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aldo82

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 8, 2011
676
554
Just got a new iPad Air 5 and the screen is really quite sticky or resistive to my finger sliding around in it. Not quite sure how to explain it but my finger doesn't glide smoothly like it would on a new iPhone. Is this normal? I found some questions on this online and it seemed to imply it’s to do with the packaging of the iPad and it improves in a few days of use as skin oils build up. That’s fine if true but 24 hours in and it’s not really any different. My last new iPad was 3 years ago and I don’t remember this issue then. just want to understand if this is a fault or normal as its spoiling the enjoyment a little and I’m almost tempted to keep my 3 year old one and return the new one right now
 
What iPad were you using before? Were you using a non-laminated one?

I've noticed this issue on iPads with fully laminated display and anti-reflective coating. My fingers don't glide as smoothly as compared to the OG Air and regular iPads.
 
I had a 3 year old iPad Air. Think it’s the air 3? I think it had the laminated but not sure
 
I had a 3 year old iPad Air. Think it’s the air 3? I think it had the laminated but not sure

Yeah, that one shouldn't be that different from the Air 5. Luck of the draw perhaps?

The iPad Pro 9.7s in our household had more noticeable drag compared to our other iPads with fully laminated display.
 
Yeah, that one shouldn't be that different from the Air 5. Luck of the draw perhaps?

The iPad Pro 9.7s in our household had more noticeable drag compared to our other iPads with fully laminated display.
Did the drag improve over time?
 
Did the drag improve over time?

Nope. We installed a tempered glass screen protector. The bare display attracted fingerprints like crazy. Like the screen would be hazy within 15 minutes of use after being wiped down and that added to the drag.

We figured gloss/reflection is preferable to the oil/fingerprint haze.
 
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I noticed the same when I switched from an iPhone SE (2016) to the iPhone mini, when my fingers have as much as a hint of humidity. I was attributing this to the Ceramic Shield material, but maybe it’s something about the coating that changed. (IPads don’t feature Ceramic Shield, as far as I know.)
 
Just got a new iPad Air 5 and the screen is really quite sticky or resistive to my finger sliding around in it. Not quite sure how to explain it but my finger doesn't glide smoothly like it would on a new iPhone. Is this normal? I found some questions on this online and it seemed to imply it’s to do with the packaging of the iPad and it improves in a few days of use as skin oils build up. That’s fine if true but 24 hours in and it’s not really any different. My last new iPad was 3 years ago and I don’t remember this issue then. just want to understand if this is a fault or normal as its spoiling the enjoyment a little and I’m almost tempted to keep my 3 year old one and return the new one right now
I have this with my mini which I got recently. It's really crap feeling, I put a screen protector (glass) on and it's much better now. I think the screen protectors actually do wonders when it comes to the "feel" of touching it, especially proper glass ones.
 
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