IS the ipad air 2 smart case is the exact same dimensions as the older Air?

This case blows. It is really odd to have the iPad Air 2 recessed into the case, creating a lip around all sides. I hope Apple updates the design... And will give a free swap.

I expected better from Apple.

This person is telling the truth. I have an iPad air 1 in its smart case next to my iPad Air 2 in the definite iPad air 2 smart case as sold by apple and says the 2nd generation on the smart case packaging yet the case edging sits flush on my iPad Air 1 screen edge yet is about 1mm protrusion above the edge of my iPad air 2 so the extra 1mm depth on the new smart case indicates that they either used the original air 1 case carcasses and cut the new holes or haven't bothered to make a premium pricud product a premium fit as they have all before it.

For information, I also have a mini 2 in it's smart case and it is also flush with the screen as the air 1 is so this is either a lazy design by Apple or naughty by using old carcasses up or some horrendous quality control issue. Either way, I'm not impressed either.

Defeats the point making a thinner iPad air then using the same thickness case on both so in a case you don't gain the new thinness advantage.

Sloppy apple, sloppy!

I Own this case and agree %100 with the complaint. There is a lip on the iPad air 2 case that shouldn't be there. It should be flush with the screen. It's a lip similar with the cases that are designed for iPhone to be laid face down on table without contacting screen. obviously, this has a flap so That wasn't what they were going for.

But on a positive note, this is still the best case on the market IMO. The leather feels great and it's the most elegant one I've ever seen or used (I've had a lot of cheap cases... Never again!) despite being leather, it's still light and is a treat to use. Will not be returning... Heck no! But will keep an eye out for a revision from Apple, and hopefully get to trade at some point. Definitely seems like they either dropped the ball or more likely recycled old stock to save money. Although the cut outs are spot on. I bet once they run out of the old stock, they'll quietly start replenishing with the correct depth.

I'll echo the same. The lip feels out of place. It feels cheap compared to the cases for the iPad Air (original), or iPhone 5 or 6+, and it catches debris between the edge of the iPad and the case when wiping the surface. I'm here because I was googling to see if I'd even received the correct case.

If anyone else is here wondering whether you got the right case:

* The iPad Air 2 case has a single row of punchouts for the speaker grille. The original case has two rows of punches

* Although the box may say "iPad Air Smart Case," on the back you'll see "(2nd generation)" on a tiny sticker in the lower-right corner for the iPad Air 2 case.

It's definitely a different case, but it does feel like they reused the machining from the first case, which likely punches a specific size and stamps a specific depth. Or perhaps they're clearing inventory of materials from the first case before retooling. For the premium price however, I'd have expected better.

If anyone gets one without the lip some months from now because Apple updated production, please let the rest of us know. I'd certainly be eager to trade mine in.

Yes, this is definitely a different case, and the cutouts and outlets for the buttons are correct. I used to have an iPad Air 1 with smart case and before I sold it I could tell the new iPad Air 2 case *is* slightly slimmer (less deep). However, it's not slimmer *enough* that's the problem. As everyone else is saying, the case protrudes too far *up* from the screen surface. In the iPad Air 1 (and for the mini) there still was a little protrusion, but it was a lot less and much less noticeable. In fact, I think you want there to be a little protrusion as it would keep the screen from making contact with a flat surface if you placed the iPad face down.

With the extra protrusion it is less comfortable when holding the iPad. Also, Touch ID tends to be really finicky and the extra length of protrusion forces your finger or thumb to be at a weird angle when attempting to touch the home button.

So, to sum up, I found the lip protrusion detail in the Air 1 and current with the minis a really good design. It stuck out just a little, little bit, enough for screen protection, but didn't feel awkward in your hand. I really wish Apple would redesign this smart cover and make it fit exactly like the first one for the iPad Air 1 and the minis.

The reason the iPad Mini doesn't have that much of a lip is because the iPad Mini 2 (Retina) and iPad Mini 3 are slightly thicker than the first-gen mini (I had both for a little while). I'm not sure what exactly the problem is that you are having with the iPad Air 2 case, as it fits it like a glove, and is a much nicer leather than the old cases (in the same way the iPhone 6 leather case is nicer leather than the 5/5s cases).

I'm not sure we are on the 'same page' here.

1. With regards to the point about the leather, I wasn't aware that there is any difference with it now compared to earlier. I had a Smart Case for the iPad Air 1 and iPad mini 2 and the leather on those seemed to be exactly the same quality (look and feel) than the newer Smart Case for the iPad Air 2 and the iPhone 6. I can't notice any difference at all.

2. With regards to the main point about the fit: I think you are missing the point. You are putting forth a rationale explaining the bigger lip which really is the *reason* behind the negative feedback over the case. If a device is thinner, then the case should be made accordingly. The case should be thinner as well. I stated that the iPad Air 2 was very good with regards to button alignment and yes it does 'fit like a glove' but the lip sticks up too much. That could have easily been addressed if Apple had trimmed down the case a bit so that the lip doesn't stick up. The explanation that it happens because the iPad Air 2 is more slender is correct, but it is bogus as a rationale to accept the design. I've seen the lip protrusion of the Smart Case for the iPad Air 1 and the iPad mini 2 and they are nice. They don't feel awkward when holding the device, and stick up just enough to keep the screen slightly elevated if you put the device face down on a flat surface.

I can confirm the Apple Smart case for the iPad Air and the iPad Air 2 are different. The Apple Smart Case packaging seems to be identical with exception of the fine print on the back (with model number).

This creates a lot of confusion. I received an new iPad Air 2 for Christmas, and the case was for the Air (1). It fits in the case but the buttons and the camera do not line up. I had to return the case to Best Buy, and the guy said this was a very common return this year. When I went to get the iPad Air 2 case, they were all mixed together. Apple could have at least silk screened the packaging's front side to identify the different models.

This is another misstep by Apple's Marketing dept, confirming their quality is starting to crumble (ie. buggy iOS 8.0 release).

Yes, you are correct; they are different. As you pointed out the buttons and camera cutouts will be incorrect if you use an Air 1 case with the Air 2, which proves that the cases are different. I also agree with you that Apple could have done a much better job differentiating the two cases from one another by making the packaging more clear. People shouldn't have to solve a puzzle or struggle to find out info such as this; just make the pertinent info more prominent. It's easy enough to do that.

Lastly, here's one thing that I think may be similar between the two versions of the case, which I think is problematic: The overall form factor. What I'm referring to are the dimensions of the case itself (specifically depth) and not buttons or cutouts. I think when these things are manufactured they use a 'blank' case, then do the cutout for the final case. I think Apple may have used the same 'blank' for each case (the Air 1 version and Air 2 version) and didn't bother to make the case for the Air 2 less deep to reflect the Air 2's thinner dimensions. They easily could have done this while just retooling to make the new alignments for buttons, etc. The reason why I say this is the case for the Air 2 sticks up higher. Yes, I'm referring to a case that is correctly used for the Air 2 with perfectly aligned buttons and camera cutouts. The Air 2 case sticks up higher past the surface of the screen compared to the Air 1 case. It's not a huge deal but it feels a bit clunkier when holding it in your hands and feeling the 'bump'. The way the alignment was for the Air 1 case is much more refined and pleasing.

This is not an elegant case. Yes, the quality of the material is good but this is all the more reason to make the fit more precise. I look at my new Air 2 in it and it looks like it's sitting in a box with a badly fitting lid. It was almost embarrassing sitting next to a person with a cheaper case from Speck that fit better. I'm not pleased. Given the premium price tag Apple charges I expected better. Will probably return mine if I can find a better product.