Zugu iPad Pro 12.9 Case (5th Gen)

Overview

Congrats, you decided to treat yourself by buying a gorgeous new 12.9” iPad Pro!  Now you must make the arguably more difficult choice of what case to protect it in.  After spending $1100+ on the iPad, a worthwhile case is the best decision you can invest in, outside of AppleCare+.  Finding a reliable company in the sea of Apple accessories can be a daunting task because there are just so many to choose from.  For this reason,

“I look for a company that is willing to stand by the quality of their product even under the worst of circumstances.”

This is where Zugu stands out from the rest.  For anyone unfamiliar with Zugu, they originally started off as an extremely affordable phone accessories manufacturer under the name ZooGue.  As time went on, they shifted their focus directly to the iPad with the “simple” goal of making an exceptional quality case that had the flexibility and durability essential to everyday life.  Their commitment to improving life through their products is echoed by donating 10% of each sale to Children International, a humanitarian organization focused on helping kids around the world learn the skills needed to break free of poverty.

Review

The Zugu iPad Pro 12.9 Case (5^th Gen) 2021 is a folio style cover that completely encases the iPad when closed.  It leaves no aluminum on the iPad exposed other than the small speaker and microphone cutouts.  As simple as that sounds, it is somewhat unique in that aspect because most manufacturers compromise on this due to the Apple Pencil’s magnetic charging requirement (more on this later).  The interior is lined with a velvety microfiber that should help prevent fine scratches on the aluminum.  The exterior shell is made from polycarbonate and TPU to provide excellent drop protection.  Simple translation – it is very strong with a soft grip feel and will help protect your device from reasonable falls.  This exterior is accented with a vegan leather that looks both elegant and professional.  At first glance, the case appears to have a lot going on which can seem overwhelming, however, each one of these design elements serves a purpose in achieving Zugu’s goal.

Starting with the cover, you will immediately notice two rows of ridges or notches and may be asking “why so many?”.  These indents are used in combination with the magnetic kickstand to create ten various viewing angles.  The magnets in the kickstand provide a rewarding snap feedback to let you know they are secured in the desired position.  As you become more reliant on your iPad, you will appreciate having more options to tackle the current task at hand.  One thing that goes largely overlooked when looking at the cover is that it sits recessed into the bumper.  This makes it flush with the edges and to aide with opening, a portion of it extends slightly at the bottom creating an easy to lift tab.  The cover also contains magnets to keep it firmly in place when closed and activates the sleep/wake functionality so you do not need to constantly press the power button.  Additionally, these same magnets allow you to mount your iPad on any metal surface such as refrigerator or wall plate to keep your nightstand clean.

Working our way around the edges, all the cutouts are very precise, centered, and leave no sharp corners.  The button covers follow suit and have stamped identifiers for their designated purpose.  It is a small detail that will be appreciated by anyone who fumbles with the volume controls as you rotate the device.  Pressing the buttons is just as satisfying thanks to their “clicky” nature.  As for the Apple Pencil, the case features two locations to securely mount it.  The first one is recessed into the bumper in what we like to refer to as the charging or active state.  Remember when we mentioned the shell completely encasing the iPad?  Zugu has been able to engineer their bumper material in such a way that it maintains the full functionality of the Apple Pencil.  This means that you can sync, charge, and store your pencil all without worrying about it scratching your iPad.  Personally, we would recommend storing your Apple Pencil in the second location, which can be found on the back of the case.  Here, you will find an elastic pouch or sleeve that will be extremely handy for travel and is more secure when the pencil is not in use.  While it may be the least attractive part of the case, it is extremely functional for storing any writing utensil regardless of branding.

Finally let’s talk about the intangibles that come with the case, the warranty.  Zugu believes so strongly in their product that they offer a 2-year warranty on it…but wait there’s more!  They will also cover the cost of one AppleCare+ repair if something happens to the iPad Pro while in their case!  That type of guarantee is relatively unheard of in the accessory industry.  There is an email process to go through, but in our experience with their customer service, the response times have been impressive.  Additionally, the shipping times to receive the product were equally as impressive.  Zugu offers free 3-day shipping on all United States domestic orders, and we received ours in two.  In a world filled with instant gratification, every day makes a world of difference.   

We can confidently say that you will be hard pressed to find a better combination of quality, functionality, and warranty for the price.  Every iteration of iPad case Zugu has developed has taken them one step closer to achieving their goal.  Their main challenge will be to get their CEO, Tim Angel, to stop raising the bar on perfection.

Pros & Cons

Installation Tip

When inserting the iPad, start with the left side away from the Apple Pencil cutout.  That side is structurally rigid, and you will need the additional flexibility on the right side to help ease the case over the iPad.  Everything on the case is very precise and the initial installation required us trying different methods to avoid pressing too hard on the iPad’s screen.  Eventually, this technique provided the most consistent results with the least amount of pressure required.

Key Specs