iPad iPad Air cracks far too easily?

[east85]

Yesterday I went to my iPad Air and found the screen cracked right across, even though that unit had not suffered any knock and has always been cased. Started googling and found that spontaneous, or very easy, cracking is a problem.

When I got the Air I noticed it had a more hollow, less solid feel than previous models.

Anyone had this and did Apple accept that it just cracked and repair?

I can empathize with this thread a lot. I've had an iPad Mini for a little less than a month, pressed the home button lightly and a crack splintered all the way to the edge through the bezel. I have no idea what's up with Apple's quality control on the newer designs, but I definitely haven't had a problem with any other iOS devices in the past. I did quite a bit of googling and found this seems to be a manufacturing or design issue that's not uncommon as others have noted.

Mine's already been sent in for repair, Apple Care representative said it should count as a manufacturing defect and be of no cost to me. Crossing my fingers on this one. I'm just relying on gestures as much as possible and avoiding the home button when I get the replacement. I just don't feel like I should be afraid of pressing the home button on a premium product for fear of breaking it. I suppose that's not as bad as it just breaking without any contact at all, but it still sucks. It's kinda foolish, but I'm tied into Apple's ecosystem at this point and I really don't want to go through the hassle of switching.

The smoother this goes the more likely I'll keep on board with them.

I'll try to go ahead and provide an update when I find out more.

 

[Rodster]

Mine's already been sent in for repair, Apple Care representative said it should count as a manufacturing defect and be of no cost to me. Crossing my fingers on this one. I'm just relying on gestures as much as possible and avoiding the home button when I get the replacement.

What I have resorted doing is I lightly touch the screen with a rubber tip stylus and use assistive touch instead of my Home button. I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab that doesn't use Gorilla Glass and it doesn't sound or feel as thin as my Air.

 

[Serelus]

Basically, I was the last to use it. Picked it up and notice the crack. As I used it (it was still working) another crack opened up and as I was looking for the serial number on Settings another bunch of cracks opened up.

This is really weird, I've never heard of any device having this. Unless you're warming up and cooling down the glass repeatedly.

 

[Macist]

This is really weird, I've never heard of any device having this. Unless you're warming up and cooling down the glass repeatedly.

Of course there's every possibility that the crack started before and I only noticed it when it grew. But I'm the only one to use it. Hadn't been crushed, banged, whacked or anything beyond normal handling. It lived in the expensive Smart Case since day one.

I notice someone on Twitter complain hers cracked after tipping over on its Smart stand. So there's every chance I 'knocked it' but nothing like a drop on the floor from a height or similar.

About the most aggressive thing I ever did was use the virtual pads on Beatmaker 2, which would mean light tapping on the glass.

We've all seen cracked and shattered iPads from big drop onto hard surfaces but breakages with no incident is a new one and one it seems dozes of people have reported over on the Apple forums. Seems if you, say, break it taking out of the Smart Case or something the day after purchase they take pity on you - if it's a few months down the line you're stuffed. Although more flexible and hollow feeling than previous models I loved the device until its mystery break.

The Youtube drop tests reveal it is undeniably a more fragile, breakable product than previous versions, hence a large number of people surprised at breaking theirs having never come close to breaking an iOS device before.

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Oh, and I went for a £129 repair at a local repair centre with a good reputation for Apple products. Hopefully the screen will last a little longer this time.

 

[rovex]

Same here.

first one cracked instantly on me just by holding it.

 

[Serelus]

Of course there's every possibility that the crack started before and I only noticed it when it grew. But I'm the only one to use it. Hadn't been crushed, banged, whacked or anything beyond normal handling. It lived in the expensive Smart Case since day one.

I notice someone on Twitter complain hers cracked after tipping over on its Smart stand. So there's every chance I 'knocked it' but nothing like a drop on the floor from a height or similar.

About the most aggressive thing I ever did was use the virtual pads on Beatmaker 2, which would mean light tapping on the glass.

We've all seen cracked and shattered iPads from big drop onto hard surfaces but breakages with no incident is a new one and one it seems dozes of people have reported over on the Apple forums. Seems if you, say, break it taking out of the Smart Case or something the day after purchase they take pity on you - if it's a few months down the line you're stuffed. Although more flexible and hollow feeling than previous models I loved the device until its mystery break.

The Youtube drop tests reveal it is undeniably a more fragile, breakable product than previous versions, hence a large number of people surprised at breaking theirs having never come close to breaking an iOS device before.

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Oh, and I went for a £129 repair at a local repair centre with a good reputation for Apple products. Hopefully the screen will last a little longer this time.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3980838?start=0&tstart=0

Aha seeing this thread makes me believe it is in fact a matter of warmth and coldness. The iPad at the very back heats up alot during intensive use, especially with a case. Combined with the right amount of cold applied to the front of the screen can create a crack.

EDIT: another thought, is although the screen is cracked, you should be able to prove it's not drop damage because none of the sides of the iPad is damaged to any extend. This would be my main argument. If I had dropped the iPad to make it crack, the damage to the side would definitely be visible which it is not if the iPad was never dropped at all.

 

[Lecelt]

Crack in the Air

I am also a sad victim of a spontaneous crack in the iPad Air. I have had all of the other iPad versions (and fortunately still have one). I have never had a problem until the Air. I have treated it far more carefully than the others because I suspected it was more fragile, but I certainly didn't expect it to crack without cause! I opened it's very protective case this morning to discover a hairline crack crossing the bottom of my screen just below the button. It arcs upward slightly extending to each edge of the iPad on the lower aspect of the screen. I suspect it occurred because of pressure when I have pushed the button. Definitely should not have occurred with the light wear I have inflicted on it. It has to be a flaw in the product! Bummer.

 

[deluxeshredder]

no thats not what I'm saying at all. i said the iPad air feels hollow and plasticky. it doesn't feel high end. comparable to how much more solid the iPhone 4 felt compared to the flimsier feeling iPhone 3GS.

I don't think the 3G/3GS had a flimsy feel - the plastic was very nice.

On the other hand, the 5C and Air feel cheap and flimsy.

 

[east85]

Checked my repair status and the facility received my iPad. The same day shipping was pretty nice of them to foot. Service has been listed as completed and "Return" is listed as product replacement pending. From what I've read this basically means that I'm good to go but I'll wait and see what happens in terms of being shipped the replacement.

Sorry to hear about all of you dealing with this issue on your iPad Air devices. I think that I just got mildly lucky because my crack happened in a 30 day period after my purchase, but needless to say I'm still worried about the quality of glass in the Mini and I'm hoping the next isn't a manufacturing lemon as well.

To be fair the people I've talked with at Apple have been very friendly and understanding so far (fingers crossed). I approached the situation in a calm manner and showed some respect, not treating the representatives like they were personally responsible. I think that can go a long way. Anyways more updates later, if anyone is interested.

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I don't think the 3G/3GS had a flimsy feel - the plastic was very nice.

On the other hand, the 5C and Air feel cheap and flimsy.

I had been drinking a lot in college (not so much these days) when I had my 3G. I dropped it more times than I can count and it never cracked once. Mind you, this was with no case. To this day I really have no idea how I didn't completely destroy the phone. The 3G in my experience was either a very solid piece of engineering or I was just insanely lucky, but most likely a bit of both. I still have it around.

 

[960design]

PS where's the pic?

I'll get a pic up as soon as I get back to the office, on Monday.

 

[kaielement]

Owned my iPad air since launch and no issues that being said. I feel my pad to be solid and quality. I can only imagine if this is true that the screen was put on wrong causing pressure and over time just cracked. Hope apple replaces it for you. This is just a lesson on quality control. Provided what you say is true. But more then likely something happen to the iPad to cause it to crack.

 

[Macist]

I had no issues with the Air over four months until it mysteriously cracked.

Glad I found from searching online that this is a real thing that does happen and I wasn't nuts. Only downside is Apple refuse to admit this happens so try and screw loyal customers for £249 repairs that spend big money on their products most years.

 

[Rodster]

I had no issues with the Air over four months until it mysteriously cracked.

Glad I found from searching online that this is a real thing that does happen and I wasn't nuts. Only downside is Apple refuse to admit this happens so try and screw loyal customers for £249 repairs that spend big money on their products most years.

Most of the time a cracked glass is from a drop or accident of some kind and that's what they'll go by. Was the back of the iPad in pristine condition? If so that would indicate you didn't drop it.

IMO the vast majority of Mini's and Air's will never have that problem. I can see though if there was a defect in the glass and whit temperature changes and the way the glass gives when applying pressure it could break. I work with automobile glass and I know for a fact that the outer edges of the glass are it's weakest points. The center is the strongest and will give and flex from mild impacts.

 

[east85]

My iPad replacement should arrive today, barring FedEx being late on their delivery. Hoping the replacement model does not suffer from the same issues (or any issues for that matter), though I doubt it will. I ran my serial on the old model and noticed it was manufactured in Texas, while the new one was manufactured in China. Anyways I'm pretty glad about this, I was not charged a dime.

 

[Macist]

Most of the time a cracked glass is from a drop or accident of some kind and that's what they'll go by. Was the back of the iPad in pristine condition? If so that would indicate you didn't drop it.

IMO the vast majority of Mini's and Air's will never have that problem. I can see though if there was a defect in the glass and whit temperature changes and the way the glass gives when applying pressure it could break. I work with automobile glass and I know for a fact that the outer edges of the glass are it's weakest points. The center is the strongest and will give and flex from mild impacts.

No, it was in mint condition aside from the break. Sadly, other cracks opened up as I handled it and it crumbled in one corner removing it from the £60 Smart Cover giving the look of something that had been smashed up. Not a mark on the back or edges as it had been in a case and had never been knocked.

 

[Max(IT)]

ipad 4 > ipad air.

now that they're both on display at the apple store, hold them side by side. the iPad 4 feels much much much more high end than the hollowy, plasticky feel of the air.
Plus, I argue the Black iPad 4 looks better than the black air.

Personal opinion ... duly noted.

The iPad Air is superior in every aspect. The only "plus" the iPad 4 has is .... weight and thickness. Hardly an advantage

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No, it was in mint condition aside from the break. Sadly, other cracks opened up as I handled it and it crumbled in one corner removing it from the £60 Smart Cover giving the look of something that had been smashed up. Not a mark on the back or edges as it had been in a case and had never been knocked.

Crumbled ?
I don't want to sound rude, but we need a picture because I have some difficulties to believe at what are you describing here.
An hairline crack could be caused by thermal stress or a defective glass ... but from your description it seems to have taken an hit.

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I had no issues with the Air over four months until it mysteriously cracked.

Glad I found from searching online that this is a real thing that does happen and I wasn't nuts. Only downside is Apple refuse to admit this happens so try and screw loyal customers for £249 repairs that spend big money on their products most years.

Apple is usually very condescending about replacements during warranty period, so if they refuse a return is because they have doubts .... or you just found a lazy Genius. Try another one.

 

[teknikal90]

Personal opinion ... duly noted.

The iPad Air is superior in every aspect. The only "plus" the iPad 4 has is .... weight and thickness. Hardly an advantage

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Crumbled ?
I don't want to sound rude, but we need a picture because I have some difficulties to believe at what are you describing here.
An hairline crack could be caused by thermal stress or a defective glass ... but from your description it seems to have taken an hit.

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Apple is usually very condescending about replacements during warranty period, so if they refuse a return is because they have doubts .... or you just found a lazy Genius. Try another one.

have you ever owned an ipad 4?
because i have an ipad 4, ipad air and ipad mini gen 1 in my household and i can tell you in order of 'flimsiness' it goes ipad air, to ipad mini to ipad 4.

we also have an ipad 1 though its barely ever used - and that thing is the most solidly constructed ipad ever.

 

[sixrom]

Same here.

first one cracked instantly on me just by holding it.

Apples obsession with thin and light is of far higher importance to them than durability or functionality. It's always been that way. A big ego culture that is quite vain, it's all about style and huge profits.

 

[Max(IT)]

have you ever owned an ipad 4?
because i have an ipad 4, ipad air and ipad mini gen 1 in my household and i can tell you in order of 'flimsiness' it goes ipad air, to ipad mini to ipad 4.

we also have an ipad 1 though its barely ever used - and that thing is the most solidly constructed ipad ever.

I owned every model except iPad 3 (I went from the 2 to the 4) .... last time I checked to be thinner and lighter is anything but a defect.

 

[Rodster]

we also have an ipad 1 though its barely ever used - and that thing is the most solidly constructed ipad ever.

I think the iPad 3 wins that award for best construction. You could fend off bullets with that thing.

 

[teknikal90]

I owned every model except iPad 3 (I went from the 2 to the 4) .... last time I checked to be thinner and lighter is anything but a defect.

i never said it was a defect.. i just said it was more flimsy, in response to your statement that the ipad air is superior in every way, which, is not true..

I'm a huge iOS user as I use it to control my mainstage rig. had every generation of the ipad from 1 to air. the only ipad i dont have is the ipad mini with retina display.

 

[irnchriz]

No, it was in mint condition aside from the break. Sadly, other cracks opened up as I handled it and it crumbled in one corner removing it from the £60 Smart Cover giving the look of something that had been smashed up. Not a mark on the back or edges as it had been in a case and had never been knocked.

No picture yet? It's not hard you know , take picture, upload it. Either you have a broken one or you don't. The image will be evidence enough of a stress fracture or impact fracture. It's what the Apple guys will look at and decide if you are full of BS or have a case for replacement. The point it crumbled is the point of impact btw.

Either way, posting here to get a 'feel' from the crowd is pointless BS. **** or get off the pot!

 

[jamesjingyi]

Wow iPad Air seems quite delicate... My MacBook Air is tough as bricks and it shares the same 'Air' name.

In my experience of Apple, they'll probably give you a new one, especially if you say you did nothing to it. I took in a busted iPod Touch 4th Gen which I had cracked myself and they replaced it for free no questions asked... However that was a while back

 

[Max(IT)]

i never said it was a defect.. i just said it was more flimsy, in response to your statement that the ipad air is superior in every way, which, is not true..

I'm a huge iOS user as I use it to control my mainstage rig. had every generation of the ipad from 1 to air. the only ipad i dont have is the ipad mini with retina display.

Since a tablet is a device supposed to be carried around, thinner and lighter while is more powerful equals to SUPERIOR.

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Wow iPad Air seems quite delicate... My MacBook Air is tough as bricks and it shares the same 'Air' name.

In my experience of Apple, they'll probably give you a new one, especially if you say you did nothing to it. I took in a busted iPod Touch 4th Gen which I had cracked myself and they replaced it for free no questions asked... However that was a while back

We still have to see any picture here ...

 

[x-evil-x]

ipad 4 > ipad air.

now that they're both on display at the apple store, hold them side by side. the iPad 4 feels much much much more high end than the hollowy, plasticky feel of the air.
Plus, I argue the Black iPad 4 looks better than the black air.

i bet you are one of the iPhone 4/4s are superior because it feels more solid people too right?
Just because something is lighter doesn't make it less high end... do you like sports cars heavy or light? Not that its the same thing but its similar. Im all for the lightening of devices and it has kept the same feel with the aluminum. To me something that is thinner easier to carry and lighter is more high end but who's asking me?
I like the charcoal black more than the darker black personally also. Now if they could figure out a better way to make the black coating or anodizing stronger so it doesn't chip on the edge as easily i might pick the darker black. Still definitely a preference as far as color.