Flexgate: Here's all about this weird MacBook Pro issue
What's the story
In a surprising case, multiple users have flagged a weird issue on some Apple MacBook Pro models. The problem, which has been dubbed 'flexgate', appears to be affecting the LCD displays of the notebooks after a certain period of time. Apple has not acknowledged the matter so far and the true scale of the issue also remains unknown. Here's all about the flexgate.
Issue
So, what is flexgate?
Basically, flexgate is a backlight-related problem that has been spotted on 2016 MacBook Pro and newer models. After a long time of usage, the backlight of these models appears to get affected, creating a stage lighting effect at the bottom of the screen. Put simply, the display starts appearing spotty at the bottom when the lid is fully opened.
Reason
Faulty cables appear to be causing the problem
The exact cause of the problem remains unknown, but iFixit reported it could be occurring because of a pair of flexible ribbon cables. The cables connect the display to a control board at the base of MacBook Pro and are pulled tight every time its lid is opened. Seemingly, over a long time of usage, they break down, affecting the backlight of the panel.
Replacement trouble
If the issue occurs, users would need display replacement
The issue seems to occur over time due to the compounded stress of opening and closing the lid. This means, it may not be visible on your machine today but could occur in the future, possibly by the time when your MacBook Pro is out-of-warranty. In that case, you might have to shell a hefty amount to get the whole display replaced.
Questions
Still, many questions remain unanswered
Users suffering from flexgate have created a website with videos highlighting the issue. But, as of now, it is not clear how many notebooks, particularly those used for about a year, have been affected. Apple has not commented on the matter, but it is recommended to assess the display of your MacBook Pro, especially if it has been in use for a while.
Previous issues
Notably, this isn't the first MacBook Pro problem
It is also worth noting that this isn't the first problem occurring on the MacBook Pro. The butterfly style key switches on 2015, 2016, and 2017 MacBook Pro models have been heavily criticized in the past. They had the tendency to fail completely due to dust, and had to be taken to the service center for repairs.