iPad Pro Bright spot on iPad Pro 10.5 screen

[telemakos]

Did you get a refurbished one or a brand new device? I got a new one as I wrote before, manufactured in late Dec. 2018.
When was it manufactured? Check the manufacturing date on a site like this one:
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

 

[SophiaJ]

My 12.9" iPad Pro, purchased in January 2017, now has 2 bright spots on the display. The first one appeared in October last year. I did some research online and the only thing I could find at the time was related to pressure damage. I knew I had abused the device, but as the iPad was already out of warranty, I didn't think there was anything I could do about it. Then, about a month ago, another spot appeared. I researched again and then came across this post. I visited the Apple Store, they ran the diagnostic, found the hardware defect and asked for $599 to replace the device out of warranty. I made a claim with my Credit Card Company, but I was a few days out from their warranty also. I really expected a device costing over $1,000 to be good for more than 19 months. As a very loyal Apple customer of many years, having spent 10's of thousands of dollars with them, right now I am feeling very cheated and upset that they are not accepting any responsibility for, what is obviously, a very widespread quality issue.

 

[SophiaJ]

I just had an extensive chat conversation with a senior Apple advisor. He advised me that Apple aren't aware of this issue. Maybe I'm being naive, but I believed him. I offered to send him links to all the articles I've found online, but he told me that unless iPad customers tell them directly, they won't pick it up and do anything about it. I know that many people here have visited the Apple Store, so I can only think this information isn't being filtered through. He advised me to go here: https://www.apple.com/feedback/ and leave feedback on my experience. I'm certainly going to do that, and hope that others reading this will do the same. If they're not interested in the information on these forums, our noise won't be heard and nothing will ever be done.

 

[Moyapilot]

My 12.9" iPad Pro, purchased in January 2017, now has 2 bright spots on the display. The first one appeared in October last year. I did some research online and the only thing I could find at the time was related to pressure damage. I knew I had abused the device, but as the iPad was already out of warranty, I didn't think there was anything I could do about it. Then, about a month ago, another spot appeared. I researched again and then came across this post. I visited the Apple Store, they ran the diagnostic, found the hardware defect and asked for $599 to replace the device out of warranty. I made a claim with my Credit Card Company, but I was a few days out from their warranty also. I really expected a device costing over $1,000 to be good for more than 19 months. As a very loyal Apple customer of many years, having spent 10's of thousands of dollars with them, right now I am feeling very cheated and upset that they are not accepting any responsibility for, what is obviously, a very widespread quality issue.

I’m sorry to hear that. I felt the same way after my 10.5 developed the bright spot. Now its an eyesore that I see on every webpage and PDF. I purchased an 11” Pro on release, but returned it after discovering the white spot on my 10.5, and no longer could consider selling it to a family member like that.

I’m out of warranty, but I have a few months left on my CC extended. Not looking forward to that either as they could cause me grief or nitpick.

I suggest you vote with your wallet like I did (I returned the 11” out of spite you could say). Don’t give Apple any more of your hard earned money until they make this right. It’s a design flaw plain and simple, and not what we should have after only a year or so of ownership. Apple used to stand for stellar quality, they were really the Gold Standard. Older Macs and MacBooks used to last for a decade.

Now, look at all the issues with keyboards and screens in their laptops. The tablets with warped frames and white spots like ours. The obsession with thinness is starting to really come at a great cost.

 

[SophiaJ]

I’m sorry to hear that. I felt the same way after my 10.5 developed the bright spot. Now its an eyesore that I see on every webpage and PDF. I purchased an 11” Pro on release, but returned it after discovering the white spot on my 10.5, and no longer could consider selling it to a family member like that.

I’m out of warranty, but I have a few months left on my CC extended. Not looking forward to that either as they could cause me grief or nitpick.

I suggest you vote with your wallet like I did (I returned the 11” out of spite you could say). Don’t give Apple any more of your hard earned money until they make this right. It’s a design flaw plain and simple, and not what we should have after only a year or so of ownership. Apple used to stand for stellar quality, they were really the Gold Standard. Older Macs and MacBooks used to last for a decade.

Now, look at all the issues with keyboards and screens in their laptops. The tablets with warped frames and white spots like ours. The obsession with thinness is starting to really come at a great cost.

 

[Johnny365]

I'm looking forward to what the iPad Mini 5 will be, specs wise.

Probably an A10 CPU among other things

 

[SophiaJ]

So many of us affected 🙁. I had a long chat conversation with a Senior Apple Advisor today and he told me that they don't know anything about this issue (he told me I was the first customer to tell him anything about it). He suggested posting feedback on the Apple website. He told me they're not interested in posts on forums like this. They'll only look at it seriously if multiple people contact them directly.

Regarding the CC claim, I would really recommend you trying. I initially went down that route because I was given the wrong information by the CC company; they told me I was covered. It wasn't until I submitted the claim that they told me my CC insurance had expired 🙁. To make the claim, I had to get an estimate from Apple. I went to the Apple Store (2 hours of my life I'm not getting back on top of everything else!) and they ran a diagnostic on the device which clearly showed a hardware defect. The estimate also stated that there was no physical damage to the device. If I'd had CC insurance, I'm sure they would have honored it because it's clearly a manufacturer's defect.

I wish I could vote with my wallet, but I'm an Illustrator and the apps I use are only available on iPad. I hope one day soon there will be a viable alternative. For now, they have the market advantage and monopoly which they don't deserve in my opinion. You can imagine how much it sticks in my throat right now, the thought of having to reward the manufacturer who produced my defective device with another $1000+ to replace it because they won't accept any responsibility for their poor quality products.

 

[DrDreiMuthafuka]

The first unit had a white spot, and was replaced. The second unit both had a white spot AND a flickering screen with light leaks on the top of the home button after 1 year and 2 months. When the flickering and the light leaks occurred, my iPad was already out of its warranty. I asked a local service center here in the Philippines and they told me to coordinate with Apple Asia Pacific (in Singapore I think). We exchanged a few calls and emails and they agreed to replace my second iPad even if it's out of warranty. The replacement iPad is still on its way and I'm actually considering selling it because I'm worried that the white spot issue might happen again, although I'll be missing the 120 hz if I "downgrade" to the new Air. The currents Pros are out of reach because they sell for 1000 USD for a base model here.

 

[digiphantom]

I didn’t know this was a widespread issue until I noticed a post talking about the new iPad Air. I just looked at my 10.5 pro and realize I also have a small white dot too. I thought it was a fingerprint smudge at first. It’s hard to notice though.

If I take it to the apple store, would they consider this a defect or be able to detect it? I think I have a few months of AppleCare left.

 

[Whoakapi]

So many of us affected 🙁. I had a long chat conversation with a Senior Apple Advisor today and he told me that they don't know anything about this issue (he told me I was the first customer to tell him anything about it). He suggested posting feedback on the Apple website. He told me they're not interested in posts on forums like this. They'll only look at it seriously if multiple people contact them directly.

Regarding the CC claim, I would really recommend you trying. I initially went down that route because I was given the wrong information by the CC company; they told me I was covered. It wasn't until I submitted the claim that they told me my CC insurance had expired 🙁. To make the claim, I had to get an estimate from Apple. I went to the Apple Store (2 hours of my life I'm not getting back on top of everything else!) and they ran a diagnostic on the device which clearly showed a hardware defect. The estimate also stated that there was no physical damage to the device. If I'd had CC insurance, I'm sure they would have honored it because it's clearly a manufacturer's defect.

I wish I could vote with my wallet, but I'm an Illustrator and the apps I use are only available on iPad. I hope one day soon there will be a viable alternative. For now, they have the market advantage and monopoly which they don't deserve in my opinion. You can imagine how much it sticks in my throat right now, the thought of having to reward the manufacturer who produced my defective device with another $1000+ to replace it because they won't accept any responsibility for their poor quality products.

Haha well, if actively ignore evidence you obviously won't find any issues.

I would say that internet forums (with image evidence) has been fine since 2000-something for showing issues. As a start this thread has 24 pages...

 

[AlexJoda]

Haha well, if actively ignore evidence you obviously won't find any issues.

I would say that internet forums (with image evidence) has been fine since 2000-something for showing issues. As a start this thread has 24 pages...

No service employee from any company would confirm that they heard from an issue before. You are always the first customer with this problem. That is one of the first things that you learn when you start working in this job....

 

[Johnny365]

Or any customer service job that "internally" may have an issue documented/tracked, but "externally" you, as an employee are supposed to have the reaction like it is the first they have seen of this anomaly. It's all about the image that a problem isn't as widespread as you think and downplay.

We all know better. Maybe years later, they will finally admit it.

 

[bpd115]

Just noticed this on my out of warranty 10.5" Pro....it's faint but you can see it when scrolling if you know it's there....didn't think much of it until I came across this thread. I can pretty much even trade it in for a new 5th Gen Mini and being I have a new 12.9", that combo makes more sense anyway.

 

[txcoolio]

same issue here with my iPad Pro 10.5 inch. out of warranty. Went to the apple store and they absolutely declined any help but a replacement of the whole device for S$600+.

Absolutely ridiculous given its an obvious hardware issue affecting so many of us.

they need to own up and start a repair programme ASAP.

Not buying a new apple device with such **** reliability and service issues

 

[BritishApple]

Just noticed this on my out of warranty 10.5" Pro....it's faint but you can see it when scrolling if you know it's there....didn't think much of it until I came across this thread. I can pretty much even trade it in for a new 5th Gen Mini and being I have a new 12.9", that combo makes more sense anyway.

See this is a dangerous precedent we’re setting, and I’m guilty of it too. Apple are selling us devices with manufacturing flaws and rather than voting with our wallets, we’re giving them what they want. My iPhone 7 “died” due to the known audio IC issue, a manufacturing defect. These 10.5 Pro’s, which I also own and as yet have had no issue with (touch wood) clearly has a manufacturing flaw with these white spots.

When we experience these issues out of warranty, we’re told “just trade it for a new one” or are quoted ridiculous repair prices. These are PREMIUM products, they should not break due to no fault of the user, on this scale, within 12-18 months of use.

Yet, with my iPhone 7, what did I do? I went home and ordered a XR when the “Genius” suggested trade in or stupid money to fix it. And I’m angry with myself for doing so.

I’m increasingly getting annoyed with Apple.

 

[Johnny365]

But what is exactly causing the white spot and how would Apple fix it so it doesn’t occur again after 13 months.

 

[BritishApple]

But what is exactly causing the white spot and how would Apple fix it so it doesn’t occur again after 13 months.

There is no “fix”, much like the iPhone 7 audio IC issue, the recommendation will probably be to swap out the unit at a high cost or trade it in toward a new model.

Manufacturing issues can’t be “fixed”, only managed and Apple manages all of theirs by taking a big broom and sweeping it under the carpet.

 

[Johnny365]

But refurbished units are probably getting fixed on some level or those that are traded in or “warranty fixed”. Maybe a new screen but the defect resurfaces after a while, right?

 

[Trouble1]

I just bought a refurbed 10.5 iPP yesterday. HOPING the spot does not appear and that Apple has fixed this issue on these refurb models.

 

[sracer]

I just bought a refurbed 10.5 iPP yesterday. HOPING the spot does not appear and that Apple has fixed this issue on these refurb models.

I hope that you don't experience this issue, but I highly doubt that Apple fixed it. Once the 2018 iPad Pros were released, the 10.5 Pro was only kept around for a few months to fill the gap between the 2018 iPad and the Pros. Apple wasn't going to fix something that was then going to be discontinued so soon.

A question I have is (and only time will tell), will the new 10.5 iPad Air suffer from the same issue?

 

[jacenskylo]

I hope that you don't experience this issue, but I highly doubt that Apple fixed it. Once the 2018 iPad Pros were released, the 10.5 Pro was only kept around for a few months to fill the gap between the 2018 iPad and the Pros. Apple wasn't going to fix something that was then going to be discontinued so soon.

A question I have is (and only time will tell), will the new 10.5 iPad Air suffer from the same issue?

I was actually wondering the same thing.

 

[SnyG]

Traded my 10.5 in on Friday after upgrading to the new 12.9. I knew it had the white spot but I didn’t mention it in the O2 shop on the off-chance they didn’t notice... they did, and they got in contact today to tell me that instead of £310 they can now only offer me under £80.

I think they’re specifically looking out for this. Thankfully I’m not relying on the money, but ffs Apple.

 

[Johnny365]

I want to see a bright spot that is really worn in and see how big it gets.

 

[Wando64]

Traded my 10.5 in on Friday after upgrading to the new 12.9. I knew it had the white spot but I didn’t mention it in the O2 shop on the off-chance they didn’t notice... they did, and they got in contact today to tell me that instead of £310 they can now only offer me under £80.

I think they’re specifically looking out for this. Thankfully I’m not relying on the money, but ffs Apple.

Are you kidding me?
I give you £90 plus postage.

Seriously

 

[jamesrick80]

I have said plenty of times if you buy the 2017 iPad pro models the white spot will eventually come....No matter what ....

Just try your iPad pro 2017 on full brightness or close to full brightness 4 to 6 months later and you will find it.