iPad Air iPad Air 5 — aw, hell, I noticed the creak. Will I ever unnotice it?

[mikedude86]

It seems that with almost every device that is released, these types of threads pop up... creaks, jelly-scrolling, bend-gate, antenna-gate.

Are these "real" problems? I mean, for average Aunt Sally consumer?

Or, are these problems that only people who follow forums, review devices, have OCD, are narcissistic, or controversy-starters and conspiracy theorists come up with?

Would the OP ever have noticed this if not for reading this forum and other online sources?

Am I odd that my new car (it's only a Honda not something lavish) "creaks" from the right door pillar on rough back roads but is quiet as a mouse on the highway, and I ignore it? That was a $30K investment versus a $599 "disposable" iPad.

I don't mind reading about these things, they can be downright entertaining, but it makes me wonder how close to perfection things need to be, so that something is finally "good enough" (if not outright "PERFECTION") not for Aunt Sally, but for the rest of "us".

Guess I have better ears than Aunt Sally and I do care since I spent $800 bux and I can hear it, I can’t close the door to my Honda. I can legit hear it through the folio keyboard case.

Welcome to the internet, it’s where people come to vent.

 

[rgarjr]

That was my experience the first couple of days, then suddenly, the way I was holding it while watching video, I could feel give in the back and heard the creak. Then it became like a loose tooth I couldn't stop messing with.

I ordered a Pro and will be returning this. For $50 more, I'll get half the storage (but still sufficient), better speakers, a better screen and, best of all, no creaks.

What orientation do u notice it most, portrait or landscape?

 

[bondr006]

It seems that with almost every device that is released, these types of threads pop up... creaks, jelly-scrolling, bend-gate, antenna-gate.

Are these "real" problems? I mean, for average Aunt Sally consumer?

Or, are these problems that only people who follow forums, review devices, have OCD, are narcissistic, or controversy-starters and conspiracy theorists come up with?

Would the OP ever have noticed this if not for reading this forum and other online sources?

Am I odd that my new car (it's only a Honda not something lavish) "creaks" from the right door pillar on rough back roads but is quiet as a mouse on the highway, and I ignore it? That was a $30K investment versus a $599 "disposable" iPad.

I don't mind reading about these things, they can be downright entertaining, but it makes me wonder how close to perfection things need to be, so that something is finally "good enough" (if not outright "PERFECTION") not for Aunt Sally, but for the rest of "us".

Trying to understand how narcissism would even apply here.

Definition of narcissistic​

: of, relating to, or characterized by narcissism: such as
a: extremely self-centered with an exaggerated sense of self-importance : marked by or characteristic of excessive admiration of or infatuation with oneself.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

You should get over your OCD and bear with it. Creaking is normal in electronics as long as there is no visible broken seams, etc… you’ll be fine. I can assure you that the iPad you have will not fall apart in 5-10 years and you will be able to enjoy it until it’s a redundant piece of hardware.

What electronics do you have that creak? Only thing that maybe acceptable is plastic but anything made from steel, aluminum, or titanium shouldn’t. I’ve owned pretty much every Apple product at one point in my life and never had a creak.
Sounds like you give companies a free pass for poorly made products…

 

[turbineseaplane]

Do not listen to these people saying "learn to deal with it"

Are you all crazy?

iPads shouldn't be making creaking noises

 

[Fred Zed]

Got my iPad Air 5 on Tuesday. Felt solid. I'd heard about complaints about the back creaking, and thought I'd gotten lucky.

Then, this morning, I was watching a movie and must have had my fingers just right. Felt the flex. Heard the creak. Now every time I pick it up, there it is.

Damn.

Thinking about returning it for a 128 gig iPad Pro. Has anyone else done that?

Last Apple device that I owned which creaked was an iPhone XS Max, the back glass creaked. Feel for you.

 

[DeepSix]

Creeking is good for your sinuses. I think it’s a sweet feature to have.

 

[Reggaenald]

I've not heard any creaking or bending with my 5 SG 64 GB. Not sure how people are using it to observe this, but in my daily use of the device, it's a solid, creak-free, sturdy, non-bendy, beast. Buttery-smooth and blazingly-fast.

I love this most-vilified Apple product ever!

There are definitely products that are more vilified. Like the 2016 MBP, Magic Mouse, iPhone 5c, new iPad mini, Studio Display, old Macs… this isn’t even a droplet.

 

[Reggaenald]

It seems that with almost every device that is released, these types of threads pop up... creaks, jelly-scrolling, bend-gate, antenna-gate.

Are these "real" problems? I mean, for average Aunt Sally consumer?

Or, are these problems that only people who follow forums, review devices, have OCD, are narcissistic, or controversy-starters and conspiracy theorists come up with?

Would the OP ever have noticed this if not for reading this forum and other online sources?

Am I odd that my new car (it's only a Honda not something lavish) "creaks" from the right door pillar on rough back roads but is quiet as a mouse on the highway, and I ignore it? That was a $30K investment versus a $599 "disposable" iPad.

I don't mind reading about these things, they can be downright entertaining, but it makes me wonder how close to perfection things need to be, so that something is finally "good enough" (if not outright "PERFECTION") not for Aunt Sally, but for the rest of "us".

Premium price? Premium quality.
High quality marketing?
High quality quality control. These things go together in most peoples minds. If they don’t in reality, people start asking questions. The problems emerge before the threads.

 

[Andeddu]

What electronics do you have that creak? Only thing that maybe acceptable is plastic but anything made from steel, aluminum, or titanium shouldn’t. I’ve owned pretty much every Apple product at one point in my life and never had a creak.
Sounds like you give companies a free pass for poorly made products…

My old iPad Mini 4 had a little creak on the back panel. I never bothered with it and it’s still perfectly fine to this day after close to 7 years of use. I hear that the iPad Air 5 is prone to creaks so I suppose it would be viewed as normal. I know it’s undesirable but it’s very minor and possibly not even a defect.

My newer iPad Mini 5 has no creak on the back panel.

 

[Jim Lahey]

…but it makes me wonder how close to perfection things need to be, so that something is finally "good enough"

You should apply for a job in Apple hardware quality control. You could just put your feet up all day and wonder why some people have such high expectations of a company that positions itself as a purveyor of premium electronics 🫤

 

[ssledoux]

I would never get one engraved. I’ve heard various experts give various reasons not to. One reason is trade value. I’ve also heard conflicting stories about returns.

Trade value likely wouldn’t be an issue since it would be passed down to other grandkids for years, and ultimately be worth next to nothing at time of trade or sale.

Could it harm the device in any way? It seems like it shouldn’t be an issue since they offer it on so many devices, but I’d be curious to know if you’ve read anything like that.

 

[MrSky]

i saw some videos that it’s not just the hollow creaking sounds or feels , but some iPad Air 5 , it feels like the layer a bit too thin in certain or even thicker in that when pressing the iPad from the back will distort the lcd screen in the front .

 

[danrad]

What orientation do u notice it most, portrait or landscape?

Landscape, for sure. My fingers seem to naturally fall on what appears to be the flimsiest part.

 

[Gsmaniac]

I’ve just initiated a return of my starlight iPad Air. Heard the creaking yesterday and it was really bad. Simply just transferring it from one hand to another caused it. I think it gets worse when the device gets hot. I was using an app for a clothing retailer which caused my iPad to get really hot and the creaking got worse. Wasn’t as bad when cooler. But this is so poor quality control. So it’s going back.

 

[mikedude86]

I’ve had my second Blue Air for about 36 hours, so far so good. I’ve got my fingers crossed this one doesn’t let me down.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Planning to order one of these for my grandson. I’m also planning to have it engraved. Yall are making me paranoid now because I’m assuming I can’t return or swap one if it’s engraved. Am I right?

 

[dukebound85]

Planning to order one of these for my grandson. I’m also planning to have it engraved. Yall are making me paranoid now because I’m assuming I can’t return or swap one if it’s engraved. Am I right?

I think you should get the maxed out iPad Pro. Save yourself the headache of the “what if’s“ you seem to encounter often with apple devices

 

[VaruLV]

Maxed out iPad Pro for grandson...?

 

[ssledoux]

I think you should get the maxed out iPad Pro. Save yourself the headache of the “what if’s“ you seem to encounter often with apple devices

Or if I counted every Apple device I’ve purchased over the last 20 years for myself, my kids, and my grandkids, I’d realize I don’t really have a lot of what ifs at all. But silly me for thinking I could use a discussion board to hash out the pros/cons of various items prior to making decisions.

 

[ssledoux]

Hey, for those of you experiencing the issue, are the iPads in cases, or is it only when they’re being used caseless?

 

[PrettyWings]

Got my iPad Air 5 on Tuesday. Felt solid. I'd heard about complaints about the back creaking, and thought I'd gotten lucky.

Then, this morning, I was watching a movie and must have had my fingers just right. Felt the flex. Heard the creak. Now every time I pick it up, there it is.

Damn.

Thinking about returning it for a 128 gig iPad Pro. Has anyone else done that?

Take it back, dude. You deserve better.

 

[rgarjr]

Hey, for those of you experiencing the issue, are the iPads in cases, or is it only when they’re being used caseless?

I think you’ll notice it more with the iPad being naked. If you have a case, then you have another layer which will make it more sturdy. The apple folio case though is made out of cardboard backing, so it won’t make a difference I suppose.

 

[BKGolden]

Hey, for those of you experiencing the issue, are the iPads in cases, or is it only when they’re being used caseless?

I could feel it right through the Apple smart folio case. I could not feel it through the keyboard smart folio case.

 

[techno-Zen]

I just received my iPad Air 5 from Amazon, cellular model and do not notice any creaking or build quality issues. I’ve owned every generation of iPad Pro 11 and also own a 12.9” 2021 iPad Pro. Seems solid to me, no creaking when trying to produce it. The screen responds to pushing on the back but so did my iPad Pro.

edit: using a little more force and hear/feel it a bit. but I don’t think it’s a game breaker. Seems minimal imo.