Official covers, worth it?

[JoeDaddy7105]

I've seen mediocre reviews of the folio and keyboard covers for the Tab S3 and some videos on YouTube show they are both held to the tablet with just magnets. They also appear to only offer 1 stand position for the keyboard cover and 2 positions for the folio.

Are either of them worth it over a $10-15 3rd party case from Amazon?

Would a decent Bluetooth keyboard be just as good as the keyboard cover at a 1/4 the price?

 

[SpookDroid]

Depends on the 3rd party case. I wouldn't take the cheap 'this will fit any tablet this size' with thick, crappy BT keyboards. Yes, the first party ones aren't great, but they're good quality at least (and as far as the keyboard cover goes, you'll start to love the pogo pins in no time).

 

[pool_shark]

I had the Samsung keyboard cover and returned it because of the single position.

I bought an inexpensive Infiland keyboard case ($23).
While it is not the same quality of the Samsung case, with a little velcro and cheap pen loop adhesives, it serves my purpose much better.

 

[jstwondrng]

I did purchase the official folio case for my S3 and I personally love it. The only issue I have is it not having a clip for the S Pen. My favorite feature is that it keeps the tablet thin looking. A bit pricey, but I'm very content.

J

 

[JoeDaddy7105]

I believe the undocumented/unadvertised way to attach the pen to the folio cover is simply sliding the pen clip over the binding/spline of the cover.

On the folio cover since it attaches with magnets only, can you put the folio cover in the stand position and attached the tablet in portrait mode?

I'm leaning towards just getting the folio cover and using a good quality Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to have more position options.

 

[fresca2u]

I would normally buy the official case, but I really like having a pen loop. I suppose clipping it on the spine would work, but might get in the way when folded flat and resting on my Prop N' Go lap stand. And I don't care for the pure magnetic connection as I am sure I'd grab the case awkwardly and end up with the Tab falling out.

I'd really, really like a well made hard shell back/flip cover case with a pen loop. I haven't found one yet, so I am using https://www.amazon.com/ProCase-Samsung-SM-T820-Multiple-Document/dp/B01N19GZ0Z/ref=sr_1_9?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1492111073&sr=1-9&keywords=galaxy+tab+s3+case. It adds quite a bit of bulk, but is well made.

 

[SpookDroid]

I would have really liked the Samsung official keyboard case to include a mouse like the Tab Pro S does. I'm still mulling over getting the S3 or not just for the pen, but so far unless I can sell my Tab S 10.5 for at least 300 bucks, I'm not going to upgrade unless there's a pretty good sale on the S3 haha

 

[stoitchog]

I would normally buy the official case, but I really like having a pen loop. I suppose clipping it on the spine would work, but might get in the way when folded flat and resting on my Prop N' Go lap stand. And I don't care for the pure magnetic connection as I am sure I'd grab the case awkwardly and end up with the Tab falling out.

I'd really, really like a well made hard shell back/flip cover case with a pen loop. I haven't found one yet, so I am using https://www.amazon.com/ProCase-Samsung-SM-T820-Multiple-Document/dp/B01N19GZ0Z/ref=sr_1_9?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1492111073&sr=1-9&keywords=galaxy+tab+s3+case. It adds quite a bit of bulk, but is well made.

I got the official book cover and so far I really like it. It is slim and well made. It really complements the design of the tablet.

1. Clipping the pen to the spine I'd assume was the idea of how one would carry the pen around and for most of the time I think it works pretty well. My only concern is that I feel, since the pen is outside, clipped to one of its ends (pretty securely btw), when I carry the tablet in my bag and it moves around or when I take it out the pen might get caught on something and either bend the clip or snap it.
I kind of feel I need to keep it in some kind of a pouch while in my bag. Case in a case

2. As anybody else who watched the video reviews I also had a concern about how strong the magnetic hold is and what if I accidentally grab it by the cover and so on.
At least the way I use the tablet I can't see how this could actually happen. When the cover is closed the lid stays pretty tightly stuck flat on the screen. Because if the perfect fit I don't see how anyone could "accidently" grab it by the cover. Unless that someone has a very long nails and major lack of luck.
When the cover is open like 180 degrees that could probably happen but the magnetic hold is actually pretty strong to survive such accidents (I don't give any guarantees though). I don't know about others but I don't think I have ever held a tablet like this. I usually use the stand to keep it on an angle or fold it all the way.

3. I don't know what would happen if one drops it. Would the magnet hold the tablet inside? I feel it will protect against some level of drops but to be honest I do not wanna drop this tablet no matter what case it is in.

4. As for whether the pen clipped to the spine will be on the way while folding the cover... For an angled position definitelly no. When you fold it all the way (360 degrees) it certainly is there so it doesn't let the cover lay flat on its back, but the spine already creates a little bit of a gap to begin with and the pen makes it slightly bigger. This is the position I usually keep it and I don't experience any discomfort.

So far I really like the book cover. My only real concern is #1 .

 

[camperbc]

Still no Samsung covers available anywhere in Canada, (as of April 24th) so I just ordered one online from Germany. Will hopefully arrive by next week.

 

[Griffinit]

I have the keyboard cover which came free with pre-orders. I am happy with it, I like it. There's a pen slot that you stick on the outside of the cover to put the pen in. I suspect this won't last as it will get knocked about too much which I think has already been said here. Mine was free as I said, but it is expensive and I would explore other options before buying it.

 

[stoitchog]

I got the official book cover and so far I really like it. It is slim and well made. It really complements the design of the tablet.

1. Clipping the pen to the spine I'd assume was the idea of how one would carry the pen around and for most of the time I think it works pretty well. My only concern is that I feel, since the pen is outside, clipped to one of its ends (pretty securely btw), when I carry the tablet in my bag and it moves around or when I take it out the pen might get caught on something and either bend the clip or snap it.
I kind of feel I need to keep it in some kind of a pouch while in my bag. Case in a case

2. As anybody else who watched the video reviews I also had a concern about how strong the magnetic hold is and what if I accidentally grab it by the cover and so on.
At least the way I use the tablet I can't see how this could actually happen. When the cover is closed the lid stays pretty tightly stuck flat on the screen. Because if the perfect fit I don't see how anyone could "accidently" grab it by the cover. Unless that someone has a very long nails and major lack of luck.
When the cover is open like 180 degrees that could probably happen but the magnetic hold is actually pretty strong to survive such accidents (I don't give any guarantees though). I don't know about others but I don't think I have ever held a tablet like this. I usually use the stand to keep it on an angle or fold it all the way.

3. I don't know what would happen if one drops it. Would the magnet hold the tablet inside? I feel it will protect against some level of drops but to be honest I do not wanna drop this tablet no matter what case it is in.

4. As for whether the pen clipped to the spine will be on the way while folding the cover... For an angled position definitelly no. When you fold it all the way (360 degrees) it certainly is there so it doesn't let the cover lay flat on its back, but the spine already creates a little bit of a gap to begin with and the pen makes it slightly bigger. This is the position I usually keep it and I don't experience any discomfort.

So far I really like the book cover. My only real concern is [URL=http://forums.androidcentral.com/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=1]#1 [/URL] .

And #1 happened sooner than I expected
While picking up the tablet the pen got caught on something and the clip snapped.
So my advice - don't use the spine of the book cover as a pen holder.

Now I am exploring other options.
There are few accessories for the Apple Pencil. The pencil looks much bigger than the spen so I don't know if they will work.
There are loops that have adhesive band that can stick to the cover, but this will ruin the good design of the cover

 

[cbreze]

I got the kb cover when I bought the tablet last week. I saw in a short time the lack of back lit keys was going to be an issue. Was wondering how everyone else handles it. I have the book cover coming in a few days. Will evaluate that one and keep one or the other. Really like the kb cover tho. But a dark kb is very annoying. Knew this going in just didn't think it would be the deal breaker that it is turning out to be.

 

[Frozen Corpse]

Depends on the 3rd party case. I wouldn't take the cheap 'this will fit any tablet this size' with thick, crappy BT keyboards. Yes, the first party ones aren't great, but they're good quality at least (and as far as the keyboard cover goes, you'll start to love the pogo pins in no time).

Free keyboard cover is always a win in my book!

 

[Frozen Corpse]

I would have really liked the Samsung official keyboard case to include a mouse like the Tab Pro S does. I'm still mulling over getting the S3 or not just for the pen, but so far unless I can sell my Tab S 10.5 for at least 300 bucks, I'm not going to upgrade unless there's a pretty good sale on the S3 haha

Best Buy offered me $145 give or take for trade in. I probably got burned.