You just spent a small fortune on a tiny tablet. Now, you’re staring at the accessories wall, wondering why on earth the official ipad mini cover by apple costs sixty bucks when there’s a basket of $12 knock-offs right next to it.
Honestly, I’ve been there.
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It’s a piece of polyurethane and some magnets. That’s basically it. Yet, somehow, the Smart Folio remains the default choice for anyone who actually uses their mini on the go. There is a weird, almost annoying logic to why Apple’s version feels better, even if it objectively protects less of the device than a rugged brick from a third-party brand.
The Magnet Magic (and the lack of edges)
The first thing you notice when you snap an official ipad mini cover by apple onto your device is that it doesn't really "clip" onto anything. It just... sticks. Apple uses a grid of high-strength magnets inside the back of the iPad mini (specifically the A17 Pro and 6th gen models) that align perfectly with the folio.
This is where people get split.
If you’re a "drop your phone on the pavement once a week" kind of person, this cover will terrify you. It leaves the aluminum edges of the iPad completely exposed. There is no bumper. No silicone lip. If it falls on its corner, it’s going to dent.
But for the rest of us? It’s the only way to keep the mini actually "mini."
Third-party cases almost always add a plastic tray. That tray adds 2–3 millimeters to every side. It doesn't sound like much, but on a device this small, it’s the difference between fitting in a jacket pocket and being a bulky nuisance.
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It’s all in the "Vibe" and the Hinge
Let’s talk about the denim, sage, and charcoal gray colors. Apple is obsessed with their palette. They recently added Light Violet to the mix for the A17 Pro refresh, and it’s surprisingly subtle.
The material is a soft-touch polyurethane. It’s not leather. It’s not "vegan leather" (which is usually just fancy plastic anyway). It’s just high-quality, matte-finish poly.
One thing most cheap clones get wrong is the "sag." You’ve probably seen it: you try to prop the iPad up to watch a YouTube video, and the cover slowly slides or collapses because the magnets aren't strong enough or the material is too flimsy.
The Apple version stays put.
It has three distinct folding positions:
- The Stand: High angle for watching movies or taking a FaceTime call.
- The Wedge: Low angle for typing or sketching with an Apple Pencil Pro.
- The Flop: When you fold it all the way back to just hold the tablet like a book.
Because the cover is magnetic, you can actually pull the whole thing off in half a second. If you’re at home on the couch and want the purest tablet experience, you just peel it away. No prying at plastic corners required.
Why "Smart" isn't just a marketing buzzword
There is a sensor in the iPad mini that talks to the magnets in the cover. When you lift the flap, the screen wakes up instantly. When you close it, it clicks off.
Cheap covers sometimes fail here. They might wake the iPad up while it’s sitting in your backpack because the flap shifted half a millimeter. Suddenly, your battery is dead because the screen was on for three hours while you were walking around.
Apple’s tolerances are tighter. The "sleep/wake" function is rock solid.
The $60 Elephant in the Room
Is it overpriced? Yes. Absolutely.
You can go on Amazon and buy a "ProCase" or a "JETech" version for $15. They look 90% the same. They even have the magnets.
But here is what they don't have: the lining.
The inside of the ipad mini cover by apple is lined with a very fine microfiber. It’s designed to gently wipe fingerprints off the glass every time you close it. Over two years of use, cheap covers with rougher linings can actually leave micro-scratches on the screen if a piece of grit gets trapped. The Apple lining is much denser and softer.
Real-world trade-offs: Protection vs. Portability
I’ve seen people complain that the Smart Folio doesn't hold the Apple Pencil securely. They aren't wrong. The Pencil Pro just sits on the side, held by its own magnets. If you shove it into a crowded bag, that Pencil is going on a journey to the bottom of your pack.
If you’re a student or someone tossing this into a messy rucksack, you might actually be better off with something like the OtterBox Symmetry Series 360. It has a clear back and a dedicated flap that wraps around the Pencil to keep it from flying off.
But if you use your mini for what it was intended—quick notes, reading on the subway, and one-handed browsing—the official folio is king.
What to do before you buy
Don't just hit "Add to Cart" on the first thing you see.
- Check your model: The current Smart Folio fits the iPad mini (A17 Pro) and the iPad mini (6th generation). If you have an older mini with a home button, this won't work.
- Think about your Pencil: If you use the Apple Pencil Pro, remember the cover offers zero protection for it. You might want a sleeve.
- Pick a dark color: Light Violet and Sage look amazing in the box, but polyurethane picks up oils from your hands. Charcoal Gray or Denim hides the "life" of the case much better over a year.
If you want the thinnest possible protection that doesn't ruin the industrial design of the tablet, the official ipad mini cover by apple is the way to go. Just accept that you’re paying a premium for the magnets and the fit.
Next Step: Check your current iPad's model number in Settings > General > About to ensure you're buying the version with the magnetic back, rather than the older clip-on styles.