Apple Smart Folio Features: Auto sleep-wake function | Magnetically connects to your iPad | Two-bracket design
It's hard to beat a case straight from the manufacturer. When you choose the Apple-designed Smart Folio for your iPad Air, you're not only guaranteed a perfect fit. You also get features that can make protecting and using your tablet easier, like the ability to charge your Apple Pencil with the case.
“My life as a digital marketing guru keeps me moving, so I need a brief that is as much about defense as it is practical,” says Ryan Ratkowski, founder of Cascade Interactive. “And here's the best part, the feature I can't get enough of: the auto wake/sleep feature.”
This feature, which Ratkowski calls the “unsung hero of iPad functionality,” means that every time you open the case, your iPad Air's screen automatically wakes up. When you close it, the tablet goes to sleep, saving battery power, although you may not need it since the latest generation has up to 10 hours of battery life.
The Smart Folio attaches magnetically to your tablet. This keeps the design thin and light, but leaves the edges of your iPad Air exposed to damage if you drop it.
Also: iPad Air (2022) review: So good I almost regret buying my iPad Pro
The Smart Folio cover features a tri-fold design available in eight color options. This allows you to roll it up to serve as a small bump for easier typing on your tablet's surface. Alternatively, you can fold it as a stand to hold the iPad Air almost vertically for easy viewing.
The main drawback here is the price. At $79, this case isn't even close to the most affordable cases. That said, buying the case directly from Apple can give you peace of mind about fit and functionality – and can streamline the process, since you can purchase it at the same time you buy your iPad Air. Many Best Buy reviewers agree, noting that despite the case's protection, quality, and ease of use, it's priced high for a case.
“Think of it as the Batman of iPad cases: slim, mean and, despite an ultra-slim profile, meant to defend your device,” says Nina Clapperton. As CEO of She knows SEO, she is a great traveler who takes her iPad Air with her. She says the Apple Smart Folio can “handle everyday bumps like a champ, keeping the usual culprits like spills, dust and debris at bay.”
Current Amazon users report liking the quality, look, and fit of the Apple Smart Folio case. However, some users said it didn't offer much protection, especially considering its high price.