iPad Pro 2018 iPad Pro Bend Poll

[newellj]

Yeah there are a lot of variations on the bent theme - certainty, straight enough for me, didn't check etc. - not to mention the various sizes and configurations (Wifi/LTE). I went with what felt like a sufficiently representative set of options.

The Wifi variants seem largely unaffected so far, but for cellular it appears to be a roughly 50/50 split.

The LTE model is essentially jointed at four points, once on each side. It’s not surprising that they’re showing a higher number of bent units.
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Debating what to do.

Return and get a 10.5 cellular with WiFi
Return and try again
Return and get a non cellular

I returned my 11” and am trying to figure out next steps. The gen 2 pencil is a huge improvement IMO. I strongly prefer LTE. I’m not dying to take chances with the 11” LTE. Not sure about my next step.
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Roommate’s iPad Pro 3rd gen 11” LTE definitely has a noticeable bend. She has an appointment for the Genius Bar but I’m honestly not sure if they will do anything. She is within her return window. She told me if they won’t do anything, she’s going to exchange it out to the 2017 10.5 LTE model. That one seems to be a better iPad and deal at this point because there was no bend gate issue with that one. Plus, they offer or offered the Rose Gold color, the original one that I love. I’m glad I have that one, with LTE.

I considered upgrading but that didn’t last too long.

This is YMMV/IMHO, but to me the 10.5” is currently the least attractive pick. It’s almost as expensive as the 11” but is a generation behind on the pencil, display and SOC. Plus, quite a few have the white spot on the display defect. But ruling out the 10.5" makes choices difficult.

 

[aevan]

Either that, or it has bent further on its own, I hadn’t moved it from the desk where I unpacked it.

The Apple Care rep immediately facilitated a replacement, no questions asked.

You can doubt all you want, but it sure hasn’t been subjected to anything that could be considered abuse since it was unpacked.

You do realize that if it was that bent from the start it wouldn’t physically fit in the box? The slot in the box is tight, with the charger behind there actually isn’t enough space for it to fit if it was this bent.

 

[jimmy_uk]

You do realize that if it was that bent from the start it wouldn’t physically fit in the box? The slot in the box is tight, with the charger behind there actually isn’t enough space for it to fit if it was this bent.

Being as soft as it is you don't think it will flex flatter when lid is pushed on?

 

[Arctic Moose]

You do realize that if it was that bent from the start it wouldn’t physically fit in the box? The slot in the box is tight, with the charger behind there actually isn’t enough space for it to fit if it was this bent.

As I have already explained, it boxed up just fine for its trip back to Apple.

 

[aevan]

Being as soft as it is you don't think it will flex flatter when lid is pushed on?

No. It’s not that soft. And if it did, it would’ve stayed that way.
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As I have already explained, it boxed up just fine for its trip back to Apple.

So you said, but I’m looking at the box and the space just isn’t there. Perhaps it straightened when you put it in. Or the box deformed.

Either way, this certainly isn’t a bend Apple is talking about when they say about acceptable bends out of factory.

 

[Arctic Moose]

No. It’s not that soft. And if it did, it would’ve stayed that way.
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So you said, but I’m looking at the box and the space just isn’t there. Perhaps it straightened when you put it in. Or the box deformed.

Either way, this certainly isn’t a bend Apple is talking about when they say about acceptable bends out of factory.

Cardboard bends, you know. Try putting your iPad in the box and add a few sheets of paper in the middle. It'll close just fine, and you will not see any noticeable deformation.

 

[masotime]

I think a slight bend is fine. The way I see it is that past iPads (except the first one?) were all curved at the base - and this made it easier to accommodate any deformation as a result of the plastic injection process described in Apple's support page (although I am assuming here they used the same injection process for previous cellular models).

As usual though, Apple could have handled the communication of this in a better way - putting up a support page after people have purchased them isn't great. In addition, the use of the term "400 microns" is misleading - the word "microns" makes you think it is really small, but 400 microns is 0.4mm, and given the iPad Pro's thickness of 5.9mm, the deformation is up to 6.8% - you're going to notice that gradient for sure when you lay it on a straight edge.

Personally I do not care - this looks to be by design, and I am confident Apple knows what it is doing - but not everyone will accept this kind of deformation in their very pricey iPad Pro purchase, and I think this is the prerogative of any customer.

There is justification to return it if you're not satisfied, but frankly Apple should have tightened their QA standards to 40 microns - that would have avoided a lot of this grief - maybe iPad Pro 2020?

 

[aevan]

Cardboard bends, you know. Try putting your iPad in the box and add a few sheets of paper in the middle. It'll close just fine, and you will not see any noticeable deformation.

Ok, I guess that makes sense. What’s important is that you’ve got it replaced. Your iPad was an exception, a special case. Apple is not saying this is acceptable and it’s not.

 

[YaBe]

I can live with my bent iPad. It is not a functional issue.

Oh it is functional, untill it becomes non functional... a la iPhone 6.

 

[dwsolberg]

Sample size is statistically insignificant. Zero conclusions can be derived from such small numbers.

On top of that the samples are coming from forum users only, which further reduce the poll to irrelevant.

Not to mention no set standard or test procedure. Leaving each person to decide for themselves, bent or not.

You would need random polling from thousands of various users worldwide to a set standard measuring procedure to even begin to glean any actual conclusions.

Sorry

I think you’re going a little overboard. Obviously, the results aren’t going to be accurate. The people who notice a problem are much more likely to respond to a poll like this. Even if half the people report bending, the real problem could easily be 1% or an other number.

However, there are some things we can gain from this poll. First off, there are a number of people who have this issue (impossible to guess a percent), but it’s definitely possible to get one of any size that’s not bent. Second, I think it’s most likely the case that the LTE versions are much more prone to coming bent. Third, it seems likely that 12.9 LTE is somewhat less likely to be bent than the 11 LTE. (These conclusions make the assumption that the people buying iPads of all types and sizes are about equally likely to notice and report bends, but I think that’s pretty fair.)

 

[HEK]

I think you’re going a little overboard. Obviously, the results aren’t going to be accurate. The people who notice a problem are much more likely to respond to a poll like this. Even if half the people report bending, the real problem could easily be 1% or an other number.

However, there are some things we can gain from this poll. First off, there are a number of people who have this issue (impossible to guess a percent), but it’s definitely possible to get one of any size that’s not bent. Second, I think it’s most likely the case that the LTE versions are much more prone to coming bent. Third, it seems likely that 12.9 LTE is somewhat less likely to be bent than the 11 LTE. (These conclusions make the assumption that the people buying iPads of all types and sizes are about equally likely to notice and report bends, but I think that’s pretty fair.)

Makes for nice anecdotal statement, still not statistically significant, sorry. Too many flaws in poll.

What we know is the what Apple has already admitted. Namely during manufacturing, specifically the heating and cooling of plastic antenna panels later milled on LTE iPro causes bending. The 400 micron flatness spec is too wide open. Therefore units that pass Apple inspection do not pass the consumer test.

40 micron flatness specification as one person suggested on here would be more robust and likely not incurr the ire of consumers.

Only Apple has the actual numbers of devices consumers find objectionable, and they are not going to publish them. I do wonder what the fall out rate is for units showing even more than 400 microns out of flatness.

The poll is an attempt to quantify something, however it lacks the unbiased and rigorous qualifications to be in amy Way significant.

 

[Arctic Moose]

40 micron flatness specification as one person suggested on here would be more robust and likely not incurr the ire of consumers.

I just unboxed my replacement, and it looks almost as bent as the last one.

However, as far as I can tell by measuring, it is actually pretty straight.

I'm thinking the issue is not only the chosen tolerance (and perhaps the hardware design, if they're actually bending easily) but also the aesthetics. They simply look bent even though they are not.

 

[aevan]

I just unboxed my replacement, and it looks almost as bent as the last one.

However, as far as I can tell by measuring, it is actually pretty straight.

I'm thinking the issue is not only the chosen tolerance (and perhaps the hardware design, if they're actually bending easily) but also the aesthetics. They simply look bent even though they are not.

Our eyes work in interesting ways and can play tricks with you due to perspective and other factors. Also, there are several eye conditions that can cause distorted vision (yes, straight lines looking 'bent'). Of course, before anyone says I'm attributing bending to optical trickery - I'm not saying that no iPads are actually bent, of course some of them are. But I wonder how many people started examining their iPads after they heard about all of this and "decided" they see the bend while they were perfectly happy before checking?

 

[masotime]

I just unboxed my replacement, and it looks almost as bent as the last one.

If it is unacceptable it is unacceptable not trying to be facetious, but you as a consumer should have the ultimate say in whether you are satisfied with the product and wish to return it.

I’m sure Apple will figure this out eventually, no sense sticking with something you’re not satisfied with.

 

[mimeArtist]

So 21% of checked iPads have a bend... that's quite high... Think I'll wait out til the next gen... although I actually like the bigger bezel as it gives more room for my wrist while drawing

 

[masotime]

So 21% of checked iPads have a bend... that's quite high... Think I'll wait out til the next gen... although I actually like the bigger bezel as it gives more room for my wrist while drawing

I think it became conclusive once Apple actually published a support page just for the bending issue. More importantly though, it is something that occurs largely on LTE iPad Pros - if you don't need cellular, I think bending is not a problem.

 

[newellj]

I think it became conclusive once Apple actually published a support page just for the bending issue. More importantly though, it is something that occurs largely on LTE iPad Pros - if you don't need cellular, I think bending is not a problem.

This seems right. The case of the LTE version is essentially "broken" or jointed with plastic in four places, once on each side. A device that is this thin, light and large is going to present challenges if you break up the case that way. I was hoping to find a teardown of the LTE version on iFixit.com but it looks like they used the wifi version.

 

[ssledoux]

I received my 11” LTE in the mail yesterday, immediately looked it over (checking the top as shown in so many threads), laid it flat on a table and took pics all around - no bending whatsoever.

Mine was an order from AT&T, though I’m sure that really makes no difference.

 

[tps3443]

Honestly, my 11” LTE has a very very minor bend at the top and the bottom. They match equally to the shape of the iPad.

You can hardly tell it is there! You’ve gotta stare down the edge closely to even notice this.

I’m happy with it! And I’m keeping it.

I have handled around 6 or 7 iPad Pro 11” LTE models, and I’d say mine is nearly perfect, and was straighter than the others, I’d say an average person would say mine is NOT bent because you just can’t tell it’s there..

 

[ebika]

Honestly, my 11” LTE has a very very minor bend at the top and the bottom. They match equally to the shape of the iPad.

You can hardly tell it is there! You’ve gotta stare down the edge closely to even notice this.

I’m happy with it! And I’m keeping it.

I have handled around 6 or 7 iPad Pro 11” LTE models, and I’d say mine is nearly perfect, and was straighter than the others, I’d say an average person would say mine is NOT bent because you just can’t tell it’s there..

That’s how my 12.9” LTE is. The tiny warp is there, but it doesn’t hinder anything for me.

 

[tps3443]

That’s how my 12.9” LTE is. The tiny warp is there, but it doesn’t hinder anything for me.

Exactly, I love the new iPad Pro 2018, and I need LTE too so I guess that’s the trade off. People should stop obsessing over how straight something is. If it looks straight with a general look over on each side, then that’s good enough for me.

Let it go everyone or you’ll never start actually enjoying your device.

 

[Disconnect_00]

I just unboxed my replacement, and it looks almost as bent as the last one.

However, as far as I can tell by measuring, it is actually pretty straight.

I'm thinking the issue is not only the chosen tolerance (and perhaps the hardware design, if they're actually bending easily) but also the aesthetics. They simply look bent even though they are not.

This is more of the problem, and checked with a straight edge, the vast majority of the “bent” iPads will actually be straight.

The LTE bands create a minor optic illusion that is perceived as a bend, but when measured there’s not actually a bend present.

Obviously there are exceptions, many which have been photographed and even promoted by macrumors about these massive and “spontaneous” bends. But frankly I think those are far more likely to be the result of a careless and irresponsible user than shipped out of the factory with a massive bend.

This entire “controversy” is manufactured and idiotic, and the fact that people can’t determine an actual bend in a device is staggering. But hey, life must be pretty good if the worst thing you have to worry about is whether your tablet has a slight curve to it.

 

[ahostmadsen]

This is more of the problem, and checked with a straight edge, the vast majority of the “bent” iPads will actually be straight.

I’m of the complete opposite opinion. I thin the vaste majority of LTE ipads are actually bent, and people would see it if comparing with a straight edge. It might not look bent, but it is. Is such small bends an issue? Functionally and aestically, no. As an expression of design/quality, yes.

 

[Disconnect_00]

I’m of the complete opposite opinion. I thin the vaste majority of LTE ipads are actually bent, and people would see it if comparing with a straight edge. It might not look bent, but it is. Is such small bends an issue? Functionally and aestically, no. As an expression of design/quality, yes.

As someone who has had more than one 2018 iPad Pro in hand, with a straight edge, I base my point on actual experience and testing, including on a couple that visually appeared bent.

 

[bpeeps]

So 21% of checked iPads have a bend... that's quite high... Think I'll wait out til the next gen... although I actually like the bigger bezel as it gives more room for my wrist while drawing

If one iPad is bent and that affects your decision to purchase one, I completely understand. But basing your decision solely off biased statistics representing a very small subset of Apple users seems extremely foolish to me. People come to forums for two reasons, because they have a problem or a complaint, or they're an enthusiast. This 21% you allege ignores the millions of people who don't come to the internet to exclaim how great their product is. Not to mention, the majority of forum members who have no issues at all, are likely to not vote in the poll in the first.

TLDR: Any poll posted on this site will not be representative of a larger experience and should not be used for anything other than anecdotal information.