iPadOS 18's AI + New Design Combo Is Killer! ESR's Protection Set Outshines Logitech & OtterBox

As someone who lives on my iPad for work and digital art, I grabbed the new iPad Pro as soon as it dropped. I was drawn in by iPadOS 18's Apple Intelligence, but the design totally sealed the deal. Those ultra-thin bezels, the incredibly slim and light body, and the premium titanium finish — it’s a visual and tactile dream. But let’s be real: a flagship starting at $999 with a design this refined needs serious protection. I tried big names like Logitech and OtterBox, but ESR won me over. The fit, protection, and feel are just as good — if not better — and they actually get the new iPad’s design.

Let’s Talk About the New iPad Pro’s Design — It’s a Love Story

The near-borderless display is stunning. The screen takes up almost the entire front — no distracting black bars — making videos and design work super immersive. It’s noticeably lighter and thinner than older models, and the titanium frame feels cool and premium, not bulky or heavy. Even after hours of drawing or working, it’s comfortable to hold. The centered camera bump looks sharp and distinct, but it also means the lenses can easily get scratched on tables. Plus, with Touch ID built right into the perfectly positioned power button, you need a case with precise cutouts — otherwise, it’s frustrating to press.

Good Looks Come With Hidden Weaknesses
That beautiful design has its vulnerabilities. The ultra-thin bezels look sleek but offer zero extra protection. A small bump can easily chip the finish, and the titanium frame, while tough, picks up fingerprints and fine scratches easily. I went caseless for two days and already noticed micro-scratches — heartbreaking. The thin, lightweight build also means it’s more drop-sensitive than older models. And with an OLED screen that’s gorgeous but expensive to replace, one bad drop could cost a fortune. Plus, that raised camera module will grind against surfaces if you don’t protect it.

Why Fit Matters More Than Ever
I tried a Logitech case first — sleek, professional, nice materials. But it didn’t fully account for the new iPad’s thin bezels. The case edges were slightly too wide, covering a sliver of the screen and wasting that beautiful edge-to-edge look. At over $150, it also fell short on camera protection, leaving part of the raised module exposed.

OtterBox? It’s a beast for protection — military-grade, no doubt. But it turns your slim iPad into a brick. It’s thick, heavy, and ruins the lightweight feel. Carrying it around is a chore. Their screen protector also dims the OLED display, muting those vibrant colors — a total waste of this stunning screen.

ESR’s Protection Set — It Just Gets the New iPad
Switching to ESR’s iPad Pro M5 case and screen protector or other iPad model was a revelation. The case is perfectly tailored to the iPad’s thin bezels — no screen coverage lost, and it fits like a glove. It shields the vulnerable edges without compromising the immersive display. Made with flexible TPU and a frosted hard back, it offers OtterBox-level drop protection. Mine slipped off the couch (about three feet up) and landed perfectly fine — not a scratch. And it’s so thin and light, you almost forget it’s there.

The camera gets full protection too — a raised lip surrounds the entire module, keeping lenses off flat surfaces. Button cutouts are spot-on. The power and volume keys click easily and accurately — no fumbling or stiffness like with Logitech or OtterBox.

The ESR iPad screen protector is the real deal — edge-to-edge coverage that fits the narrow bezels perfectly. No gaps for dust, no lifting with the case. Best part? 99% clarity. The OLED colors and brightness look exactly as they should — no dullness, no tint. Logitech’s protector felt slightly sticky and altered colors a bit. Not this one.

Drawing with the Apple Pencil is seamless — smooth, natural, zero lag. The oleophobic coating resists fingerprints and wipes clean easily. Installation? A breeze. The alignment frame snaps onto the iPad, the protector drops in perfectly, and you’re done in three minutes — bubble-free, even for installation-challenged folks like me.

                                         Pic form esrtech.com

iPadOS 18 + Apple Intelligence — A Perfect Match
iPadOS 18’s AI is a productivity powerhouse. Unlike Samsung or Microsoft’s cloud-based AI, Apple’s runs locally on the M-series chip — your data stays private. The writing tools are incredibly useful, helping proofread, rewrite, and summarize long documents or emails in seconds. Image Playground lets you generate illustrations, animations, and sketches right on device — perfect for presentations or social content. And Siri is finally smarter, understanding context and handling multi-step tasks across apps. With ESR’s iPad protection, I use my iPad fearlessly, anywhere.

Final Take

The new iPad Pro’s design and AI features are incredible. But to keep it that way, you need protection that doesn’t hold it back. Logitech and OtterBox are either overpriced, bulky, or poorly fitted. ESR’s case and screen protector deliver the same — or better — protection, perfect fit for the thin bezels and camera, and a lightweight feel, all for less than half the price of the big brands.

Don’t waste your money on overpriced accessories. With ESR, you get to fully enjoy the iPad’s stunning design and iPadOS 18’s AI power — all while keeping your investment safe. Whether you create, work, or relax with it, ESR is the way to go. Protect your iPad well, so it can work and create with you for years.