UAG Metropolis for Apple iPad Pro 10.5: Impact resistance, Pencil holder, Smart Keyboard compatible

As I mentioned in a recent article, thanks to the Apple Pencil and iOS 11, the iPad Pro is becoming an essential productivity tool for my daily commute, business travel, and even my daily work flow.

Unfortunately, there is no integrated holder for the Apple Pencil, so I have attempted to find a case that can serve to protect the iPad while also holding the Apple Pencil. As I have stated a number of times, the first case I pick up for my new phones is an Urban Armor Gear (UAG).

UAG recently released the UAG Metropolis for the Apple iPad Pro 10.5. I was sent a lovely cobalt blue sample to evaluate. It is availabel now in black, cobalt blue, and magma red for $59.95.

The front cover protects the display and also has a soft texture to help you hold onto your iPad Pro. If you select a cobalt blue or magma red model, then you will see your selected color cover the entire front flap.

The case is composed of hard rubber material with the colored areas having texture and a softer feel for improved ability to hold onto your iPad Pro. There are ample openings for the headset jack, camera, speakers, microphones, Lightning port, volume buttons, and power button. The bottom (in landscape orientation) is mostly unprotected due to the support for the Apple connector. With the flap or your keyboard in place, it is well protected, though.

The UAG iPad Pro case meets MIL STD 810G-516.6 for drop protection, and it has an integrated Apple Pencil holder, as well as a front cover that secures with a magnet and also acts as a stand for landscape orientation. While the Apple Pencil holder is essential, the best feature I found on the case is the ability to snap off the front cover and use your Apple Smart Keyboard, with the sides and back protected by UAG's advanced design.

The included front flap secures to the back with two plastic openings. With the front cover laid down under the bottom of your iPad Pro 10.5, you can position your iPad to use it at varying viewing angles for enjoying media or working.

I removed the front flap to use my Smart Keyboard, and it is quite difficult to snap the flap/front cover back in place if you want to go back to using it. I recommend you snap it in place without your iPad in the case so you don't bend your iPad in the process of reattaching the front cover.

This image shows the back when you have your Apple Smart Keyboard attached and the included front cover removed. The Apple Smart Keyboard integrates well, but there is only the limited Apple Keyboard angles to use with the UAG Metropolis.

The two openings for the front cover are shown in the center of this image. The back has both black rubber material and the textured color material.

This image shows the one edge that does not have a rubber bumper on it. It is bare so that the Apple Smart Keyboard can be attached and used with the UAG Metropolis.

The Apple Pencil holder is about an inch long and holds the Pencil fairly securely. With the included front cover, there is a magnetic flap that keeps the front cover securely in place and also helps hold the Apple Pencil in position while you carry your iPad Pro around.