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

I remember when I bought the original iPad Air, there was an issue in which the left side of the screen was slightly yellow. I remember opening 3 at the Apple Store and they all had some variation of it. Every release has something, especially at the beginning. Let’s see if this continues as more and more people receive them.
 
Maybe they're using someone new to assemble and they substituted some below-grade parts. Yeah, it happens - but usually not to Apple.
 
AppleRocks2011 said:
I remember when I bought the original iPad Air, there was an issue in which the left side of the screen was slightly yellow. I remember opening 3 at the Apple Store and they all had some variation of it.
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So let me try to understand this.

You purchased three iPads at an Apple Store, opened all three, found defects with all three and then returned all three iPads? I’m not questioning the defect that you observed, I’m questioning how did you possibly unbox/‘open’ three iPads at an Apple Store, unless you paid for all three and then Apple granted the return(s)?
 
The problem is Apple made their earlier iPad models (with the occasional exception) too good when it came to build quality. Any cost cutting now on an iPad shows up like a sore thumb. Reviewers/media outlets are fearful to mention this because Apple would come down hard on them if they did and for some may even jeopardize their business. Apple may allow minor nitpicks like battery life could be better, but criticism of build quality seems to be a red line with Apple.
 
dampfnudel said:
The problem is Apple made their earlier iPad models (with the occasional exception) too good when it came to build quality. Any cost cutting now on an iPad shows up like a sore thumb. Reviewers/media outlets are fearful to mention this because Apple would come down hard on them if they did and for some may even jeopardize their business. Apple may allow minor nitpicks like battery life could be better, but criticism of build quality seems to be a red line with Apple.
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I do not get this line of thinking because the studio display embargo went up last week and it was widely given middling to negative reviews from those supplied review units.

Several reported on camera quality issues that were certainly a software defect. I don’t think build quality is any different.
 
i also heard that apple employs strongmen that goes to these youtube reviewers houses to shake them down if they dare utter anything negative about apple.

Tilt his day Jonathan is still looking over his shoulder to see if he's being followed by Eddy Cue over this video:
 
MacRumors said:


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

ipad-air-m1-2.jpg

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 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:

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
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Except iPhone, never order apple product in the first few days.
 
James Godfrey said:
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.
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100db? That is like explosion right? Lol
 
rgwebb said:
I do not get this line of thinking because the studio display embargo went up last week and it was widely given middling to negative reviews from those supplied review units.

Several reported on camera quality issues that were certainly a software defect. I don’t think build quality is any different.
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So how could such a critical element as build quality be overlooked in these reviews? Didn’t they compare the iPad Air 4 and 5 side by side for a comprehensive review? It looks like something went intentionally wrong here.
 
And iPad Air is not exactly a cheap tablet starting at $599 with measly 64GB storage. Apple Pencil is a separate buy. Keyboard another.

If this deterioration is true and is due to inflating material costs, I much rather they skip the power adapter and/or put a A15 instead in it. Build quality and storage are more important imo.
 
babyexercise said:
New mini display gate is just another recent cut cost perfect plan from Apple, good job Timmy
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not sure mini gate. we got weird read scrolling issue ,refresh rate before our ipad mini crack it glass upon drop.
** ipad mini 5 . we now thinking either to upgrade 6 mini or normal ipad or air .. now hmm unknown.
 
Relentless Power said:
So let me try to understand this.

You purchased three iPads at an Apple Store, opened all three, found defects with all three and then returned all three iPads? I’m not questioning the defect that you observed, I’m questioning how did you possibly unbox/‘open’ three iPads at an Apple Store, unless you paid for all three and then Apple granted the return(s)?
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I would assume that it was opened and checked before being processed as replacement, I'd be surprised if more than one replacement went through checkout.
 
Zaft said:
Unless you go outside a lot the non laminated is fine for indoors.
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It’s more about the gap between where I put the pencil and where my line starts when writing.
It feels strange to me. The same kind of feeling as setting the dock to auto hide in macOS. Makes me uncomfortable for some reason 😅
 
Moving closer to an "All Air" iPad, no materials used at all, just a projection from your Apple Watch

But danggit, I just recommended this iPad to a new (big!) client! That would be disappointing for them to choose this model and then be disappointed with the build quality. But they would be used in the field (home inspections) so getting a rugged case may be on the books, too.
 
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