iPad Air 2 Smart Covers Not Recommended for 9.7-inch iPad Pro

The 9.7-inch iPad Pro and the iPad Air 2 are the exact same size and thickness, measuring in at 9.4 inches by 6.6 inches by 0.24 inches (6.1mm), but Apple accessories designed for the iPad Air 2, such as the Smart Cover and the Smart Case, are not fully compatible with the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

With the launch of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, Apple also released a line of Smart Covers specific to the new device, which are being sold alongside Smart Covers for the iPad Air and the iPad Air 2. Given that many people may already own an iPad Air Smart Cover, there was some question as to whether it would fit on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

ipadprosmartcover
Because of the Smart Connector on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, the magnet alignment in the Smart Cover is different, something an Apple representative confirmed to Macworld. For that reason, using the iPad Air Smart Cover with the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is "not recommended."

As for the Smart Case designed for the iPad Air 2, while it may fit, it isn't designed for the Smart Connector, the rear flash, or the four speakers on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, making it technically incompatible.

With Apple's own iPad Air accessories ill-suited for the new iPad Pro, it stands to reason other third-party cases and covers designed for the iPad Air and iPad Air 2 are also not going to work with the 9.7-inch tablet, requiring adopters to purchase new accessories.

Related Roundup: iPad Air
Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

YahonMaizosz Avatar
92 months ago
Step 1, add "Pro" to the moniker and charge $50-$100 more (DONE!)
Step 2, make all previous accessories obsolete so that people buy new original accessories from you (DONE!!)
Step 3, make the camera bump so that it justify buying cases for your iPad (DONE!!!)

What's next apple?
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lemon Mac Avatar
92 months ago
I have just discovered most Apple products are not compatible with my bank account.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Corrode Avatar
92 months ago
More fragmentation.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RosOne Avatar
92 months ago
They're mostly not compatible cause the "new" smart cover is 14€ more expensive.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blackstick Avatar
92 months ago
New devices mean new accessories. Pretty typical for Apple.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdridwan47 Avatar
92 months ago
Step 1, add "Pro" to the moniker and charge $50-$100 more (DONE!)
Step 2, make all previous accessories obsolete so that people buy new original accessories from you (DONE!!)
Step 3, make the camera bump so that it justify buying cases for your iPad (DONE!!!)

What's next apple?
Don't forget to cut the storage size in half.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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