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Will Smart Keyboard for 9.7" iPad Pro work with the new 10.5" iPad Pro?

A

ahan

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 5, 2017
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There's nothing on the Apple website that tells anything about this. They even scrapped everything about the 9.7" iPad Pro from the iPad page.

Considering the two iPads have the same form factor, you would think that the 9.7" Smart Keyboard should work with the new 10.5" iPad Pro.. but who knows if they readjust the position of the smart connectors or if the keyboard itself is somewhat different internally.

Does anyone know or have tried the new iPad themselves at the WWDC?
 
ahan said:
There's nothing on the Apple website that tells anything about this. They even scrapped everything about the 9.7" iPad Pro from the iPad page.

Considering the two iPads have the same form factor, you would think that the 9.7" Smart Keyboard should work with the new 10.5" iPad Pro.. but who knows if they readjust the position of the smart connectors or if the keyboard itself is somewhat different internally.

Does anyone know or have tried the new iPad themselves at the WWDC?
Click to expand...

Please say yes.....
 
If you go to this page, you can see there is a 10.5 keyboard, but it isn't in the store yet:

https://www.apple.com/smart-keyboard/buy/

e0kQA8e.png
 
There is still a separate item on the Apple store for 9.7 inch smart keyboard. Compatibility does not include 10.5 inch iPad Pro, so I am guessing that is a "NO".
 
The 10.5 ipad is 0.2 inches wider and 0.4 inches longer. So I'd guess no. Even if it works, it will look funny because of the size difference.
 
I saw a thread earlier, about the 12.9 inch keyboard on th 9.7 pro. Of course it looks funny and you can't use it as a "case" or "cover". but if you could still "use" it as a keyboard on the 12.9 and 9.7 I am assuming you can still "use" it on the 10.5 - is that a reasonable assumption?
 
TorontoSS said:
I saw a thread earlier, about the 12.9 inch keyboard on th 9.7 pro. Of course it looks funny and you can't use it as a "case" or "cover". but if you could still "use" it as a keyboard on the 12.9 and 9.7 I am assuming you can still "use" it on the 10.5 - is that a reasonable assumption?
Click to expand...

Once they are in the wild, would love to see a pic. It may seem strange considering the overall investment, but as an iPad 9.7 pro owner this may be the deal breaker for me. New cases and a new Smart Keyboard. That's another $250+.
 
I've seen a video of a 12.9 ipad pro working with the 10.5 smart keyboard, so I'm assuming that if you want to use the 9.7 sized smart keyboard with a different sized ipad it would also work.

link:
 
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hArrisburger said:
Once they are in the wild, would love to see a pic. It may seem strange considering the overall investment, but as an iPad 9.7 pro owner this may be the deal breaker for me. New cases and a new Smart Keyboard. That's another $250+.
Click to expand...
Same here. Just got a 9.7 Pro not too long ago and sprung for the Smart Keyboard and case. They don't have a case for the 10.5 and if I have to buy a new keyboard as well - that's a deal breaker.
 
foulmouthedleon said:
Same here. Just got a 9.7 Pro not too long ago and sprung for the Smart Keyboard and case. They don't have a case for the 10.5 and if I have to buy a new keyboard as well - that's a deal breaker.
Click to expand...
I did call a local Apple store and they said that the SKU numbers for the current 9.7 smart keyboard and the new keyboard coming out are different. So I'm guessing this new one is just a tad bit larger than the one for the 9.7 which pretty much tells me that I'll keep my 9.7. Plus I like having the back silicone case, which doesn't seem to be an option for the new one (yet).
 
It will work as a keyboard on a desk. I have used the 12.9 with a 9.7 keyboard and vice versa: as long as the smart connector is aligned, the keyabord will work. But as a cover it may leave the edges of your 10.5 iPad exposed and/or the sleep/wake function may not work properly if the magnets have been relocated.
 
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tpr007 said:
I've seen a video of a 12.9 ipad pro working with the 10.5 smart keyboard, so I'm assuming that if you want to use the 9.7 sized smart keyboard with a different sized ipad it would also work.

link:
Click to expand...
This is actually a great point. I'd be fine with this. I only throw it on my iPad if I have some serious typing to do. It's so light to throw in a bag for later use
 
Can't speak for the 9.7 Smart Keyboard on the 10.5 iPad... yet. But I just stuck my new 10.5" Smart Keyboard on my 9.7" iPad Pro, and it worked fine. Sticks out a little on each end, since it's one cm longer, but it works fine. The magnets are aligned the same.

Now waiting for the 10.5 iPad to arrive.
 
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Manatee said:
Can't speak for the 9.7 Smart Keyboard on the 10.5 iPad... yet. But I just stuck my new 10.5" Smart Keyboard on my 9.7" iPad Pro, and it worked fine. Sticks out a little on each end, since it's one cm longer, but it works fine. The magnets are aligned the same.

Now waiting for the 10.5 iPad to arrive.
Click to expand...
Is the "connection hinge" any bigger on the 10.5" version? In other words, could you put the "new" Smart Keyboard on a 9.7 that also has the Apple Smart Case on the rear?
 
BeatCrazy said:
Is the "connection hinge" any bigger on the 10.5" version? In other words, could you put the "new" Smart Keyboard on a 9.7 that also has the Apple Smart Case on the rear?
Click to expand...
Just checked, and the hinge part of the new one is wider - too wide to fit inside the slot of the back cover. The magnets are strong enough to hold it in place, and I can get the keyboard to work, but I don't think the contacts would be snug enough for it to work reliably. So if you really want to use the 10.5 skb with the 9.7 Pro, you'd have to snip a few mm out of each side of the edge of the rear cover. That could probably be done neatly.
 
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Manatee said:
Just checked, and the hinge part of the new one is wider - too wide to fit inside the slot of the back cover. The magnets are strong enough to hold it in place, and I can get the keyboard to work, but I don't think the contacts would be snug enough for it to work reliably. So if you really want to use the 10.5 skb with the 9.7 Pro, you'd have to snip a few mm out of each side of the edge of the rear cover. That could probably be done neatly.
Click to expand...

... But also, the magnets that turn the display off do not work, or at least not reliably, with the the 9.7" iPad and the 10.5" keyboard. Using this combo right now.
 
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Manatee said:
Just checked, and the hinge part of the new one is wider - too wide to fit inside the slot of the back cover. The magnets are strong enough to hold it in place, and I can get the keyboard to work, but I don't think the contacts would be snug enough for it to work reliably. So if you really want to use the 10.5 skb with the 9.7 Pro, you'd have to snip a few mm out of each side of the edge of the rear cover. That could probably be done neatly.
Click to expand...

va1984 said:
... But also, the magnets that turn the display off do not work, or at least not reliably, with the the 9.7" iPad and the 10.5" keyboard. Using this combo right now.
Click to expand...

Thank you both. I was contemplating getting a 10.5 SKB and using it with my 9.7, and eventually getting a 10.5, potentially swapping between the two.
 
For anyone still interested, I'm at Heathrow and there is a 10.5 on display. I tried the 9.7 keyboard on it. It took a second to get the keyboard in place but it did and I typed a few things and it worked.

My husband has a 9.7 pro and I just upgraded to a 10.5 from an Air 2. This means I can use the same keyboard. It's a bit cramped but can be used.
 
Connection- and typing function-wise, I would imagine so. I have the Apple Smart Keyboard for my 2015 iPad Pro 12.9 and my new iPad Pro 10.5 works fine with it (obvious width/size incompatibility notwithstanding).
 
What doesn't seem to work is the smart function, display turning off and on with a simple close or open, or at least it isn't on my 10.5 iPad and 9.7 Smart Keyboard combo.
 
ahan said:
There's nothing on the Apple website that tells anything about this. They even scrapped everything about the 9.7" iPad Pro from the iPad page.

Considering the two iPads have the same form factor, you would think that the 9.7" Smart Keyboard should work with the new 10.5" iPad Pro.. but who knows if they readjust the position of the smart connectors or if the keyboard itself is somewhat different internally.

Does anyone know or have tried the new iPad themselves at the WWDC?
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1497473020][/doublepost]The 10.5 iPad works fine with the 9.7 Smart Keyboard.
The 12.9 (first edition) works with t
[doublepost=1497473533][/doublepost]I can confirm that:

10.5 works with 9.7 keyboard.
Also, original 12.9 works with 9.7 keyboard.
AND 10.5 and 9.7 work with the 12.9 keyboard!

So the 3 pin connector on them all is identical.

10.5 looks really cool on the 12.9 smark keyboard!

These cases will not automatically awaken the 10.5 unfortunately.

I don't have the new 10.5 Smart Keyboard yet.
 
UKAppleUser said:
10.5 looks really cool on the 12.9 smark keyboard!
Click to expand...

Do you know if the auto sleep awake functionality works with a 10.5 iPad using the 12.9 keyboard?

Edit: sorry didn’t see the part about auto sleep not working.
 
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