Apple is facing complaints from customers who received the newly released M1 iPad Air, with posts on Reddit spotted by iMore showing a purported decrease in build quality of the new device, with some users experiencing creaking noises and noting a thinnest in the aluminum backplate.
The new iPad Air was released on Friday, featuring 5G support, a new front camera with Center Stage, the M1 chip, a USB-C port with up to 2x faster transfer speeds, and more, starting from $599 with 64GB and 256GB configurations and space gray, starlight, pink, purple, and blue finishes.
The posts claim that the rear of the iPad feels thin, with some users reporting they can feel a hollow sensation in some parts and that they could feel the device’s battery through the back panel.
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.
The customers are reporting what they believe to be an overall downgrade in build quality compared to the previous generation iPad Air.
Apple hasn’t commented on the claims, nor will they likely do so unless the complaints continue.