Apple Smart Folio iPad Pro 13 (M4) Review: 7.8/10
A $99 folio that multiple owners still call “overpriced” sounds like a contradiction—until you read what they’re actually paying for. Apple Smart Folio for iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) Black earns a conditional recommendation because the core experience (fit, thinness, wake/sleep, and desk-friendly stand use) lands for a lot of people, but the deal-breakers (no side protection, pricing, and some stand/magnet quirks) show up across platforms. Verdict: Conditional buy — 7.8/10.
Quick Verdict
Apple Smart Folio for iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) Black: Conditional Yes—worth it for minimalists who want a slim, official magnetic cover for desk/table use; a tougher sell for anyone who wants edge protection, a pencil garage, or lap stability.
| What shows up in feedback | Evidence from users | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent fit, “snaps” on easily | Best Buy user Eddie said: “Fits very well” | People who hate fiddly cases |
| Slim feel / not bulky | Best Buy user Alex said: “high-quality, slim” and “not bulky at all” | Tablet-first users |
| Useful stand for video/typing (for some) | Best Buy user Jaswol said: “works well to stand it on its own to watch video” | Desk/table watchers |
| Limited protection (especially sides) | Best Buy user Maximin Om said: “does not protect the sides” | Anyone who carries it daily |
| Price complaints | Best Buy user Dank said: “not worth the price” | Budget buyers |
| Pencil storage missing | Best Buy user Juliec said: “no place to securely hold the pencil” | Apple Pencil-heavy workflows |
Claims vs Reality
Apple’s official product copy says the Apple Smart Folio for iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) Black “supports a wider range of viewing angles” and is “thin and light,” while “protect[ing] the front and back.” Digging deeper into user reports, that promise mostly holds—but with caveats about where and how you use it.
The “wider range of viewing angles” claim is where the most nuance appears. On Best Buy, an “Anonymous” reviewer describing the newer design said: “instead of forming a triangle giving you 2 viewing angles, it attaches to the back and you can adjust the angle.” In MacRumors discussions, one user echoed the idea of improved flexibility—“the flexible viewing angles in landscape mode are a very nice improvement”—yet others questioned how “definite” those angles feel. One MacRumors user said: “I only feel it snap in the most leaned back position… It does not snap into place in the middle position.”
“Thin and light” is one of the least disputed claims, and it’s central to why some people accept the price. Best Buy user Alex described it as “high-quality, slim,” and praised that it makes the iPad feel “free and not bulky at all.” That leanness becomes the selling point for people who dislike rugged cases, especially those who mostly use the iPad on a desk and just want scratch protection and a cover that wakes/sleeps automatically.
But the “protects the front and back” line also sets expectations that some buyers read as broader protection. Multiple users push back hard on protection—especially around drops and edges. Best Buy user Ace Hole said: “looks cool, but no real protection. priced way to high,” while Best Buy user Maximin Om summed it up: “it does not protect the sides which i wish it would.” In other words: while Apple markets front/back coverage (and that’s accurate), many shoppers mentally translate “protects” into “case,” then feel surprised when the edges are exposed.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Apple Smart Folio for iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) Black gets its strongest praise when users describe it as an “Apple-like” accessory: precise fit, effortless attachment, and minimal bulk. A recurring pattern emerged in Best Buy reviews: owners love that it matches the iPad’s dimensions and doesn’t turn the device into a brick. Best Buy user Meza framed the appeal as hassle-free: “Literally snaps into place and you’re on your way.” For commuters who slide an iPad into a sleeve or bag and want a cover that doesn’t catch or snag, that snap-on simplicity is the whole point.
Another consistent win is “daily protection” for people who aren’t rough on their gear. Best Buy user Mee 2 described a very specific “home/office” use case: “it’s definitely the type you need if you’re not taking your iPad outside… It keeps my screen cleaner and always protected when I’m not using my iPad.” For that persona—someone who wants dust-and-scratch prevention, not drop-rated armor—the folio is performing exactly as intended.
The stand function also earns praise, particularly from users who use the iPad as a media screen or light typing station on a flat surface. Best Buy user Jaswol said it “works well to stand it on its own to watch video,” and another Best Buy user (Nabeelm) highlighted flexibility: “adjusts to different positions depending on how the case is folded.” Over on MacRumors, one enthusiastic owner pointed to magnet strength and versatility in a memorable way: “Strong magnets. I actually do use it on my fridge to watch podcasts and videos while cooking.” That kind of anecdote captures who benefits most: kitchen viewers, desk workers, and anyone treating the iPad like a portable display.
After those narratives, the praise tends to cluster into a few consistent takeaways:
- Snug, secure fit and easy magnetic attachment
- Slim profile that preserves the iPad’s feel
- Convenient wake/sleep and screen-covering behavior
- Stand use works best on desks/tables
Common Complaints
The single most repeated complaint is protection—or more precisely, the lack of side and corner coverage. This is where expectations split sharply between “folio cover” and “protective case.” Best Buy user Alex put it bluntly for drop anxiety: “if dropped, it won’t cover the edges so i wouldn’t recommend if you don’t have apple care.” Best Buy user Maximin Om mirrored that concern: “does not protect the sides.” And Best Buy user Ace Hole didn’t mince words: “no real protection.”
That protection gap shapes buying behavior. Some users essentially treat AppleCare+ as the missing piece that makes the folio viable. The logic reads like: buy the slim cover for scratches and day-to-day handling, and rely on insurance for catastrophic drops. Others react the opposite way—if they’re paying premium accessory prices, they expect more physical protection without needing a service plan to feel safe.
Next comes price. Across Best Buy and forum chatter, owners repeatedly describe it as expensive for what it is. Best Buy user Dank said: “not worth the price,” despite acknowledging it “fits excellent.” On MacRumors, the language is even harsher: one user called it “silly overpriced,” while another admitted, “caved in and bought the overpriced apple case,” even while praising the new angles and hand feel. The repeated “overpriced but…” phrasing is telling: many buyers like it, but resent paying Apple’s premium for a minimalist design.
Finally, usability complaints tend to concentrate around stand stability and lap use. On Reddit, a user assessing “Is the smart folio…worth it?” described how the folio works “very well” on “a flat horizontal surface like a desk or table,” but fails their lap-and-cushion reality: “the folio case just isn’t good for that… balance of weight… don’t make for easy use and balancing on a lap.” For artists and couch scrollers, that becomes a constant friction point rather than a minor nit.
After those stories, the recurring negatives look like this:
- No side/edge protection; drop protection concerns
- Price feels high relative to protection/features
- Stand angles can feel limited or less “locked in” for some
- Lap use and drawing ergonomics disappoint some users
- No secure Apple Pencil hold (for some buyers)
Divisive Features
The new multi-angle behavior is polarizing because users describe it differently—some call it an upgrade, others call it unstable. Best Buy “Anonymous” praised the redesigned approach: “you can adjust the angle.” A MacRumors user similarly said “loving the new magnetic angles too,” and another forum member who returned an ESR case wrote that Apple’s “extra viewing angles make it more useful than previous versions.”
But other voices describe the middle angles as vague or slippery. One MacRumors user said: “the middle position is less positive than the other two,” while another worried about long-term looseness: “I don’t know if this will ultimately loosen up as it wears in.” The most severe version of this critique comes from a MacRumors poster comparing it to Apple’s older keyboard folio, concluding: “I am very disappointed… I don't find that the magnets are strong… the iPad slipped from the case.”
Even the “feel in hand” divides people by use style. One MacRumors user liked that it “feels great in the hand,” while another explained portrait reading drawbacks: “when folded back it’s looser and the much wider width is awkward to hold.” In other words: if you mostly prop it up landscape for typing and video, you may love the redesign; if you fold it back constantly for handheld reading, the looseness can become annoying.
Trust & Reliability
On the “trust” side, the only Trustpilot-labeled source here mirrors Best Buy review content rather than surfacing a distinct pattern of scams or counterfeit complaints, so the reliability signal comes primarily from consistent cross-posted experiences: fit is great, the folio is slim, but protection is limited and price stings. The repeated nature of these themes across Best Buy, Reddit, and MacRumors suggests the feedback is about the product’s design tradeoffs—not a one-off batch defect narrative.
Durability and long-term confidence shows up more as anxiety than proven failure in the provided data. Best Buy user Bamo said: “the only problem i have is i’m concerned about the parts wearing out,” while noting the interior microfiber “picking up stuff (which is expected).” On MacRumors, the fear shifts toward stability over time—whether angles “loosen up as it wears in,” and whether the magnets feel trustworthy. One forum user even challenged the idea of using magnets in unusual ways: “I would never trust magnets to hold a 1k to 2k device on a fridge,” highlighting how perceived risk varies by user.
Alternatives
People who reject Apple Smart Folio for iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) Black rarely do it because it’s unusable; they do it because their workflow demands more stability, angles, or protection. On Reddit, one user recommended switching to the Zugu Muse case for lap and drawing: they found the Apple folio “isn’t good” for lap use and wanted “more variable (and lower) angle” support.
MacRumors threads show a steady stream of case-shopping comparisons. One user returned the “ESR Shift” because it was “too bulky and the front cover closure magnets are too weak,” then said the Apple case’s “extra viewing angles” and hand feel won them over. Another poster took the opposite stance, preferring ESR’s “hybrid rebound case 360” because it offers “full protection on sides” while still supporting magnetic modularity. For buyers who want the iPad protected even after detaching it from a stand, that “still has a case on it” detail becomes a decisive advantage, even if it adds bulk.
The pattern is straightforward: Apple’s folio is the minimalist pick; Zugu and ESR options are repeatedly invoked by users who want stronger lap stability, more angles, a pencil holder, or true edge protection.
Price & Value
Pricing in the provided sources varies by region and channel, which becomes part of the story. Apple’s education listings show $99 in the US-edu store, while an AU education listing shows A$159.01; Japan lists 17,800円; Hong Kong shows HK$749; Canada shows $125 CAD. That spread matters because the “overpriced” complaint intensifies when local pricing climbs.
Across Best Buy reviews, even some satisfied owners acknowledge the premium. Best Buy user Fod Do framed it as a deliberate trade: “Is it expensive? yes. Is it worth it? also yes,” arguing it’s “a great daily option for someone who needs light protection.” Others land on the opposite side: Best Buy user Dank said it’s “not worth the price,” and MacRumors users repeatedly used “overpriced” while comparing it to ESR options with more features.
Buying tips emerge indirectly from these stories: if you want Apple’s slimness and official fit, wait for sales (Best Buy pricing is already highlighted), or treat it as a desk-centric accessory rather than a rugged “case.” If side protection and pencil storage are must-haves, users repeatedly suggest skipping the premium and going with an ESR-style hybrid approach—or even, as one MacRumors user put it, “just get a $19 folio off of amazon.”
FAQ
Q: Is the Apple Smart Folio for iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) worth it?
A: Conditionally—especially for desk/table use and slim daily scratch protection. Best Buy user Meza said it “snaps into place,” and Reddit feedback suggests it “works very well” on a flat surface, but multiple users complain about price and the lack of side protection.
Q: Does it protect the sides or corners?
A: No—multiple buyers say the edges are exposed. Best Buy user Maximin Om noted it “does not protect the sides,” and Best Buy user Alex warned that “if dropped, it won’t cover the edges,” making it less appealing for people who want drop protection without AppleCare+.
Q: How good are the viewing angles in real life?
A: Better than older two-angle folios for some, but not universally “locked in.” Best Buy “Anonymous” said you “can adjust the angle,” while a MacRumors user reported the middle position “does not snap into place” and can “slide around,” depending on how you expect it to hold.
Q: Is it good for lap use or drawing?
A: Often not, based on community feedback. A Reddit commenter said the folio “isn’t good” for lap use, describing angles as “closer to vertical than horizontal” and awkward to balance on a lap, which can matter for couch use, sketching, and casual browsing.
Q: Does it have a pencil holder?
A: Not a secure one, according to at least one return reason. Best Buy user Juliec said it has “no place to securely hold the pencil,” and called that feature “a must,” especially compared with third-party covers that include dedicated Apple Pencil retention.
Final Verdict
Apple Smart Folio for iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) Black is a buy if you’re a minimalist who mostly uses the iPad on a desk/table, values a slim feel, and wants easy magnetic attachment—Best Buy user Alex praised how it’s “slim” and “not bulky,” and Best Buy user Jaswol said it “works well” as a stand for videos.
Avoid it if you need real edge protection, pencil storage, or dependable lap stability—Best Buy user Maximin Om wished it protected “the sides,” and a Reddit commenter found it “just isn’t good” on a lap.
Pro tip from the community: if you love the folio feel but want more safety, follow Best Buy user Alex’s logic—“perfect if you have applecare plus”—or consider the third-party options users keep bringing up (Zugu, ESR) when protection and angles matter more than thinness.
