The new iPad Pro may arrive bent. Apple says this is within tolerances, tolerances they say are more strict than ever, but the photos tell a different story. Many users complain their iPad Pro tablets are bent. Apple says this can happen from part of the cooling process. However, it’s clear, the new iPad Pro is the most fragile iPad ever.
Macworld reader “Marcus” had an iPad Pro. It was the older 10.5″ model. This isn’t one that can become bent easily. However, he noticed it wasn’t working one day. He took it to the Apple Store. After waiting, they eventually came back with a verdict: Marcus damaged his iPad by bending it, and now it no longer works. They said the logic board must have been damaged.
Marcus uses a case and says his iPad has never faced physical damage. Furthermore, he could barely detect a bend. So he kept trying.
Then he went down the Apple Store rabbit hole, only to find Apple is not cooperative when it comes to bent hardware, even if it’s their fault.
Marcus’ iPad
Marcus’ “bent” iPad Pro. It’s not bent nearly as much as the new iPad Pro is out of the box.
Marcus tried another Apple Store, which told him the same thing. The problem is with the logic board, and it’s because the iPad is bent. The second store couldn’t tell him exactly where it was bent, each store had a contradictory location for the bend. Furthermore, they wanted over $400 to fix the iPad, even though it’s in warranty. Apple Store employees even specifically stated that the bent iPads are fake news.
Bend it like Apple
Customer photos and videos say otherwise.
Eventually, Marcus did get a new iPad. He sent his iPad in to Apple, who, after receiving it, shipped him a new one. For Marcus, this ending is a happy one, though it took two different Apple Store rejections to get there.
Your Bent iPad
The new iPad Pro: it rocks (back and forth). Photo: MacRumors reader Bwrin1
If you get the new iPad Pro, there’s a chance it can come with a slight bend. Because of that bend, you likely won’t be able to easily get it repair or replaced. To Apple’s claims that the new iPad is as durable as previous versions, I say you should look at my 2016 9.7″ iPad Pro below.
Not a single bend. My keyboard, sitting atop of it, shows that there are no gaps or bends on this iPad. It’s completely flat.
However, look at the photos from customers in this post. The new iPad Pro is clearly more susceptible to bending than the old model. To make matters worse, your iPad could arrive with a problem that will make it useless to you and Apple will refuse to repair it. Apple could send you a bent brick, and there’s a chance you’re going to just have to take that $1,000 punch on the chin.
Photo via The Verge
If you’re still planning on buying the new iPad Pro, I recommend going into a store. Buy it at the store, and, in front of an Apple Store employee, open it up. If it has a bend, return it immediately. If not, take it home and enjoy it, but keep a close eye on it. The heat of use and charging could cause it to bend in the future.
Like the iPhone 6, Apple is going to have to upgrade the future iPad Pro with stronger aluminum and reinforcements. They’ll likely deny the existence of a problem until then. Until the next iPad Pro comes out, you should probably save your money and your sanity, and don’t buy it.