iPad Pro I thought I bought a new iPad at BestBuy today…

[Lihp8270]

...and that manufacturer's employees inspect each and every device. They don't just assemble these things and then throw them in the packaging without checking if they even turn on. That's also why there's always people asking why their brand new Apple product already has a battery charge cycle showing, or two, questioning whether it's even new - at least on the Macs where you can easily see the amount of cycles.

Not catching visible scratches like we see in this thread, or even dents, is simply a QC issue.

If this was the old base iPad on a special sale I might accept it, but on a flagship device for 1k and more I really don't think so. Buying Apple refurbished doesn't resolve the issue since the prices in the Apple refurb store are usually on par with what the same device costs brand-new via some retailers. At least for some devices and configurations that's the case. Apple refurbished devices have to be at least somewhat cheaper in order for me to consider them at all.

For example the 14" MBP base model was available for 1599 before tax from a few places all throughout September. Apple sells that same model -refurbished- for 1709 before tax. Buying refurb rarely makes sense, except for the most expensive configurations that many retailers don't have in the first place. For the iPad Pro that is not relevant since all configurations are offered by many retailers.

Every device will most certainly be connected to a system that will configure the device and check for hardware faults.

Every device will be checked visually checked for defects too.

However there will be a pass/fail criteria of what is acceptable for blemishes and aesthetic defects. It would be crazy not to as the more you reject at QC the greater the cost of the ones you need to sell as you need to price for the rejections.

Getting the balance right isn’t easy, but it’s never going to result in all devices coming off a production line flawless for sale.

Also consider that visual inspections will be done before the device is powered on and tested (otherwise you’re wasting time testing a device that won’t leave the factory). Though it may get a secondary check on packaging.

So while I disagree with your implication that all visual defects should be rejected. It 100% does not excuse the marks on OPs Smart Connector which in my opinion should 100% have not made it out of the factory.

 

[Lihp8270]

Yep - it’s just not cost feasible. Generally it’s not too big of an issue - the iPhone 5 notably had like an 11% defect rate early on, which incurred penalties for Foxconn as that far exceeded the allowable rate under contract.

This is sometimes why people will say refurbs are “better”, because they usually *are* inspected by a person.

Even a human inspection wouldn’t pick up on a hardware fault that fails in a few weeks time. But hardware failures from Foxconn is a different discussion to physical damage.

 

[PeterKG]

The new M2 iPad Pro, says that on the back. Yours just says iPad So it’s a 2021 M1 version.

 

[okkibs]

So while I disagree with your implication that all visual defects should be rejected. It 100% does not excuse the marks on OPs Smart Connector which in my opinion should 100% have not made it out of the factory.

If it's a visual defect that is clearly visible without having to go look for it, just like you said is the case here, then that needs to be rejected. We are talking about a premium-priced brand's high-end tablet line with quadruple digits price tags. I have seen threads where people literally inspected every inch carefully and found markings from the factory that a lot of devices can have that you cannot see with the naked eye at a normal viewing distance. I recall there was a thread for the 16" Macs about this when they first came out, with a mark at the speaker grills.

That's obviously ridiculous when you go out of your way to create an issue. But I've seen what Apple is capable of selling, one of my Macbooks came to me fresh out of the factory with a display panel that was aligned so badly in its screen assembly that it was clearly tilted to the side. Nobody else in my family saw it even when I pointed out what the issue was. At the genius bar the first employee was confused what I wanted, got assistance and that employee noticed it before even being told precisely what's wrong. So depending on who you ask something can both be a defect and totally normal.

 

[darngooddesign]

Hoping I could get some help or feedback on next steps.

The obvious next step is to return it for an exchange.

 

[Spotlighter9]

I once bought a HomePod OG for pickup from BestBuy at a $200 sale price. Picked it up, got it home and noticed no plastic-wrap at all. Brought it back indicating how displeased I was that they tried to pass off an open-box model given the sale. They exchanged for a new one (plastic-wrapped) and gave me another $20 off for my troubles. Return it.

 

[Itinj24]

If you pulled it out the box like that, it definitely looks used. Like someone was rubbing the other accessory at the connector point. Something I check for when I unbox products is wear from rubbing. Very noticeable and unavoidable on an electrical outlet plug.

 

[sdp77]

So, have you returned it?

 

[philliez98]

Yes. Sorry for not updating the threat sooner. Went to BB last Thursday and successfully exchanged it. The lady handling my return felt bad I had to go through the trouble of returning it and dealing with the issue. She was also impressed all of the original packaging and cables were there and never touched. I then explained that I was afraid to even turn it on because I figured a return was necessary. lol

In the end, was able to get a space grey 256GB wifi M2 ipad and absolutely love it. One of the biggest and most surprising things with the M2 iPad is the update to the wifi chip. I am getting 1.2 MBPS D/L speed on Speedtest.net. Surprisingly, when I connect to Ethernet I only get around 600 MBPS. Most website load almost instantaneously!

Thanks all for the help and assistance!

 

[sdp77]

Yes. Sorry for not updating the threat sooner. Went to BB last Thursday and successfully exchanged it. The lady handling my return felt bad I had to go through the trouble of returning it and dealing with the issue. She was also impressed all of the original packaging and cables were there and never touched. I then explained that I was afraid to even turn it on because I figured a return was necessary. lol

In the end, was able to get a space grey 256GB wifi M2 ipad and absolutely love it. One of the biggest and most surprising things with the M2 iPad is the update to the wifi chip. I am getting 1.2 MBPS D/L speed on Speedtest.net. Surprisingly, when I connect to Ethernet I only get around 600 MBPS. Most website load almost instantaneously!

Thanks all for the help and assistance!

Do you have any smearing (yellow or red) when scrolling text?

 

[philliez98]

Do you have any smearing (yellow or red) when scrolling text?

Nothing that I have seen or noticed. I’m not familiar or aware of an issue like this on iPads.

 

[sdp77]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/is-yellow-smearing-when-scrolling-normal.2367697/

 

[sunking101]

I love when people say this, as if it's feasible to inspect every inch of millions of products. God forbid some have a slight aesthetic irregularity.

I agree with others on here. Just return it. No biggie. Best Buy's great, they'll just swap you out a new one.

It happens too damned often. I've never received a Samsung device that is anything but pristine yet I've had iPhones, iPads and MacBooks with scratches, bad displays and loose buttons.