Nintendo's ridicolous dead pixel policy

Raffy98

Raffy98

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    I was really shocked to read this on Nintendo's official website:
    "Small numbers of stuck or dead pixels are a characteristic of LCD screens. These are normal and should not be considered a defect." -> link

    Basically, Nintendo is claiming that if your console comes out of the box like this it's fine:
    Spoiler:

    I was also affected by this in a way:
    I bought a Nintendo 2DS 3 days ago and I noticed a dead pixel on the lower screen after some hours.
    I phoned the store where I bought the console and they told me that Nintendo doesn't consider "dead pixels" as a defect, so I wasn't entitled to get a replacement. >:(
    I don't mind it while playing, but it's really hard to unsee while I'm in really bright scenes or in the console's main menu.
    Spoiler:


    I hope that Nintendo realizes they're acting like they don't care about their customers at all because that's the feeling I'm getting right now.
    So, what are your thoughts on this?
     
    I don't usually notice/care for dead pixels like the picture on the bottom, that's expected of a device.

    But the top one is taking too far and I'd most likely get a refund on that product.
     
    My computer has a dead pixel, and I wouldn't get a refund. But if I couldn't see an entire character in overwatch shooting at me, THAT is problematic :/
     
    kitarei said:
    Key phrase being "small numbers" - you know, 1 or 2.
    That first one is replacement worthy for sure.
    Click to expand...


    Yeah, I exaggerated on purpose there but the point is that dead pixels are NOT normal and they have to be considered as a defect.
     
    Raffy98 said:
    Yeah, I exaggerated on purpose there but the point is that dead pixels are NOT normal and they have to be considered as a defect.
    Click to expand...

    Well if you live in Australia or the UK you will be entitled to a replacement or refund under consumer protection laws. Unsure if the rest of the world has similar protections.
     
    Incineroar said:
    Stuck pixels can be fixed too, although it's a bit harder on a Switch because there's no functioning web browser, but if you can find a way to full-screen watch a video on the screen, you can perhaps attempt to load a video that can fix stuck pixels by changing colors extremely rapidly.
    Click to expand...

    I should try this with my 2DS actually, maybe by loading a flashing video on the SD card... is it even possible to do that on the 2DS?
     
    You are exaggerating. Every screen maker has a dead pixel policy that allows for a certain number of dead pixels, mostly one to five. Nintendo should have been clearer but that Switch in the picture would defintely be covered under warranty. Maybe these things are already mentioned in the manual, if only people would take the time to read it.
     
    Incineroar said:
    Might be able to use a GIF image in the web browser. I reckon that'd work equally as well, and would even have less artifacting.
    Click to expand...
    Great idea! I'll try it ASAP.

    Banz said:
    You are exaggerating. Every screen maker has a dead pixel policy that allows for a certain number of dead pixels, mostly one to five. Nintendo should have been clearer but that Switch in the picture would defintely be covered under warranty. Maybe these things are already mentioned in the manual, if only people would take the time to read it.
    Click to expand...
    I acknowledge my exaggeration (which was done on purpose btw), if that Switch doesn't get replaced then no other console deserves to.
    Also, you said "one to five" pixels are mostly tolerated? Well, I think that this depends on what kind of device we're talking about.
    If we're talking about (let's say) a 40" TV, then a small number of dead pixels can be ignored without problems, but if we start talking about a handheld device (like the Switch itself or a smartphone), then even one single pixel can get really annoying.
     
    Lol, that first picture is priceless.

    Anyway, dead pixels to me are something that happens. I don't really mind them, have had a 3DS with a dead pixel before and it's not a big deal. There are many things we think we are entitled to but thing is they are not big deals and would wind up costing you and company more money for shipping and materials. Might as well just live with it. No one got replacement 3DSs when the original version was scratching the top screen. It was just something we dealt with with whatever ideas we had. I just see it as not that big an issue.
     
    I'm frankly amazed that anyone is surprised by this...it's Nintendo. Although I do recall them saying back in 2004 that they would replace DS consoles with dead pixels, so this is a significant step backwards for them. But it's Nintendo, who are compelled to take three steps back for every step they take forward and are still living in the 90s in some respects, so yeah, I'm not surprised. They're not the only ones with such an anti-consumer policy anyway.

    But saying dead pixels are not a defect is a flat-out lie. Just because they're a common occurrence with LCD screens does not mean that this is acceptable.

    Myself, I've not had dead pixels on any of my devices yet - although my mother has one on her 3DS in the corner of the top screen - but I know I wouldn't stand for it...especially considering how much the Switch costs. Thank god for consumer protection laws.
     
    Raffy98 said:
    I acknowledge my exaggeration (which was done on purpose btw), if that Switch doesn't get replaced then no other console deserves to.Also, you said "one to five" pixels are mostly tolerated? Well, I think that this depends on what kind of device we're talking about. If we're talking about (let's say) a 40" TV, then a small number of dead pixels can be ignored without problems, but if we start talking about a handheld device (like the Switch itself or a smartphone), then even one single pixel can get really annoying.
    Click to expand...

    Nope. That picture makes no sense. Don't twist words for the sake of sensationalism. The key word here is small. There are atleast 4000 pixels missing in the picutre you showed.

    Also how many dead pixels are tolerated depends on the screen class. Some high end TVs have zero defects policy, whereas for mid range TVs/laptops and cheap products like the Switch, there is a small number that is allowed.
     
    Tsutarja said:
    By extension, you could define dead pixels as a defect in the technology that revolves around LCD screens.
    Click to expand...
    You could, which is what makes it all the more absurd...if they're not working as intended the second you take the console out the box, it's definitely a defect.

    I know Nintendo aren't alone in this policy, but I think maybe their rationale behind it could be that because you can still use the console in docked mode without issue - unless you have dead pixels on your TV, anyway - that technically the console is still fine.

    Honestly I don't think I'd find the whole idea so offensive if I didn't play my Switch exclusively in handheld mode, and if it wasn't a complete lie...if you don't want to cover it, don't cover it, but don't claim it's not a defect when it objectively is...
     
    For a very low number of dead pixels, this is understandable. It protects the bottom line and makes business sense.

    For more dead pixels than you have fingers and toes or areas of dead pixels bigger than 3x3 pixels, it's definitely a defective screen and should be replaced under warranty

    No exceptions. But they are right in reminding you that just a small amount of dead pixels is understandably unavoidable.
     
    Hmmm... dead pixels on the Nintendo Switch....


    Wikipedia tells me the screen is 1280×720, which makes for 921'600 pixels total. Of that, four dead pixels makes 99.999'995'65%, which is reasonably above the 99.999'6% requirement of Sigma Six quality control - but no wonders either. I have no idea how many Switch screens are in existence and what fraction of those report dead pixels under this margin, alas.


    While it makes some sense to not cover those under warranty, it does not make much sense to call them a not-defect. I mean, we do emit warnings regarding the technology that makes our technology - for example, we emit health warnings in the line of "made with machines that also process $DANGEROUS_PRODUCT". In the least, I think is senseful to offer replacements (refunds is another matter). It's not like you want it to be known that you want your clients to have bad Official™ products, I'd posit.
     
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