Apple acknowledges MacBook Air with Retina display could have anti-reflective coating issues
In a memo shared with Apple authorized service providers this week, Apple pointed out that MacBook Air models equipped with Retina displays may have problems with anti-reflective coatings.
The memo states: "Retina displays on some MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro computers may have anti-reflective coating problems."
Apple's previous internal service documentation for this issue only mentioned the MacBook Pro and discontinued the 12-inch MacBook models with Retina displays, but now mentions the MacBook Air in at least two places.
Apple added a Retina display to the MacBook Air in October 2018. Since then, all models of Apple notebook computers have adopted Retina displays.
Apple has developed a free repair program for anti-reflection coatings internally, but although mentioned elsewhere in the document, no MacBook Air models have been added to the repair list.
However, since Apple at least acknowledges that this issue may occur with MacBook Air, customers may have a valid reason to repair it for free during the warranty period.
The current list of affected models given by Apple is temporarily the same as the list in December 2019:
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2015)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
MacBook (12-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook (12-inch, Early 2016)
MacBook (12-inch, Early 2017)
Apple began repairs in October 2015 after some MacBook and MacBook Pro users encountered issues with anti-reflective coatings wearing or delaminating on the retina display.
Apple never posted a fix on its website, and instead chose to handle the matter more quietly.
Currently, Apple stores outside China and many Apple Authorized Service Providers are closed, but customers can visit support.apple.com for service and support.
