iPad Air 5 Customers Complain of Build Quality Issue

Numerous customers who have purchased Apple's new iPad Air 5 are now complaining about a build quality issue affecting the device.

In a thread on reddit which already has 300 comments, buyers note that the rear panel appears to be significantly thinner than the panel on the previous generation. This results in strange creaking noises when you hold the iPad Air 5 and screen warp when applying slight pressure to the back side.

@mezzox33142:
I ordered and received two blue iPad Air 2022 today and I’m a bit shocked. The aluminium backplate is a lot thinner than on the iPad 4 which I also have. You can almost feel the battery through the plate when you hold the device. Both iPads have the same feeling and are making creaking noises when you hold them. This did not happen on the iPad Air 4. Both are going back but is it just me? I also asked a second person and she felt it too.


@KwjXia
I’m getting screen distortion and the creak on the one I picked up today….. I actually can’t believe they could be shipping these out like this. I also relate to those who think they can feel battery. It’s almost like a weak spot in the case and if held tight then you can feel what feels like components underneath

@firewire9000:
Yesterday I was in an Apple Store, curious about this issue, I hold an iPad Air 5 and yes you can feel that the aluminum is thinner, in fact if you press a little bit the back, the battery presses the screen and you clearly can see the black patches on it. Next to it, there was an iPad Pro, I hold it and I immediately felt that the aluminum was much more stronger, it was impossible to replicate the same issue. In fact you don’t even need to press the back to feel that the device is more solid.

Multiple users have attempted to replace their units just to find the issue persists in the replacement. Some are giving up and returning the iPad as it appears to be a design choice, not a defective device.

@juliatruth
Had the same issues with the new blue iPad Air, even the replacement was worse than the previous one. Unfortunately returned both, would have liked to keep them :(


If you've purchased a new iPad Air 5, let us know if you're having the same issue!

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