M1 MacBook Air black uniformity (red glow)

[0906742]

Yes , Im very sensitive to these things and I base my judgment on day to day usage like Safari or Google white background

I'm overly sensitive to this too. Not the first time I ask someone to look at my screen and they say it is normal, when to me it looks terrible and not acceptable. Usually others can see it after I show they exactly what to look but still they say, so what I would not mind that and never notice it myself. Ignorance is a bliss but I just never learn to be like that.

And, my MBA M1 is completely even tint in both of those.

 

[Fred Zed]

I'm overly sensitive to this too. Not the first time I ask someone to look at my screen and they say it is normal, when to me it looks terrible and not acceptable. Usually others can see it after I show they exactly what to look but still they say, so what I would not mind that and never notice it myself. Ignorance is a bliss but I just never learn to be like that.

And, my MBA M1 is completely even tint in both of those.

The serial number and information of my MBP is same as some others MBA

 

[0906742]

The serial number and information of my MBP is same as some others MBA

Interesting but I think than page does not really show the actual model of the panel itself. I need to find my notes of my previous MBP if it was the same in that page (it was definitely different panel anyway).

Edit. found something, it was 3D ending in my MBP 13" 2019 so I guess older gen panel in MBP M1's? Based on the few photos here of MBP M1 screen, it does not look as good as my MBP 2019 did. But I don't think MBP M1 and MBA M1 has the same screen.

 

[Leon1das]

Yes , Im very sensitive to these things and I base my judgment on day to day usage like Safari or Google white background

Sorry for you - not my case, and the first time I hear it...

 

[Fred Zed]

Sorry for you - not my case, and the first time I hear it...

Point being it’s all subjective. But putting a blanket statement by saying MBP doesn’t have red tint issues is similar to those in the iPhone forum that were at one point claiming certain Samsung serial panels were bad.

 

[0906742]

Point being it’s all subjective.

Yeah, but even if you are picky like me, you should not see that if the screen was good.

But putting a blanket statement by saying MBP doesn’t have red tint issues

Actually MBP is notorious for that too, there is a long thread in this forum too. Probably where I first saw that tree test image. How that looks in your MBP by the way? I posted photo of mine here, you can compare. I think someone posted test photo file in this thread too.

is similar to those in the iPhone forum that were at one point claiming certain Samsung serial panels were bad.

Offtopic but I know you follow iPhone threads too I mention this:
Seriously, I think there is something to this G9N vs G9P panels at least in 6.1" size (you know they are a bit different specs than 6.7"), we have 4 pcs 12 Pro 6.1" here 3 with G9P and the panels are absolutely rubbish with uneven tint and brightness between upper and lower half of the screen. Then G9N is as good as an oled-panel can be, sure I could complain about that too but I really need to look for issue quite a while to see anything, unlike with G9P that is painfully bad. BTW they all are pretty pure white, only one G9P is a bit warm without TT but not yellow.

 

[Fred Zed]

Yeah, but even if you are picky like me, you should not see that if the screen was good.


Actually MBP is notorious for that too, there is a long thread in this forum too. Probably where I first saw that tree test image. How that looks in your MBP by the way? I posted photo of mine here, you can compare. I think someone posted test photo file in this thread too.


Offtopic but I know you follow iPhone threads too I mention this:
Seriously, I think there is something to this G9N vs G9P panels at least in 6.1" size (you know they are a bit different specs than 6.7"), we have 4 pcs 12 Pro 6.1" here 3 with G9P and the panels are absolutely rubbish with uneven tint and brightness between upper and lower half of the screen. Then G9N is as good as an oled-panel can be, sure I could complain about that too but I really need to look for issue quite a while to see anything, unlike with G9P that is painfully bad. BTW they all are pretty pure white, only one G9P is a bit warm without TT but not yellow.

All 4 of my panels were G9N, one was green tint. Current one not so much. I don’t experience with the other panel.
Problem with taking pics of the MacBook screen is that the issue I see don’t reflect in the photos. The tree one on my first MBP is attached at various brightness and ambient levels.

 

[0906742]

All 4 of my panels were G9N, one was green tint. Current one not so much. I don’t experience with the other panel.

Even tint issue is just calibration thing (fixable) but uneven tint as present in G9P's is practically impossible to fix via sw later on (they are all different way uneven). Anyway, I already burned 1.5 months for this only to get worse after worse. I'm exhausted with this, not sure what to try next. I guess ordering like 5 pcs at the time maybe small change to get one G9N. We got one when ordered out both phones the same time. Maybe better chance that way...? But not sure my time and mental health is worth that.

Problem with taking pics of the MacBook screen is that the issue I see don’t reflect in the photos. The tree one on my first MBP is attached at various brightness and ambient levels.

Photos are best to take in a dark room to minimize ar-coating interference in the photos.
This is my MBA. Looks perfect in real life too with this photo.
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ow.2274365/page-7?post=29425840#post-29425840

 

[peleh]

WRONG.

Mines got a slight magenta tint on the right side and green on right side when viewing Safari at brightness below 50%

The serial number and information of my MBP is same as some others MBA

My MBP is the same serial as yours, and its miles better than the MBA I have.

On the MBP its mild like any other screen, on the MBA its definitely noticeable.

 

[0906742]

My MBP is the same serial as yours, and its miles better than the MBA I have.

If you are referring to tint uniformity in white image, that is likely just bad MBA you have there? Based on this thread MBA's generally have very good uniformity everywhere else but in pure black in mentioned situations.

 

[peleh]

If you are referring to tint uniformity in white image, that is likely just bad MBA you have there? Based on this thread MBA's generally have very good uniformity everywhere else but in pure black in mentioned situations.

The blacks are actually pretty good, I only perceive the coating on pitch black room.

The whites change the tint a bit along with the coating orientation, its not as good as my MBP. Zero bleed on both, contrast very similar on both even tough the review says its better on MBP.

 

[0906742]

Zero bleed on both, contrast very similar on both even tough the review says its better on MBP.

You probably just got a bit worse MBP panel. It was huge difference in blacks and contrast between my MBA M1 and MBP 13" 2019. But MBP panel is likely different in MBP M1 anyway than it was 2019 MBP (seemed C in M1 instead of D gen in 2019) but still based on the Notebookcheck measurements, MBP has much better black and contrast.

 

[peleh]

You probably just got a bit worse MBP panel. It was huge difference in blacks and contrast between my MBA M1 and MBP 13" 2019. But MBP panel is likely different in MBP M1 anyway than it was 2019 MBP (seemed C in M1 instead of D gen in 2019) but still based on the Notebookcheck measurements, MBP has much better black and contrast.

Its because i’m not comparing side by side. I played an youtube video on both side by side and yes, the diference in contrast and black level are noticiable, its just that if you use only the MBA, the overall experience will also be very good.

 

[ludmiloff]

Hello there,
Read entire thread, then found this review which make me think the bad uniformity and red glow might be due to bad screen PWM when 100% brightness and/or low quality camera of course.
Sill I do not own MBA M1, I'm buying one next month, so I cannot test. May I ask someone with MBA and this (d)effect to test and report how is it at 90% brightness or 80%, then at 10% or even 5% if possible at all.

 

[0906742]

Hello there,
Read entire thread, then found this review which make me think the bad uniformity and red glow might be due to bad screen PWM when 100% brightness and/or low quality camera of course.

I don't think so. Not sure about camera quality as I was using only ****** X and 12 Pro.

Sill I do not own MBA M1, I'm buying one next month, so I cannot test. May I ask someone with MBA and this (d)effect to test and report how is it at 90% brightness or 80%, then at 10% or even 5% if possible at all.

It is there under 100% too, but it become harder to notice as going down in brightness percentage.

 

[johnkree]

So I had another problem with my touchpad, the hardware check gave me an error. I sent my mba back and waited a month for the new one. I can definitely say that there IS a difference to my old one. Look yourself and compare it to the other pics I posted. Yea, the red tint is still there but not so heavy than with the other one.

 

[0906742]

So I had another problem with my touchpad, the hardware check gave me an error. I sent my mba back and waited a month for the new one. I can definitely say that there IS a difference to my old one. Look yourself and compare it to the other pics I posted. Yea, the red tint is still there but not so heavy than with the other one.

Was if from the same factory as first one (serial numbers first letter)?
Which MF week was the new one?
How is uniformity in white and light gray? Did you try if it pass demanding "tree photo" test?

Anyway, it is guaranteed that each panel looks a bit different, they have different white balance, max brightness etc. but the thing is that obviously that right side red tint is there in any case. Just like someone in German forum mentioned seeing around 20 units all with red tint.

 

[johnkree]

Was if from the same factory as first one (serial numbers first letter)?
Which MF week was the new one?
How is uniformity in white and light gray? Did you try if it pass demanding "tree photo" test?

Anyway, it is guaranteed that each panel looks a bit different, they have different white balance, max brightness etc. but the thing is that obviously that right side red tint is there in any case. Just like someone in German forum mentioned seeing around 20 units all with red tint.

I'll do all the analysis this Friday or Saturday and show you the results.
I have also a serial C02 Macbook. Coconut battery shows me 02/01/21 as manufacture date; UPS tracking told me that it left China on this day.
Uniformity in white is as good as the old one, grey also. But I will post pictures as soon as possible.

And yea, you can clearly see that I also have the right side red tint, but it really isn't as heavy as the other one manufactured in December.
The old one had it in the upper right corner and I could see it on some movies, like alien on full brightness. Now this is gone.

 

[0906742]

And yea, you can clearly see that I also have the right side red tint, but it really isn't as heavy as the other one manufactured in December.
The old one had it in the upper right corner and I could see it on some movies, like alien on full brightness. Now this is gone.

So you now see red glow with your own eyes only on full screen black image in a dark room?
Mine does not much show red glow in real content unless viewing in a dark room and even then just certain scene, but it is obvious when using just full screen black image and also below 100% brightness but not really once going around 50% or lower.

Anyway, likely still the same panel but there are always some difference from panel to panel. Also from what I've seen comments here about the staingate they obviously use cheap spayed on coatings so I think there is some variation in coating thickness from panel to panel.

 

[Fred Zed]

I'll do all the analysis this Friday or Saturday and show you the results.
I have also a serial C02 Macbook. Coconut battery shows me 02/01/21 as manufacture date; UPS tracking told me that it left China on this day.
Uniformity in white is as good as the old one, grey also. But I will post pictures as soon as possible.

And yea, you can clearly see that I also have the right side red tint, but it really isn't as heavy as the other one manufactured in December.
The old one had it in the upper right corner and I could see it on some movies, like alien on full brightness. Now this is gone.

It was the same with my MBP , first one had more red tint on the right than the second one. Of course if I tilt my head at angles and reduce brightness Ill find some. Generally very pleased with the panel, especially after calibration and True Tone with color filters. I like warm notebook screens.

 

[johnkree]

So you now see red glow with your own eyes only on full screen black image in a dark room?
Mine does not much show red glow in real content unless viewing in a dark room and even then just certain scene, but it is obvious when using just full screen black image and also below 100% brightness but not really once going around 50% or lower.

Anyway, likely still the same panel but there are always some difference from panel to panel. Also from what I've seen comments here about the staingate they obviously use cheap spayed on coatings so I think there is some variation in coating thickness from panel to panel.

No. I don't see the red glow with my own eyes anymore. It's on the camera but it isn't visible for my eyes. It's gone for good. I still think it is the coating. And I guess they may have tuned it to be less intense on the way out.

 

[0906742]

No. I don't see the red glow with my own eyes anymore. It's on the camera but it isn't visible for my eyes. It's gone for good. I still think it is the coating. And I guess they may have tuned it to be less intense on the way out.

Interesting. Please try setting True Tone and Night Shift on and then try even with the slider at warmest position. This with full screen black images in a dark room.
Just for test because it would be interesting to hear if there are good screens out there or if there is just slight variations and perhaps just difference in default white balance (probably screens with cooler white balance show less this issue, so that TT + NS trick probably would reveal that).

 

[thadoggfather]

Interesting. Please try setting True Tone and Night Shift on and then try even with the slider at warmest position. This with full screen black images in a dark room.
Just for test because it would be interesting to hear if there are good screens out there or if there is just slight variations and perhaps just difference in default white balance (probably screens with cooler white balance show less this issue, so that TT + NS trick probably would reveal that).

lol to be fair mine looked similar to the one you are curious about

I would go with still my original assertion a month ago that some are just barely bad to show it in regular content , some horrendous ; and others just a smidge below the just barely that don’t show it in regular use. That specifically red tint on blacks on right side on any content with any settings dialed in to the eye - black wallpaper, dark scenes in a movie or trailer or photographs, can’t be observed at any setting in any situation, camera capture aside.

I am elated with my M1 air and it’s screen doesn’t bother me, and if I had what is being described as observable I would take issue too and swap til I got one that is below the “just barely” threshold ie, not at all

I’ve never discounted I believe there are impacted units. I’m no stranger to panel lottery. But you need to let go that Somme truly don’t show it. Buy another unit and roll the dice or just trust that we see what we see when we don’t see anything

there’s no way display engineers at Apple don’t have a single serviceable m1 air screen in their possession or that they got spec’d out to be mass manufactured. It’s just a matter of luck and loose tolerances as standards

it’s absurd to me someone in a German Apple forum had 20 units and claimed they all had it. Unless they were bought for a company and that person just happened to see that - at what point is it not worth your time you’ll never get back? Either the worst luck in the world or they’re getting carried away with what shows up in a photo but not to the eye. Even bad odds at getting a “good” one aren’t THAT bad I’m sure

all IMO but ... this one seems greatly exaggerated when you call into question every supposed non bothersome unit as being questionable in practice.

 

[0906742]

I would go with still my original assertion a month ago that some are just barely bad to show it in regular content , some horrendous ; and others just a smidge below the just barely that don’t show it in regular use. That specifically red tint on blacks on right side on any content with any settings dialed in to the eye - black wallpaper, dark scenes in a movie or trailer or photographs, can’t be observed at any setting in any situation, camera capture aside.

Well I still think this is somewhat related to how hard you look for the issue, as that black wallpaper with icons on the side where supposed red tint is located was practically blocked. Just look at the photo I posted here of mine in the same situation, it looks perfect.

I’ve never discounted I believe there are impacted units. I’m no stranger to panel lottery. But you need to let go that Somme truly don’t show it. Buy another unit and roll the dice or just trust that we see what we see when we don’t see anything

there’s no way display engineers at Apple don’t have a single serviceable m1 air screen in their possession or that they got spec’d out to be mass manufactured. It’s just a matter of luck and loose tolerances as standards

This would be interesting to know for sure as there seem to be regularly someone posting about they see this issue but as this is something you need to looks for certain conditions to see or otherwise be very very picky about the displays, I'm sure most just never noticed it even they have it and 99.9% probably do not even care.

I these days try to avoid for entering the vicious display lottery as I have learned 99% of the time the displays just are like that and exchange almost never brings solution.

Off topic: For example I've been trying to find acceptable 12 Pro for like two months ordering new one by one and they all are not acceptable in my opinion. Also just this week went to see demo units in local shops and found them all being the same for me (uneven tint between up and low half and darker bottom screen). Still almost no one here seem to be complaining about this issue, they all go about saying they are just too yellow, which interesting to me I have not seen one like that, they are just warm as D65 is.

it’s absurd to me someone in a German Apple forum had 20 units and claimed they all had it. Unless they were bought for a company and that person just happened to see that - at what point is it not worth your time you’ll never get back? Either the worst luck in the world or they’re getting carried away with what shows up in a photo but not to the eye.

I don't think that was just going by the photos but was actually seeing it.

Even bad odds at getting a “good” one aren’t THAT bad I’m sure

Really. Then I must be the unluckiest guy on the planet because I cannot remember the last time I have succeed in that. And this include TV's, video projectors, tablets, laptops, computer screens and also phone...

 

[thadoggfather]

I think even 12 pro lottery being horrendous, even if someone got 20 units, they wouldn't get one impacted by raised blacks / yellow tint / green tint, etc. either

But I also think Air lottery is much less so than 12 Pro, which is supposed to be one of the worst - and that too I believe personally to be a thing as well.

Im just saying sometimes you should accept someone has done their homework when they said they have.

even when I posted a black wallpaper, without icons, you enhanced the contrast of the photo to show it does in fact have it (which you adjusted a photo that was your own before adjusting mine - thats fine - we all make mistakes like me posting the photo of desktop icons that could've ostensibly masked the issue) when I admitted the photo shows it. But stated my eye does not, and prefaced that I'm no stranger to panel lottery nor that I deny it's a thing in general.

in all seriousness, your luck has probably just been bad if you've never won the panel lottery across many different devices spanning many years. one's luck can only be bad for so long.

It's good to check someone to make sure they went through the gamut of tests, but you can't seem to accept someone doesn't have an affected unit either. And I'm saying you should/. Especially when those people accept that bad units exist, too.