Apple has launched a new Smart Folio for the iPad mini at $79, in navy blue and taupe TechWoven fabric. The tablet works with both Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), and it supports Bluetooth keyboards.
The Smart Folio follows a listing that surfaced earlier this month, and Apple announced it with the iPad mini on Monday. Pre-orders open on Wednesday, October 28, with availability starting Friday, November 6.
The New Smart Folio Costs $79 and Uses a Two-Panel Design
The Smart Folio is a slim, lightweight cover that attaches to the iPad mini magnetically. It uses a two-panel design in TechWoven fabric, and the navy blue and taupe colors complement the midnight and starlight finishes.
Apple says the adjustable design gives a greater range of motion, including new viewing angles. The iPad mini it covers measures 7.69 by 5.22 inches and weighs 0.56 pound for the Wi-Fi model or 0.58 pound for Wi-Fi + Cellular.
The iPad mini works with Bluetooth keyboards, while the iPad Air with M4 supports the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air. Accessories, including the Smart Folio and both Apple Pencil models, are sold separately from the iPad mini.
Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) Both Work With the iPad Mini
Apple Pencil Pro costs $129, or $119 with education pricing, and adds squeeze, barrel roll and Find My support. Apple Pencil (USB-C) costs $79, or $69 with education pricing, and is the value option for everyday note-taking and sketching.
Both work with Apple Pencil hover on the display, and Scribble turns handwriting in any text field into typed text. Apple Pencil also handles screenshot markup and form signing. Apple shows Apple Pencil Pro in Procreate, where squeeze and barrel roll are meant to make drawing more intuitive.
Apple Pencil ties into the new Apple Intelligence features as well. Circling an item on the screen lets you ask Siri AI about it, and Image Wand in Notes turns a rough sketch into an image in virtually any style.
A Full iPad Mini Setup With a Smart Folio and Apple Pencil Pro Starts at $907
At the $699 starting price for the Wi-Fi model, a $79 Smart Folio and a $129 Apple Pencil Pro bring the total to $907 before tax. Swapping in Apple Pencil (USB-C) at $79 brings it to $857.
On the Wi-Fi + Cellular model, which starts at $849, the same Smart Folio and Apple Pencil Pro combination comes to $1,057. With Apple Pencil (USB-C), that setup comes to $1,007.
With education pricing, the Wi-Fi model starts at $649, so a $79 Smart Folio and an Apple Pencil Pro at $119 come to $847. An Apple Pencil (USB-C) at $69 brings that setup to $797.
