iPad Air Apple Pencil has Scratched side of new iPad Air 4!

[Shim777]

I see this is a known issue with iPad Pro but it has happened with my new iPad air. It’s just 2 small scratches on either side of the charging dock. I’ve only had the iPad for just over a month. I have been so, so careful with my device and now I have these scratches just form charging my Apple Pencil 2! I haven’t taken the device outside or carried it a bag. I don’t even keep the pencil on the device all the time. It’s been in the box much of the time so far. I can see some rubbing on the pencil as well, and am worried the problem is only going to get worse.

I am very unhappy about this as I feel it is a known issue they have with the iPad Pro’s. I have emailed them to request a replacement device. I don’t yet have Apple care but can still get the new customer price. However I don’t feel I should need this as they should just replace my pencil and iPad as it’s totally unacceptable for such a new and expensive device to already have this issue.

Has anyone else had the same issue? What happened when you complained, this is very disappointing from Apple.

 

[IngerMan]

Is it possible you post a few pictures of the scratches?

 

[Shim777]

Here is an image. I actually chatted to Apple online and they agreed to replace both the iPad and the pencil. I have a reference Id so I just need to make a genius appointment and go in to make the swap or so I was told.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I think there is a build defect with your pencil or unbeknownst to you, there was debris on the pencil that scratched the iPad. I have a iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil and my iPad Pro is still scratch from (purchased 6/26/2020).

 

[AutomaticApple]

I think there is a build defect with your pencil or unbeknownst to you, there was debris on the pencil that scratched the iPad. I have a iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil and my iPad Pro is still scratch from (purchased 6/26/2020).

Scratched from what?

 

[ericwn]

Cosmetic and well known issue. Please keep us updated how Apple will handle it. It was only a question of time for the first Air customers to report it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Scratched from what?

How would I know? Lol

 

[FHoff]

Scratched from what?

I think they meant free not from.

 

[IngerMan]

I have a skin on the side frame of my iPad but in the right light I can see marks on my Pencil in the same area. It’s almost I have 2 marks on each side.

I’m not worried about it but I would not be surprised if this is common. I tried to take a picture and focus on the spots.
Again the Skin seems to protect the iPP and I am not worried about the pencil at this time.

 

[Shim777]

Thanks for all the replies. I did an online chat sent in an image, the Apple person I spoke to showed a manager and they said they would replace both the iPad and pencil. They gave me a case ID and told me to make an appointment with my local Apple store. I was told all I need to do is quote the case id and they will swap out my ipad and pencil no questions asked. I have an appointment for tomorrow so hopefully there will be no issues.

 

[contacos]

The Smart Keyboard did the same on my iPad Pro. I can actually see traces of the iPad silver on the case

 

[ericwn]

Thanks for all the replies. I did an online chat sent in an image, the Apple person I spoke to showed a manager and they said they would replace both the iPad and pencil. They gave me a case ID and told me to make an appointment with my local Apple store. I was told all I need to do is quote the case id and they will swap out my ipad and pencil no questions asked. I have an appointment for tomorrow so hopefully there will be no issues.

Thanks much for the update!

 

[macdogpro]

Thanks for all the replies. I did an online chat sent in an image, the Apple person I spoke to showed a manager and they said they would replace both the iPad and pencil. They gave me a case ID and told me to make an appointment with my local Apple store. I was told all I need to do is quote the case id and they will swap out my ipad and pencil no questions asked. I have an appointment for tomorrow so hopefully there will be no issues.

Ever since my original Apple Watch back got scratched from its magnetic charger, I never trust this Apple magnetic snapping design mechanism. I wrapped my Apple Pencil 2 with transparent skin so that it wouldn’t scratch each other.

I was skeptical reading that Apple would replace both devices with this kinda case, but if they do, it’s great
for you mate.

 

[AutomaticApple]

How would I know? Lol

A guess? ?‍♂️

I think they meant free not from.

Oh yeah, that makes more sense.

 

[Shim777]

Ever since my original Apple Watch back got scratched from its magnetic charger, I never trust this Apple magnetic snapping design mechanism. I wrapped my Apple Pencil 2 with transparent skin so that it wouldn’t scratch each other.

I was skeptical reading that Apple would replace both devices with this kinda case, but if they do, it’s great
for you mate.

Did you try to get your watch replaced? I was told by the online chat that both would be replaced, I have a case id and a transcript of the chat saying so but I will need to see what happens at the Apple store tomorrow. I consider this issue a design flaw and that they should replace them. If I do get new devices I will take steps to stop it happening again by using the skins for the pencil and hopefully something for the side of the iPad.

 

[macdogpro]

Did you try to get your watch replaced? I was told by the online chat that both would be replaced, I have a case id and a transcript of the chat saying so but I will need to see what happens at the Apple store tomorrow. I consider this issue a design flaw and that they should replace them. If I do get new devices I will take steps to stop it happening again by using the skins for the pencil and hopefully something for the side of the iPad.

No I didn’t bother. Because there’s no Apple Store in my country and I bought my watch abroad, not from my local distributor.

Apart from the Pencil skins, I always avoid to let the ipad magnet suck the pencil freely, I hold it back a bit when attaching so that the magnet impact between the two is not too hard.
Also read somewhere that those marks can be caused by attaching the pencil too long on the ipad side, somehow the charging heat causes the marks, although I’m not fully convinced by this, I store my pencil somewhere else when not charging.

 

[IngerMan]

I have marks on the pencil, they are marks both about 6mm wider then the magnet. Just like the poster picture above. Again I have a skin on my frame so I don’t think it has marked the iPP metal? I am not peeling it off to check either ?. I can see the matching marks on the skin in the right light ?.

I do leave my pencil on the iPP 24-7 unless in my hand and I let the pencil smack every time, I am still not changing my ways because this should be designed for this.

Maybe this does have something to do with the marks as @macdogpro mentions, leaving it on all the time and attaching with the smack attach. If this is the case I am sure many other users will experience the same. iMarkGate

 

[Shim777]

No I didn’t bother. Because there’s no Apple Store in my country and I bought my watch abroad, not from my local distributor.

Apart from the Pencil skins, I always avoid to let the ipad magnet suck the pencil freely, I hold it back a bit when attaching so that the magnet impact between the two is not too hard.
Also read somewhere that those marks can be caused by attaching the pencil too long on the ipad side, somehow the charging heat causes the marks, although I’m not fully convinced by this, I store my pencil somewhere else when not charging.

Thanks for the reply. I see why you didn't bother to return your watch.

I didn't let the pencil ever snap onto the ipad so the impact shouldn't have been hard at all. Perhaps there were times the pencil was sitting attached to the ipad for several hours but I don't think this should be a problem as it is designed for this.

Personally I think at least some of the apple pencil 2nd generation pencils are flawed or at least badly made and this is what causes the issue. I will get a pencil skin once I have my new ipad and pencil and find an option to protect the charging dock.

 

[Shim777]

I have marks on the pencil, they are marks both about 6mm wider then the magnet. Just like the poster picture above. Again I have a skin on my frame so I don’t think it has marked the iPP metal? I am not peeling it off to check either ?. I can see the matching marks on the skin in the right light ?.

I do leave my pencil on the iPP 24-7 unless in my hand and I let the pencil smack every time, I am still not changing my ways because this should be designed for this.

Maybe this does have something to do with the marks as @macdogpro mentions, leaving it on all the time and attaching with the smack attach. If this is the case I am sure many other users will experience the same. iMarkGate

Hopefully the skin on your ipad will be protecting the metal, I agree that the ipad and pencil should stand up to apples intended use without causing any damage cosmetic or otherwise.

 

[Shim777]

My update today after visiting the apple store is that apple have issued a full refund for my damaged ipad air 4 and I will buy another. They framed this as a "good will guesture" as opposed to an admission that the pencil is the issue. I have also returned the pencil to the seller I bought it from as per the apple stores instructions.

Personally I believe there is a known issue with these pencils causing this damage due to fragments of metal emerging from the pencil, maybe a small peice that is stuck to the magnet accidentally during manufacture. Perhaps it is not all or even most pencils and I just got unlucky but I think this issue is common enough for apple to know about it but for commercial reasons they will not admit to it.

While I am pleased I had the refund I am not happy with the framing of this as a good will guesture and do not believe the apple store would have given the refund had they not known that ultimately the apple pencil was at fault here.

My advice to anyone buying an ipad and Apple Pencil 2nd Generation is to use a skin on the pencil to protect the ipad from this issue

 

[DanTSX]

It’s being framed as good will because it’s not an “issue”. That is cosmetic wear.

 

[ouimetnick]

Common “issue”. It’s a design choice by Apple. All the ones at my local Apple Store were scratched (haven’t checked recently, only when this problem first appeared in 2018 with the then brand new iPad Pro. I bought this ugly bulky case as a temporary solution, but am trying to find something like those old invisible shield/ghost armor/body guardz clear skin things to put on the side of the iPad. Similar film that you sometimes see on the hoods of cars to prevent stone chips from occurring.

 

[DanTSX]

Common “issue”. It’s a design choice by Apple. All the ones at my local Apple Store were scratched (haven’t checked recently, only when this problem first appeared in 2018 with the then brand new iPad Pro. I bought this ugly bulky case as a temporary solution, but am trying to find something like those old invisible shield/ghost armor/body guardz clear skin things to put on the side of the iPad. Similar film that you sometimes see on the hoods of cars to prevent stone chips from occurring.

Metal on metal always causes wear. It will scratch or stick (gall) depending on alloys used.

 

[ouimetnick]

Metal on metal always causes wear. It will scratch or stick (gall) depending on alloys used.

The pencil is made of plastic though. The magnet is embedded inside the pencil’s housing. Still a design decision by Apple and something they knew would happen and are okay with it. Imagine every time you closed your car door, the door cause wear marks on the door jamb of the vehicle. Probably wouldn’t be happy.

 

[DanTSX]

The pencil is made of plastic though. The magnet is embedded inside the pencil’s housing. Still a design decision by Apple and something they knew would happen and are okay with it. Imagine every time you closed your car door, the door cause wear marks on the door jamb of the vehicle. Probably wouldn’t be happy.

Unapologetically plastic? ?

Closing them causes wear on the hinges, striker and locks. But then again, it’s 15 years old and the doors still close themselves so I remain happy.

But I can’t complain when I get a chip in the hood from driving on the highway even if the car was 15 days old let alone 15 years.