iPhone 13 Pro Max The later the iPhone is manufactured, the better the screen - myth or a sprinkle of truth?

[Al Rukh]

So we all know and heard about the uneven screen issues that plagued the iPhone 12 Pro and the 13 Pro for the last couple of years. From the blacks turning to greys in 12 Pros, to the red tints of the 13 Pros.

I, for one, experienced the orange-red tinting issues when I first went to get the 13 Pro Max. Like most customers with this issue, I was disappointed. I returned and got a couple more exchanges in the form of 13 Pro Max and 13 Pro, and they all have the issue. So I dropped the idea of getting a Pro series and went for the 13 and it had immaculate uniform screen. From what I saw, the regular 13 didn’t have red tinting issues.

I also went to purchase the Alpine Green iPhone 13 Pro in March, with the idea of returning it, and the screen was the best looking from the Pro series that I’ve tested. Back then I was settled with the 13 and thought I wouldn’t need a Pro this year.

Few days ago, I thought of trying the 13 Pro Max one last time and I went to get myself a set. A Graphite model that is. When I set up the phone right from the box, it came with iOS 15.4.1 pre-installed. This is important because it gives me the indication that this particular set I got, has to be manufactured after the 13 Pros/Pro Maxs that I tried during the first month post launch last year. It is definitely from a later batch from the launch batch I’m sure. And guess what, absolutely no red tint, not that I could see.

After almost 9 months, it seems like I’m finally settled with a 13 Pro Max with immaculate screen. So is there some truth in the screen quality getting better the longer we wait? I don’t know. This is just my anecdote and I want to share with you guys about it.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Like most manufacturing processes, the longer something is being built the more small change’s to the production line can be ironed out once approved. So yes it’s possible but not something you can prove.

 

[jav6454]

Usually that's the case, but given that the iPhone 12 and 13 share the same platform, I'd say many of the details were ironed out in the iPhone 11.

 

[now i see it]

On a Friday a black cat crossed my path and the next day my car broke down.
Verdict: if a black cat crosses your path your car will break down.

Just because you got a good screen later, it means nothing. Getting a good one is still total luck.

My opinion holds that if you want a “perfect” screen, buy a genuine Apple refurbished iPhone.

 

[eyoungren]

Like most manufacturing processes, the longer something is being built the more small change’s to the production line can be ironed out once approved. So yes it’s possible but not something you can prove.

Agree with this. I would think that the entire phone benefits from the process, not just the screen.

I got a replacement iPhone 6+ in September 2015 that was better in every way than my original. And just this year my 11PM was also replaced. The original was made in 2019 while the replacement was less than a month old at the time I got it. It also has been better than my original.

And lastly…the fourth replacement of my iPhone 5 since 2012 seems to be much better than the other three. Even it had some battery swelling issues that now seem to be under control.

 

[jav6454]

On a Friday a black cat crossed my path and the next day my car broke down.
Verdict: if a black cat crosses your path your car will break down.

Just because you got a good screen later, it means nothing. Getting a good one is still total luck.

My opinion holds that if you want a “perfect” screen, buy a genuine Apple refurbished iPhone.

Actually no. Usually product defects are worked out of the future devices thru manufacturing continuous improvement.

 

[JPack]

Apple Service Program status - Apple Support

Apple Service Program status

support.apple.com

Apple has determined that a small percentage of iPhone 11 displays may stop responding to touch due to an issue with the display module. Affected devices were manufactured between November 2019 and May 2020.

This might make you think again. The iPhone 11 entered MP in August 2019.

 

[Mark Stone]

So we all know and heard about the uneven screen issues that plagued the iPhone 12 Pro and the 13 Pro for the last couple of years. From the blacks turning to greys in 12 Pros, to the red tints of the 13 Pros.

I, for one, experienced the orange-red tinting issues when I first went to get the 13 Pro Max. Like most customers with this issue, I was disappointed. I returned and got a couple more exchanges in the form of 13 Pro Max and 13 Pro, and they all have the issue. So I dropped the idea of getting a Pro series and went for the 13 and it had immaculate uniform screen. From what I saw, the regular 13 didn’t have red tinting issues.

I also went to purchase the Alpine Green iPhone 13 Pro in March, with the idea of returning it, and the screen was the best looking from the Pro series that I’ve tested. Back then I was settled with the 13 and thought I wouldn’t need a Pro this year.

Few days ago, I thought of trying the 13 Pro Max one last time and I went to get myself a set. A Graphite model that is. When I set up the phone right from the box, it came with iOS 15.4.1 pre-installed. This is important because it gives me the indication that this particular set I got, has to be manufactured after the 13 Pros/Pro Maxs that I tried during the first month post launch last year. It is definitely from a later batch from the launch batch I’m sure. And guess what, absolutely no red tint, not that I could see.

After almost 9 months, it seems like I’m finally settled with a 13 Pro Max with immaculate screen. So is there some truth in the screen quality getting better the longer we wait? I don’t know. This is just my anecdote and I want to share with you guys about it.

I believe you’re right - As flaws are discovered, they are repaired in future runs. However, I think this extends to the entire phone, not just the screen.

 

[jav6454]

I believe you’re right - As flaws are discovered, they are repaired in future runs. However, I think this extends to the entire phone, not just the screen.

Agreed, during assembly all issues put forward are addressed by priority level and by feedback from defective units that made it past all QC controls.

 

[Al Rukh]

I’m not sure if this would change how I purchase new iPhones from hereon. I think I’ll be keeping the 13PM for a while because it’s such a tank for battery life and I don’t think a lot of things are gonna change in the 14PM either.

 

[ericwn]

On a Friday a black cat crossed my path and the next day my car broke down.
Verdict: if a black cat crosses your path your car will break down.

Just because you got a good screen later, it means nothing. Getting a good one is still total luck.

My opinion holds that if you want a “perfect” screen, buy a genuine Apple refurbished iPhone.

How many new and how many refurbished phones have you inspected to come to this conclusion?
Besides, if the overall screen quality were as bad as some claim, the product wouldn’t sell or at the very least no profit would be gained.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Myth.

/end thread

 

[Shadowbech]

I personally think it's just a myth and don't necessarily believe that phones build more recent are going to be immaculate. There will still be green tints, red/pink tints and what not. You just happen to be lucky to pick one up that's perfect for you.

Even last year I picked up a 12 pro max around June for my family member and it was built in May of that year, still had some bad screens and stainless steel wasn't perfect.

 

[Mark Stone]

Myth.

/end thread

So, you don’t believe companies will make adjustments in their manufacturing processes to correct flaws?

 

[BeatCrazy]

So, you don’t believe companies will make adjustments in their manufacturing processes to correct flaws?

With Apple and within a single iPhone generation, no.

Apple and their suppliers have their design and QC methods very locked in.

"Correcting flaws" if needed, is part of their QC process before the production cycles kick off. Again, I'm only talking about how Apple does it, not just any (especially smaller) manufacturer.

When you're making/shipping nearly 1,000,000 iPhones per day, you don't tweak the manufacturing run across several different suppliers, just to make a small change. Those wait for the next generation. There might be exceptions, but not something like "my screen looked better on the one from last month" situations.

If you notice differences, they're within manufacturing tolerances, not intentional.

 

[jav6454]

Myth.

/end thread

So you think all manufacturing process stay the same until EOL?

 

[BeatCrazy]

So you think all manufacturing process stay the same until EOL?

Read my post directly above yours.

 

[ctjack]

I believe in the opposite. There were uneven split between expensive lg or samsung displays and cheaper smth like BOE. At announcement, apple used more of expensive ones, later one they wanted to shift to cheaper, cause BOE was supposed to up their quality.
Think about PS5 - 1 year into production, they actually used cheaper parts and made console a little bit worse.

 

[jav6454]

Read my post directly above yours.

No, no process is ever "locked-in" for a generation. Improvements are made during production, always. You can't run a business on defective units going out the door, you fix the problem in manufacturing and reduce waste/scrap.

 

[BeatCrazy]

No, no process is ever "locked-in" for a generation. Improvements are made during production, always. You can't run a business on defective units going out the door, you fix the problem in manufacturing and reduce waste/scrap.

I never implied defective units are going out the door. Apple's not 'tweaking' things on production lines that spit out 1 million products per day. If there are variations, they're within tolerances.

Apple has dozens of vendors for an iPhone, and several for the display. If one display vendors starts fooling around trying to get an "improvement" and you throw off 10 other things.

Apple Drops BOE iPhone Displays After Discovering Unexpected Design Changes

Apple has virtually cut Chinese display manufacturer BOE out of the iPhone 13's supply chain after discovering design changes to its OLED panels,...

www.macrumors.com

 

[jav6454]

I never implied defective units are going out the door. Apple's not 'tweaking' things on production lines that spit out 1 million products per day. If there are variations, they're within tolerances.

Apple has dozens of vendors for an iPhone, and several for the display. If one display vendors starts fooling around trying to get an "improvement" and you throw off 10 other things.

Apple Drops BOE iPhone Displays After Discovering Unexpected Design Changes

Apple has virtually cut Chinese display manufacturer BOE out of the iPhone 13's supply chain after discovering design changes to its OLED panels,...

www.macrumors.com

Apple isn't, their manufacturing partners are. They get paid per unit shipped and have to pay for repairs. No manufacturing company will work on the basis of "locked-in" manufacturing process. Every process will improve and be tweaked during manufacturing. It's not financially feasible.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Apple isn't, their manufacturing partners are. They get paid per unit shipped and have to pay for repairs. No manufacturing company will work on the basis of "locked-in" manufacturing process. Every process will improve and be tweaked during manufacturing. It's not financially feasible.

So you're 100% certain that the screens improve as iPhone 13 unit #2,428,208 is made vs. #18,122,192 that comes off the line this generation?

 

[jav6454]

So you're 100% certain that the screens improve as iPhone 13 unit #2,428,208 is made vs. #18,122,192 that comes off the line this generation?

Yes, yes they will. That's the nature of a business, increase yields (profit) by decreasing rejections and scrap/waste (cost).

 

[BeatCrazy]

Yes, yes they will. That's the nature of a business, increase yields (profit) by decreasing rejections and scrap/waste (cost).

I don't mean yields and profits, I mean improvement from a technical or user function standpoint. The point of this thread.

 

[jav6454]

I don't mean yields and profits, I mean improvement from a technical or user function standpoint. The point of this thread.

Yes, the change in the middle of production is done via Engineering Change Notifications. It's a process by which new revisions of components are done to current manufacturing end devices.