Simplism’s Smart Flip Shell is a one-piece folio-type case for the iPad mini that provides decent protection in a minimalist-looking case

The Smart Flip Shell is made of thick, faux-leather material, black outside and ivory on the inside, which is more than enough to protect your iPad from bumps and scrapes inside a bag, or from minor drops.

The iPad mini snaps into a slim plastic shell, and the folio edges extend beyond the side of the shell by about ¾ of a centimeter, providing extra cushioning in case of a fall. A stiff, velvet-covered hook snaps the case shut.

The inside lining has four slots for cards and other similarly-sized items, and these slots also catch and hold the plastic shell’s edge to hold the iPad mini at three possible viewing angles. You can also fold the front cover all the way back to hold the iPad mini at a shallow angle, good for typing on the onscreen keyboard.

I like the protection that the Smart Flip Shell offers, and the flexibility of including four internal slots. I can imagine slipping in my driver’s license, company ID, credit card, some calling cards and some cash for an all-in-one solution when going to meetings out of the office.

I do have two niggles with this case, though: The hook wasn’t all that easy to use. You need to pull the front cover to the right, extending it a bit beyond the edge of the iPad mini, to be able to snap the case shut. And you need to do the same to open it. And, unfortunately, the front cover doesn’t have any magnets to wake or put the screen to sleep, so you’ll have to remember to put the iPad mini to sleep before closing the case or else risk draining your battery while your iPad mini stays in your bag.

Overall, Simplism’s Smart Flip Shell is a simple and clean-looking folio case that provides decent padding and protection as well as serve as an all-in-one case that can carry business cards, credit and other cards, and even some cash.

Price: Php1,699.00

Availability: Beyond the Box, Digital Hub, and Digital Walker stores

Likes

• Simple and clean design
• Pockets for business cards and credit cards
• Multi-angle positioning

Dislikes

• A bit difficult to close and open
• No magnets for the iPad’s screen’s sleep/wake feature
• Can only prop up the iPad mini in landscape orientation

Jason

Jason de Villa is teacher by day and a geek at all other times of the day. When he’s not teaching, he’s reading and writing about technology, looking for ways technology can help in education. His favorite noodles: Pancit Malabon Express.

email: jason@technoodling.netwebsite: http://www.technoodling.net