iPad Air iPad Air 4 loose buttons

[Marios?]

Hi guys , yesterday I received my iPad Air 4(first apple device ever) and I noticed that both the volume buttons and power button are loose, with the power button even rattling when touched. Though everything works fine, I’m just worried that a problem will appear in the future. I’ve been reading people’s post with the same rattling ”issue” but I’ve been left confused as some say it’s totally normal and others that it should be replaced. Can I get some opinions? Are there any Long term owners to confirm that’s not an issue? Thanks in advance.

 

[Shirasaki]

Hi guys , yesterday I received my iPad Air 4(first apple device ever) and I noticed that both the volume buttons and power button are loose, with the power button even rattling when touched. Though everything works fine, I’m just worried that a problem will appear in the future. I’ve been reading people’s post with the same rattling ”issue” but I’ve been left confused as some say it’s totally normal and others that it should be replaced. Can I get some opinions? Are there any Long term owners to confirm that’s not an issue? Thanks in advance.

Unless returning is a huge hassle for you (multiple days trip, high travel cost), I’d suggest returning it within return window. Loosed button can attract dirt and particles, which could potentially make buttons unusable in the future.

 

[PaladinGuy]

You can certainly try to exchange it. Beware though that that’s an extremely common occurrence. It may take multiple exchanges to get one with no loose buttons. My iPad Pro 2020 has a looser wake/sleep button and one volume button. No issues for me. I’d prefer that all of them were firm, but apple considers it within acceptable tolerances.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Hi guys , yesterday I received my iPad Air 4(first apple device ever) and I noticed that both the volume buttons and power button are loose, with the power button even rattling when touched. Though everything works fine, I’m just worried that a problem will appear in the future. I’ve been reading people’s post with the same rattling ”issue” but I’ve been left confused as some say it’s totally normal and others that it should be replaced. Can I get some opinions? Are there any Long term owners to confirm that’s not an issue? Thanks in advance.

That's normal. It happened on my 2018 iPad Pro too.

 

[Gandek]

it’s kinda a lottery especially on iPads. I had two 10.5s one had a super loose power button (that rattled) and the other was much more solid with no rattle. Also had the Air 4 and while none rattled some did have much more solid buttons one didn’t even move at all and was solid as a rock.
Now I have a Pro 12.9 and all the buttons are solid enough.
Wish Apple tightened the QC on iPads because having such loose buttons can definitely give the otherwise premium device a cheap feel.

I never actually sold/returned any of them for that reason. Loved the 10.5s and eventually upgraded while the Air was returned for another reason. I would return and exchange the Air 4 if it’s really bad since you will be interacting with TouchID a lot to unlock the device.

 

[Marios?]

I

it’s kinda a lottery especially on iPads. I had two 10.5s one had a super loose power button (that rattled) and the other was much more solid with no rattle. Also had the Air 4 and while none rattled some did have much more solid buttons one didn’t even move at all and was solid as a rock.
Now I have a Pro 12.9 and all the buttons are solid enough.
Wish Apple tightened the QC on iPads because having such loose buttons can definitely give the otherwise premium device a cheap feel.

I never actually sold/returned any of them for that reason. Loved the 10.5s and eventually upgraded while the Air was returned for another reason. I would return and exchange the Air 4 if it’s really bad since you will be interacting with TouchID a lot to unlock the device.

it’s not that bad but definitely noticeable, and as you said it does give a cheap feel coz depending from where i press it , it makes a different clicking sound. Did the rattle Intensify on your ipads throughout your ownership or did it stay the same?

 

[Marios?]

That's normal. It happened on my 2018 iPad Pro too.

Did the rattle stay the same since you got it or intensified throughout your ownership? Did any issues appear?

 

[PaladinGuy]

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Did the rattle stay the same since you got it or intensified throughout your ownership? Did any issues appear?

It typically stays the same.

 

[one more]

All the buttons on my Air 4 are very solid (no wiggle at all) and I would personally swap yours for several reasons:

Firstly, it affects your joy of using it. Why tolerate a subpar quality from one of the most successful tech companies in the world?

Secondly, by returning/swapping it you would encourage Apple to keep to their repeatedly claimed high quality standards, else they might get even more sloppy in the future.

IMO, this will benefit not just you, but many other Apple customers. 🖐

 

[chabig]

All the buttons on my Air 4 are very solid (no wiggle at all) and I would personally swap yours for several reasons:

Firstly, it affects your joy of using it. Why tolerate a subpar quality from one of the most successful tech companies in the world?

Secondly, by returning/swapping it you would encourage Apple to keep to their repeatedly claimed high quality standards, else they might get even more sloppy in the future.

IMO, this will benefit not just you, but many other Apple customers. 🖐

Thirdly, this will raise costs at Apple, pressuring them to keep prices high or raise them in the future, to the benefit of many other Apple customers. /s

 

[one more]

Thirdly, this will raise costs at Apple, pressuring them to keep prices high or raise them in the future, to the benefit of many other Apple customers. /s

Apple have already raised Air 4 prices compared to the previous Air generations and their iPhone prices do not exactly drop either. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[Gandek]

I

it’s not that bad but definitely noticeable, and as you said it does give a cheap feel coz depending from where i press it , it makes a different clicking sound. Did the rattle Intensify on your ipads throughout your ownership or did it stay the same?

Stayed the same