Some iPad Air 5 Users Complain About Creaking and Build Quality Downgrade

[MacRumors]

Some fifth-generation iPad Air users are complaining about a purported downgrade in build quality, according to posts on social media.

The complaints claim that the iPad Air has a noticeably thinner aluminum enclosure, resulting in creaking, a hollow sensation in the hand, and light pressure on the back of the device warping the display. A thread on Reddit (via iMore) contains a large number of complaints from iPad Air users who say they have build quality concerns about the device. The opening post on the thread states:

I ordered and received two blue iPad Air 2022 today and I'm a bit shocked. The aluminum backplate is a lot thinner than on the iPad 4 which I also have. You can almost feel the battery through the plate when you hold the device. Both iPads have the same feeling and are making creaking noises when you hold them. This did not happen on the iPad Air 4...

A multitude of responses on the thread agreed and expanded upon the issues, suggesting that it is not an isolated case, and some users have even posted videos of creaking noises coming from gentle taps on the device's display to highlight some of the problems. Some replies said that the iPad Air "feels very low quality" compared to its predecessor, noting that there is a detectable difference on the rear of the device. It "feels like I can feel the inside from the back," one reply claimed.

The first reviews of the fifth-generation iPad Air were shared earlier this week, but no reviewers mentioned any downgrade in build quality, and other than new color options, the iPad Air is externally identical to the previous-generation model. Key new features of the iPad Air include the same M1 chip found in the iPad Pro, 5G connectivity on cellular models, an upgraded 12-megapixel front camera with support for Center Stage, up to a 2x faster USB-C port for data transfer, and new color options. Pricing continues to start at $599 in the U.S. for 64GB of storage.

Article Link: Some iPad Air 5 Users Complain About Creaking and Build Quality Downgrade

 

[MayaUser]

Another reason for Apple to make you spend the extra and go for the pro model
And remember, the Pro its even thinner and you dont get this feeling

 

[macgician]

Profit margin !

 

[zeezun]

cost cutting ********s ??

 

[IllinoisCorn]

The complainers are holding it wrong.

 

[AmazeSE]

Guys Apple is just saving the environment! Less Aluminum used = Less Aluminum transported to factories = More number of iPads shipped in cargo planes (since they are lighter now).

 

[Expos of 1969]

Another reason to only buy the very basic iPad and not get caught in Apple's deplorable cost cutting measures.

 

[midkay]

You’ve got to be kidding me…

 

[Caliber26]

iPad Air: Aluminum Foil Edition

 

[contacos]

Of course the early reviewers didn’t mention anything, they don’t want to get dropped from their early access perks

 

[Apple$]

"Grabs popcorn ?".

 

[Apple$]

Thinner iPad, thiccer profit margins.

 

[now i see it]

The era of thinner and thinner has finally come to an end.
We’ve reached max thinness

 

[gumbyhw]

Hopefully this is start-up transient. I pre ordered the M1 ipad pro when it wqs announced . When it arrived, mine had digitizer problems so I brought it in to the apple store. Its serial number was invalid so they couldn’t even check it in for repair! I haven’t seen widespread reports of either problem so presumbly they got the kinks out. Hopefully this is the same, kind of thing.

 

[alien3dx]

ipad mini 5 is thin.. unless you using cover set somthing.. seem brakeable. So as iphone.
** sorry we prefer bulky a bit device. thinner mean scary to use.

 

[Isentropic]

Downsides of having hardware engineers "work from home".

 

[SmugMaverick]

Of course the early reviewers didn’t mention anything, they don’t want to get dropped from their early access perks

This

So sick of this ******** now, bunch of shills and cowards.

The moment this happens with iPhone or iPad Pro, I’m gone.

 

[ian87w]

Of course the early reviewers didn’t mention anything, they don’t want to get dropped from their early access perks

Wanted to say the same thing. These reviewers won’t say anything negative since they want to keep getting freebies.

 

[sracer]

ipad mini 5 is thin.. unless you using cover set somthing.. seem brakeable. So as iphone.
** sorry we prefer bulky a bit device. thinner mean scary to use.

My iPad Mini 5 has only a thin clear skin on the back. Yes, it's thin but it feels solid. The descriptions of the flimsiness of the Air 5 describe something different than the other iPads.

 

[CypherWolf]

Good morning, inflation!

 

[djcerla]

ipad mini 5 is thin.. unless you using cover set somthing.. seem brakeable. So as iphone.
** sorry we prefer bulky a bit device. thinner mean scary to use.

The iPhone is built like a literal tank.

 

[dantracht]

Ya know, I sold my Air 4 late last year for a Mini 6, and now I'm glad I did.

C'mon Apple.

 

[James Godfrey]

Can just see it now…

Statement from Apple:

The iPad Air 5 has gone through a perfect and pristine manufacturing process which ensures the thickness of the aluminium house is within tolerance across the entire device and has been made to a higher standard than our previous generations.

However, if any customer receives an iPad which has a creaking noise above 100db we recommend contacting Apple support so we can assess the issue.

 

[Kkspire]

This is a reach. My iPad Air is amazing. And love the blue! ?

 

[tomtad]

To be fair my iPad Air 2 used to do the same thing, if you held it ‘wrong’ you used to get internal components putting pressure on the display.