Wait. Before you hit "buy" on that sleek leather cover, we need to talk about which "fourth generation" iPad you actually own. It’s a mess. Honestly, Apple’s naming conventions are a total headache for anyone just trying to protect their screen. If you’re looking for fourth generation iPad cases, you’re either holding a piece of tech history from 2012 or a high-powered workstation from 2020 or 2022.
Getting this wrong means wasting twenty bucks and a trip to the UPS drop-off point.
Most people searching for a case right now are looking for the iPad Air (4th Gen) or the iPad Pro 11-inch (4th Gen). But a surprising number of folks are still rocking the original iPad 4 with the old-school home button and that chunky 30-pin-to-Lightning transition. These devices are worlds apart. You can’t squeeze an Air into a Pro case, and you definitely can’t fit any modern iPad into a shell designed for the heavy, tapered aluminum of the 2012 era. It’s basically trying to put a Tesla battery into a vintage Beetle.
The Confusion Surrounding Fourth Generation iPad Cases
Let’s clear the air. When you browse Amazon or eBay, "4th Gen" is the most dangerous search term you can use.
If you have the iPad Pro 11-inch (4th Gen), released in 2022, you’re dealing with the M2 chip powerhouse. It looks identical to the 3rd Gen, but the magnet placements for the Apple Pencil and the camera bump dimensions are incredibly specific. Then there’s the iPad Air 4 (2020). This was the first Air to ditch the home button for Touch ID in the power button. If your case covers that power button with thick plastic, your fingerprint sensor is useless.
Then there’s the "OG." The iPad 4 (Late 2012).
Believe it or not, these are still popping up in kitchens as recipe tablets or being handed down to toddlers for YouTube Kids. These cases are hard to find now. They require a cutout for the old mute switch on the side and a much deeper "tub" to hold the thicker chassis. If you see a case with a circular cutout for the Apple logo on the back, it’s probably a relic for this specific model.
Why Precision Matters for the M2 iPad Pro 4th Gen
The M2 iPad Pro 11-inch is a beast, but it’s delicate. Most people gravitate toward the Magic Keyboard, which technically acts as a case. It’s expensive. Like, "I could buy a whole budget tablet for this price" expensive. But the magnetic cantilever design is why people buy it.
The problem? It offers zero side protection.
If you drop your iPad Pro while it’s in a Magic Keyboard, that aluminum edge is going to dent. I’ve seen it happen. A "case for a case" like the Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro is one of the few ways to solve this. It’s a thin aramid fiber shell that stays on the iPad while it’s magnetically attached to the keyboard. It’s a niche solution, but for a $800+ device, it’s the only way to get real 360-degree security without losing the "laptop" feel.
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The iPad Air 4: The Touch ID Trap
The 4th Gen iPad Air is arguably the most popular tablet Apple made in the last five years. It brought the "Pro" look to the masses. However, because it uses a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, a lot of cheap, generic fourth generation iPad cases from third-party sellers totally fail here.
They use a "one size fits all" mold for the Air 4 and the Pro 11.
The Pro 11 doesn’t have Touch ID; it uses Face ID. So, those Pro cases often have a tiny, recessed hole for the power button. If you put an Air 4 in there, you can’t get your finger flat enough to unlock the screen. It’s infuriating. Look for "open button" designs or cases specifically branded for the Air 4/5. OtterBox and Spigen usually get this right, while the $10 "no-name" brands often miss the mark.
Rugged vs. Minimalist: What Actually Protects Your Glass?
Screen repairs on a 4th Gen iPad Pro can cost upwards of $400 if you don’t have AppleCare+. That’s a massive sting.
If you’re a field engineer, a construction worker, or just someone with "butterfingers," you need a rugged case. The Urban Armor Gear (UAG) Metropolis Series is the gold standard here. It’s ugly. It looks like a military crate. But it meets MIL-STD 810G drop-test standards.
For the rest of us, the Zugu Case is the weirdly perfect middle ground.
It’s not as bulky as an OtterBox, but it has these insanely strong magnets in the kickstand. You can literally slap your iPad onto the fridge while you’re cooking. It has enough of a "lip" (the raised edge around the screen) to prevent the glass from hitting the floor if it falls face-down. That lip is the most important feature of any case. If the case is flush with the screen, it’s just a scratch guard, not a drop guard.
The Problem With Cheap Clear Cases
We all love the look of the Sky Blue or Rose Gold iPad Air. A clear TPU case seems like the obvious choice.
Don't do it.
First, they turn yellow. Within three months, that "crystal clear" look becomes a muddy, nicotine-stained orange. It's a chemical reaction to UV light and the oils on your hands. Second, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a heat trap. The 4th Gen iPad Pro and Air models can get hot when rendering 4K video or playing Genshin Impact. A cheap plastic sleeve offers no ventilation, which can lead to thermal throttling. If you must go clear, look for the Spigen Ultra Hybrid Pro—it has a hard polycarbonate back that won’t yellow and reinforced corners that actually absorb impact.
Specialized Cases: Beyond Simple Protection
Sometimes a case isn't just about not breaking things.
For artists, the Apple Pencil is the priority. Many fourth generation iPad cases claim to support Pencil charging, but the magnets are weakened by the plastic layer. You’ll wake up to a dead Pencil. The best cases for artists are those with a "recessed trough" on the side. This allows the Pencil to sit directly against the iPad’s charging strip while still being protected by an outer flap.
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The Nomad Modern Case is a great example of using high-end materials. They use Horween leather. It doesn't provide the best drop protection, but it patinas over time. It makes a tech product feel like a piece of stationery. It’s for the person who uses their iPad in boardrooms, not at a muddy campsite.
What About the Kids?
If you are looking for cases for an older iPad 4 (the 2012 model), you’re likely looking for "kid-proof" foam. The Seymac Stock or the classic "chunky handle" EVA foam cases are basically the only things left on the market. These are great because they’re non-toxic and bouncy. You can chuck an iPad 4 across a room in one of those, and it’ll probably survive. Just make sure the charging port cutout matches the wider 30-pin cable if it’s the truly ancient version, or the Lightning cable for the "true" 4th Gen.
Real-World Durability: Lessons From the Repair Shop
I’ve spoken to technicians who see dozens of bent iPads every month. The 4th Gen iPad Pro 12.9-inch is particularly susceptible to "the bend." Because it’s so thin and the surface area is so large, even keeping it in a backpack full of heavy books can cause a slight curve in the chassis.
A "folio" case—the kind that just covers the front and back with a thin magnet—provides zero structural rigidity.
If you travel a lot, you need a case with a rigid backplate. A hard shell prevents the aluminum from flexing under pressure. Brands like Logitech (with the Folio Touch) build a much sturdier frame than the official Apple Smart Folio. It adds weight, sure, but it’s cheaper than a frame replacement.
Next Steps for Finding Your Perfect Fit:
First, go to Settings > General > About on your iPad. Look at the Model Name. If it says "iPad Air (4th Generation)" or "iPad Pro 11-inch (4th Generation)," you're in the modern era. If it just says "iPad," check the model number. A1458, A1459, or A1460 means you have the 2012 classic.
Once you know your model:
- For the Pro 11 (4th Gen): Prioritize cases with M2-specific camera cutouts and Apple Pencil 2 "open-side" charging.
- For the Air 4: Ensure the power button cutout is wide and tapered so Touch ID actually works.
- For Rugged Use: Look for "MIL-STD 810G" certification. If it doesn't list it, it's just a cosmetic cover.
- For Value: Stick with Spigen or ESR. They offer 90% of the protection of premium brands at 30% of the cost.
Avoid the "Universal" cases that claim to fit every 10-inch or 11-inch tablet. They usually block speakers or microphones, and a loose fit is almost as dangerous as no case at all. Stick to model-specific shells to ensure your microphones aren't muffled during your next Zoom call.