iPad Pro iPad Pro's bending issue (merged)

[aevan]

You literally said that the new pros weren't bending EVEN WHEN APPLE ADMITTED IT

Apple didn’t admit they are bending, they admitted a small number of them came bent out of the box (which sucks) and you can replace them. This is, in my opinion, not a reason to avoid one of the best Apple products ever made. Yes, EVEN WHEN APPLE ADMITTED IT.

It is the best iPad yet and the best tablet ever made. It is amazing - if you can justify the price or find it complements your workflow well (like everything in life, tablets are not for everyone). There are reasons to avoid 3rd gen iPad Pro - high price, iOS limitations for your workflow, dependency on certain desktop apps or the fact you just don’t like tablets. But fear of bending is not a reason to avoid it, at least based on current information (if they start to bend just from carrying in the bag, that would be a different story - but as it looks now, this is not going to happen)

Or, to quote Jason Snell, writing for Macworld:

On the product side, I couldn't be much more impressed with the new iPad Pro models Apple rolled out in October. (Spare me your talk of bending iPads.)

Of course, if you want to construct this “Apple is going down the drain” narrative - or justify your purchase decisions - you can ride this bending train all you want. In fact, I’d say the issue of lower touch responsiveness happening to certain 2nd gen iPad Pros (we’re yet to see about 3rd gen) is a much bigger issue then bending, and yet it’s not as easy to attract likes as videos where people destroy expensive devices for clicks, so it’s not talked as much.

 

[6749974]

"So I cracked my iPad and I’m not kidding this is the replacement that they tried to give me"

Source Post

PS: I don't think this is a huge problem, in that statistically you're likely to get a straight iPad Pro that remains straight for the life of the product. But I'm posting this here because it clearly gets bent during manufacturing, not users bending them, so it's worth documenting.

 

[leebroath]

Has anyone in America started a law suite against Apple for the bend?

Would be interested to see how that one went if someone went over their return window and decided to sue Apple for the Bend.

 

[Unprocessed1]

When laying the iPad screen down on a flat surface, is it normal to have one end totally flush with the surface and the other end very slightly raised above? On the other end I can lightly tap it and it will sit flush as well. I haven’t even taken off the protective plastic, but I didn’t see a noticeable “bend.”

 

[jimmy_uk]

Apple didn’t admit they are bending, they admitted a small number of them came bent out of the box (which sucks) and you can replace them....

Where did they say this specifically or is this your interpretation?

 

[aevan]

Where did they say this specifically or is this your interpretation?

Apple said it is a small number of units and backed that with info that the percentage of returns is not larger than their average for previous generations.

Why? Do you really think a lot of iPads are bent?

 

[jimmy_uk]

Apple said it is a small number of units and backed that with info that the percentage of returns is not larger than their average for previous generations.

Why? Do you really think a lot of iPads are bent?

Apple didn’t admit they are bending, they admitted a small number of them came bent out of the box (which sucks) and you can replace them....

I haven't read them making this statement, specifically for people that are receiving bent ipads they should rock up to Apple and get a replacement.

I have read posts from users who are having a hard time getting a replacement and/or their replacement is also bent. Also from the Verges articles that the bend is normal and a result of the manafacturing process.

So which is it, bends are OK and no replacement? Or bends not OK, replacement no questions asked?

 

[fokmik]

It seems if apple isn’t get any lawsuit..they will not make the upcoming ipads better

 

[aevan]

It seems if apple isn’t get any lawsuit..they will not make the upcoming ipads better

They make every iPad better than the last. 2nd gen was better than 1st gen. 3rd gen is better than 2nd gen. 4th gen will be better than 3rd gen. And all are awesome. So, no lawsuit required.

 

[LeeW]

I have had two magic keyboards with number pad, bought the original when it first came out then bought the space grey one.

Both of them were bent. Fortunately, the pliability means that you can bend them back into the right shape. The oak desk I have is not perfectly flat by design so in actual fact this 'flaw' allows me to bend them enough to fit nicely to the shape of the desk.

Anyway, the point is they were bent, the reason it appears is temperature, thin aluminium when subjected to rising and dropping temperature (so I am told, not an expert) causing this. Its a well reported issue.

So if it is that easy for the keyboard to bend between manufacturing and delivery, then I am not surprised at all that the new iPad is doing the same, why wouldn't it? The shell is probably as thin.

Will stick to my 10.5 Pro for now

 

[VMMan]

I got a 11 inch wifi model at MicroCenter on Black Friday that I've been waiting to open on Christmas. Now I'm paranoid, and not sure if Microcenter would let me return it if there's a bend.

Is there a general consensus on how prevalent the bending issue is?

I purchased for my family the following 2018 models:

3 iPad Pro 11” wi-fi
1 iPad Pro 12.9” wi-fi
1 iPad Pro 12.9” LTE

Only my 12.9” LTE is clearly bent on the shorter sides by the antenna lines. These are not the result of optical illusions. The bend exists when compared to a straightedge.

My Apple Store wouldn’t accept the return because I was 7 days out of the 14 day return period.

 

[6749974]

My Apple Store wouldn’t accept the return because I was 7 days out of the 14 day return period.

Apple has a Holiday Return Policy: you have until January 8th to return anything bought at the Apple Store between Nov 14 and Dec 25. This is the source for the online store, but should be the same for physical stores. Did you buy it before Nov 14, or at a store other than Apple?

 

[VMMan]

Apple has a Holiday Return Policy: you have until January 8th to return anything bought at the Apple Store between Nov 14 and Dec 25. This is the source for the online store, but should be the same for physical stores. Did you buy it before Nov 14, or at a store other than Apple?

Unfortunately, I purchased the bent iPad on the 1st day of availability, which was exactly 1 week before Apple’s extended return period purchase date began. If I weren’t such an early adopter!

 

[6749974]

Unfortunately, I purchased the bent iPad on the 1st day of availability, which was exactly 1 week before Apple’s extended return period purchase date began. If I weren’t such an early adopter!

Aww shucks. Well at least you can exchange it, right? Or is Apple not accepting bends as a flaw?

 

[winmiller]

I’ve returned two 12.9 LTE models now and given up. Apple store claimed to have never seen or heard of it. Upon opening second one in store the assistant spoke to a genius who said had heard some rumours but nothing official from Apple.

On both the ones I have had, the weakness is clearly the antenna lines. This area of weakness is revealed as a result of the camera bump. The amount the top short edge is bent after the antenna line is the same as the depth of the camera bump. It’s best seen if you lay it flat on a table (screen facing up).

The bottom short edge of the iPad is slightly less deformed due to it being further away from the camera bump therefore the angle is reduced and it is more able to lay flat.

The long edges showed no signs of bending out of the box.

Either the design did not consider the manufacturing process or it’s a manufacturing fault.

 

[Hansl]

I’ve returned two 12.9 LTE models now and given up. Apple store claimed to have never seen or heard of it. Upon opening second one in store the assistant spoke to a genius who said had heard some rumours but nothing official from Apple.

On both the ones I have had, the weakness is clearly the antenna lines. This area of weakness is revealed as a result of the camera bump. The amount the top short edge is bent after the antenna line is the same as the depth of the camera bump. It’s best seen if you lay it flat on a table (screen facing up).

The bottom short edge of the iPad is slightly less deformed due to it being further away from the camera bump therefore the angle is reduced and it is more able to lay flat.

The long edges showed no signs of bending out of the box.

Either the design did not consider the manufacturing process or it’s a manufacturing fault.

Just thought of sharing this post shared on Reddit. In the video, it clearly shows a bend iPad on the LTE versions.

Bent iPad Pros in Apple Store

 

[techno-Zen]

I have a launch unit. I have zero bend. And i’m Super picky.. i’ve Returned my Apple Watch due to light bleed a few times

 

[ahostmadsen]

I have a launch unit. I have zero bend. And i’m Super picky.. i’ve Returned my Apple Watch due to light bleed a few times

LTE?

 

[ueuser]

11" LTE 256GB
For me its to late, received mine 6th DEC cant return it.
I used it like previous iPad, it shouldn't cause it. You can clearly see the bending point its on a "plastic"
I'm upset and worry now in the future it might cause cracking of the screen i need to carry it with me but if its so fragile it doesn't work for me.
I found all the story with bending iPads to late otherwise would give it back. I'm guessing there might bee more people like me who will realize it after a while.
Couldn't even bay apple care+ its not available in my country.

I've been very happy of iPad Air thought it will be a good replacement. From what I see now, it was a one of the worst decision I could make.

If they will not call a repair program and possibly it will cause a damage of the screen in the future, it will be my last apple product and ill do my best to inform as many friends I can abut a "quality" of modern Apple products.
I wont mind additional 2 or 3mm more to have a better structure.

 

[mightyjabba]

I got a 12.9” (256GB WiFi model) iPad Pro for Christmas and it appears to be perfect. I have no intention of conducting a battery of tests to make sure that there is no microscopic bend, because if I can’t see it, it isn’t there as far as I’m concerned.

 

[LeeW]

if I can’t see it, it isn’t there as far as I’m concerned.

Correct approach.

 

[mightyjabba]

11" LTE 256GB
For me its to late, received mine 6th DEC cant return it.
I used it like previous iPad, it shouldn't cause it. You can clearly see the bending point its on a "plastic"
I'm upset and worry now in the future it might cause cracking of the screen i need to carry it with me but if its so fragile it doesn't work for me.
I found all the story with bending iPads to late otherwise would give it back. I'm guessing there might bee more people like me who will realize it after a while.
Couldn't even bay apple care+ its not available in my country.

To me it sounds like you bought an iPad and were very happy with it until you read about possible bending. Then you looked very closely and found what you think is a very small bend (to be honest I’m not sure I can see anything in the photos). This sounds exactly like what Apple was talking about — a very small bend caused in the manufacturing process that isn’t going to get any worse as time goes by. There is no reason to think that it’s going to crack the screen or cause any other problems. My advice is simply to enjoy your device and stop obsessing.

 

[UrbanExtant]

To me it sounds like you bought an iPad and were very happy with it until you read about possible bending. Then you looked very closely and found what you think is a very small bend (to be honest I’m not sure I can see anything in the photos). This sounds exactly like what Apple was talking about — a very small bend caused in the manufacturing process that isn’t going to get any worse as time goes by. There is no reason to think that it’s going to crack the screen or cause any other problems. My advice is simply to enjoy your device and stop obsessing.

I agree that the bend, if there is one, on the short sides of this iPad (first two photos) is difficult to discern, but even without my contacts in, I would very easily see the rather large bend/curve going down the long side of this iPad (third photo). That curve is significant enough that if it were mine, I too would be worried about damage to the screen.

I believe Apple is referencing the slight bend that may form at the junction of the LTE antenna line on the short side of the iPads. I believe as the plastic material and glues set, harden, and dry out, i.e. “cure”, they are forming bends on some units. I, also, believe this is happening during transit, as these materials continue to cure, so going into the box, and leaving the factory, the units look alright, but this further curing in transit is causing various units to arrive bent when the box is opened.

 

[aevan]

11" LTE 256GB
For me its to late, received mine 6th DEC cant return it.
I used it like previous iPad, it shouldn't cause it. You can clearly see the bending point its on a "plastic"
I'm upset and worry now in the future it might cause cracking of the screen i need to carry it with me but if its so fragile it doesn't work for me.
I found all the story with bending iPads to late otherwise would give it back. I'm guessing there might bee more people like me who will realize it after a while.
Couldn't even bay apple care+ its not available in my country.

I've been very happy of iPad Air thought it will be a good replacement. From what I see now, it was a one of the worst decision I could make.

If they will not call a repair program and possibly it will cause a damage of the screen in the future, it will be my last apple product and ill do my best to inform as many friends I can abut a "quality" of modern Apple products.
I wont mind additional 2 or 3mm more to have a better structure.

Glass can bend quite a bit more than that before cracking. In fact, just a firm Pencil or finger pressure bends glass on all iPads daily. If you don’t mind it visually (and it is hard to see, you probably wouldn’t even notice it without the table - and that is assuming the table itself is flat), you don’t need to worry. Also, don’t let the fearmongering on this forum prevent you from enjoying your purchase. And carry it around, that’s what it’s made for. As long as you don’t sit on it, it’s going to be fine.

 

[alanderp]

Hey all,

So I've had the 64gb 11" iPad Pro for a couple of weeks and decided to swap it out for a 256gb LTE model instead, and reading all of the threads and posts about bent iPads honestly freaked me out for a little bit.

However, when I got home, I unboxed the new 11" 256gb LTE iPad and it was straight as can be... I think...

How many iPads do you think are affected by the manufacturing defect during the cooling process? I feel like it's a bit overblown and people who are worried, are reading a bit too much about the issue. Sure some may be bent, but they make thousands of these devices, and the Apple store rep I spoke with said if you do notice a bend when you just purchased the device, to return it right away. I was really paranoid about switching devices but I'm very happy I did.