Apple will replace your bent iPad Pro, but it will cost you

[cardfan]

https://www.macworld.com/article/3329945/iphone-ipad/2018-bent-ipad-pro-replacement.html

I’m happy to report that on Friday, Zach was able to get a replacement iPad Pro. I’m not so happy to report, though, that he had to pay a $49 service fee in order to get it.

Importantly, Zach has AppleCare+, so it’s doubtful that he would have been able to get that replacement without it. This is in line with earlier reports on forums and subreddits, which claimed that Apple was charging a deductible on the assumption that bent iPads were the result of accidental damage.

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With the recent discussions of bent iPads, I thought everybody might find this article interesting.

 

[nippyjun]

In my opinion it looks like the user bent it. The article says “was starting to bend down the middle after a month of normal use”. How can it bend on its own.
If the user opened the box when it was new and it looked like this that is one thing but after one month?

 

[Juicy Box]

In my opinion it looks like the user bent it. The article says “was starting to bend down the middle after a month of normal use”. How can it bend on its own.
If the user opened the box when it was new and it looked like this that is one thing but after one month?

Yeah, these are two different issues, and I don't think that Zack's story has anything to do with being bent out of the box.

A bend out of the box vs a bend after a month of "normal use" cannot be compared because no one really knows how that iPP was used, and stored.

So, Zach having to pay for a replacement under AC+ is not unexpected.

I'm not saying that people should expect these devices to bend though. It is probably a design flaw like in the iPhone 6 Plus. It seems like this is becoming common occurrence for Apple.

 

[newellj]

Do we know whether the iPad was "straight" out of the box, or bent (but unnoticed)?

Until Apple takes some kind of formal position on this, various staff members at different stores are going to take different positions on what's covered, except (I hope?) in cases where the buyer opens the box in front of the salesperson and inspects the iPad at the time of purchase.

 

[Newtons Apple]

There is a big difference in warped from manufacturing and bent from abuse.

 

[DNichter]

Yea I agree with others here. Bent from the box is one thing and this is another. Considering they looked at this and replaced for $49, I’d say it’s a win.

 

[Juicy Box]

Considering they looked at this and replaced for $49, I’d say it’s a win.

I was thinking the same thing. For Apple to replace any device for just $49 is already pretty good.

It is an odd way for for to bend. I would think it would bend other other way, like parallel with the short edges, not the long way.

Only the owner could say for sure, but it looks like the iPad was being stowed in a backpack, and the iPad started to contour to the owner's back.

BTW, while I still believe the user is at fault for the bend, that doesn't mean it should bend that way or that easily. I really think it is a design issue, and after all the news about bends, I would think twice before getting the new iPad Pro.

 

[DNichter]

I was thinking the same thing. For Apple to replace any device for just $49 is already pretty good.

It is an odd way for for to bend. I would think it would bend other other way, like parallel with the short edges, not the long way.

Only the owner could say for sure, but it looks like the iPad was being stowed in a backpack, and the iPad started to contour to the owner's back.

BTW, while I still believe the user is at fault for the bend, that doesn't mean it should bend that way or that easily. I really think it is a design issue, and after all the news about bends, I would think twice before getting the new iPad Pro.

Yea I’m not sure what to think in that respect. I’m trying to be objective about it and consider other people’s situations, but I am not seeing it at all when comparing my 10.5 to 11. I’ve thrown both in my backpack every day, not handling with special care or anything, and I’ve had no bending issues. I even tried to apply some pressure and nothing. If I really wanted to bend either, of course I could, but I guess I just don’t expect any electronic device to be indestructible. I could snap a screen off a MacBook too, is it Apple’s fault?

 

[Greenmeenie]

Yeah, i am trying to be objective about the bending issue too. My 11” ipad isn’t bent. I have at least 10 close artist friends who bought the new ipad pro, and none of them have bent ipads. None of the scores of artists i follow on youtube have a bending problem. Most of the people here on Macrumors don’t either.

The sensational youtube bending videos for clickbate aside...i recognize now that some people are finding their new ipad is slightly bent. I don’t know for certain under what circumstances they became bent. So it’s hard not to be skeptical. It’s hard to believe they bent with a case on. But who knows how people are jamming their ipads into their backpacks.

Others perhaps got slightly bent ipads straight out of the box. Again, noone i know has experienced this. But some people who claim this happened to them seem legit. Others not so much. It’s a mixed bag for sure.

I didn’t mean to sound dismissive in some of my posts to the legit claims. But i also love my 11” ipad so much, that i also don’t want others who are on the fence to be swayed into not buying either. So i sing it’s praises. Cause i do love this thing.

My best advice to anyone who legitimately gets a bent ipad pro out of the box, bring it down to an Apple Store immediately for an exchange. I find being nice and sincere always goes a long way as oppossed to being angry and rude. No matter how justified your frustration may be. I’ve never had a problem with returning an Apple product when i was nice. My bet is you won’t either.

For those making illegitamate claims, or who are trolling Macrumors to bash Apple with false bending photos...shame on you. I do not doubt that there are people doing this.

I just try to weigh all these different scenarios. Me and my friends with our unbent ipad pros. Those small groups with legit claims, and those who are exaggerating or worse lying for clicks or to bash apple.

 

[flur]

My iPad was not bent out of the box. I checked it on several flat surfaces and it was absolutely perfectly flat. Now, after a month of use, it has a slight curve where the antenna lines are, on both top and bottom when held in portrait. I baby all my devices, and especially baby this one since it was insanely expensive, and haven’t dropped it once. The slight curve has no impact whatsoever on the screen and is only noticeable if I either place it on a flat surface with the camera bump off the edge, or I hold it up and look down the edge. It doesn’t impact functionality at all, and I don’t plan to try to exchange it.

I wouldn’t believe this was possible if it wasn’t happening to my device. So, yeah, I’m sure there are people out there damaging their devices and then claiming they didn’t. But I also doubt I’m the only person seeing a strange bend happening over time. I live at 7k ft in an extremely dry climate and that may be a factor, I don’t know. I just know that it’s happening and it’s not an issue I’ve had with my Air 2.
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I was thinking the same thing. For Apple to replace any device for just $49 is already pretty good.

It is an odd way for for to bend. I would think it would bend other other way, like parallel with the short edges, not the long way.

Only the owner could say for sure, but it looks like the iPad was being stowed in a backpack, and the iPad started to contour to the owner's back.

BTW, while I still believe the user is at fault for the bend, that doesn't mean it should bend that way or that easily. I really think it is a design issue, and after all the news about bends, I would think twice before getting the new iPad Pro.

FWIW, this is how mine is bending - it’s curving forward slightly, as if it were in a backpack and contouring to the back. Except it’s only been in shoulder bags, and even then it’s only been in a bag three times, and each time it was packed in a padded case, then placed between a keys-to-go keyboard and a moleskine cahier to provide additional flat support and protection. And it was put in the bag in landscape. So, definitely not a contour issue.

To be clear, mine is nowhere near as bent as the one in the article (it’s only noticeable on inspection).

 

[charlituna]

This Macworld article doesn’t make sense. They claim Apple has admitted there’s an issue and even admitted that it was due to a ‘cooling process’ so that would be a manufacturing issue. And yet they also claim Apple is making folks pay for replacements. Might you they don’t show their source for these claims that Apple has admitted this but lets assume that happened. Apple would be setting themselves up for a massive lawsuit if this was true. And apple might be stupid about some things like iOS file systems, plug ins etc but opening themselves up to be sued to next Christmas is not something they would intentionally due in this sort of way

 

[jamespb78]

My best advice to anyone who legitimately gets a bent ipad pro out of the box, bring it down to an Apple Store immediately for an exchange. I find being nice and sincere always goes a long way as oppossed to being angry and rude. No matter how justified your frustration may be. I’ve never had a problem with returning an Apple product when i was nice. My bet is you won’t either

Well sorry to burst your bubble, but this morning I opened two brand new iPad pros. One was 12.9” cellular, the other 11” cellular.

Both of them were bent out of the box. I never even turned them on.

I then went to my local a apple store, spoke to 2 managers, who both declined to swap them over, claiming it is acceptable.

They offered to refund me, but these were meant to be Christmas presents.

What I wanted was for the store to swap them over, but as already mentioned they refused.

 

[Royksöpp]

Well they didn't just up and replace it and charge him a fee, he used one of his Applecare incidents. So now he only has one incident of accidental damage left. That's ridiculous. I hope this get's sorted and people are refunded for any replacement costs as well as their AppleCare incidents.

 

[Waterman316]

Well sorry to burst your bubble, but this morning I opened two brand new iPad pros. One was 12.9” cellular, the other 11” cellular.

Both of them were bent out of the box. I never even turned them on.

I then went to my local a apple store, spoke to 2 managers, who both declined to swap them over, claiming it is acceptable.

They offered to refund me, but these were meant to be Christmas presents.

What I wanted was for the store to swap them over, but as already mentioned they refused.

This stuff right here, that makes me want to say screw Apple and switch to Android. I doubt I can bring myself to it though. Before anyone jumps on me, I’m a huge Apple fan. Upgrade my phone every year, etc. I switched to android when the galaxy s8 came out. Switched back with th iPhone X. Main reason I switched back was the customer service. Apple always took care of their customers....more often than not, bent over backwards to make sure that I personally was satisfied. But with this debacle, saying that it’s acceptable for an $800 device to be damaged (yes bent = damaged) out of the box is unacceptable. If it’s part of the cooling process than the manufacturing process is messed up and they need to figure out how to change that. My 11” WiFi pro is not bent. But I also baby this thing as if it’s a fresh newborn. I’m the guy who went out and went way overboard and purchased a large pelican case to transport this thing in. Something I have never previously felt necessary. Carrying this thing in a back pack should be fine. But apparently it’s not. Some of these claims, sure maybe people were reckless with them. But simply sliding the iPad into a back pack to go to schoool work a relatives whatever is not reckless and should not be deemed such. If apples claim here is that bent products from the start are acceptable, then I’m going to have to seriously think about what I want to do when it comes time to upgrade my tech.

 

[dazz87]

Well sorry to burst your bubble, but this morning I opened two brand new iPad pros. One was 12.9” cellular, the other 11” cellular.

Both of them were bent out of the box. I never even turned them on.

I then went to my local a apple store, spoke to 2 managers, who both declined to swap them over, claiming it is acceptable.

They offered to refund me, but these were meant to be Christmas presents.

What I wanted was for the store to swap them over, but as already mentioned they refused.

Here we go......."Its normal" Had a feeling this is what they were going to do now...

 

[digitalcuriosity]

I am starting to think that many of these so called bent iPads are being mishandled, with them allowing young children to pick them up and do what children do try to destroy things.
As the iPads have gotten larger we see more reports of them bending, i have picked them up at Best Buy and don't feel they are just bending by themselves, now i am not trying to bend them so they don't start bending in my hands.

 

[jamesrick80]

I am starting to think that many of these so called bent iPads are being mishandled, with them allowing young children to pick them up and do what children do try to destroy things.
As the iPads have gotten larger we see more reports of them bending, i have picked them up at Best Buy and don't feel they are just bending by themselves, now i am not trying to bend them so they don't start bending in my hands.

Here comes the excuses of the fanboi's................SMH; Reddit is your friend so you can get rid of these sort of excuses!!!!!

 

[AppleHaterLover]

I am starting to think that many of these so called bent iPads are being mishandled, with them allowing young children to pick them up and do what children do try to destroy things.
As the iPads have gotten larger we see more reports of them bending, i have picked them up at Best Buy and don't feel they are just bending by themselves, now i am not trying to bend them so they don't start bending in my hands.

It has been OVER THREE YEARS since the original release of the “large iPad”. With no reports of them bending. If anything, iPads have gotten smaller this year...

 

[Tommy c]

Yea, this is strange. I've had all of the iPads just about. Never had any bent out of the box luckily.

 

[Robertjan88]

https://www.macworld.com/article/3329945/iphone-ipad/2018-bent-ipad-pro-replacement.html

I’m happy to report that on Friday, Zach was able to get a replacement iPad Pro. I’m not so happy to report, though, that he had to pay a $49 service fee in order to get it.

Importantly, Zach has AppleCare+, so it’s doubtful that he would have been able to get that replacement without it. This is in line with earlier reports on forums and subreddits, which claimed that Apple was charging a deductible on the assumption that bent iPads were the result of accidental damage.

---

With the recent discussions of bent iPads, I thought everybody might find this article interesting.

Just take it to court. I am quite certain you will win this. Especially when you live in the US and show the judge every article that does exist.

 

[Wags]

Well sorry to burst your bubble, but this morning I opened two brand new iPad pros. One was 12.9” cellular, the other 11” cellular.

Both of them were bent out of the box. I never even turned them on.

I then went to my local a apple store, spoke to 2 managers, who both declined to swap them over, claiming it is acceptable.

They offered to refund me, but these were meant to be Christmas presents.

What I wanted was for the store to swap them over, but as already mentioned they refused.

If Apple is going to take this stance then just return with no reason or change mind anytime within the 14 day window. The just purchase again. Really never good for exchange anyway if within normal return window.

 

[millydog]

It didn’t cost me anything. My iPad Pro 12.9 with cellular was delivered to home while I was in hospital. My husband brought it in, in the original shipping box and unboxed it for me while I watched since I had a cannula in my hand that beeped and failed if I straightened my hand. Unfortunately it was bent out of the box and by bent, I really mean that it was warped since it was curved in the long edges mainly, but also in the short edge. It was actually quite obvious and the back middle of the iPad was level with the camera bump meaning that there was no rocking if it was laid flat on a surface. I do think that mine was bent more than the variance for which Apple are considering as being normal. Apple accepted the return. I’d had just opened it and had it sit beside my hospital bed for a day until I had the cannula removed from my hand and could call Apple. So they gladly accepted my return and I ordered another 12.9 with cellular and it also arrived while I was in hospital and this time it was straight. I didn’t have to use one of my Apple Care replacements and I was treated well and fairly. I think that Apple did the right thing by me and I can’t complain.

 

[jamespb78]

Apple accepted the return. I’d had just opened it and had it sit beside my hospital bed for a day until I had the cannula removed from my hand and could call Apple. So they gladly accepted my return and I ordered another .

No, that is different.

I suspect they accepted your return because you were in the normal return period for this time of year?

Where people, myself included, have had problems is when they don't want a return, they want to swap the unit over for ANOTHER unit that is not bent. Apple are refusing to do this.

A "return" is different from a "replacement".

Others have also had problems when trying to return a unit outside of the normal return period. Apple have also refused to do this.

 

[newellj]

No, that is different.

I suspect they accepted your return because you were in the normal return period for this time of year?

Where people, myself included, have had problems is when they don't want a return, they want to swap the unit over for ANOTHER unit that is not bent. Apple are refusing to do this.

A "return" is different from a "replacement".

Others have also had problems when trying to return a unit outside of the normal return period. Apple have also refused to do this.

If you're in the return period, you do have the option to return it and then purchase another. Restoring a backup can be a moderate PITA, but usually no more than that.