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RIP Apple Leather Smart Case - no Smart Case for the 9.7" iPad Pro

mcdj

mcdj

macrumors G3
Original poster
Jul 10, 2007
8,970
4,225
NYC
Well, the Apple store is back up and once again, a new iPad is unveiled with no accompanying leather Smart Case.

When no leather Smart Case was announced at the iPad Mini 4 launch, some speculated it would be forthcoming. Today's 9.7" Pro announcement would appear to quash those hopes.

Sure, there are pleather knockoffs, but the fit is seldom perfect, and the "smart" magnets are often "dumb".

The silicone back and smart cover combo fits and works well, but lacks the look of leather, and is oddly more expensive by quite a bit.

A sad day for Apple leather case fans. Let's hope they reconsider...
 
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I can attest that the silicone case is inferior to the leather. Just in the few days I've had the silicone case for my mini 4 it has been a pain in the ass because it attracts so much lint, dust, and hair. The only way to really remove it is to wipe it down with a damp towel, which is less than ideal since the lightning port is exposed. I have the charcoal gray version, which probably makes the problem most noticeable, but I want a neutral color, and the white will no doubt become dirty or stained. Additionally, it is significantly thicker than the Apple leather Smart Case I had when I owned an Air 2. Oh well.
 
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I guess this also means that all new iPads (mini 4 and both Pros) have new Smart Covers that not align with the edge of the iPad (they stick out slightly to line up with the silicone rear case). Such a disappointment.
 
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profets said:
I guess this also means that all new iPads (mini 4 and both Pros) have new Smart Covers that not align with the edge of the iPad (they stick out slightly to line up with the silicone rear case). Such a disappointment.
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Is there any word on if the existing leather case would work? I know it'd cover up the led flash and top speakers -- but I'm not sure I care all that much as a person who uses it on mute 90+% of the time.
 
Inksworth said:
Is there any word on if the existing leather case would work? I know it'd cover up the led flash and top speakers -- but I'm not sure I care all that much as a person who uses it on mute 90+% of the time.
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Considering the size is identical, I'm sure it would fit.
 
myrtlebee said:
The protruding camera ring could be a problem.
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Ah good point. I wonder how that would line up.

I myself am a fan of just using a Smart Cover. Very curious if the existing iPad Air/2 Smart Covers will work (if the magnets will line up correctly).
 
Do folks think the iPad Pro 9.7" leather cases are simply late to the store and will be coming "Soon(tm)" or has there been any indication from Apple that they have been dropped due to lower than expected sales?
 
DanielCoffey said:
Do folks think the iPad Pro 9.7" leather cases are simply late to the store and will be coming "Soon(tm)" or has there been any indication from Apple that they have been dropped due to lower than expected sales?
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I think it's pretty clear at this point that they won't be coming. They've instead gone with a rear case + smart cover combination instead. Nice idea actually, but unfortunately the selection being limited to silicone and the pricing being higher just sucks.
 
DanielCoffey said:
Do folks think the iPad Pro 9.7" leather cases are simply late to the store and will be coming "Soon(tm)" or has there been any indication from Apple that they have been dropped due to lower than expected sales?
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What slower than expected sales? They never had one for iPad Pro. All recent iPad releases have had Smart Covers and separate silicone cases. The last iPad to get a leather Smart Case was iPad Air 2.
 
Many thanks for posting that - it is certainly a comprehensive full case (along the lines of the Oberon Designs cases I have owned for eBook Readers in the past). All the full leather cases are pretty hefty of course.

I was hoping to be able to get a simple leather back shell without a front cover to just protect the iPad when it is laid on a table as mine doesn't travel. That way I would get the light weight and nice feel without the fluff-attracting properties of silicone. I suppose the alternative is something like a slip case to tide me over while more choices come to the market.
 
Has Apple not released a Smart case like a complete case which includes front and back protection for the 9.7" iPad Pro ? I did not find it on the apple website ? I am not talking about here about individual front covers and individual silicon back case.
 
There was for the air 2...but that was over a year ago. Mini 4 and iPad pro they went with the separate option
 
I have a black leather air2 case that I'm hoping will fit the Pro 9.7. My worry is the camera hole and if Apple will change the magnets enough to make it not work.
 
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augustya said:
One of the ruthless money making company again deploying a money churning strategy from poor customers !
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They actually did it this way so that you have the option of getting the back case and the smart cover or the back case and a keyboard attachment. I'm sure a large part of the reason was also to make more money but by rare occurrence, it actually has a technical reason as well.
 
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HiItsMe said:
They actually did it this way so that you have the option of getting the back case and the smart cover or the back case and a keyboard attachment. I'm sure a large part of the reason was also to make more money but by rare occurrence, it actually has a technical reason as well.
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Then how do you explain them doing the "Front cover $40, Back Cover $60" split for the iPad Mini 4 which has no keyboard option.

Also it was reported that the iPad Air smart covers won't work on Pro9.7 because magnet config changed.
 
I don't know why they couldn't make both types. That way they keep more money from people like me who simply go to other sources for a case now. They used to make both a case and a cover.
 
HiItsMe said:
They actually did it this way so that you have the option of getting the back case and the smart cover or the back case and a keyboard attachment. I'm sure a large part of the reason was also to make more money but by rare occurrence, it actually has a technical reason as well.
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I can see the benefits of having the two piece case but you really have pay for it.
The Smart Case for the iPad Air 2 cost £65 in leather while the silicone case and cover for the 9.7" iPad Pro comes in at a whopping £94. :eek:
 
MacCase seems to have some more information about the new case. $159.00 with an estimated delivery during the 1st week of April for pre-orders. Looks very nice.
 
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