iPad Pro Uneven screen friction with pencil

[gsal]

Hello all. I just want know if anyone is experiencing what I’m experiencing.

Out of the box I noticed that when I’m drawing on the screen of my 3rd gen iPad Pro, there are patches on the display that do not allow the pencil to glide as smooth. Almost feels magnetic? I find that it improves when the screen is covered with oils from my fingers, but returns when I clean it.

Is this normal?

 

[BigMcGuire]

There are parts of my iPad that feel a tiny tiny bit different than other parts of my iPad with my Apple Pencil, but nothing so different that it bugs me. Yes, I've noticed if I turn the iPad around and use the part where I was resting my hand on, it is a lot smoother because of my hand print residue (yuck!). lol.

I find the Apple Pencil to be a lot slipperier than a pen on paper (ballpoint). So I don't usually let it bother me if the screen feels a tiny bit different from one part to the other.

If you get a Tempered glass screen protector for your iPad it can make the screen a LOT slipperier if you're interested. A matte screen protector will make it a lot less smooth. I've used both with the Apple Pencil.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Hello all. I just want know if anyone is experiencing what I’m experiencing.

Out of the box I noticed that when I’m drawing on the screen of my 3rd gen iPad Pro, there are patches on the display that do not allow the pencil to glide as smooth. Almost feels magnetic? I find that it improves when the screen is covered with oils from my fingers, but returns when I clean it.

Is this normal?

It doesn’t bug me.

 

[trionic]

Hello all. I just want know if anyone is experiencing what I’m experiencing.

Out of the box I noticed that when I’m drawing on the screen of my 3rd gen iPad Pro, there are patches on the display that do not allow the pencil to glide as smooth. Almost feels magnetic? I find that it improves when the screen is covered with oils from my fingers, but returns when I clean it.

Is this normal?

Hi! I had that problem and looked for info. I paste you info I shared some months ago in reddit:

I noticed it, and checked for more users with the same issue. After finding that some users noticed it and some didn't, I went to the genius bar. As I was waiting to be attended I checked more than 10 iPads pro in the apple store. I'd say only one of them was perfect (not a single rough area) with the rest of then having different areas where the pen didnt slide so 'softly'. Most of them were very small areas, and I noticed them only because I was actively looking for them

I can understand some users don't find it a problem, but depending on the case it can be pretty distracting. If you plan to use the pen daily and you are nitpicky as I am, is hard to ignore.

When checking my iPad with the apple employee, to my surprise, he wasn't able to notice it, not even another worker. We tried different pens, iPad turned off, cleaning the screen with a special product. The issue remained,and I began to ask to myself 'what if this is happening just in your head you paranoid ****?'

A third worker appeared (they called him because he always worked with the pen, as he was the person in charge of the procreate lessons they teach in the store). To my relief, he noticed it inmediatly, he even marked every single point with the gritty area. After that the other two employees were perfectly able to acknowledge it (really haha?) Together we check the 'perfect unit' in the store to see the difference.

So, they gave me another one. This one I'd say was almost perfect, maybe some areas I can notice some different texture but nothing compared to the first unit.

As I read (and commented with them) it could be related to the magnets in the iPad body, and the magnetic components of the pen. Why is more noticeable in some units than in others? I really don't know.

Good luck with your unit, it worths a try to go to the Apple store to let them have a look.

 

[subjonas]

That is strange. Never noticed that on mine. But I prefer using a screen protector anyway (for more pencil friction).

 

[bmac89]

Hello all. I just want know if anyone is experiencing what I’m experiencing.

Out of the box I noticed that when I’m drawing on the screen of my 3rd gen iPad Pro, there are patches on the display that do not allow the pencil to glide as smooth. Almost feels magnetic? I find that it improves when the screen is covered with oils from my fingers, but returns when I clean it.

Is this normal?

I experienced this with my original iPad Pro 9.7” and it was particularly noticeable after cleaning the screen and removing oils.

It had patches of the screen which were obviously (when using pencil) more resistant rougher surface.

 

[fortheus]

Hi! I had that problem and looked for info. I paste you info I shared some months ago in reddit:

I noticed it, and checked for more users with the same issue. After finding that some users noticed it and some didn't, I went to the genius bar. As I was waiting to be attended I checked more than 10 iPads pro in the apple store. I'd say only one of them was perfect (not a single rough area) with the rest of then having different areas where the pen didnt slide so 'softly'. Most of them were very small areas, and I noticed them only because I was actively looking for them

I can understand some users don't find it a problem, but depending on the case it can be pretty distracting. If you plan to use the pen daily and you are nitpicky as I am, is hard to ignore.

When checking my iPad with the apple employee, to my surprise, he wasn't able to notice it, not even another worker. We tried different pens, iPad turned off, cleaning the screen with a special product. The issue remained,and I began to ask to myself 'what if this is happening just in your head you paranoid ****?'

A third worker appeared (they called him because he always worked with the pen, as he was the person in charge of the procreate lessons they teach in the store). To my relief, he noticed it inmediatly, he even marked every single point with the gritty area. After that the other two employees were perfectly able to acknowledge it (really haha?) Together we check the 'perfect unit' in the store to see the difference.

So, they gave me another one. This one I'd say was almost perfect, maybe some areas I can notice some different texture but nothing compared to the first unit.

As I read (and commented with them) it could be related to the magnets in the iPad body, and the magnetic components of the pen. Why is more noticeable in some units than in others? I really don't know.

Good luck with your unit, it worths a try to go to the Apple store to let them have a look.

I test it on display unit as well and I thought since it’s demo unit, there might be scratches or imperfections. Since you mentioned it happens to you as well I am now more worry if it could be widespread issue

 

[trionic]

I test it on display unit as well and I thought since it’s demo unit, there might be scratches or imperfections. Since you mentioned it happens to you as well I am now more worry if it could be widespread issue

If you visit an apple store, check several ipads, i think it's pretty widespread, but it depends on how nitpicky you are to recognize it. I asked to several users in reddit, and many of them were able to recognize it.

 

[Jerry Leibowitz]

Hi Everybody,

I create and produce animation in Los Angeles, do all of my design/illustration work on the iPad. I just upgraded to the new 12.9 iPad Pro with the Apple pencil and am having a terrible time with this issue. Apple has sent me a replacement for the first iPad I purchased a few weeks ago. I put a vellum overlay with the 7 areas on the glass/screen that have this issue and am returning it to them. I am trying out this replacement and it is considerably better but has the same issue in about 3 areas on the glass. I am trying to isolate the problem. I have the same issue with the 2nd gen Apple pencil and the iPad powered down. Although the first gen pencil will not pair with the new iPad, I tried running that across the surface and the problem persists. I am now wondering if it's a problem with the glass surface. Apple seems oblivious to the issue. Surprising for a company that prides itself on catering to the arts community. Anyone have any further thoughts on this? Thanks.

 

[subjonas]

Hi Everybody,

I create and produce animation in Los Angeles, do all of my design/illustration work on the iPad. I just upgraded to the new 12.9 iPad Pro with the Apple pencil and am having a terrible time with this issue. Apple has sent me a replacement for the first iPad I purchased a few weeks ago. I put a vellum overlay with the 7 areas on the glass/screen that have this issue and am returning it to them. I am trying out this replacement and it is considerably better but has the same issue in about 3 areas on the glass. I am trying to isolate the problem. I have the same issue with the 2nd gen Apple pencil and the iPad powered down. Although the first gen pencil will not pair with the new iPad, I tried running that across the surface and the problem persists. I am now wondering if it's a problem with the glass surface. Apple seems oblivious to the issue. Surprising for a company that prides itself on catering to the arts community. Anyone have any further thoughts on this? Thanks.

Sorry I don’t know anything about this issue, but as I posted in this thread before, I use a matte screen film to give the pencil a better feel for drawing. If that suits you too, it could negate this issue.

 

[sracer]

Hello all. I just want know if anyone is experiencing what I’m experiencing.

Out of the box I noticed that when I’m drawing on the screen of my 3rd gen iPad Pro, there are patches on the display that do not allow the pencil to glide as smooth. Almost feels magnetic? I find that it improves when the screen is covered with oils from my fingers, but returns when I clean it.

Is this normal?

Yes, that is normal. That is the reason why I apply matte screen protectors to all my tablets. Not only does it eliminate glare and visible fingerprint smudges, but it equalizes the resistance for the Apple Pencil. Even the cheap 3 for $10 protectors work well.

 

[DGGoingUphill]

I experience this a little and attribute it to the glass not being especially flat. Apple’s tolerance for flatness is .4 mm, which can easily be felt when drawing a long line.

 

[spiderman0616]

I’ve had all 4 generations of iPad Pro and have never once had this issue. Would definitely annoy me during lengthy design projects.

 

[netramk]

I had this pretty noticeably on a new iPad Air 2020, which I returned. It really seemed like something was pulling at the pen from below the screen in certain areas. The glass looked perfectly flat, even in those rough spots.

The replacement unit also had it, to a lesser extent. What fixed the issue for me was rubbing the rough patches with my finger. I'm guessing that oils up the surface a little bit, removing the friction.

 

[bmac89]

The replacement unit also had it, to a lesser extent. What fixed the issue for me was rubbing the rough patches with my finger. I'm guessing that oils up the surface a little bit, removing the friction.

Yeah I found this too, but it had to be really greasy fingerprints which makes viewing the screen not great, then as soon as you clean the screen the friction is back.

 

[13irregular]

I am in the same boat. Bought an iPad Air 4 the other day and it was bad and I returned it and decided that the pro would have the kinks worked out. Just picked up an 11” pro a couple hours ago and it is even worse than the air I had. The friction or drag or whatever is absolutely horrible. Now I am running into a problem where I can’t get a genius appointment so not really sure what to do other than return it?

 

[aevan]

If you visit an apple store, check several ipads, i think it's pretty widespread, but it depends on how nitpicky you are to recognize it. I asked to several users in reddit, and many of them were able to recognize it.

I’ve been illustrating on iPads since the first iPad Pro, I’ve owned several Pros and tried quite a few different iPads in stores (I always doodle a bit when testing them out).

This is the first time I’ve heard of “uneven surfaces”.

But I guess if everyone here has the issue, it could be real. I suggest getting a matte screen protector - it makes the surface much nicer to draw/write on.

 

[Smici]

After 2 years of use the 2018 12.9 pro with a matte screen protector I rip it off to try it out naked. First it was horribly uneven, even when I cleaned it with a microfiber cloth, even the sound of it was horrible, the pencil made a squeaking sound. So what I did was I covered the whole screen with fingerprints, the whole, and after I gave him a good wipe again with the microfiber without any cleaning solution, only breath. Now it is even everywhere.