I'm thinking of making a switch from iPad Air 2 Silver to an M1 iPad Pro. I am considering both the colours from a durability point of view. I quite like the Space Grey but have read and seen pictures of it showing scuffs more due to it being anodized aluminum. I am also considering Apple's Smart Folio as I have not found a full case, which would protect iPad fully including the edges (I made another thread of this). How is the scuffing on the Space Grey on the sides and the back of the iPad? Some posts claim that certain cases would cause these scuffs due to particles e.g., stucking and scuffing? Would this be an issue with Smart Folio and what are your experiences with these colours?
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iPad Pro iPad Pro M1 11' Space Grey vs Silver scuffs and scratches
- Thread starter PasiP
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I have a Space Grey 2020 11" iPad Pro. It has mostly lived in a slim Pitaka case attached to a Magic Keyboard or inside a Smart Folio. I took the Pitaka case off about a month ago because it had cracked in a few places. I just looked over my entire iPad with a flashlight and I see no scuffs or marks, maybe I could find some with a magnifying glass. Maybe you are more rough with your devices, but I think this is a non-issue. My iPad mostly stays at home or travels in a bag/backpack. If you keep it in a Smart Folio you shouldn't expect it to get scratched or scuffed, though of course it doesn't offer much drop protection on the corners (but it's better than nothing).
Silver gets nicks and scratches too, btw. I’m a fan of Space Gray on the current design and also a fan of the Smart Folio you plan to get, which provides sufficient protection where it’s most needed. Yes, the edges are mostly exposed, but unless you carry it in a bag with loose rocks or metal objects, the edges are not going to see very many opportunities for scratching. I can see some very very light marks near my USB port, but I’d see that on a silver one too.
If you want full case, check zugu one https://www.amazon.it/ZtotopCases-C...2&sprefix=ztotop+ipad+pro+12.9,aps,87&sr=8-11
I have the space grey m2 iPad Pro 11” (it’s a little lighter grey than on the m1 I think) and I do not have scratches (yet). But I never had scratches on my iPhones or iPads.
As a cover I have 1 Apple smart folio in dark green and 1 in English lavender. And I love them. I do have a sleeve too, with a very soft lining and a zipper, so when I am not using my device then it’s in the smart folio and in the sleeve. The zipper on my sleeve is also ‘covered’, so it can’t scratch the iPad.
I wouldn’t worry too much about scratches, though. You’re not wearing an iPad in your pocket like a phone.
As a cover I have 1 Apple smart folio in dark green and 1 in English lavender. And I love them. I do have a sleeve too, with a very soft lining and a zipper, so when I am not using my device then it’s in the smart folio and in the sleeve. The zipper on my sleeve is also ‘covered’, so it can’t scratch the iPad.
I wouldn’t worry too much about scratches, though. You’re not wearing an iPad in your pocket like a phone.
Silver fits nicely with white Magic Keyboard.
Space grey fits with black MK.
Subjectively, silver is a bit feminine while the space grey is more neutral.
I have space gray for 1+ year, tried many cases and found no scratch at all.
What exactly about silver makes it ”feminine”? It’s a neutral. For the first few years, iPads only came in silver. Were they all feminine?
To answer the OP’s question Apple seems to have gotten better at making the space gray finish more durable in the last 5ish years compared to the earlier iterations. Nevertheless, if visible scratches and scuffs are going to bother you, get silver. If a space gray scratches, it shows the silver underneath and is pretty noticeable (especially since Apple has made space gray a darker color starting with the 2018 iPads). Even if you are careful, you likely will get wear around the USB-C port eventually. Up to you as to whether that’s an issue or not.