Apple's iPad mini Smart Cover looks simple at first, but once you actually start using it, a few small changes from the older iPad Smart Covers matter more than the packaging suggests.
I got my hands on two colors, dark gray and red, and wanted to see how they fit, how strong the magnets are, whether the stand positions work, and whether the $39 price feels justified.
Quick Answer
The iPad mini Smart Cover works well overall. It attaches easily, the magnets are strong enough for normal use, it locks and unlocks the iPad mini properly, and both stand positions are usable.
The main downsides are the price and the new three-section folding design. Because it folds into three panels instead of four, you cannot fold it in half the same way older Smart Covers could, which changes how it feels when holding the iPad mini.
Fit And Magnet Strength
The Smart Cover attaches to the iPad mini pretty cleanly. The latch is different from the older design because there is no exposed metal hinge anymore. There is still metal inside, but it is surrounded by a rubber material.
In normal use, the cover catches well as long as you line it up somewhere near the middle. If you slide it all the way to one side, it can catch on the edge, but I did not have a real problem getting it attached.
The magnets are strong enough that you can lift or hang the iPad mini by the cover briefly, though I still would not treat that as a daily habit. The cover also handles the expected sleep and wake function, so closing it locks the iPad mini and opening it wakes it.
- Attaches easily when lined up near the center
- Sleep and wake feature works
- Magnet strength is good for normal use
- There is a little side-to-side play in the latch
The New Fold Design
One change I did not fully realize until using it is that the iPad mini Smart Cover is divided into three sections instead of four. On the older Smart Covers, I often folded the cover around the back and then folded it in half to add a little thickness in my hand.
You cannot really do that with this version. When it is folded around the back, it hangs differently, and it does not give the same grip feel. That may not bother everyone, but if you used the older Smart Cover that way, it is something to know before buying.
The cover still stays on reasonably well when folded around the back, but I would describe it as good rather than perfect.
Stand Positions
The stand positions work better than I expected. The iPad mini stands up pretty well, and the lower typing angle is usable too.
That said, I am not sure I would do a lot of typing this way on an iPad mini. The smaller size makes the typing stand less important to me than it might be on a full-size iPad.
For watching something, using it on the couch, or setting it up in bed, the Smart Cover does the job.
Dark Gray Versus Red
The dark gray Smart Cover looks clean on both the black and white iPad mini. On the white iPad mini, the dark gray gives it a more understated look.
The red Smart Cover is much bolder in person than it may appear in photos. The color really pops, especially on the white iPad mini. If color matters to you, I would try to see these in person because photos and video may not fully show how bright the colors are.
On the black iPad mini, the red cover still stands out, but it has a different look than it does on the white model.
Price And Material
The Smart Cover was selling for $39 at the time of this review, and I think that is a little high for what is basically a plastic-style cover.
If Apple had offered a leather version for the iPad mini, I would have preferred that. At this point, there had not been any mention of a leather version coming.
The back side of the cover has a suede-like material, similar to the older rubber Smart Covers. It feels familiar if you have used Apple's previous covers, but the price still feels high for the material.
What To Know Before Buying
If you just want a lightweight Apple cover that wakes the iPad mini, protects the screen, and doubles as a basic stand, this does what it is supposed to do.
If you loved folding the older Smart Cover in half behind the iPad for a thicker grip, this newer iPad mini version may take some getting used to.
The color choice is also worth seeing in person. The red is bold, and the dark gray is more subtle. Neither one is really hidden once it is on the iPad.
Key Takeaways
- The iPad mini Smart Cover attaches well and the sleep/wake feature works as expected.
- The new three-section fold is different from older four-section Smart Covers and changes how it feels in hand.
- Both stand positions are usable, though the typing angle may not matter as much on the smaller iPad mini.
- The red color is very bold in person, while dark gray is more understated.
- At $39, the cover feels expensive for the material, especially without a leather option.
Watch the Video
The video above above for the full hands-on look at the dark gray and red iPad mini Smart Covers on both black and white iPad mini models.
