope one doesn't really bother me, even though I'm usually the one that finds such things most annoying.
Second image with the black background seems to be worse on camera as irl, just as reference for the others with the black background in a dark room.

I thought about returning it, but how likely is it to get a better screen if currently a lot seem to have this issue?
Waiting a few weeks till they have adjusted their manufacturing stuff and be able to exchange it within a few days seems to be the best idea to me (If i remember it then).
 
Newtons Apple said:
My 44mm AW4 LTE has worked without a flaw. I have no desire to find defects and as long as it works and looks perfect to me I am not going to worry.

I am so glad I am not like others who are freaking out trying to find something wrong with their devices
Click to expand...

Stop being so normal! You have to try all sorts of tests first to see if you can find any possible issue that you will otherwise never see! It is the only way to be productive and know you got a good device!
 
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Sandoop said:
Some pictures of my SS S4 which I purchased yesterday in Munich/Germany.
https://imgur.com/a/n7CSuDs
Both images witch watch screen turned off and increased the brightness using the crown.
The uneven screen on the Kaleidoskope one doesn't really bother me, even though I'm usually the one that finds such things most annoying.
Second image with the black background seems to be worse on camera as irl, just as reference for the others with the black background in a dark room.

I thought about returning it, but how likely is it to get a better screen if currently a lot seem to have this issue?
Waiting a few weeks till they have adjusted their manufacturing stuff and be able to exchange it within a few days seems to be the best idea to me (If i remember it then).
Click to expand...

That looks awful. I've been hearing reports on Reddit that good screens are out there. Might be best to wait a bit and see if the issue clears with newer models from the assembly line.
 
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viperGTS said:
That looks awful. I've been hearing reports on Reddit that good screens are out there. Might be best to wait a bit and see if the issue clears with newer models from the assembly line.
Click to expand...

I suspect there are more than enough good screens out there. The reality is, the majority will never notice what others do On here , or even go to the extent of trying to reproduce some of these tests to see if their display is -un-uniform. I have also read where other members are learning to actually just enjoy the watch and not worry about their display Being uneven. Unless it’s drastically to the point where it’s distracting, then of course by all means, Apple should be aware of it.
 
I tried my best to find a flaw on my series 4 screen but couldn’t see anything. Black is pitch black and white is glaring white.
 
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