If Steve was alive, he would go live and tell us how we were using it wrong and made a comparison of other non-Apple covers to justify.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad Pro 9.7 new smart cover is bad, really bad
- Thread starter Sillythink
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Okay so today I bought just the rear case in 'stone'. On my previous Air I just had a Smart Cover which worked and fitted well, but as it never leaves the house the screen is pretty safe and I don't think I could handle the annoyance of the new ill fitting smart. The rear case is expensive but it fits really well and feels quite plush. I'll see how I go with that for now and may add the smart front later on.
If you have the rear case, then the Smart Cover fits perfectly well. It's the people who want front cover only that are having problems.
If you want rear case only, I suggest getting a third party case that covers all four edges. The Apple rear case leaves one long edge open for the Smart Cover/ Keyboard to attach.
Yea, I've have only ever used a smart cover with my ipad 4. I have a simple sleeve for transport if I take it with me in a bag to family or so. Otherwise the remaining 95% I use it at home.
There is something to be said for official (smart) covers and a price is more then the manufactering price ofc but $67 for a cover...
There is something to be said for official (smart) covers and a price is more then the manufactering price ofc but $67 for a cover...
IMO, iPad Pro 9.7 Smart Cover has a completely flawed design.
Loved it on Air & Air 2... But this one had to be returned.
Other than terrible fit and really uncomfortable feeling of the iPad when screen is covered the Smart Cover had very strong distinct smell of bad plastic/rubber, which by itself was enough to return the product. The smell is bad enough for a $5 product, let alone 59 Euro! which is charged in Germany.
I see tons of them get returned to Apple.
Seriously, there was 'always' Smart Case for iPads for people who want 'full blown' protection (and weight), splitting it into two poorly designed parts and charging twice for it is a really really cheap move.
Hope that this will be fixed by Apple soon enough.
For now, I recommend most people to stay away from Smart Cover for iPad Pro 9.7 (not even for $10). Seriously, you hardly know it's there on iPad Air 2, but you always feel it on the Pro 9.7 no matter how you hold the device (and the sensations are not the ones one might be looking for).
*Smart Keyboard does fit well, but of course is much heavier, pricier and if you just want to watch something on the iPad, you will always have to deal with a much bigger base size, thanks to the keyboard that is in front of the screen. Definitely not a Smart Cover replacement as well.
Loved it on Air & Air 2... But this one had to be returned.
Other than terrible fit and really uncomfortable feeling of the iPad when screen is covered the Smart Cover had very strong distinct smell of bad plastic/rubber, which by itself was enough to return the product. The smell is bad enough for a $5 product, let alone 59 Euro! which is charged in Germany.
I see tons of them get returned to Apple.
Seriously, there was 'always' Smart Case for iPads for people who want 'full blown' protection (and weight), splitting it into two poorly designed parts and charging twice for it is a really really cheap move.
Hope that this will be fixed by Apple soon enough.
For now, I recommend most people to stay away from Smart Cover for iPad Pro 9.7 (not even for $10). Seriously, you hardly know it's there on iPad Air 2, but you always feel it on the Pro 9.7 no matter how you hold the device (and the sensations are not the ones one might be looking for).
*Smart Keyboard does fit well, but of course is much heavier, pricier and if you just want to watch something on the iPad, you will always have to deal with a much bigger base size, thanks to the keyboard that is in front of the screen. Definitely not a Smart Cover replacement as well.
Last edited:
Not quite. iPad 2 only had Smart Cover. iPad 3, I believe only had a Smart Cover to begin with, and then they released a Smart Case for the 4, which also fit the 3. At least that's what I think happened, someone correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, I know for sure there was a period when there was no such thing as a Smart Case.
You are talking about the Smart Keyboard? Nobody has a problem with that. People are reporting problems with the Smart COVER.
Meh. I love the cover. I love how strong the magnets are, how well it fits with the back piece, and that it has an overlap flap so that I can actually open it without bending the edges. The edges of my air leather smart case got warped quickly just from my constant prying it open. This feels much more durable so far.
I already had the Smart Keyboard but picked up the Smart Cover at Best Buy today, I find it works and fits perfectly but I also have the Silicone Case on the back. This one won't be getting returned and it also doesn't smell
Count me among those returning the Smart Cover. The new design seems off.
I also have the Smart Cover and silicone case for the iPad Pro 12.9 and that Cover does not hang over the side as severely as the 9.7 model's Cover.
I probably will just buy a sleeve for the 9.7 model.
I also have the Smart Cover and silicone case for the iPad Pro 12.9 and that Cover does not hang over the side as severely as the 9.7 model's Cover.
I probably will just buy a sleeve for the 9.7 model.
I just ordered the silicone case for the iPad Pro, Im not getting the cover, just the backing, then I will order the keyboard once I Find a good deal on it, hoping that the actual silicone backing is good I havent been able to find anything better and Ive looked everywhere trying to find something that comes close..its overpriced but I can always return it since I bought it in target
Awesome thanks for letting me know..even though I think 69 bucks for a case is ridiculous with Target I was able to use my red card so it lowered the price, that along with the keyboard case it will be nice just cant find a good deal on that, or cant even find it at all
I decided to pay a visit to my local Apple Store and see what the fitting seemed like compared to the Smart Cover keyboard Apple sells. As mentioned by a few already, the keyboard suits the iPad Pro like it should. I then had a few employees of the store have a look at the difference and they all asked me "Did you purchase the appropriate cover? Is it for the Air 2?". When I showed them the packaging and saw that it was indeed for the 9.7 Pro, they all looked shocked. They replied with these exact words: "the fitting is horrible". But nothing more. They didn't offer me to try another one, or to try and see if they could rectify this (which I knew wasn't possible), however I would've thought they would have taken this a little more seriously.
I left Apple a feedback online so it is heard (hopefully), nonetheless Apple has not impressed me with this.
Here's a few more side by side pics.
I left Apple a feedback online so it is heard (hopefully), nonetheless Apple has not impressed me with this.
Here's a few more side by side pics.
Attachments
Last edited:
Target online, the back silicone case just shipped, I guess the pencil will be shipping out soon(They are shipping separately) now just need the keyboard case
Here is my idea ,
To lower costs of production, Apple did combine one cover with the case idea. They said that lets make cover which fits perfectly with case when closed. Secondly, it lower their costs of not producing only cover and push the customer for having a back case as well. When you hit the price mark with cover and case together for perfect fit, they push you to the smart keyboard and get the ultimate result. It's like ; 1 to 3 and jump to 5 with little pushed to you and great amounts to them.
Thats my humble opinion
To lower costs of production, Apple did combine one cover with the case idea. They said that lets make cover which fits perfectly with case when closed. Secondly, it lower their costs of not producing only cover and push the customer for having a back case as well. When you hit the price mark with cover and case together for perfect fit, they push you to the smart keyboard and get the ultimate result. It's like ; 1 to 3 and jump to 5 with little pushed to you and great amounts to them.
Thats my humble opinion
I'd be curious to hear Apple's position about the cover extending out. Please post what they say.
Does not bother me all that much, except for the fact Apple tries to be perfect in their products and it is bizarre they released the cover like that.
Does not bother me all that much, except for the fact Apple tries to be perfect in their products and it is bizarre they released the cover like that.
Also recall that the rather ungainly case for the first iPad wasn't "smart", there were no magnets; it didn't automatically turn the device on/off.
I actually like the new cover overhang. It makes it easier to open.
After having used Smart Covers on previous iPad models, I was dishearten to hear the complaints about the version for the new 9.7 Pro. To maintain and appreciate the thin ultra-portable design of the iPad, the Smart Covers has always been the best option, although it was not always the best stand and, when folded behind the iPad, would flop around. After purchasing one, I found these problems have been addressed in the version released this year. The magnets around the edge are stronger, which hold the cover much more security to the screen, both when it's on the front and folded onto the back. I believe the overhang is intended to make opening the cover easier because of this. The magnets also hold the cover more tightly when folded into the stand position, making it more stable. Overall, I'm pleased with the new design changes made to the cover this year and don't find the overhang a distraction at all.
I believe the overlap is there so that it sits nice and flush when the silicone case is used (and it does). I have the silicone case, Smart Cover and Smart Keyboard. All are excellent IMO.