Fifth-Generation iPad Air Drawing Build Quality Complaints
iMore has unearthed a thread on Reddit where owners of the new fifth-generation iPad Air are complaining that the iPad’s aluminum back panel is so thin that it creaks and bends slightly. Multiple people have reported the problem, which is concerning since previous iPads have always been solidly built. That thread also contains reports of some newer MacBooks being creaky and not sitting flat.
It’s unclear if these problems are due to cost-cutting measures related to increased aluminum costs, quality-control failures associated with difficult-to-meet production quotas during the pandemic, or just the result of a bad batch. Since the pandemic started, we’ve seen multiple reports of poor build quality across a wide range of products, likely due to cost increases, supply chain hiccups, and worker shortages. Let us know if you’ve experienced build quality issues on any new Apple products, and in the meantime, remember that you can return any Apple hardware product within 14 days for a full refund.
Josh, would you recommend buying this IPad Air 5th generation with the complaints about the thinness of the back? I NEED a new iPad! I have an iPad Air 2 and the battery life is awful! The iPad would shut down even at 30%!
I was ready to buy the new Air until I read about the deficiency. Will Apple re-manufacture it? Should I wait and see? Buy it now anyway?
I am also disappointed that the new Air has only 64 and 256 gigabytes. I need more than 64 and quite a bit less than 256. I have 128 gigs now and that is perfect.
Jane