MacBook Pro Screen Repair
Expert screen repair for MacBook Pro 13-inch Touch Bar (2016-2017) with genuine Retina displays and 12-month warranty. 1-2 working days in Bournemouth, nationwide mail-in available.
A1706 Screen Repair Cost Comparison
Apple Official Quote
£450-£500
5-7 day wait
RevivaTech Price
£179
55%
Cost Savings
1-2 Days
Local Turnaround
12 Months
Warranty
A1706 MacBook Pro: Known Display Issues & Repair Considerations
The A1706 MacBook Pro 13-inch holds a unique and somewhat infamous place in Apple's laptop history. Released in late 2016 and refreshed in 2017, the A1706 was the pioneer of two controversial design choices that would define an entire generation of MacBook Pro models: the Touch Bar and the butterfly keyboard. As the first 13-inch MacBook Pro to feature Apple's OLED Touch Bar strip replacing the physical function keys, the A1706 introduced a completely new display assembly architecture. The main 13.3-inch Retina panel and the secondary Touch Bar OLED strip are two separate components, which means that a failure in one does not necessarily require replacing the other. This is an important distinction that many repair shops overlook, potentially overcharging A1706 owners for work that is not needed.
The most significant known issue affecting the A1706 is Flexgate, a design flaw where the display flex cable is routed too tightly around the hinge mechanism. Every time you open or close the lid of your A1706 MacBook Pro, this cable flexes against the display connector, gradually wearing through the delicate ribbon cable. The earliest symptom is a subtle flickering when the lid reaches certain angles, which progresses to the characteristic "stage lighting" effect where bright spotlights appear along the bottom edge of the screen. Left unaddressed, the A1706 flex cable will eventually fail completely, resulting in total backlight loss while the LCD panel itself remains technically functional. Apple acknowledged this defect and launched a limited repair programme, but that programme has long since expired for all A1706 units.
The A1706 was also Apple's first MacBook Pro to abandon all legacy ports in favour of USB-C exclusively, shipping with four Thunderbolt 3 ports and nothing else. This means the A1706 runs considerably warmer than its predecessors under sustained workloads, as the Intel 6th and 7th generation processors in these machines are known for thermal throttling within the thin chassis. This persistent heat cycling places additional stress on the display cable and connectors over time, compounding the Flexgate vulnerability. When repairing an A1706 screen, our technicians always inspect the flex cable routing and hinge tension, because replacing a cracked display without addressing underlying cable fatigue simply delays a second failure.
A1706 MacBook Pro Specifications
Technical specifications for the MacBook Pro 13-inch Touch Bar (2016-2017) model identifier A1706
How to Identify Your A1706 MacBook
Check model identifier: Click Apple menu → About This Mac → Model Identifier shows "MacBookPro14,2"
Physical label: The A1706 number is printed on the bottom case of your MacBook Pro (small text near the regulatory markings)
Common A1706 Screen Issues We Fix
From cracked screens to flickering displays, we repair all A1706 MacBook Pro screen problems
Flexgate (Stage Lighting)
Bright spots at bottom of screen from worn display flex cable - the infamous A1706 design flaw. Progresses to complete backlight failure if untreated.
Complete Backlight Failure
Final stage of Flexgate - screen appears black but image visible under bright light. Flex cable has completely failed. Requires full display replacement.
Touch Bar LCD Failure
The OLED Touch Bar strip can fail separately from main display - dead sections, unresponsive areas, or visual artifacts. We replace Touch Bar independently.
Cracked Retina Display
Physical damage from drops or pressure. A1706 repair more complex than A1708 due to Touch Bar component.
Display Flickers at Angles
Early Flexgate symptom - display flickers when opening/closing lid at certain angles. Cable damage beginning.
Age-Related Display Issues
After 8+ years, displays may show yellowing, uneven brightness, or image persistence regardless of Flexgate status.
A1706 Screen Repair Process
Professional 4-step process for MacBook Pro 13-inch Touch Bar screen replacement
Expert Evaluation
Initial phaseWe test your A1706 MacBook to confirm screen damage vs other issues (logic board, GPU). Our evaluation ensures accurate repair quote.
Data Backup & Protection
PreparationYour data stays safe during repair. We never access your files. Device is powered off and handled with anti-static precautions.
Display Assembly Replacement
Core repairWe carefully remove the damaged Retina display and install a genuine replacement screen. Clean installation with no adhesive residue.
Quality Test via Apple Official Diagnostic Mode
Final testingComprehensive testing using Apple's official diagnostic tools: display function, brightness uniformity, webcam operation, and hinge tension. 12-month warranty certificate issued.
Typical Turnaround: 1-2 Working Days (Local)
Professional A1706 screen repair in Bournemouth with 12-month warranty. Nationwide mail-in service: 3-4 days.
Book A1706 RepairA1706 Screen Repair FAQs
Common questions about MacBook Pro 13-inch Touch Bar (A1706) screen repair
What is Flexgate and does my A1706 have it?▼
Flexgate is a design flaw in 2016-2017 MacBook Pro Touch Bar models where the display flex cable is too short. When you open/close the lid, the cable wears against the display connector, eventually causing 'stage lighting' (bright spots at the bottom of the screen) or complete backlight failure. A1706 is one of the most affected models. We diagnose Flexgate free and can repair it.
Is it worth repairing my A1706 MacBook Pro in 2026?▼
At 10-9 years old, the A1706 is an older Intel Mac. Repair at £179 makes sense if: your Mac still meets your needs, you don't need Apple Silicon features, you want an affordable secondary laptop. However, macOS Sequoia dropped Intel support (stuck on Sonoma). We provide honest advice on repair vs upgrade for older Macs.
My A1706 has bright spots at the bottom of the screen - what is this?▼
Bright spots at the bottom of your A1706 display (often called 'stage lighting') are the classic symptom of Flexgate. The display flex cable has worn through, causing backlight to leak through uncontrolled. This will progress to complete backlight failure if not addressed. Full display assembly replacement resolves this permanently.
Can you repair A1706 Touch Bar separately from the main screen?▼
Yes. The A1706 has both a main Retina display and a separate Touch Bar OLED strip. If only your Touch Bar is failing (unresponsive, artifacts, dead sections), we can replace just the Touch Bar LCD. If your main screen is damaged but Touch Bar works, we replace only the main display. We don't charge for undamaged components.
What is the A1706 MacBook model?▼
The A1706 is the MacBook Pro 13-inch WITH Touch Bar, released 2016-2017. It was Apple's first MacBook with Touch Bar - the OLED strip replacing function keys. It has Intel Core i5/i7, four Thunderbolt 3 ports (vs two on A1708), and unfortunately the Flexgate-prone display cable design. Check Apple menu → About This Mac for 'MacBookPro13,2' (2016) or 'MacBookPro14,2' (2017).
A1706 vs A1708 - what's the difference for repair?▼
A1706 has Touch Bar and four Thunderbolt ports; A1708 has function keys and only two ports. Critically, A1706 is prone to Flexgate (display cable failure) while A1708 is not. A1706 repair may involve both main display AND Touch Bar LCD, making it potentially more complex. However, A1708 lacks True Tone while A1706 may have it.
Did Apple fix Flexgate? Will my repair have the same problem?▼
Apple released a repair program for some affected models (extended to 4 years from purchase) but it has now expired. Replacement displays still use similar cable routing. However, we use quality displays with improved cable positioning where available. Our 12-month warranty covers any cable-related failures.
My A1706 backlight completely died - is this Flexgate?▼
Likely yes. Complete backlight failure (screen visible only under bright light, or completely black) is the final stage of Flexgate. The flex cable has completely failed. This requires full display assembly replacement. We diagnose free to confirm it's not a logic board issue (which would be much more expensive to repair).
Not Sure If Your MacBook is A1706?
Message us with your serial number and we'll confirm your exact model and provide an accurate repair quote.
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Ready to Fix Your A1706 MacBook Pro Screen?
Expert repair with genuine displays and 12-month warranty
Bournemouth Location
Bournemouth, BH8 0EJ
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sat: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Warranty
12-month parts & labor warranty on all A1706 repairs