iPad Bendgate: Causes and Protective Cases

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In 2018, Apple issued a statementThe Verge reported that certain newly released iPad Pros were being delivered with curved aluminum frames. Apple stated that this bending occurred during production and wouldn’t impact the tablet’s performance over time. Six years later, in May 2024, concerns about the newest iPad Pro’s resilience resurfaced, particularly whenJerryRigsEverything tested the 13-inch tablet’s durability.Even with careful adjustments to the timing, it appeared the device could still flex upwards.

A quick search on Reddit will reveal posts from iPad users lamenting that their devices have warped. Some…are years old, others less than a month, implying that perhaps, regardless of Apple’s claim of infrequent production flaws, there might be a basic flaw in the iPad’s design or dimensions. Naturally, mishandling by users could be the cause, but one might still question the precise reason for an iPad’s warping.

In brief, there’s likely no single reason for the problem, but a major factor could be the tablet’s significant reduction in thickness, from 13mm in its initial version to just 5.1mm in the current model.2024 13-inch iPad Pro.

Read more: Leading PC Monitor Brands, Ordered from Least to Most Impressive.

What factors contribute to the bending of an iPad?

In August 2024, A Reddit user with the handle u/logged_just2_upvote raised a question.After noticing numerous images of iPads that had been bent, people were curious and inquired, “What’s causing this?” The responses varied from sarcastic remarks to plausible explanations, including the possibility of placing them in backpacks loaded with heavy textbooks, thus subjecting the screens to significant pressure. One individual,u/GreenTea169Adding their own story, they said, “I unknowingly sat on my iPad because it was tucked away in my bedding.”

In the end, iPad bending boils down to pressure being applied unevenly. Consider a pencil: holding one end still while forcing the other will cause it to snap. Similarly, as Apple acknowledged in 2018, the iPad’s aluminum frame is pliable and will yield to uneven pressure. Even sitting on it might bend it.

It’s not always the user’s fault, though. A swollen battery can also be the culprit behind a bent or warped iPad. As lithium-ion batteries age, their power generation becomes less effective, resulting in the creation of gasses. In some instances, this gas accumulation can become so extreme that it causes the battery to swell and distort the iPad’s shape. While a robust case can protect against user-induced damage, the only effective way to prevent battery swelling is to replace the battery when it starts to have charging issues.

iPad cases that offer protection against bending.

Practical in many ways, Apple’s Magic Keyboard is going to be one of the best ways to keep your iPad from bending. Though it’s not a protective case in the traditional sense (where all four corners are padded for drop resistance), the rigidity of the aluminum keyboard adds a secondary layer of defense that will help prevent bending. In fact, the 2024 Magic Keyboard is just about the same thickness as the original iPad.

The Magic Keyboard also isn’t the only case that will reduce the likelihood that your iPad will bend. When looking for a case, you’ll want something that’s stiff and made from a harder material rather than a soft cloth or a portfolio designed to hold accessories. Something like the Zugu Case and Protective Cover, which is available for most iPad models, offers that rigidity in the form of a durable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) backing. Though TPU offers some flexibility, that’s to make device installation easier and doesn’t hinder its durability.

If you don’t want to risk the added flexibility of a TPU case, MoKo offers cases with a hard polycarbonate (PC) backing. In terms of sturdiness, PC is harder than TPU, and it does not add any heft to the case. Both Zugu and MoKo cases scored well with users, though they aren’t very well-known names. If you want brand recognition, you can try the OtterBox Defender Series Case, though its reviews aren’t as good.

Will Apple fix a bent iPad?

The thing about a bent iPad is that it’s more than likely not an issue that can be attributed to a technical failure of the device. Maybe the tablet overheated or the battery expanded. In that case a replacement will depend on the one-year limited warranty coverage, which you can find using Apple’s Check Coverage tool. Or if you have the extended AppleCare+ plan, you’d pay a reduced fee based on the device.

If your iPad is bent due to negligence, regardless of whether it’s within the warranty period or not, you’ll have to cover approximately 60% of the original cost. Using the iPad Repair and Service tool, select “Other Damage” for the Service Type, then the appropriate iPad type and specific model, and press “Get estimate.” The amount listed under “Your estimated cost” is the 60% fee you’d likely need to pay for a replacement, as Apple will not attempt to repair a bent device.

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Read the original article on Alpine Times.

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