The Ultimate Accessory for iPad Pro: Apple Smart Keyboard Folio Review

The Apple Smart Keyboard Folio is a sleek and versatile accessory designed specifically for the iPad Pro. This compact keyboard offers an excellent typing experience, impressive durability, and seamless connectivity with your iPad Pro. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive into the details of the Smart Keyboard Folio to help you decide if it’s the perfect companion for your Apple tablet.

Design and Build Quality

The Smart Keyboard Folio boasts a sturdy construction, crafted from high-quality materials that exude premium feel. The keyboard itself is made of durable polycarbonate, while the protective cover is constructed from smooth, matte-finish silicone. The overall design is sleek and slim, making it easy to slip into a bag or backpack.

One of the standout features of the Smart Keyboard Folio is its adjustable stand, which allows you to position your iPad Pro at an optimal viewing angle. This clever mechanism uses magnets to hold your tablet in place, ensuring stability and preventing any wobbling.

Keyboard Performance

The Smart Keyboard Folio’s typing experience is nothing short of excellent. The keyboard features a scissor-switch design with a generous 1mm key travel distance, resulting in accurate and responsive typing. Apple has also included a dedicated row of function keys (F1-F8) for quick access to frequently used shortcuts.

One notable omission from the Smart Keyboard Folio’s design is the lack of backlighting, which may be a concern for users who work or type in low-light environments.

Connectivity and Compatibility

The Smart Keyboard Folio connects seamlessly to your iPad Pro via Apple’s proprietary Smart Connector. This proprietary interface ensures a stable and reliable connection, eliminating any latency or interference concerns.

Apple has also optimized the Smart Keyboard Folio for use with various iPad Pro models, including the 11-inch and 12.9-inch variants. However, it’s essential to note that compatibility may be limited if you own an older iPad model or one from a different manufacturer.

Battery Life

One of the most impressive features of the Smart Keyboard Folio is its battery life. Apple claims up to six months of battery life on a single pair of batteries, which is remarkable considering the keyboard’s compact size and power-hungry design. In our testing, we achieved around four months of consistent use before needing to replace the batteries.

Conclusion

The Apple Smart Keyboard Folio is an exceptional accessory that elevates your iPad Pro experience to new heights. Its sleek design, impressive typing performance, and seamless connectivity make it a must-have for anyone invested in the Apple ecosystem.

While some may find the lack of backlighting or limited compatibility with older iPads to be drawbacks, these minor quibbles are easily outweighed by the Smart Keyboard Folio’s numerous strengths.

Technical Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 11.97 inches (length) x 8.38 inches (width) x 0.22 inch (thickness)
  • Weight: 10 ounces
  • Battery Life: Up to six months (claimed), four months (tested)
  • Connectivity: Smart Connector (proprietary interface)
  • Compatibility: iPad Pro (11-inch and 12.9-inch models)
  • Keyboard Type: Scissor-switch design with 1mm key travel distance