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Any new 12.9 owners experiencing this weird popping sound?

Rogifan

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Original poster
Nov 14, 2011
24,890
32,597
I have the new 12.9 iPad Pro. When I run my thumb near the bezel (opposite side of the Home Button) I hear this faint popping sound and it feels almost like it's a bit hollow under the display or there's an air pocket. I noticed it one day when I was scrolling with my thumb. The side with the Home Button doesn't make this sound and feels solid when I run my finger over it. I took it to an Apple store and they compared mine to a store model which exhibited the same behavior. They told me if there was something wrong with the display I would notice it on screen. Other than this, the device works great. Super fast. No issues with apps, no backlight bleed, speakers are great. Anyone else have this issue?
 
Mine does not do that. You may want to take it by the store and have them take a look.
 
My iPad Mini 4 does this on the Home Button side. I think it is where the adhesive was not fully cured so it is making a slight noise when it is flexed with your thumb. My new iPad Pro 10.5 (and all other iPads before did/do NOT do it).

I kept my Mini because it is very subtle and doesn't bother me...especially for the price I paid, but if my new IPP was doing it, I would probably set up an exchange. (Unless, of course, you got a perfect screen, in which case I would not want to play the screen lottery just to eliminate the popping.)
 
Rogifan said:
I have the new 12.9 iPad Pro. When I run my thumb near the bezel (opposite side of the Home Button) I hear this faint popping sound and it feels almost like it's a bit hollow under the display or there's an air pocket. I noticed it one day when I was scrolling with my thumb. The side with the Home Button doesn't make this sound and feels solid when I run my finger over it. I took it to an Apple store and they compared mine to a store model which exhibited the same behavior. They told me if there was something wrong with the display I would notice it on screen. Other than this, the device works great. Super fast. No issues with apps, no backlight bleed, speakers are great. Anyone else have this issue?
Click to expand...

I know this is not the answer you are looking for. But I know exactly what you're referring to and this has happened to me on a previous iPad and iPhone.

On my previous two iPhone 7 Plus models, there was a popping sound directly next to the home button on the bezel area and it was happening every time I would push down on or near the home button.

It did not affect the display, but the popping sound it exhibited was annoying and it seemed to grow louder. What I found out was, its the adhesive separating under the bezel (Apple confirmed it was the adhesive). Basically, not enough adhesive was used during the manufacturing process and it did not seat or bond properly.

I have owned enough Apple devices to know it's not normal, but it won't affect the productivity or display of the iPad. In your situation, it could become more problematic when the adhesive expands with heat.

I am purchasing a new 10.5 and 12.9 iPad soon, which hopefully won't exhibit these issues.
 
Yes I got this on mine. Just realized while searching for it. Probably not a huge issue since I only noticed it while searching for it. Don't know if this is going to bother me in the long run though.

Edit: ok, think this is a pretty big deal. Bought online and there are no Apple stores in my country. Does Apple replace iPads quickly or is this going to take a while?
 
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Noticed this on display model, but not on my personal 12.9" It's definitely out there in the wild.

PS - Excellent avatar.
 
Erlendks said:
Yes I got this on mine. Just realized while searching for it. Probably not a huge issue since I only noticed it while searching for it. Don't know if this is going to bother me in the long run though.

Edit: ok, think this is a pretty big deal. Bought online and there are no Apple stores in my country. Does Apple replace iPads quickly or is this going to take a while?
Click to expand...

I would contact Apple for more specifics being you're out of the country. However, being you Just Purchased it, Apple shouldn't raise an issue about it. It shouldn't be popping at all. I wouldn't say it's problematic, but it's annoying and for that amount of money, I would take advantage of the return period.
 
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Thanks for the responses. I think I am going to see if I can exchange it. It's bothering me and I spent enough on this product that nothing should be bothering me about it.
 
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Exchange it. I had a friend have this happen on an iPhone. He never did anything and it eventually led to his screen cracking.
 
Seems like its a bit on and off for me. At times its easy to get the popping sound. Other times it seems difficult to find the right spot to press.
 
Rogifan said:
Thanks for the responses. I think I am going to see if I can exchange it. It's bothering me and I spent enough on this product that nothing should be bothering me about it.
Click to expand...

Glad to see you are exchanging it. When I suffered this issue with my other devices, I basically had to replicate it for Apple as they didn't fully understand it right away. But when they started hearing it and realizing what it was, then They fully realized there was a defect with the adhesive. In your case, for the amount of money you spend on an iPad, it should not making a popping sound and it was never manufactured or intended to be that way.
 
Apple received my iPad with this issue today. Took a while since they had to ship me a box first for some reason. Now the online repair status tells me that "No trouble was found". They even shipped it back to me. Just talked with support for 45 minutes. They had to call me back soon with an answer.

Edit:
After 45 new minutes I got the "best offer ever": I have to send it back again when I receive it in 7-9 days. Means I'll get it back around two months after i first got it. And here I thought Apple was supposed to have good customer service?
 
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Got my replacement today. Took long enough...

The replacement also got this, but it's definetly better. I can sometimes get the sound if I try, but don't think I have noticed it during normal usage so far. I might in the future I guess. Anyone else who has gotten a replacement for this? Is your replacement 100%? Maybe most 12.9" iPads got this if you know how to look?
 
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