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Racineur

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 11, 2013
578
176
Montréal, Québec
Hello to you all. I need some advice and maybe some input from longtime owners of iPad Air 2. I received mine yesterday after 6 days wait. I have read tons of reviews and seen zillions of videos before. This is my first ever Apple mobile device. I have a 27 iMac and phone and tablet are Android. Gee this baby is fast. Faster than I thought actually. But some little things makes me scratch my head....First, there's a tiny greyish-to-white band like a color gradient running from top to bottom left side of the screen. Have read it's not so uncommon. Is it a case of returning-replacing? Second, I find the colors to be quite muted compared to say my old Tab 3 or even my HTC-One-S. Actually, I'm most worried with the greyish gradient. Should I do something before the 14 days return policy? Or is it much acceptable and Im being fussy?

Thanks for your hints.
 
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OTACORB

macrumors 68000
Jun 21, 2009
1,546
1,035
Central, Louisiana
IF you aren't happy with the screen then by all means exchange it. the tiny grayish to white color gradient doesn't sound right to me. In terms of muted colors, YES Samsung devices uses Amoled displays which they tend to set them with high vivid colors. I personally always hate that and usually adjusted the settings. Apple uses LCD's and of course the colors are more nature and not overly saturated. Once you get use to that though its a big change going back to a LCD. Those Amoled displays though are something to behold.
 

Aydy

macrumors 6502a
Nov 22, 2015
627
452
The grey-ish gradient is known as the book spine effect. A lot of air2s are affected, mine included.

If this bothers you then by all means return/replace but be aware you most likely may get other screen issues. Yellow, blue, pink tints, colour shifts, light bleed, have all been noted on A2 (not all but significantly & worryingly many)

I personally am OK with the mild book spine effect on mine as this one replaced my original which had a very ugly yellowing tone all over the left side. It looked stained & was horrid to look at on white or grey backgrounds.
Like someone had lifted the glass and pee'd on the display horrid

I dont know if the process of Laminated bonding of the Air2 screen is to blame but i do see a growing number of "screen issue" threads on both Air2 and ipad Pro models who both coincidently use the laminate technique but i could be barking here..

Its unfortunate because the Air2 is such a powerful device but i feel that fundamentally the screen is arguably the most important feature of any tablet device and if it is not done right then there is no forgive in that. Especially at apples price-point and reputation..

Also i think if you are coming from Amoled then colours will look stilted. Dont get me wrong the retina display is very nice to look at but some of those amoleds are breathtaking, even with the over saturated colouring. Imo.
However i really dont gel woth android so wont go there.
 
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Spudlicious

macrumors 6502a
Nov 21, 2015
936
818
Bedfordshire, England
I've not seen the book spine effect on my Air 2, never heard of it before today, but the screen has never impressed me and doesn't IMHO compare with some other tablets.
 

Badrottie

Suspended
May 8, 2011
4,317
336
Los Angeles
It is not you. You need to take it back and request for replacement but before you walk out of the store check your replacement iPad Air 2 for any other defect then return it again until you are happy with it then go home.
 

pat500000

Suspended
Jun 3, 2015
8,523
7,515
Hello to you all. I need some advice and maybe some input from longtime owners of iPad Air 2. I received mine yesterday after 6 days wait. I have read tons of reviews and seen zillions of videos before. This is my first ever Apple mobile device. I have a 27 iMac and phone and tablet are Android. Gee this baby is fast. Faster than I thought actually. But some little things makes me scratch my head....First, there's a tiny greyish-to-white band like a color gradient running from top to bottom left side of the screen. Have read it's not so uncommon. Is it a case of returning-replacing? Second, I find the colors to be quite muted compared to say my old Tab 3 or even my HTC-One-S. Actually, I'm most worried with the greyish gradient. Should I do something before the 14 days return policy? Or is it much acceptable and Im being fussy?

Thanks for your hints.
You got a picture of it?
 

SusanK

macrumors 68000
Oct 9, 2012
1,676
2,655
I just got an iPad Air 2 last week. There are no defects on the screen. Return yours for one without that issue.

Good luck!
 

Racineur

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 11, 2013
578
176
Montréal, Québec
Hello and thanks for all replies. Here's a pic of my iPad. Must say it looks worst on the pic though. But it gives a good idea anyway. Hey, let's not be rude...
iPad A2.jpg
 
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OTACORB

macrumors 68000
Jun 21, 2009
1,546
1,035
Central, Louisiana
Racineur said:
Hello and thanks for all replies. Here's a pic of my iPad. Must say it looks worst on the pic though. But it gives a good idea anyway. Hey, let's not be rude...

Absolutely take that one back and exchange it! That is just not acceptable. Thanks for sharing the pictures so we'd get an idea what you were talking about.
 

klover

macrumors 6502a
Jun 7, 2009
801
92
Yup, bookspine effect. It's not glue, won't get better, and you really won't be able to un-notice it now. Easy fix though, just return and exchange until you don't see it.
 
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Racineur

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 11, 2013
578
176
Montréal, Québec
Hi again. Thanks so much. Going to Staples on Monday or Tuesday for the backspin effect. Before going, I forgot to mention: is there no startup sound on iPad? Mine is completely silent at boot. Only the "slide to unlock" message. Bizarre...
 

PortableLover

macrumors 6502a
Apr 14, 2012
734
663
england
No issues with screen here, had my air 2 since december last year. In regards to it vs samsung tab, colors are more natural & accurate. .

Im sure apple will start using OLED once its problems have been sorted out. In regards to brightness. The tab s2 cannot beat the air 2, as well as color accuracy.

Other benefits are the huge battery life, speed and reliability for me, i normally get 17 hrs, sometimes cominh to 20!
 

cynics

macrumors G4
Jan 8, 2012
11,959
2,156
Return that. Mine isn't like that at all.

As far as the muted colors. First I would see how the new one looks. Second, you might be comparing to over saturated screens a lot of Android devices have. The iPad is probably more "accurate" however in the end it's personal preference.
 

Aydy

macrumors 6502a
Nov 22, 2015
627
452
No issues with screen here, had my air 2 since december last year. In regards to it vs samsung tab, colors are more natural & accurate. .

Im sure apple will start using OLED once its problems have been sorted out. In regards to brightness. The tab s2 cannot beat the air 2, as well as color accuracy.

Other benefits are the huge battery life, speed and reliability for me, i normally get 17 hrs, sometimes cominh to 20!


Thats amazing battery but i would guess thats "battery usage" time as oposed to "screen On" time

17-20 hrs on an air 2 will only happen when there is mix of screen on time and background activity while screen is off, background streaming ie, radio, spotify, music player etc..count as battery usage

I have absolutely no doubt that the air2 can max 10 or 11 hours (Screen On Time) but 20 hours (SOT) is never gonna happen on air2. And We've had a few.

There was once where i saw 13.5 hours and thought Wow! But when i checked under 'settings, battery' it appeared that Spotify and podcast had been backgrounding for around 4-5 hours with screen off.

My ipad will likely, happily play tunes for a full day or even two..When the screen is off but if the screen is On during such playback then we will see "Normal" battery life resume (9-11hrs)

I think when measuring battery, to save confusion life the rule of thumb is measure Screen On Time which is different to 'in usage' time
 
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bevsb2

Contributor
Nov 23, 2012
4,947
14,999
I have a slight "bookspine" effect on my Air 2 but it is very light and hardly noticeable unless looking for it. It is also very narrow (around 1/8" at most). I would definitely return the one you have.
 

PortableLover

macrumors 6502a
Apr 14, 2012
734
663
england
Thats amazing battery but i would guess thats "battery usage" time as oposed to "screen On" time

17-20 hrs on an air 2 will only happen when there is mix of screen on time and background activity while screen is off, background streaming ie, radio, spotify, music player etc..count as battery usage

I have absolutely no doubt that the air2 can max 10 or 11 hours (Screen On Time) but 20 hours (SOT) is never gonna happen on air2. And We've had a few.

There was once where i saw 13.5 hours and thought Wow! But when i checked under 'settings, battery' it appeared that Spotify and podcast had been backgrounding for around 4-5 hours with screen off.

My ipad will likely, happily play tunes for a full day or even two..When the screen is off but if the screen is On during such playback then we will see "Normal" battery life resume (9-11hrs)

I think when measuring battery, to save confusion life the rule of thumb is measure Screen On Time which is different to 'in usage' time

I have all the fancy stuff switched off, dont play nothing in the bg when screen is off. I switch off wifi and close all apps when i am off the ipad. My screen brightness is quite low as well. Ill post a screenshot once my pad is dead, but overall better battery then my 3
 

Racineur

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 11, 2013
578
176
Montréal, Québec
Hello again and thanks so much for all your input. Staples gave me a replacement and...same thing. The dreaded bookspine effect. I'm wondering if Staples had a bad shipment from Apple. If so, there's no point to ask for another replacement. What are my options? I'm very disappointed cause I wanted so much an iPad and it's my first ever. Never encountered this kind of problem with my 2 Samsung Tab 3 and 4. Could it be a poor QC at Apple? What shall i do? There's a part of me who wants an iPad and another who doesn't want to cope with a defect from a 600$+ slate (I'm in Canada and yes this is the price Apple Canada sells iPads). Should I continue with Staples or take my issue to Apple. bevsb2, the picture doesn't do justice to my first iPad, it looks more terrible than it is. The second one is probably like yours and you have decide to keep it. My best issue?
Thanks again
 

DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,751
4,575
Delaware
Call AppleCare, see what they have to say.
Or, just return again to Staples. IMHO, third one gets a refund if you have to take that one back.
 

bevsb2

Contributor
Nov 23, 2012
4,947
14,999
Hello again and thanks so much for all your input. Staples gave me a replacement and...same thing. The dreaded bookspine effect. I'm wondering if Staples had a bad shipment from Apple. If so, there's no point to ask for another replacement. What are my options? I'm very disappointed cause I wanted so much an iPad and it's my first ever. Never encountered this kind of problem with my 2 Samsung Tab 3 and 4. Could it be a poor QC at Apple? What shall i do? There's a part of me who wants an iPad and another who doesn't want to cope with a defect from a 600$+ slate (I'm in Canada and yes this is the price Apple Canada sells iPads). Should I continue with Staples or take my issue to Apple. bevsb2, the picture doesn't do justice to my first iPad, it looks more terrible than it is. The second one is probably like yours and you have decide to keep it. My best issue?
Thanks again

The bookspine on my Air 2 is hardly noticeable and the device has an otherwise even and bright white screen. I'm very happy with it. I purchased mine at launch and at that time all of the display models in the Apple store had this defect to some degree. Things may have improved since then but I doubt it. That said it wouldn't hurt to try again and I wouldn't keep any device I wasn't happy with. Good luck.
 

Racineur

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 11, 2013
578
176
Montréal, Québec
Hi again. Last news...I went to the Apple Store with my 2nd iPad coming from Staples. The tech at the Apple Store admitted the screen had some kind of problem. He went to the backstore and came back with a sealed box, not a white brand new wrapped iPad box. The brown box was sealed. He opened it and there was a gold 64 iPad. He gave it to me and made me sign something on his own iPad. Now I think, I understand the trick: I'm stuck with a refurbished since the SN goes like this: F6QQF0........ Isn't that a refurbished? What should I think? I paid for a new iPad and there I am now with a refurbished one. I'm starting to feel a little angry and agressive. I think this does the thing with Apple for me. Anyhow, the screen of this iPad looks better than the two first units from Staple. It also came with iOS 8.4 which I found a little strange. I upgrade to 9.1. Should I give up or what? I have other things to care than do battle with Apple. Forgot. Staples made the replacement (2 scnd iPad) on December Friday December 11. So I am within the 15 days replacement/exchange plan.
 
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DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,751
4,575
Delaware
That will be entirely up to you.
I don't look at it as "giving up".
You now have an iPad (with a good display) that you just received. If it is now acceptable to you, you move on, and enjoy your iPad.
If it is NOT acceptable to you, then you can ask Apple. You still could return (with your present good display) and run the lottery to get another "spiney" display.
I'm pretty sure that the "genius" would have told you that the replacement iPad is NOT brand new, and you probably agreed to accept it.
 
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