Ever wonder how many dead pixels you have to have on an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, or Mac before Apple will issue you a replacement? Well it looks inside sources has given BGR the answer. What you see above is leaked document that appears to lay out general guidelines for Apple Retail Stores, and it seems they're set by screen size.
An iPhone or iPod touch can have as little as 1 dead pixel, and that'll warrant you a replacement. An iPad will have to have 3 to warrant a replacement, as less than that is considered acceptable. MacBook Airs will have to have at least 8 (ouch), and most iMacs or Cinema Displays would have to have at least 9 to 16 in order for a replacement to be warranted (double ouch).
Apparently it is noted that a replacement is up to a Genius at the end of the day. They can warrant replacements even if you fall within the normal tolerance. I don't know about you, but if my 27" iMac had 15 dead pixels, I think that should warrant a replacement, no questions asked. A friend of mine had an issue with a dead pixel on an iPad (just one) and had it replaced, as the pixel was located right where you'd typically type web addresses into safari (in another words, you saw it ALL the time). Maybe placement matters as well. I've never had issues with Apple myself and the guidelines for smaller screen sizes seems pretty fair. I'm not too sure about the larger sizes though. At the end of the day, these are just guidelines. If you've got dead or stuck pixels, I'd still say it's a safe bet to try your luck at your local Apple store.
What do you think?
