Apple Says Some 2018 iPad Pros Ship Bent, But It's Normal and Not a Defect

[thadoggfather]

I have no problem with criticism. I just think it’s overblown and it’s likely the loudest people on this site don’t even own the device. For those that have bent iPad’s, I’ve said I hope they return them and get a good one. It’s a bummer that this small manufacturing defect happened, but it happens in Apple products and it happens in other electronic devices from time to time.

But again, their response is appalling and I think you even said they were better off saying nothing at all. So the fact they issued a statement like this, and used The Verge to deliver it, says even more about their character. Of course defects occur with mass manufactured anything and everything.

I hope that I can trust they have privacy views in mind as they often tout, but as it stands: they are gas lighting people into redefining what a DEFECT means. The very definition of the word. Its not a complicated concept or word. They say its NOT a defect.

...That is fundamentally insane! In what world is an obviously warped body, laying down on a table as is a normal use case, that should be straight, NOT a defect?

 

[citysnaps]

Good question!

Apple spends about 5% of its sales revenue on R&D vs Microsoft's 13%, but we're not comparing like with like - who knows what $14Bn can get you vs almost $4Bn (for MS's R&D)...

Apple's gross at 38% (it's been steady at that for a while) more closely lines up with a manufacturing operation than a service operation... which is what MS's numbers better align with.

But there can be outliers. I work for a semiconductor manufacturer who has gross margins around 62% and net around 37%, but that's not normal.

I've never been a big believer in the so-called Apple tax for certain pieces of hardware. My last 2 Apple purchases were high end MBPrs, in part justified to my masters because a like-for-like Windows laptop from our prefered and top 3 windows computers suppliers was almost $600 more, in both cases, 3 years apart.

Excellent points.

I also worked for a large US semiconductor manufacturer. When proposing a new complex chip (wireless infrastructure signal processing), I needed to show going in the ability to earn 80% GPM and substantial sales for that market segment. Less margin would be accepted if a good case were made regarding risk, yield, and projected sales. But Wall Street pressure to keep margins relatively high always dominated.

The fabless chip startup I was part of before being acquired by the company above had margins that were higher. But that was a very different company dynamic and our chips were very unique.

 

[magicschoolbus]

Apple’s PR department sounds more and more like Chinese state run media every day hahahahah

 

[lec0rsaire]

I have no problem with criticism. I just think it’s overblown and it’s likely the loudest people on this site don’t even own the device. For those that have bent iPad’s, I’ve said I hope they return them and get a good one. It’s a bummer that this small manufacturing defect happened, but it happens in Apple products and it happens in other electronic devices from time to time.

It doesn’t matter if you own one or not. I personally don’t because I have no need for a shiny new iPad but I care about this company and their products. They are a premium manufacturer that sometimes borders on selling luxury computers.

When you pay extra for what is understood to be a cut above the rest, you should get a product without flaws. There is just no excuse for bent iPads out of the box no matter how small that bend is. It is indefensible and I am a total Apple fanboy. I love the ecosystem and will never buy a computer that isnt a Mac or a phone that isn’t an iPhone.

 

[Abazigal]

I have been an Apple fanboy for more than two decades, but I have to say these last years have been tough. Apple quality control has fallen, and excuses like this bring a very sour taste to anyone's mouths.
The list of complaints about the way Apple has been handling their business is getting larger and larger. Apple got to get their act together, or they will be destiny to fail. It won't happen anytime soon but little by little they will get there if they keep acting the way they are.

Has it also occurred to you or anyone where that these could also simply be issues that affect only a small percentage of users overall?

Of course when there is a problem with your iPad, you would take photos and post it online. But at the same time, if there is nothing wrong with my iPad Pro, I am not going to create a post just to boast that my device is fine. This means that the number of people being extremely vocal about problems like this will always outnumber those who genuinely have no problems with theirs.

This can easily lead to a perception that the bending problem with the iPad is a lot more widespread than it really is.

In a nutshell, my point is yes - some iPads are coming bent out of the box. We might see more information about this in the next couple of weeks, but I believe this is more the exception than the norm. Most people will have received mint-condition iPads, are using them happily, and will continue to use them happily for a good long time to come.

In a way, it’s a little reminiscent of the "HomePod may leave marks on your table" matter from earlier this year. Apple might have legitimately screwed up, but we hardly hear of the issue these days, and it likely won’t impact Apple at all in the greater scheme of things.

 

[nordique]

I just returned an Hermes Series 4 Apple Watch at my local store in Charlotte. They didn’t even open the box to make sure everything was there. They just processed the return for $1,500. Every now and then they look at the item but it’s pretty casual. I’d try again.

That is really awesome. They didn't do that here, but it may have been because I told him we were upset with the bending. I wonder if I had purchased it online, instead of the Apple store, if that would have been better.

Unfortunately now, we are passed the return date on the 12.9
I got it for him at launch so there's no holiday grace period anymore

 

[tknelson]

I don't get the sensational headline. It's not "bent". It's curved, or more properly warped. I'm guessing nobody here has ever had anything like this machined from aluminum. This is the price of making something flat and thin with almost no edges out of aluminum. You remove material and stresses relieved that were in the original block of aluminum cause the part to warp. Even if you use tooling plate, this is still going to happen at some level given the geometry of the case.

 

[nordique]

If they’re gonna be like that try another store or time of day and employee. Tell them you dont like it which is an honest but vague answer. You deserve a refund if you aren’t happy. That’s cruel of them to turn you down

Thanks, yeah. I've never had issues in the past with that. Where I live, only one apple store nearby.

I really should have given it another try, but I missed out with the return period *sigh*

Was about a grand in total as well, including the trade in of an older iPad pro - just makes it sting more

 

[steve62388]

I guarantee that if they found a bent display model in one of their stores, they would replace it.

There is another thread where someone went into a store and took pictures. The display models had warping.

 

[nordique]

Better yet if you haven’t bought one yet and aren’t foaming at the mouth to have one hold off all together. stand with people that got screwed over and stick it to them the only place where they care: with money, or lack thereof. Whether you feel inclined to wanna gamble getting a bendy one or not

I didn’t see the value in 11” despite being a nice device. It wasn’t even bent. Now im inclined to never get one after this fiasco. This is rotten. This is no way to treat customers.

Well said.
I will be returning my 11" and going back to a 10.5"

 

[iZac]

Next iPad Pro will be Stainless Steel?

Or can we finally see a Liquid Metal product?

In any case, I'll stick with my Gen 2 and wait for next years mysteriously strengthened version.

 

[IG88]

So, if I open a iPP and find that it is bent, do I have 2 weeks to return it?

Is the moral of the story to carefully check your iPad at time of purchase to be sure it doesn't have any defects, including a bent chassis? Sounds like good advice for any expensive new purchase.

What if it's a gift? Now I have to make sure I don't buy any family members an iPad more than a few days before they're going to open it? Makes Christmas kinda difficult.

 

[inghulent73]

Yeah. Don’t even bother telling them it’s bent. Just say someone already bought you one or you just didn’t like it. Better yet just return it and say nothing. At least Apple is probably the easiest store to return stuff to.

I had a similar issue when I bought my 2016 MBP a couple of years ago. The first had scratches on the chassis. This was just unacceptable for a $3000 machine.

When I returned mine I just said I didn't end up needing it anymore. They can deal with the bend.

 

[1144557]

Classic Apple game, it was before “you hold it wrong”. Apple engineers got time for design and test before going on on market. Then Apple ask the premium price for premium products and then we got easy to bend tablets including the cheap excuses.

Yeh but at least you could move your fingers or, as the vast majority of people do anyway with glass backs, use a case (which they gave away for free too). There was a relatively easy way around it and the phone wasn't garbage because of it.

There is no reasonable way around bent from the factory; not without risking weakening the glue/seals and possibly breaking it.

 

[Spoon!]

I’m really on the fence with Apple lately. On one hand, I really respect their fight for privacy. On the other, this kind of crap is completely unacceptable. They can say this to avoid replacing bent iPads from now on because apparently it’s a big enough issue for them that they’re getting a lot of returns and they don’t want to front the cost. They’re standing behind their products less and less because it cuts into their margins to replace things. They are becoming incredibly greedy and it’s turning them into every other company and taking away what’s made them special for so many years. I’ve been a loyal Apple fan for as long as I can remember, but I’m almost done with this nonsense.

 

[EightyTwenty]

For something that’s pushing $2k here in Oz, that’s inexcusable.

Even if it was $100 it would be inexcusable. I’ve never once purchased an electronics device that came bent and warped out of the box, regardless of the price.

 

[calstanford]

$2000 device bending. Totally normal. Cool RichGuyAppleMillionaires!
[doublepost=1545276812][/doublepost]Honestly I can’t wait for this arrogant Johnny Ive guy to retire. The iPhone X series is a disaster (cost me almost $1000 in back glass repairs = WHOLE DEVICE SWAPS)

 

[myrtlebee]

You’ve got to be ****ing kidding me.

 

[IG88]

Has it also occurred to you or anyone where that these could also simply be issues that affect only a small percentage of users overall?

Let me get this straight. Your theory is, that it only affects a small percentage of users.

Apple says it's normal.

Which one of you is lying?

 

[Peepo]

I seen one today in Costco for the first time... although it was secured in a stand, I could still flex it a little bit and it's pretty flimsy. I wouldn't spend the $1400+ CAD they want for it..

 

[toneLA2]

Their products have been going downhill in QC for a while. I returned a series 4 Hermès watch due to the $600 strap rattling like a tin can every time I’d get a notification. And even though it’s Apple branded, the band technically isn’t so it’s Hermès I had to talk to for a replacement. They quoted me 3+ months in Beverly Hills. Returned the whole thing at Apple.

To anyone saying it’s cool and normal to have a bent iPad out the box, it’s time you stop drinking the kool aid. And that’s coming from an Apple fanatic.

Beyond the actual hardware issue that does not appear to affect all units, what’s unreasonable is for Apple to say that it’s ‘normal’—you’re worth $1T, own up to your mistake and move on. Anyone defending their stance is misguided.

 

[mikethemartian]

if anything a slight bend would help you pick it up off the table easier.

It also provides a nice place for roaches to hide.

 

[avanpelt]

I really feel for Apple Support. This kind of nonsense puts them in a really lousy position. Are they seriously going to be expected to tell a customer who purchased an $800+ tablet that it’s totally normal for the tablet to be slightly bent out of the box?

 

[npmacuser5]

Has it also occurred to you or anyone where that these could also simply be issues that affect only a small percentage of users overall?

Of course when there is a problem with your iPad, you would take photos and post it online. But at the same time, if there is nothing wrong with my iPad Pro, I am not going to create a post just to boast that my device is fine. This means that the number of people being extremely vocal about problems like this will always outnumber those who genuinely have no problems with theirs.

This can easily lead to a perception that the bending problem with the iPad is a lot more widespread than it really is.

In a nutshell, my point is yes - some iPads are coming bent out of the box. We might see more information about this in the next couple of weeks, but I believe this is more the exception than the norm. Most people will have received mint-condition iPads, are using them happily, and will continue to use them happily for a good long time to come.

In a way, it’s a little reminiscent of the "HomePod may leave marks on your table" matter from earlier this year. Apple might have legitimately screwed up, but we hardly hear of the issue these days, and it likely won’t impact Apple at all in the greater scheme of things.

I actually agree with your assessment side of the point. The Apple response my issue. If it is as you say a small vocal minority, why not just exchange them and move on. Makes one wonder if the actual problem more mainstream then Apple wants us to believe.

 

[LogicalApex]

Typical line for manufacturers as they love to try to not get "cosmetic" issues covered under warranty.

You have to abuse your return policy and buy from a place with a solid policy. If it isn't flawless return it and don't feel bad about it. If Apple gets enough returns they'll get the message that they need to fix their QA.

No way in hell I'd be OK with a bent device out of the box.