iPad mini Knock off smart covers - which one?

[thedon1]

I'm in the UK and want a smart cover to go with the loop mummy case I recently ordered.

I've seen on ebay and amazon that there are unofficial ones that are a fraction of the price of amazons.

Are they all the same or is there a particular replica that's better than the rest?

Saying that, should I just go for the official apple one?

Thanks

 

[Mr.C]

I've not see smart covers made by anyone but Apple. Care to post some links. Unless you're referring to third party smart case like products.

 

[thedon1]

I've not see smart covers made by anyone but Apple. Care to post some links. Unless you're referring to third party smart case like products.

They refer to it as a smart case but in the description and pictures, it seems it looks and acts like a smart cover.

Link

 

[thedon1]

OK, so i bought the one in the ebay link above, less than £4 (inclusive of delivery). They threw in a free screen protector and lightning cable.

Its pretty decent, good fit (slight overlap), does the job (mostly).

My biggest criticism is that when making a triangle out of the case, the magnets in the sections aren't so so strong so it doesn't really stay in place. It can be used as a stand, but it's just not that sturdy. Since i use the mini in portrait, it doesn't really affect me,

Decent buy if you just want something to cover the screen. £4 isn't much so worth a shot i guess.

 

[Mr.C]

They refer to it as a smart case but in the description and pictures, it seems it looks and acts like a smart cover.

Link

Smart cases and smart covers are different. Smart covers are ones that just cover the actual display and attach on the side with magnets. Smart cases cover both the back and also the front usually as a one piece item. Those you see on eBay are smart case knock offs which also cover the back. They are not smart covers in the same way as those officially sold by Apple. Those do not seem to be available by anyone but Apple except for those on sites like Etsy by independent makers which are hand made. However those handmade ones typically don't have the folds in them to use the Smart Cover as a stand.

 

[thedon1]

Smart cases and smart covers are different. Smart covers are ones that just cover the actual display and attach on the side with magnets. Smart cases cover both the back and also the front usually as a one piece item. Those you see on eBay are smart case knock offs which also cover the back. They are not smart covers in the same way as those officially sold by Apple. Those do not seem to be available by anyone but Apple except for those on sites like Etsy by independent makers which are hand made. However those handmade ones typically don't have the folds in them to use the Smart Cover as a stand.

No the one I bought is a smart cover, screen only, nothing for the back.

 

[laela]

how's the spine

Mind posting pictures? Is the spine metal like the old design or soft material like the new design? Any danger of scratching the iPad?

 

[MLAM]

Is the hinge fabric lined like the real one or metal again?

I got one for my Air and it has marked it, it has a faint mark on the side now.

 

[thedon1]

It's metal. It's pretty smooth but I can definitely see how it could scratch. I wasn't aware the official cover had a fabric lining.

I just got my loop mummy case, it's really nice. I can use the smart cover over the loop case since it doesn't have a cut out, the smart cover magnetises through the case.

I'll try to post some pics later.

 

[shenan1982]

I've not see smart covers made by anyone but Apple. Care to post some links. Unless you're referring to third party smart case like products.

They're referring to knockoffs, check eBay, Amazon, etc. Tons on sale in China but most in here won't be flying to China.

 

[laela]

Thanks for confirming!

It's metal. It's pretty smooth but I can definitely see how it could scratch. I wasn't aware the official cover had a fabric lining.

I just got my loop mummy case, it's really nice. I can use the smart cover over the loop case since it doesn't have a cut out, the smart cover magnetises through the case.

I'll try to post some pics later.

 

[Mr.C]

They're referring to knockoffs, check eBay, Amazon, etc. Tons on sale in China but most in here won't be flying to China.

I know what they're referring to and I have already seen them on various sites. From the images they look like they are smart case like knock offs not Smart Cover like knock offs. They all seem to have a back cover as well as a from one and seem to be one single product. None of them remotely look like just Smart Covers. Even if they were I certainly wouldn't buy cheap knock offs.

 

[shenan1982]

I know what they're referring to and I have already seen them on various sites. From the images they look like they are smart case like knock offs not Smart Cover like knock offs. They all seem to have a back cover as well as a from one and seem to be one single product. None of them remotely look like just Smart Covers. Even if they were I certainly wouldn't buy cheap knock offs.

there's TONS of very real-looking smart covers out there. TONS TONS TONS!

 

[deeddawg]

there's TONS of very real-looking smart covers out there. TONS TONS TONS!

Please post links, especially to ones you've tried and which don't have the metal attachment point.

Thanks!

 

[itsjustmeee]

there's TONS of very real-looking smart covers out there. TONS TONS TONS!

I don't see any either. TONS TONS TONS of smart case knockoffs but I just looked at the first couple of pages of an amazon search of "ipad air smart cover" and not one showed up (other than apples). I have the Poetic case now but I would like to go with a very thin clear back and a smart cover.

 

[thedon1]

I don't see any either. TONS TONS TONS of smart case knockoffs but I just looked at the first couple of pages of an amazon search of "ipad air smart cover" and not one showed up (other than apples). I have the Poetic case now but I would like to go with a very thin clear back and a smart cover.

ebay is the place to go. Some of them say with back cover etc so you'd think its a smart CASE, but if you check the auction, it's a knock off smart cover with a separate shell for the back.

I've got the Loop Mummy case and the smart cover attaches over the case so the metal magnetic attachment point doesn't matter. If you're in that situation, then you might as well just get a knock off. They're all less than £10 for the air version and less than £5 for the mini.

I ordered second knock of for my mini in a separate colour and the magnetcs to hold the case in the folded position were much better than the first one I ordered.

 

[Kisey]

I know what they're referring to and I have already seen them on various sites. From the images they look like they are smart case like knock offs not Smart Cover like knock offs. They all seem to have a back cover as well as a from one and seem to be one single product. None of them remotely look like just Smart Covers. Even if they were I certainly wouldn't buy cheap knock offs.

Here's what I assume is a knockoff smart cover: http://www.boxytech.com/smart-case-for-apple-ipad-mini-and-ipad-mini-retina-black