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

[James Godfrey]

You forgot the bending iPad Pro (2018).

Much like iPadOS, Apple obviously don’t give two s*it’s about the iPads hardware anymore either…

 

[dcdandan]

Downsides of having hardware engineers "work from home".

Yes and also pandemics with lockdown , shortage of workers. Can’t fly easily to monitor
And Tim Cook who isn’t known for caring about absolute best quality

All things just add up

 

[Theryesider]

On the iPad air5 just now no complaints, compared to my previous ipad6 quite a bit heftier.

 

[IsaacM]

I can't defend this.

One of the few things Apple has been doing great in the past few years is exceptional build quality and premium finish.

 

[MrGimper]

Out of all the iPad I've owned (original, 2, 3, Air 1, Air 2, Air 3, Air 4, Pro 10.5, 2018 iPad Pro 11, original mini, mini 2 and mini 4) the iPad 3 was by far my least favorite. It felt slow and heavy right out of the gate (because it was). I liked my iPad Air 1, but that of course was coming from the 3. I actually had my Air 1 (after I used it my dad used it for several years) until I recently donated it to a senior softball league that they now use to control their scoreboard.

Have to say my favourite iPad before my 12.9 M1 was my 10.5 Pro. That was a quality device.

 

[Zaft]

I had the iPad 4 and even that felt too thin. I got a 9th Gen basic iPad and its built very nicely.

 

[SkyFly78]

I can't defend this.

One of the few things Apple has been doing great in the past few years is exceptional build quality and premium finish.

Except for the original iPad Pro 10.5. Mine and others of friends developed brighter areas on the screen shortly after going out of warranty (plenty of threads on here too which seem to have been forgotten). I don’t see this iPad Air creaking as a surprise, they aren’t perfect when it comes to build quality.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

just curious when you've bought yours?

Mine was end of 2020, its solid. I wonder if in late manufacturing they cut some corners (likely)

I have an M1 MB Air from end of December 2021 — rock solid, even more so than my 2017 Air.

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

I had the iPad 4 and even that felt too thin. I got a 9th Gen basic iPad and its built very nicely.

Yeah, I’ll have to say as aesthetically pleasing as the thinness is, I really wouldn’t mind these things to be a little thicker.
My partner has a standard iPad and that one feels a lot more robust. The non-laminated screen alone is kinda putting me off, though.

 

[Thebrochure]

This is absolutely true.

That’s the oldest iPad that I own to date, and it’s just reliably solid the whole way around without any type of creaking that would be caused from the chassis securing to the display.

As much as the iPad has transitioned over the years, there’s no doubt that it could be from the adhesive and/or to a thinner, series cheaper aluminum that would cause creaking.

Yup. And the batteries in those things too. I have an old one laying around from back in the day. If I charged it up, I could turn it off for an entire year, turn it back on, and there would still be twenty-percent battery left. lol It's crazy.

 

[BigMac?]

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

The 11“ pro is actually 0.3 mm thicker

 

[azentropy]

Have to say my favourite iPad before my 12.9 M1 was my 10.5 Pro. That was a quality device.

My 10.5 Pro was probably my favorite too. I hung onto it awhile longer even after getting the 11 Pro as I wasn't a big fan of the gestures until they improved them (I forget what iPadOS release) and/or I get better used to them. I passed that down to my Mom and she is still using it. It did however develop the dreaded white spot while she has had it. She doesn't seemed bothered by it though for how she uses it.

 

[AppleHore]

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

So true. They have an army of sycophants kept on a slow drip.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

Out of all the iPad I've owned (original, 2, 3, Air 1, Air 2, Air 3, Air 4, Pro 10.5, 2018 iPad Pro 11, original mini, mini 2 and mini 4) the iPad 3 was by far my least favorite. It felt slow and heavy right out of the gate (because it was). I liked my iPad Air 1, but that of course was coming from the 3. I actually had my Air 1 (after I used it my dad used it for several years) until I recently donated it to a senior softball league that they now use to control their scoreboard.

Agree on the iPad 3 — but I still have mine! It’s still slow and heavy though…

 

[BigMac?]

Those so called reviewers don't review: their only goal is to get the video out fast for easy money.

Maybe the verge writes about concerns they have, like they did with the new Studio Display.
iJustine just laughs.

 

[yitwail]

The 11“ pro is actually 0.3 mm thicker

No, it's 0.2 mm thinner. It's 12.9 Pro that's 0.3 mm thicker. However, 11 pro is 5 grams heavier.

 

[MrGimper]

My 10.5 Pro was probably my favorite too. I hung onto it awhile longer even after getting the 11 Pro as I wasn't a big fan of the gestures until they improved them (I forget what iPadOS release) and/or I get better used to them. I passed that down to my Mom and she is still using it. It did however develop the dreaded white spot while she has had it. She doesn't seemed bothered by it though for how she uses it.

My Son now has my 10.5 and is under strict instructions to look after it. I got the dreaded white spot but waited until a week before my AC+ expired before I got it replaced and to this day the replacement hasn't developed it *crosses fingers*

 

[sinoka56]

For the editors, there was an early review that mentioned the issue.

Oddly two small spots next to the Apple logo on the aluminium back creaked slightly when pressed with a finger.

iPad Air review: cheaper iPad Pro for the rest of us gets M1 power upgrade

Stunning 10.9in tablet gets Apple’s top chip, long battery life and best-in-class smart video call camera

www.theguardian.com

 

[Zaft]

Yeah, I’ll have to say as aesthetically pleasing as the thinness is, I really wouldn’t mind these things to be a little thicker.
My partner has a standard iPad and that one feels a lot more robust. The non-laminated screen alone is kinda putting me off, though.

Unless you go outside a lot the non laminated is fine for indoors.

 

[The Game 161]

so the new bend gate

 

[Mr. Dee]

That’s why I never rush to pick up the latest Apple products on day one. Always wait it out a few months first.

 

[paulovsouza]

This story does not show any actual proof about anything at all etc. especially in regards to Apple not caring about customers etc.

It is rather sad (in a logical way) that so many here have been blindly assuming what was posted are facts, even though there are no facts in evidence.

You think mutual people are falsely claiming defects? I’m all for facts, and not quickly jumping on bashing, but people shouldn’t just as quick defend (or blindly assume). Apple can, and has dropped the ball on hardware defects. I think it’s fair to criticize, and speak out so future batches or even products don’t gets pushed through with defects.

 

[Apple_Robert]

You think mutual people are falsely claiming defects? I’m all for facts, and not quickly jumping on bashing, but people shouldn’t just as quick defend (or blindly assume). Apple can, and has dropped the ball on hardware defects. I think it’s fair to criticize, and speak out so future batches or even products don’t gets pushed through with defects.

I am not defending Apple. I am suggesting that people shouldn't blindly jump to conclusions about Apple.

 

[kazmac]

Really, a surface pro, you'll regret that the first day.

The pen and no Procreate, indeed.

I regret buying plenty of iPads on the first day too. They went right back. It doesn’t have to be that way, but there you go. Bums me out that Apple’s QC continues to nose dive, but all I can do is what I am doing, watch, wait and probably buy an older iPad now.

Eventually, I’ll go Wacom but I need the time, powerful computer and software training for that.

 

[wood1208]

Is this real ? I rather hear response from Apple than all jibber-jabber on internet. IPAD's designed and manufacturered with strict quality control like any other Apple product. My first iPad Air was awesome so I doubt the quality of Air 5 has gone down due to pandemic. Apple always make it right.