2018 11-inch iPad Pro user apparently receives replacement unit for $49 via AppleCare+ plan after bending issue occurs

Following up on the 2018 iPad Pro “BendGate” scandal, it appears that Apple will take care of the bending issue for you, but for a $49 service fee under AppleCare+.
In this case, a 2018 11-inch iPad Pro user named Zach stated that he was able to have his tablet fixed, even though he says he was always careful with his iPad Pro and that he never even took it out of its Smart Folio Keyboard Case. For that matter, the “accidental damage” argument falls to shambles in light of Apple’s own admission that some iPad Pros were bent straight out of the box. Under such conditions, it’s not difficult to believe even subtle warping would grow more pronounced through everyday handling.
Zach apparently wasn’t able to receive a replacement iPad Pro right away given that the unit was out of stock at his local Apple Store when he visited.

“I mean, I’d rather not pay it but the service fee is fine,” he said. “I guess me going in and expecting them not to replace it without a bigger fee made it more palatable, but I probably shouldn’t have had to pay anything for a problem I didn’t cause myself.”
In a recently leaked email, Apple’s chief of hardware engineering, Dan Riccio stated that some bending can be considered to be normal on the 2018 iPad Pro models, as the new iPad Pro’s flatness specification is “tighter than previous generations” at 400 microns, which is less than half a millimeter.
In short, Zach was apparently able to receive a replacement 2018 iPad Pro for $49 with his AppleCare+ subscription, although this essentially cautions one to be careful of the slight bending issue with Apple’s top tier tablet.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via Macworld and 9to5Mac