iPad Pro iPad Pro's bending issue (merged)

[George Dawes]

I've had an air 2 for c. 4 years , dropped it , banged it , even got drunk and tried bashing it up , no bend , no dents , nothing... and it seemed fragile compared to my old ipads tbh !

The case IS a bit tatty but the things as good as new inside

I think the whole bend gate is being blown out of proportion

Don't put it in a backpack seems to be just plain common sense or am I missing something ??

PS - I've got a 6 phone and gave it to my brother - that's never had any issues either ....

 

[fm_carv]

I've had an air 2 for c. 4 years , dropped it , banged it , even got drunk and tried bashing it up , no bend , no dents , nothing... and it seemed fragile compared to my old ipads tbh !

The case IS a bit tatty but the things as good as new inside

I think the whole bend gate is being blown out of proportion

Don't put it in a backpack seems to be just plain common sense or am I missing something ??

PS - I've got a 6 phone and gave it to my brother - that's never had any issues either ....

What troubles me is that we haven’t seen any evidence or examples of bent iPad pros under usage.

We saw a video of some YouTuber bending one on purpose.

and we saw some people on this forum complaining of a slight bend along the antenna bands on their iPads straight out of the box.

 

[44267547]

I really want to know if anyone really has had issues with the iPad bending? Like, what are you doing with your iPad that is causing it to bend? Serious question. I just want to make sure that I dont do that.

From what I have read with various comments throughout this forum and elsewhere, is that others are placing the iPad in a briefcase or book bag with books in between the iPad, which from force has caused a slight bend with iPad casing. And in that situation, if you’re not using a good case, I could see that happening, but you have to have common sense when you’re using an iPad without a case if someone is toting the iPad around in a bag full of *heavy* books or other objects.

 

[fm_carv]

From what I have read with various comments throughout this forum and elsewhere, is that others are placing the iPad in a briefcase or book bag with books in between the iPad, which from force has caused a slight bend with iPad casing. And in that situation, if you’re not using a good case, I could see that happening, but you have to have common sense when you’re using an iPad without a case if someone is toting the iPad around in a bag full of *heavy* books or other objects.

I haven't seen anyone on here claiming they bent the ipad in their backpack.

Where did you see that post?

 

[44267547]

I haven't seen anyone on here claiming they bent the ipad in their backpack.

Where did you see that post?

I stated throughout this forum...meaning Macrumors front page, not just this iPad thread. There is a Front page article on this topic with over 631 comments, two members commented specifically on this. (Nor will I sift through all those comments to find it, but here is the link):

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-ipad-pro-models-may-be-prone-to-bending.2155380/

 

[fm_carv]

I stated throughout this forum...meaning Macrumors. Front page article on this topic with over 631 comments, two members commented specifically on this. (Nor will I sift through all those comments to find it, but here is the link):

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-ipad-pro-models-may-be-prone-to-bending.2155380/

two members? seriously??

 

[44267547]

two members? seriously??

You asked me where I read this, I answered your question and provided a link. Yes, two members. If you want to scrutinize about those two members specifically mentioning the bending, Perhaps read the link and ask them. It has nothing to do with my post you’re quoting, only that’s how they explained the bending happened with their iPad, which I mentioned to the previous poster how the bending occurred with books applying force to the iPad unprotected in a backpack as a result.

 

[Scarpad]

Mashable ran a story linked to that idiots video. Nice journalistic integrity. I can’t believe they are trying to link clickbait as news

 

[sonicrobby]

Not sure why people are in quick denial/defense on the iPad bending. I see the pictures, and whether it came like that out of the box or was user error, a high quality product shouldn't be susceptible to such issues in my opinion. Similar to the bend-gate with the old iPhones, which led to the introduction of the new aluminum alloy which was stronger. Whether fragility or improper calculation/compensation for thermal expansion, it's something that is bound to happen on a new design, as nothing can be perfect out of the gate. For the cost of production on these new iPads and the reduced thickness of the bezels, Apple should have gone to a stainless casing and absorb the cost to keep the pricing the same to better justify the price points of the new iPads. Just my 2 cents on it.

 

[Scarpad]

Holy crepes I just bent it with my mind

 

[UrbanExtant]

I totally agree this guy’s video is stupid clickbait, and stuff like this wastes internet bandwidth. I will also say, though, as a large Apple fan/user, that I am disappointed with this generation of the iPad Pro. I have owned virtually every generation iPad, and definitely every generation iPad Pro over the years, typically owning two or three iPads at a time (e.g. 10.5” and 12.9” Pro). I returned my 11” iPad Pro, and all its kit, because of two reasons, one, Apple removed the split keyboard as a virtual keyboard option, and two, I could not get past the visceral feeling of how cheap these new iPads felt. I kept picking up the new 11” and my older 10.5”, and every single time the 10.5” just felt sturdier, more well made, and more durable. My instinct was the aluminum casing had been thinned down, to the point of being flimsy. Seeing teardowns and still shots from this destruction video confirm my instinct. Apple thinned the aluminum casing to the point that it feels like a formed, disposable aluminum pan one would use in the kitchen during the holidays. I am truly saddened by this. This will be the first iPad Pro that I will have skipped buying, and be left hoping the next generation is better designed, and built. If I don’t feel confident the device will survive being put into my camera gear bag (pro photographer here), the iPad is useless to me. I travel with my iPad Pro all the time. Looks like I’ll be living with my 10.5” for another year.

 

[Freakonomics101]

Clickbait or not, we all know this is yet another iPad design that’s too thin and fragile. We just need to be extra careful with this one. I’ve had my cellular 10.5 for a year and it’s not at all bent. It does stay at my house most of the time but when I’m out and about with it, no issues.

The 2018 iPad Pros are just way too thin. They should’ve added some stainless steel where needed.

 

[UrbanExtant]

To be frank, there is a massive difference between being careful with an expensive device, and the device being so delicate that it cannot survive a ride in a backpack, camera bag, messenger bag, etc., even if it is carefully placed in the bag, or in a separate compartment in said bag, such as my camera bag provides. My 10.5” has not been handled with kid gloves, it has slid off the bed, into the floor, it has been in my camera bag and been jostled, bumped, etc., and the thing is a tank. It does not have one single blemish. Also, I can hold it in two hands and try to delicately “torque it”, and it doesn’t flex or twist. I attempted that “torque it” test with the 11”, and it did flex. In fact, the large, flimsy, flat back of it would ting and flex, not unlike the testing button on the lid of a glass jar that has been opened. It was things such as this that led to my conclusion that it felt flimsy, and cheaply made, and would not survive daily, careful use out of the safe environment of my house, and/or desk. Honestly, if Apple can make the iPhone XS Max, which I own, as stylish and durable as it is, there is no reason, beyond form over function, or profits over customer use and durability, that Apple cannot make an iPad Pro of similar feel and durability. I was, actually, shocked that Apple didn’t make the iPad Pro of the same design as the new iPhone XS and XS Max. The design of this new iPad Pro seems the odd man out in their portable device designs.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

two members? seriously??

The first post in this thread, before it was merged was a user claiming his was bent in his bag, and a couple of others said bent out of the box. OP couldn't confirm if his was bent out of box or not.

So yeah, besides the couple bent out of box, pretty much zero reports of bending from actual usage. I don't expect we will see many of those reports.

 

[techno-Zen]

This isn’t a real world issue.. Sorry. Get a case if you’re worried.

 

[cornerexit]

If those are the buying options I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the new Air. From a usability standpoint, your former Pro and newer one are almost identical in functionality (except for Promotion, which isn’t that big of a deal). You’ll get much more functionality out of MacOS than you will on any iPad, and you’d have the best of both worlds that way. Just my opinion.

I thought about it over the weekend. Mine is in the smart folio keyboard case. It's just not that big of a deal. I'm always careful and as long as I don't sit on it, it'll be fine. I use the pad more than any other device, more than my phone. I don't want to be opening up a laptop constantly and the lack of touch screen for home use is a thing for my use. I'm done with the home button and bezels. Bendgate can have it. Mine is in a case and I love the thing. Such a vast improvement. At home there is no worry. When i travel with it I'll just put it in a hard case of some kind. I just sold my 2015 12.9 for a very good price so it brought the price down on this substantially.

 

[UrbanExtant]

This isn’t a real world issue.. Sorry. Get a case if you’re worried.

It is a real world issue, as it has been occurring. The product has not been on the market long enough for one to discern how widespread the issue will ultimately be. I can, definitively tell you, though, that if a product’s design is such that it requires a case, third party, or first party, provided, in order for that product to a) survive everyday use without damage, and/or b) for the user of said product to feel secure in its survivability through normal use, the product is of a bad design. Any attorney, if this went to court, would argue the case as such, and also bring up the question of, what is the point in making said product so thin, if it becomes so delicate that a case is required thereby negating said thinness? I know this, because I worked in the legal field for many years, before switching to photography as my chosen profession.

 

[VMMan]

Funny how after about one day of outrage the whole “my iPad is bent” claims died out...

Those dynamic forces hey!

You do understand that forces on any object that is dynamic has a very high range and is one criticism of tests that usually will show failure of some material/object at a certain static force?

Even in something as simple as a drawer in a toolbox rated for 100 lbs can fail with only 40 lbs of tools because toolboxes and drawers generate dynamic forces. Or why wristwatches rated as being waterproof at 100M can fail at 5M with dynamic water forces that will be larger with movement of the water or watch.

‘In the wild” an iPad with small objects next to it can easily experience a wide range of forces. It’s difficult to predict and any testing with static force will need show that the static forces needed to bend an iPad will significantly higher than what a layperson may think is necessary.

 

[Waterman316]

I’m disappointed in it honestly. This is the iPad I’ve wanted for a while. Mostly screen. No home button. and I love that iPhone 4 design. Despite all this bend stuff I was going to go get one last night. But when I got there, and checked out the display model, it was already bent. Not nothing crazy. You could only tell if you looked down the side of it. But it was bent. Didn’t effect the screen or the usage. But it was still bent. I was able to gently unbend it, to make it *mostly straight. But the ease of unbending it was rather scary. For a lot of people this isn’t going to matter. I have a feeling a great deal of people use their iPad mostly just at home. But I take mine places with me sometimes. Camping...trips...it goes to work with me once in a while. It usually goes in a backpack. One made for electronics. Usually not much else in it. Daughters Nintendo switch and charger. Phone/iPad charger. Small battery pack. Apple Watch charger. And I’m always careful with the bag. But just the lack of effort it takes to bend the thing is scary. I don’t expect it to be industructible. I’m always careful of my stuff and take good care of it. But I’m still only human. For $800 I shouldn’t have to worry about it bending. Screen breaking, yea, dents in the alumnium ok. But not bending. And seeing as how Apple has already went through the bend gate fiasco...then apparently doesn’t learn from it...

It’s a shame. It’s a beautiful device. The iPad I’ve been asking for. But I can’t bring myself to buy it because I will always be too worried about it bending to actually enjoy it. Hopefully next year they reinforce it and the issue is solved.

 

[LostAggie]

I’m disappointed in it honestly. This is the iPad I’ve wanted for a while. Mostly screen. No home button. and I love that iPhone 4 design. Despite all this bend stuff I was going to go get one last night. But when I got there, and checked out the display model, it was already bent. Not nothing crazy. You could only tell if you looked down the side of it. But it was bent. Didn’t effect the screen or the usage. But it was still bent. I was able to gently unbend it, to make it *mostly straight. But the ease of unbending it was rather scary. For a lot of people this isn’t going to matter. I have a feeling a great deal of people use their iPad mostly just at home. But I take mine places with me sometimes. Camping...trips...it goes to work with me once in a while. It usually goes in a backpack. One made for electronics. Usually not much else in it. Daughters Nintendo switch and charger. Phone/iPad charger. Small battery pack. Apple Watch charger. And I’m always careful with the bag. But just the lack of effort it takes to bend the thing is scary. I don’t expect it to be industructible. I’m always careful of my stuff and take good care of it. But I’m still only human. For $800 I shouldn’t have to worry about it bending. Screen breaking, yea, dents in the alumnium ok. But not bending. And seeing as how Apple has already went through the bend gate fiasco...then apparently doesn’t learn from it...

It’s a shame. It’s a beautiful device. The iPad I’ve been asking for. But I can’t bring myself to buy it because I will always be too worried about it bending to actually enjoy it. Hopefully next year they reinforce it and the issue is solved.

Where did you go to look at it? Was it the only one on display? People suck and it wouldn’t surprise me if some DA bent it on purpose.

 

[Waterman316]

Where did you go to look at it? Was it the only one on display? People suck and it wouldn’t surprise me if some DA bent it on purpose.

Best Buy of course.

And to be clear the only reason I did it was to return it to straight. I still can’t get it off my head though. I’m sure I’ll end up buying one. Thinking of getting a pelican case for it for transport if I do.

 

[LostAggie]

Best Buy of course.

And to be clear the only reason I did it was to return it to straight. I still can’t get it off my head though. I’m sure I’ll end up buying one. Thinking of getting a pelican case for it for transport if I do.

I have been using for several days now and it is nice. It seems to have some “unevenness” but so does the 2nd gen 12.9 I have.

Only reason I would consider returning is for the 10.5 to save $300.

 

[Waterman316]

I have been using for several days now and it is nice. It seems to have some “unevenness” but so does the 2nd gen 12.9 I have.

Only reason I would consider returning is for the 10.5 to save $300.

What exactly do you mean by unevenness?

 

[LostAggie]

What exactly do you mean by unevenness?

Basically it’s not exactly flat. I can be off by a millimeter or so from side to side both vertically and horizontally. I bet if you were able to view a specification, it would be within tolerances.

 

[cornerexit]

Best Buy of course.

And to be clear the only reason I did it was to return it to straight. I still can’t get it off my head though. I’m sure I’ll end up buying one. Thinking of getting a pelican case for it for transport if I do.

I just packaged up my 2015 12.9 to ship out (sold it over the weekend). First time I’ve had it out of a silicon case and Smart Cover in years. It was straight but could have been bent just as easy. I wouldn’t worry about this. Get a case for it. My new 12.9 has been in the Apple keyboard case since I pulled it out of the Apple box.