iPad Proper iPad orientation?

[AustinJerry]

I just purchased a 13” iPad Pro (2024). It has a side on/off button and a camera, which is used for FaceID.

I am inclined to hold the iPad in landscape mode with the camera at the top and the on/off button at the top left corner. However, I just purchased a leather case, and the case is designed to have the on/off button on the bottom right side, which places the camera at the bottom. The orientation is not comfortable for me, and the camera is frequently obscured. Anyone else feel that the case is improperly designed?

 

[Chancha]

I just purchased a 13” iPad Pro (2024). It has a side on/off button and a camera, which is used for FaceID.

I am inclined to hold the iPad in landscape mode with the camera at the top and the on/off button at the top left corner. However, I just purchased a leather case, and the case is designed to have the on/off button on the bottom right side, which places the camera at the bottom. The orientation is not comfortable for me, and the camera is frequently obscured. Anyone else feel that the case is improperly designed?

I have never seen iPad case oriented like that unless they have some mechanical reason to do so, like those with origami folding, or need to access the type-C / smart connector in a specific direction. The "upside down" problem of your case is even worse when Pencil is being charged, it is going to be at the bottom edge.

 

[AustinJerry]

Thanks for confirming. Because of the “incorrect” orientation, I intend on returning the case.

 

[AustinJerry]

I compared the new iPad case with the case I have been using on a 1st-gen iPad Pro, and both cases have the cut-out for the power button on the bottom right side. So that is consistent, and perhaps follows an Apple recommendation. The issue is that this places the iPad camera at the bottom, where it is easily obscured and interferes with Face-ID. Also, when grasping the iPad, I find myself turning it off with the power button on the bottom. When I remove the iPad case, I find myself holding the iPad with the camera at the top and the power button in the upper left corner. Not sure why this isn’t the default orientation. Perhaps there are cases with this orientation?

 

[Soccerrick10]

I have both M1 12.9” and M4 13” iPads. Both have the camera and buttons in the same location. On the 12.9”, the FaceID camera is on the left vertical edge and top horizontal edge for the 13”. All the cases I have put the outward facing camera in the top left corner along with the control buttons and the pencil charging on top for both models.

That is the direction on all my cases including the Magic Keyboards and cheap folding cases from Crapazon.

 

[BigBlur]

Which case is this? Don't think I've ever seen one that was backwards/upside down.

 

[snipr125]

For me personally, Landscape especially with the Magic Keyboard, but what really annoys me is certain apps that default to Portrait orientation no matter what you do, Uber and LastMinute.com being prime examples. They did that on my iPard Air 4 with MKB and do the exact same with my M4 11" with MKB. Super annoying.

 

[Eric_WVGG]

landscape orientation is for people who wish iPads were laptops

 

[Honza1]

landscape orientation is for people who wish iPads were laptops

Or those watching movies on their iPads.

 

[sparksd]

landscape orientation is for people who wish iPads were laptops

Wrong. Some people - like me - just prefer that orientation.

 

[AustinJerry]

I am resigned to having the FaceID camera at the bottom on my 13” iPad Pro M4, even though I am getting “camera blocked” warnings quite frequently. Of course, if I use the iPad without a case, I can orient the camera on the top, but I prefer protecting the device with a good case.

Speaking of cases, can anyone recommend a good one? I prefer leather, and like a case that folds into a stand. I have purchased two cases so far and returned both. I had a Sena case for my last iPad, but they unfortunately have gone out of business.

 

[iStorm]

I just purchased a 13” iPad Pro (2024). It has a side on/off button and a camera, which is used for FaceID.

I am inclined to hold the iPad in landscape mode with the camera at the top and the on/off button at the top left corner. However, I just purchased a leather case, and the case is designed to have the on/off button on the bottom right side, which places the camera at the bottom. The orientation is not comfortable for me, and the camera is frequently obscured. Anyone else feel that the case is improperly designed?

Yeah, that doesn't sound right. What case is this? Do you have a link?

 

[AustinJerry]

Yeah, that doesn't sound right. What case is this? Do you have a link?

Well, I have two cases for my Gen-1 iPad Pro, and I have evaluated two cases for my new iPad M4, and all four cases have the power button cut-out on the bottom right side. As I previously said, I suspect this placement follows Apple’s recommendation. If you don’t use a case, you can orient the iPad any way you want to. If you have a case with the power button cut-out in the upper left corner, please share the model number with me.

 

[iStorm]

Well, I have two cases for my Gen-1 iPad Pro, and I have evaluated two cases for my new iPad M4, and all four cases have the power button cut-out on the bottom right side. As I previously said, I suspect this placement follows Apple’s recommendation. If you don’t use a case, you can orient the iPad any way you want to. If you have a case with the power button cut-out in the upper left corner, please share the model number with me.

I don't think that would be Apple's recommendation since the volume buttons would be difficult to access, as well as being unable to charge an Apple Pencil. In portrait mode, the power and volume buttons should be in the top-right corner. In landscape mode, the power and volume buttons should be in the top-left corner. This is how Apple's own cases are designed.

When you're using landscape mode - are you doing it in "viewing" mode, where the screen is nearly vertical? Or "writing" mode, where the screen is nearly horizontal? I guess if you're using it in "writing" mode, then it may tend to be the way as you described depending on the case. Maybe that's where everyone's confusion is coming from? If so, there are some iPad cases that will keep the same orientation at all angles, such as this one from ESR.

ESR for iPad Pro 13 Inch Case M4(2024), iPad Pro 13 Rotating Case with Removable Magnetic Cover, Adjustable Portrait/Landscape Stand with Raised Screen View, 9 Standing Angles, Shift Series, Black

ESR for iPad Pro 13 Inch Case M4(2024), iPad Pro 13 Rotating Case with Removable Magnetic Cover, Adjustable Portrait/Landscape Stand with Raised Screen View, 9 Standing Angles, Shift Series, Black

www.amazon.com

My parents have always gotten leather Fintie cases from Amazon. Looks like they have some that rotate so the buttons can be on either side when using landscape.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2L458N4

 

[AustinJerry]

I don't think that would be Apple's recommendation since the volume buttons would be difficult to access, as well as being unable to charge an Apple Pencil. In portrait mode, the power and volume buttons should be in the top-right corner. In landscape mode, the power and volume buttons should be in the top-left corner. This is how Apple's own cases are designed.

When you're using landscape mode - are you doing it in "viewing" mode, where the screen is nearly vertical? Or "writing" mode, where the screen is nearly horizontal? I guess if you're using it in "writing" mode, then it may tend to be the way as you described depending on the case. Maybe that's where everyone's confusion is coming from? If so, there are some iPad cases that will keep the same orientation at all angles, such as this one from ESR.

ESR for iPad Pro 13 Inch Case M4(2024), iPad Pro 13 Rotating Case with Removable Magnetic Cover, Adjustable Portrait/Landscape Stand with Raised Screen View, 9 Standing Angles, Shift Series, Black

ESR for iPad Pro 13 Inch Case M4(2024), iPad Pro 13 Rotating Case with Removable Magnetic Cover, Adjustable Portrait/Landscape Stand with Raised Screen View, 9 Standing Angles, Shift Series, Black

www.amazon.com

My parents have always gotten leather Fintie cases from Amazon. Looks like they have some that rotate so the buttons can be on either side when using landscape.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2L458N4

I guess I use landscape mode in what you call “writing mode”. When I open the cover, I fold it over the top, not under the bottom. When used in this manner, the camera is at the bottom and the power button is on the lower right side.

If I were to adjust my habits and use “viewing mode”, I would fold the cover under the lower side, which would place the camera on top and the power button in the top left corner.

I think my problem is coming from a 1st-gen iPad Pro. It has the camera on the side, not top/bottom, and is not used for Face-ID, so an obscured camera was never an issue. And waking the iPad is done by pressing the home button, which is missing from the new iPad. If I give myself some time, I am sure I will become accustomed to the approach used on the new iPad.

 

[Chancha]

I think even all the way back to the first gen iPad, the folding cover is meant to be flipped on the left side when in portrait ("bottom" when in landscape). See the above image, this is the Apple original 1st party case. Subsequent cover / folio / Magic KB all flip along this edge. The added reason is that most covers when flipped and folded, they act as a stand as well, which naturally has to be along the bottom side when in landscape.

And then the top right corner (when in portrait), has always been where the on/off button, volume buttons, mute switch (now gone), and the camera is also there. It is pretty clear to me that this corner is meant to be along the top edge regardless for portrait / landscape.

Any case maker, or user habits that decide to go against this "norm" is of course a matter of preference, but clearly is making a usability compromise.

 

[AustinJerry]

View attachment 2438015

I think even all the way back to the first gen iPad, the folding cover is meant to be flipped on the left side when in portrait ("bottom" when in landscape).

At the risk of beating a dead horse, opening on the left side in portrait mode, and on the bottom in landscape mode, is purely personal preference. In my use case, I always use landscape mode and have always flipped the cover up and over the top. Unfortunately, if I want to continue using my iPad using this approach, I have to live with the camera on the bottom. I guess I could re-train my self to use your approach, but teaching an old dog new tricks is not always easy.

Thanks to everyone for helping me understand the issue.

 

[Chancha]

I am old enough to have lived through the flip book era, was an art school student at some point even, doing sketches every other hour; so, I can totally feel some users absolutely needs the flipping to be along the top edge. It is actually a more natural motion ergonomically, as an opened cover can rest along the top but would be dangling along the bottom.

With how much we know Apple values usability, I guess they did go over these user case scenarios when they first designed the iPad. They still ended up deciding to orient the buttons and the cover edge that way, to me it seems they chose the dual-use nature of the cover also being a stand over all else. And I think they are right so.

But you raised a good point, I actually never looked at this matter this way before this thread.