Revisiting Apple’s Smart Folio keyboard attachment for the iPad after 2+ years

Apple’s Smart Folio accessory is a less capable, more affordable iPad keyboard attachment than the company’s Magic Keyboard. The slim cover was released alongside the redesigned iPad Pro back in 2018, but is it still worth it in 2021? In this video, we attempt to weigh the pros and cons of the Smart Folio keyboard two and a half years following our initial review.

Smart Folio iPad keyboard after 2+ years

Available for the new iPad Air and iPad Pros, the Smart Keyboard Folio offers front and back protection and opens all the way to 180 degrees, which means you can actually hold the tablet in your hand and use it while your keyboard attachment is on.

But unlike the Magic Keyboard that opens in an arc between 80 and 130 degrees, the Smart Folio only has two viewing angles. Also, the Smart Folio uses fabric that feels cheaper than the much sturdier mechanical keys on the Magic Keyboard with 1mm key travel.

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If you’re wondering about the other differences (and similarities) between the Magic Keyboard and the Smart Folio keyboard, be sure to watch our comparison video.

It is no secret that the pricier yet more versatile Magic Keyboard turns the Apple tablet into a completely different machine—here are some reasons why you may prefer the Magic Keyboard over its Smart Folio counterpart, at least in terms of productivity.