Faulty iPad Air - Smart Cover misaligned

I bought a new iPad Air on Saturday and a Smart Cover today.

When I put the Smart Cover on the iPad it does not line up correctly.

It overhangs the iPad at the top by 2mm and the iPad is exposed at the bottom by the same amount.

I took the Smart Cover back as I was sure it would be the issue, but when we traied it on the iPads in the Apple Store it fit perfectly.

When we then tried other covers on my iPad they were all misaligned by 2mm. It looks really bad.

Apple agreed that the iPad is faulty but as I did not buy it from them they could not swap it and I had to return it to John Lewis for an exchange.

Apple said they would swap it under warranty but I would need a Genius appointment to do that, and there are none available for the next 6 days!

So I took the iPad back to John Lewis who agreed that the iPad was faulty and that they would swap it - problem is they have none in stock.

So although I can use the iPad it does need to be replaced, I just have no idea when that will be which is not great service.

Has anyone else seen this problem with any iPads in the past?

It is a stange one and both stores said they had not seen it before.

iPad, iOS 7.0.3, Air

Posted on Nov 4, 2013 8:04 AM

20 replies

Nov 7, 2013 12:22 PM in response to Ian Parkinson

Outside the UK, the retailer is unlikely to deal with it and will refer you back to Apple. The Apple Store will replace the unit with a new boxed unit if purchased from them or a Genius Bar replacement if purchased elsewhere. I have been told by the Apple Store that there simply wouldn't have been time to refurbish a unit since it came out last week so if people return their units to Apple now, the replacement will almost certainly be brand new, just not in the retail box.

korosuzo

Level 1

4 points

Nov 23, 2013 7:22 PM in response to Ian Parkinson

I had the same issue. I went to the Apple Store today to return what I thought was a bad smart cover. When the associate at the genius bar tried multiple smart covers, we determined that it was the iPad. She had never heard of the issue, and was not at first willing to replace it. I had to speak with her team lead in order to get a replacement. Even he was skeptical. Had I known this was a known issue, I would have mentioned that to them. I assumed this was an isolated case of a misaligned iPad. I would recommend that anyone going into replace their iPad be sure to mention that this has been logged as a known issue, and that Apple is aware of it.

Nov 25, 2013 4:29 AM in response to Ian Parkinson

Glad I found this thread. Got my Air yesterday and have the same problem with the smart cover being misaligned. Back to Best Buy I go :(. My OCD is going crazy!

Nov 25, 2013 9:43 AM in response to NoRegrets78

At Best Buy. Manager said they will not open up 10+ iPads to find one that isn't defective, which I kind of understand. They agreed to try one and if that didn't work just process a full return. Luckily the one I opened at the store was perfect.

Jan 2, 2014 5:24 AM in response to Ian Parkinson

Bought my iPad Air in the Apple Online Store last month and yesterday evening i have the same issue now - the magnets in the ipad seem to be misplaced now. the smartcover only holds its position if i put it a bit over the upper or lower edge. correctly placed it doesent work at all and simply falls of the screen. i requested service now and assume apple will replace the unit. it's really frustrating - in the last few years i never had a device without a major problem and i buy all my apple devices in the online store.

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Faulty iPad Air - Smart Cover misaligned