Remember Bendgate? When the iPhone 6 Plus came out, it was followed by the news that, if pressure was applied in just the right place, the phone could bend or even snap. Apple weathered that particular storm (after all, most phones bend if you try hard enough) but the latest chapter in 'Bendgate' could be rather more harmful for the firm.
Apple has officially confirmed that some of its 2018 iPad Pro models are arriving in the hands of consumers with bends already in them. However, while you might assume that a bent iPad Pro would be a good enough reason to ask for a replacement, Apple doesn't consider this to be a defect; in fact, it claims that this is all perfectly normal.
According to the company, the bend is a side-effect of the production process; more specifically, the cooling of the aluminium and plastic components during manufacturing. Because of this – and because the bend won't get any worse or impact the functionality of the device – Apple won't replace the product in the event of it being all bendy and stuff.
It would seem that the problem impacts the more expensive LTE model more significantly, thanks to the fact that there's a plastic strip which allows the mobile signal to get out (and in). This is a weakness in the casing, and people are noticing that the bend originates from this point. However, those who own the WiFi model are also reporting a bend.
Apple's statement follows reports online that iPad Pro owners have noticed a bend appear after a few weeks of use, while others claim that – as Apple says – the bend is there from day one. If you find your iPad Pro has a bend and you're still less than 14 days into your ownership, you should be able to get a replacement or refund. However, outside of that two week grace period, things could get a little more difficult.
While Apple does have a point – the bend won't affect the way the iPad Pro works – it's pretty shoddy that the company is brushing off what is clearly a design defect. Given the amount of cash these products cost – and Apple's boasts that its quality control is second-to-none – we're not sure we'd be happy to drop hundreds of pounds on a device which looks like it's been sat on.
Speaking of which, the iPad Pro's design could also be to blame here; a teardown of the unit reveals that it's poorly reinforced internally, and that could be contributing to the bendy antics outline above.
Images: MacRumours, The Verge
by dmcferran via Featured Articles
Reviewed by Ossama Hashim
on
December 20, 2018
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