iPad cases: what actually matters
Contents4
An iPad does not slip out of a trouser pocket; it slips off the sofa and the passenger seat. The impact spreads across a large, thin surface, which is why corners and edges are where a tablet suffers first.
Three formats, three purposes
A folio folds over the display, keeps it clean and props the device up at one or two angles. For reading, series and notes on the train it is the most practical form.
A bumper or back shell protects corners and back but leaves the display open. If you use the iPad at home in a fixed mount, or have a tempered glass on it anyway, you get away lighter.
A keyboard case turns the tablet into a small laptop. It is the heaviest option and only pays off if you genuinely write longer texts on it. For the occasional email, a separate Bluetooth keyboard is more flexible.
The pencil influences the choice
If you use an Apple Pencil, the case stops being purely a matter of taste. The newer pencils charge magnetically on the long edge of the iPad. A case that covers that edge prevents charging. Look for a cutout in the right place, or a holder that fixes the pencil above the charging area.
Older pencils with a Lightning connector charge by cable anyway. There a loop or a slot is enough so the pencil does not vanish into your bag.
| Folio | Bumper | Keyboard case | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen protection | yes | no | yes |
| Added weight | 200 to 350 g | 100 to 200 g | 400 to 600 g |
| Standing angles | one or two | none | free or fixed |
| Pencil charging | only with a cutout | usually clear | only with a cutout |
The magnet that switches the screen
Good folios turn the display off when closed and on again when opened. It saves battery and becomes a habit you would not want to lose after two days. Cheap cases omit the magnet or place it wrongly, and then the screen stays on in your bag.
Finding the right generation
iPad model names are treacherous. An iPad Air 5 and an 11-inch iPad Pro from 2022 are almost the same size, but the camera cutouts differ. On the back of your device there is a model number starting with A. That identifies the generation unambiguously, or you can use identify device. The matching models are then in cases.