Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Some 2017 iPad Pro Displays Suffering From Bright Spot Above Home Button (macrumors.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the quality-control dept.

According to MacRumors forums, some users are complaining of a display issue that causes a bright spot to appear right above the Home button on some 2017 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. The first complaints popped up in April 2018. From the report: According to iPad Pro users who have the problem, it appears to be an issue with uneven backlighting in that area. MacRumors can confirm the problem, as we have a 10.5-inch iPad Pro on hand that appears to be experiencing the same issue outlined on the forums. Customers have been complaining of the problem for months now, though it continues to be unclear how many iPad Pro models may be impacted by the issue. It is not known if a similar issue will impact the new 11 and 12.9-inch 2018 iPad Pro models, as these devices are too new and the problem appears to surface after several months of usage.

Multiple users who were affected with the bright spot on their screens have been able to take their iPad Pro models to Apple for a replacement, but users who are no longer under Apple's one-year warranty or AppleCare+ have not had luck getting a free replacement device. Out of warranty, Apple is asking customers to pay the display replacement fee, priced at $449 for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro and $599 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

55 comments

  1. So? by 110010001000 · · Score: 2, Funny

    So, be a good consumer and just buy another $500 iPad. Stop complaining.

    1. Re:So? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is the least of the concerns over the iPad Pro.

      Watch how pathetically weak and poorly made the iPad Pro really is.

  2. Wait a minute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    A device out of warranty is not fixed for free?

    Thanks Obama.

    1. Re:Wait a minute by jpaine619 · · Score: 1

      Cars out of warranty are still subject to recalls when a flaw is discovered. Your argument fails.

    2. Re:Wait a minute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      [citation needed]

    3. Re:Wait a minute by mark-t · · Score: 1

      That's only because a car is a widely used device that can kill people because of such a flaw, even if otherwise operated entirely correctly.

      --
      File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
    4. Re:Wait a minute by jpaine619 · · Score: 1

      It conflicts with what the GP said.. That was my point.. But keep buying those Apple products...

    5. Re:Wait a minute by mark-t · · Score: 1

      You're joking, right?

      How about the Takata airbag recall?

      Should I Expect to Pay Any Money to Get the Recall Fix?
      Repairs conducted under the recall are free, but unrelated problems discovered during the service may not be.

      And that's just the first one I thought of right off the top of my head. Free repairs for recalls on automobiles are the norm, not the exception.

      --
      File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
    6. Re:Wait a minute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Where in there does it say it applies to cars out of warranty per the GP's claim?

      Cars out of warranty are still subject to recalls

      Maybe try again?

    7. Re:Wait a minute by mark-t · · Score: 1

      Not really... in general, products that develop a defect due to faulty manufacturing will not be repaired for free unless the product is under warranty, or unless the defect poses a danger to public health or safety. Giving an example that expressly falls into the latter category doesn't really disprove the general argument.

      --
      File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
    8. Re:Wait a minute by mark-t · · Score: 1

      Such repairs are free whether or not the car is out of warranty. It doesn't mention anything about warranty on the page I linked because it is entirely irrelevant. If you have an automobile that has received a recall, you can get the necessary repairs for free, regardless of the age of the vehicle. Any auto dealer will affirm this.

      --
      File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
    9. Re:Wait a minute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But you've still yet to show an automaker issuing a recall on a vehicle after it was out of any possible warranty.

    10. Re:Wait a minute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're acting like this is an Apple issue. I've seen this from tons of computing hardware manufacturers. But keep your head up your ass so you can be a cool little hipster fag.

    11. Re: Wait a minute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For safety and security reasons...

    12. Re:Wait a minute by phalse+phace · · Score: 1

      Not really... in general, products that develop a defect due to faulty manufacturing will not be repaired for free unless the product is under warranty, or unless the defect poses a danger to public health or safety. Giving an example that expressly falls into the latter category doesn't really disprove the general argument.

      Toyota announced in early 2015 that they would replace for free 4.5 million dashes on cars up to 12 years old. The warranty on those cars would have run out long ago.

      And a sticky dash is not a defect that poses a danger to public health or safety.

      https://www.wfla.com/news/toyota-and-lexus-to-replace-sticky-dashboards/1051699440

      The manufacturer has agreed to replace dashboards free of charge.

      The only catch is that dashboard replacement parts are scarce and the 4.5 million required won't be available until late Spring, depending on the model and make of your vehicle.

      The affected models for Toyota are-

      2003 to 2005 4Runner
      2005 to 2010 Avalon
      2007 to 2011 Camry and Camry Hybrid
      2004 to 2010 Sienna
      2004 to 2008 Solara

      The affected Lexis models are-

      2007-08 ES 350
      2003-08 GX470
      2006-08 IS250& 350
      2007 LS460
      2004-06 RX Sport Utility 330
      2007-08 RX Sport Utility350
      2005-08 RX Sport Utility400H/quote.

    13. Re:Wait a minute by phalse+phace · · Score: 1

      Toyota replacing sticky dashes on 4.5 million cars.... cars that were up to 12 years old and no longer covered under warranty.

      https://www.wfla.com/news/toyota-and-lexus-to-replace-sticky-dashboards/1051699440

    14. Re: Wait a minute by phalse+phace · · Score: 1

      Stick dashes has nothing to do with "safety" or "security"

    15. Re:Wait a minute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But you've still yet to show an automaker issuing a recall on a vehicle after it was out of any possible warranty.

      Recalls are mandated by the government when a problem is found with an automobile which is safety related. Both the problems mentioned above affect safety and are the subject of recalls. As such, the manufacturer will have to make the repair at no charge to the car owner regardless of whether or not the car is still under a manufacturer's warranty.
      https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a30755/the-difference-between-recalls-and-technical-service-bulletins/

      Then here you will find a great many recalls issued on vehicles out of warranty.

    16. Re:Wait a minute by exomondo · · Score: 1

      Not really... in general, products that develop a defect due to faulty manufacturing will not be repaired for free unless the product is under warranty

      Even Apple themselves have done this with poorly manufactured products.

    17. Re:Wait a minute by mark-t · · Score: 1

      Exceptions exist, but using them to disprove an otherwise entirely true generalization is like saying that humans aren't bipedal just because you can find examples of humans who aren't.

      --
      File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
    18. Re:Wait a minute by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      ". Free repairs for recalls on automobiles are the norm, not the exception."

      Nope. They are the norm when it comes to safety (may be mandatory) or emissions (always mandatory.) They also rarely do a safety recall on an older vehicle, unless it is restraint-related. The automaker remains responsible for safety design defects on seatbelts for ever and ever.

      Other kinds of recalls are rarer, and unevenly distributed by brand. There are thousands of cars with poorly designed zf5hp42a gearboxes, used by Audi, Jaguar, BMW and others. They have real design problems that are well-known, and which have been fixed since, but it would have been expensive to do a recall, so they didn't. This will probably kill at least one car this week.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    19. Re:Wait a minute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I thought this article was about an Apple product. so yes, this article is about an APPLE issue. Is that too hard for all the I-diots to understand.

    20. Re: Wait a minute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thank you for this. I imagine that AC is looking pretty fucking stupid right now.

    21. Re: Wait a minute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are wrong. This is no exception. If a car has a safety recall the manufacturer will fix it for FREE! Even if it's out of warranty. All car makers do this.

    22. Re:Wait a minute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are you trying to rebut the point you quoted? The post you're replying to (you even quoted the key part) says:

      Free repairs for recalls on automobiles are the norm, not the exception.

      That's true, if a car is recalled the repair is almost always free. Your post doesn't refute that at all.

    23. Re: Wait a minute by mark-t · · Score: 1

      Perhaps you misunderstand, I was trying to say that it generally takes an atypical occurrence, such as a threat to public health or safety, to expect repairs for free on a product whose warranty has expired, and citing an example from such an exception does not invalidate the original observation. Even if the practiced repair policies for such an occurrence are ubiquitously followed, it does not alter the fact that the circumstances that are necessary for that policy to be invoked in the first place are still the exception to what was being talking about, which was the notion of having something repaired for free after the warranty has expired.

      --
      File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
    24. Re:Wait a minute by mark-t · · Score: 1

      What is the exceptional case is when a product has a defect that will impact public health or safety in the first place.

      That's not applicable to the subject being discussed in this story, so drawing on an example of how automobiles that have a public health or safety issue are typically repaired for free (even if this is universally practiced) doesn't invalidate the original observation that it should not surprise anyone if Apple doesn't repair these products whose warranty has expired.

      --
      File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
    25. Re:Wait a minute by mark-t · · Score: 1

      Perhaps you were unaware that the phrase "in general" means that exceptions can exist, but the exceptions do not invalidate the general rule unless they can be shown to be more numerous than the cases covered by the original statement.

      --
      File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
    26. Re:Wait a minute by exomondo · · Score: 1

      But we're talking about Apple here, and in Apple's case when they have identified manufacturing defects they have "in general" provided out-of-warranty, free repairs for their products.

      If you're talking about something outside the context of this discussion on Apple then sure, feel free to provide some citation on it.

  3. And? by ledow · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This is what you get when a company - under sworn oath in front of a court of law - tells you that their "premium" products are only designed to have a lifetime of one year.

    Pay your Apple luxury tax, or stop complaining.

    Honestly have yet to find a single redeeming feature in any Apple product or service.

    1. Re: And? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah Apple products suck. Donâ(TM)t go to the Apple store they will have every kind of idiot come out and ignore you. Wait or offer useless help.

    2. Re:And? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apple supports its products WAAAAAYYYYY longer than Google supports their devices (Nexus, Pixel, etc)

    3. Re: And? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I thought we were talking about Apple being an a*shole about a known defect on one of their products lines... not comparing Apple to Google. Let's get back to the issue at hand shall we?

    4. Re: And? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      apple cultist have the shortest attention span when the hive is being threatened with the truth.

    5. Re:And? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nice whataboutism.

  4. Looks Like Jesus! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's a message! Praise Tim Cook!

  5. Apple is responsible of their defects. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It is called "programmed obsolescence".

  6. My name is GayPK and I'm gay!! Woooooooo! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    My name is GayPK and I'm gay!! Woooooooo!

    I love 8=======D. I said I loooooooooove 8========D

  7. Do the parts get used in other brands products? by AHuxley · · Score: 1

    Do the parts have the same problems on other brands too?

    --
    Domestic spying is now "Benign Information Gathering"
    1. Re:Do the parts get used in other brands products? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Its apple and only apple. But thanks for trying to throw in a whatboutism.

  8. option b by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I have one... by which i mean an ipad pro 10.5 and a bright spot. Apple wants almost as much as one of these fucking things costs new to replace the screen. That sounds like a pretty good deal... but how about this instead:

    I give Apple the FINGER, and next tablet I buy doesnt have a piece of rotten, half-eaten fucking FRUIT on the back of it.

    1. Re: option b by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

      If you can't afford the cost of ownership, you shouldn't buy it in the first place - same as for luxury cars.

    2. Re: option b by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why would you pay luxury prices for equivalent build quality to a $100 tablet?

  9. It's a sign from Jobs above by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He's reaching out to us, letting us know he's still with us. Gives me the chills. We miss you, Steve.

    1. Re:It's a sign from Jobs above by PPH · · Score: 1

      Meanwhile, overheating batteries are a sign from Jobs below.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
  10. The explanation by slashmydots · · Score: 3, Informative

    As always, Apple and a ton of other companies try to make a device too light for the weight of a usable frame, the structural integrity of the screen, and the weight and expansion of the battery. Ooooh how futuristic! Then everything falls apart because it really shouldn't have been that light. It couldn't have been that light with today's technology UNLESS they spent a ton on magnesium and high end aluminum alloys. The worst part about Apple is at their margins, they could have. So they're purposely engineered to be impossible to sustain physically and don't build them with materials that can stand up to it. Wonderful.

    1. Re:The explanation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They are cheaply made, that's how they get such large profit margins. Just like this where their poor manufacturing process ("The bend is the result of a cooling process involving the iPad Pro’s metal and plastic components during manufacturing, according to Apple.") results in them not being able to make the case flat.

      You see the Apple fanboys often crowing about how much profit Apple makes, well the reason for that is quite simple: the products are made very cheaply.

    2. Re:The explanation by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      The iPad has a particular design flaw where the charge port and hole for the microphone are directly opposite each other, right on the centre line. That severely weakens the frame and makes it prone to bending alone that centre line.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    3. Re:The explanation by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      As always, Apple and a ton of other companies try to make a device too light for the weight of a usable frame, the structural integrity of the screen, and the weight and expansion of the battery.

      Good. A few units failing is a small price to pay for not having to lug around useless junk no one cares about on a small toy.

    4. Re:The explanation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The fact that it also has no internal reinforcing structures is also a design flaw. It's just a thin aluminium shell with a thin piece of glass for a screen and some soft pouch battery packs inside. The thing is a pile of shit, like most Apple products.

    5. Re:The explanation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nah, I would rather have well made products. I'm not trying to make a fashion statement with a flimsy toy.

  11. If all long-term product defects made news.. by Fly+Swatter · · Score: 0

    The list would be so long no one would bother to read it. Why is apple so special? Every product has flaws that show up over time, doesn't mean you get a free repair once it is out of warranty. If it matters get the extended warranty, or use the learning experience to choose a better product next time.

    1. Re:If all long-term product defects made news.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      News is that this crap hardware costs twice as much as any other hardware with similar problems and company blames user for holding it wrong. Eventually the smart customers will get a hint and move their money elsewhere, but Apple still believes to get eternal growth via new iDiot customers.

  12. Oh well I'm a tramp by AndyKron · · Score: 1

    Kind of a fickle bunch. I just cleaned my monitor after about five years. It's like getting a new monitor for free!

  13. couple thoughts by TimMD909 · · Score: 1

    I opened up their image in Gimp to adjust the levels to really make the defect pop out. The whole right side of the image is uneven in luminosity. I have a couple thoughts:

    My first guess is that there's a thermal issue around there that's ever so slightly warping the screen there.

    I also wouldn't expect LCDs of that size that are constantly being pushed, and subject to other stresses, to last for a long time. I also wouldn't put it past Apple to skimp on the thickness of the glass to prevent the warping in their never-ending quest to go slimmer.