We’ve been holding onto our iPad Mini 2s for a while now and it’s starting to run out of space and getting a bit slow. We figured it was time to upgrade. With no new release of the iPad Mini, we went with a couple iPad Pro 10.5″ instead. With new tablets means new cases to protect them.
Our search had us come across these awesome Kaku cases made of PU leather cover and crystal clear soft silicone shell with an extra layer of plastic material added on the interior for extra protection.
This kind of case is quite a unique and not an easy find. Strong, sturdy, all-encasing and with a cover, there are a lot of options to choose from. But add that the shell also needs to be soft silicone, preferably transparent, that made the search a lot harder.
Such cases was definitely not something we could find at our local electronic stores. The kind of cases commonly available in stores here are the hard shell kind, which we stay away from after experiencing one which cracked at the corner causing the iPad to drop out. (Read our blog on this hard shell case here.). This Kaku case was found online on Aliexpress, after having browsed pages and pages and pages.
Look at the way the Kaku case completely covers the iPad. The silicone shell surrounds the entire iPad, leaving only the camera, Lightning port, microphone and sound areas uncovered. The way these areas are left uncovered is such that it is to-fit. Often, around the Lightning port, microphone and the audio buttons, there are cuts made into the shell’s frame of the iPad would be left exposed. No part of the iPad frame is exposed with this case.
We’re most impressed with the audio areas. Every part of this area except the holes where sound streams out from is covered. We’ve see hard case covers have similar coverage with a grill-like design, but it’s still not to the coverage of this Kaku case.
The soft silicone shell also makes inserting and removing the iPad stress-free. It’s as simple as slotting in the tablet, stretch out the sides and corners and let it clip in for installation. Do the same thing to pop out the tablet.
The clear silicone also keeps the iPad looking slim. Total thickness is 12mm/0.47 inches, but because of the clear silicone shell, the iPad doesn’t look it. With solid-coloured shells, we find it makes the tablet look a lot bulkier than it actually is.
A slight downside: we love how the silicone covers the power and audio buttons, protecting them, too; but, we do find that it does make these button harder to press. It is not a huge problem as this cover is a Smart Cover so the iPad can be woken and put on standby with the opening and closing of the cover. The sound can also be controlled with the on-screen audio controls, so no big deal.
The front cover is thin, but feels strong enough. As mentioned, it’s made of PU Leather, which has a plastic feel for the front and a suede-like texture on the inside of it. The good grip the suede-like texture provides allows the iPad to stand at various angles. There’s no fear the iPad would suddenly slide and collapse.
Weight-wise, it comes to 759 grams/1.67 pounds with the case, so it added 290 grams/0.64 pounds to the iPad. Not bad. Cost, a very affordable US$13 (NZ$18)! (The Kaku case actually also came with a free screen-protector; so, we could have saved on buying a screen protector, but this is just a normal plastic one, not a tempered glass screen protector which is what we were looking to get.) There are no pockets for styluses and cards, but we never make use of them anyway.
Totally recommend this case if you’re shopping for one for your iPad Pro 10.5-inch!
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