Malcolm Owen
A number of Apple customers have complained about the build quality of the iPad Air, with the thin panel of the aluminum enclosure causing audible creaks when held.
Apple tends to build its products as thin as possible while still maintaining structural integrity. In early online complaints about Apple's latest tablet launch, it seems that the quest for thinness has caused problems.
In a thread on Reddit first reported by iMore, users claim there are problems with the way the fifth-generation iPad Air is constructed. Specifically, the complaints center around the back panel.
The original poster says they ordered two blue models, but discovered the "aluminum backplate is a lot thinner than on the iPad Air 4." The user adds "you can almost feel the battery through the plate when you hold the device.'
Both units are apparently the same, with the thin panel causing the tablets to make "creaking noises" when held by the user, with the effect verified by a friend of theirs.
The user is not the only one to discover the phenomena, with others posting to the thread about the same problem. One user offered a video demonstrating the same creaking noises.
It is unclear how many iPad Airs are affected to a level where they creak. Apple has yet to comment on the complaints at this time.
For the most part, the physical appearance of the iPad Air 5 remains unchanged from the iPad Air 4, with the main alterations being internal. These changes include a shift to the M1 chip and an improved FaceTime camera, among others.
Charles Martin
Andrew O'Hara
19 Comments
What happened to liquid metal? Wasn't that supposed to be very light and very strong?
Ok, I watched the video. I would think that someone trying to show a flaw that causes the creaking, would zoom out enough to actually show what they were doing to the iPad to cause the sound, not a closeup of the screen and the sound. Not making any accusations, but the video is evidence of nothing. Not rushing to blindly defend apple. I would actually like to see a better video showing what the claims are. I have thought about getting an iPad Air.
Current iPad Pro 12.9" = .25" thickness
New iPad Air = .24" thickness
Current iPad Pro 11" = .23" thickness
What are the odds that Apple would make changes to the structural design or material for an iPad case that falls directly in between both Pro models? Not very high. You would have to think that keeping all of the models the same would be a cost advantage for manufacturing versus arbitrarily making changes to the Air.
I bought the 5th gen blue ipad air 64gb wifi model and the first thing i noticed when i picked it up was the creaking. It happens when you move it from one hand to the other so its not cause of some exaggerated bending. At first i was like am i crazy or is it creaking? Picked up my air 2, solid. Asked a friend with a 4th gen ipad air and he says he has no creaking on his