2022 Apple iPad Air with Apple M1 Chip models were launched during the 2022 March Apple Event. This is the first time Apple is using the M1 chip in an Apple iPad Air series. Older models came with an A-Series chip which is also powerful. The M1 chip is a proven chipset and offers top-end performance, and is also found in Apple’s Macbook Air models as well as Mac Mini 2020 desktops.
So the performance is not an issue here. How about the built quality?
As of this writing ( March 24, 2022 ), there are currently 5 Verified Purchase reviews available on Amazon.in for the 2022 Apple iPad Air with Apple M1 Chip. All these reviewers are giving 1 Star reviews and are complaining about the back panel build quality.
All verified purchase reviews are complaining about one thing – the back panel. “Cracking noise on the back panel” complains a buyer. Another user complains “The new ipad has the worst build quality for its price“.
Read all these verified purchase reviews on Amazon.in here.
These issues are not just for Indian iPad Air models.
Check out this Reddit thread here in which other iPad Air 2022 owners have posted their concerns on the build quality of 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.
Posted by mezzox33142 on Reddit.
In India, the price for iPad Air 2022 with M1 chip starts at ₹54900 for the base 64GB WiFi-only model. The WiFi + Cellular model has a price tag of ₹68900. For that price, Apple should provide a device with good build quality, looks like they somehow didn’t test the quality of the back panel enough and shipped out the devices.
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