SKECH Flipper Prime iPad Case REVIEW

Last summer I was issued an iPad at work for company use. It was actually one of the first iPads that had been put into use at our company as we have started to shift our ways of doing business to be more technological. When the iPad came to me, it already had a keyboard case and screen protector installed. As time has gone on, it’s been a bit cumbersome to use that keyboard case as it doesn’t have a great connection to the iPad. It’s a simple Bluetooth keyboard, but it ends up causing a lot of double keystrokes and as a result, I end up advising people not to use the keyboard. That said, this iPad still needs a lot of protection because multiple people use it for different reasons. So, I acquired an alternative case to use for the tablet — the Flipper Prime by Skech.

DETAILS

The Flipper Prime folio style iPad case with a detachable Smart Cover. It’s designed to fit the new iPad 9.7 (both 2017/2018). It will also work with the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Air — all modern 9.7-inch iPads. The case is compatible with the Apple sleep/wake feature with the Smart Cover and also supports varying viewing and typing positions. The back case is a semi-hard shell polycarbonate case that features raised shockproof corner protection.

SPECS

Material: PolycarbonateTPUPolyurethane Compatibility: iPad 9.7 (2017/2018), iPad Pro 9.7-inch, iPad Air 2, iPad Air

Dimensions: 7.25” x 0.6” x 10.75”

Features

• Fully transparent dual material protective back shell
• Detachable smart cover
• Raised shockproof corner protection
• Microfiber lining to prevent scratches
• Multiple viewing positions
• Smart sleep/wake feature
• Full access to all ports and button

USER EXPERIENCE

The Flipper Prime case is sold in a simple cardboard retail package. It’s not what I would refer to as a ‘box’, but it does wrap around the case and identifies it as a SKECH product. There are some basic details on the packaging and a few illustrations that give you use instructions, too. Installing the iPad is pretty self-explanatory. You place one of the upper corners into the back cover of the case and then lineup the rest of the iPad with the case. With a few firm presses, the iPad will snap into the semi-hard shell of the Flipper Prime case.

Once the iPad was in the case, I discovered something rather disappointing. The power button covering on the case did not line up 100% correctly with the iPad power button. It looks as though it does, but when you press on the case’s power button, you don’t make contact with the iPad and eventually there is so much pressure being applied that the iPad asks if you want to turn it off. This was not an issue with the volume buttons as there is a cutout for a direct connection with those buttons on the iPad. I thought at first that maybe my model of iPad was simply the wrong size. So, I looked up the specs based on the model number of my device (A1823). Apple’s website was able to verify that my model was a 9.7-inch iPad from 2017. According to Skech’s product information on their website, the case should work with “the new iPad 9.7 (both 2017/2018), iPad Pro 9.7-inch, iPad Air 2, iPad Air”. This listing includes the model I am using so it should fit my iPad just fine — but it doesn’t. Because the cover of the case works with the sleep/wake function of the iPad, the power button is somewhat of a minor issue in my mind. I did want to note it though since the specs of the case suggest any 9.7-inch iPad should work with it.

Aside from the power button issue, I also noticed that the cover, while it is magnetic, does not want to stay closed when it’s turned upside down. This could be a flaw based on the fact that I have a screen protector on my iPad, but nevertheless, it won’t stay closed and connected to the iPad. All the other cutouts line up well with their respective areas on the iPad. I had a small concern that the camera view might be obstructed by part of the case, but it’s not.

I really like the reinforced corners and the heavy-duty polycarbonate that Skech used to make the back shell. The general of design of the case is wonderful, but I believe I may have gotten one that just missed the mark of ‘perfect’.

CONCLUSION

The Flipper Prime is a great protective case for the 9.7-inch iPad models. There are a few design issues I found with it while I was testing, however, it is still a very functional case. I really like the backing of the case because it’s a semi-hard silicone structure and that makes it both easy to handle and very durable in case the iPad is dropped or knocked against something. Even though the cover doesn’t stay attached to the screen of the iPad well, it does still protect the iPad when it’s transported inside a computer bag. Because of its budget-friendly price point and all-around protection for the iPad, I can still recommend this accessory for all types of users.

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Originally published at macsources.com on January 11, 2019.