Some 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models that were originally released in 2017 appear to be suffering from a display issue that causes a bright spot to appear right above the Home button on affected models.

The issue was outlined on the MacRumors forums, with complaints first popping up back in April 2018. MacRumors reader marmiteturkey explains the problem:

I have an approx 1in spot on my iPad Pro screen which is brighter than the rest of the screen - it's unevenly lit. The spot is about 2in above the home button, and although it has soft edges, I'm anal about my gadgets, and the difference in brightness could be described as 'minor', it's clearly there. It looks a bit like a pressure spot or similar. I always keep it in a case with a screen protector and the Smart Keyboard, so it's well looked-after.

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.

ipadprodisplayhotspot
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.

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Top Rated Comments

Cobalt50 Avatar
86 months ago
Man, you need AppleCare as a necessity these days.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
weup togo Avatar
86 months ago
Man, you need AppleCare as a necessity these days.
AppleCare is getting increasingly useless with the number of shameful design defects Apple unapologetically ships.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SHIVERINGGOAT Avatar
86 months ago
I am in UK and had this exact issue with the 10.5" Pro I bought last year. I've never dropped it and take care of it and so I took it to Apple 2 weeks ago and they swapped it after 15 months under EU consumer Law thankfully so no charge.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xraydoc Avatar
86 months ago
It's getting harder & harder to remain an Apple fan.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Glideslope Avatar
86 months ago
Apple demanding premium prices for increasingly sub premium devices.....

Troubling trend. :apple:
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ichickon Avatar
86 months ago
Honestly... what hurts the most about these issues (and the MacBook Pro keyboards) is that it sucks the joy out of buying Apple products. Because now you have a splinter of worry in your mind. More not “if”, but “when”.

And it doesn’t matter that you have Apple Care! Because you have to deal with scheduling a Genuis Bar appointment and then gotta make the time. Plus they’ll likely be behind schedule. And if lap top, ain’t no way it’s getting swapped/fixed right away. Lost time and maybe even work. It’s a terrible experience even if it is replaced or fixed. And that’s if your lucky enough to live near a store!

So yeah. These failures have sucked the joy out of getting new Apple products. Ugh. Just wish there was somewhere else to run. :-(
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)