Hands-on - Twelve South SurfacePad for iPhone X [9to5Mac]

The Surface Pad from 12 South: A Smart Cover for Your iPhone 10

The surface pad from 12 South is like a smart cover for your iPhone 10. This ultra slim leather luxury cover is available in an impressive 103 colors, including cognac and black versions. It's essential to note that the surface pad is not a case, but rather a cover designed to provide some features without the bulk of a traditional case.

The Surface Pad: A Less Bulky Alternative

Unlike a case, which covers the edges of your phone for added protection, the surface pad does not offer this level of coverage. However, it still provides some benefits, such as credit card slots for convenience. The previous version of the surface pad was made with lower-quality materials, but the latest iteration is comprised of high-quality full grain leather, which will last longer and provide better durability.

Getting Started with the Surface Pad

To get started with your surface pad, you'll need to clean the rear of your iPhone 10 first. Once that's done, use the red tab to expose the adhesive on the back of your phone. Then, apply it to the rear of your iPhone 10 by lining it up and pressing down. This process is incredibly simple and easy to follow.

Break-In Period

One thing to keep in mind when using the surface pad is that there will be a break-in period. The front cover won't want to stay closed on its own, so you'll need to apply weight to it by placing your iPhone down on a flat surface with the camera facing up. This will help flatten out the cover and get it working smoothly.

Using the Surface Pad as a Stand

One of the unique features of the surface pad is that it works as a stand due to the little flap in the back. This allows you to use it for FaceTime calls, videos, or any other situation where you need your phone to be at an angle. The surface pad also has two card slots, perfect for carrying credit cards and your license.

Comparison to Other Cases

It's worth noting that there are two main types of products available from 12 South: the surface pad, which costs $50, and a full-fledged case, which costs $100. While both products offer some similar features, they cater to different needs and preferences. Some users may prefer the added protection and bulkiness of a traditional case, while others may appreciate the slim profile and convenience of the surface pad.

Ultimately, the decision between these two products comes down to your individual needs and priorities. Do you need full protection for your iPhone, or are you okay with a less bulky alternative? Are you looking for the ability to carry multiple cards or just one credit card? These are questions you'll need to consider when deciding which product is right for you.

Both the surface pad and the full-fledged case from 12 South will automatically wake your iPhone 10 when opened and put it to sleep when closed. This feature may not be as exciting, but it's a convenient addition that ensures your phone is always ready to go.

Personal Preference

For me, personally, I would opt for the full protection offered by the traditional case. As someone who is extremely careful with their iPhone, I want to ensure that my device is fully protected from scratches and other damage. While the surface pad may offer some benefits, I feel that it's not enough to justify the potential risks.

On the other hand, if you're like me and are super anal about protecting your iPhone, then the surface pad may be a viable option for you. It's a more affordable alternative that still offers some great features, such as credit card slots and a slim profile. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing too much functionality, then the surface pad might be worth considering.

Conclusion

The surface pad from 12 South is an excellent addition to any iPhone owner's arsenal. Its unique blend of convenience, style, and affordability makes it a compelling choice for those looking for a less bulky alternative to traditional cases. Whether you're in the market for a new case or just want to explore some innovative features, the surface pad is definitely worth checking out.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthe surface pad from 12 South is like a smart cover for your iPhone 10 12 South ultra slim leather luxury cover is available in 103 colors I have the till in the cognac versions there's also a black version available as well now it's important to think of the surface pad as just that a surface or a cover for your iPhone 10 don't think of it as a case because it's not a case it doesn't actually cover the edges of your phone and it will not protect it nearly as well as a case will but that's the point it's supposed to be less bulky than your typical case while providing some features like credit card slots for your convenience unlike the previous version of the surface pad this one is comprised of high quality full grain leather so it's going to last longer and we're in better than the previous version of the surface pad now 12 South provides you with plenty of documentation to help you get to know the ins and outs of the surface pad such as how to attach it to your phone how to protect and reuse the adhesive and how to break it in properly so the first thing that you'll need to do is clean the rear of your iPhone 10 once that's done simply use the red tab to expose the adhesive and apply it to the rear of your iPhone 10 so let's do it right now just line it up and press down and it's installed super simple super easy now the first thing you'll notice is that it provides a very slim profile while protecting the front and back of your iPhone 10 now as alluded to earlier there will be a break-in period that you'll have to go through because the front cover doesn't want to stay closed so 12 South recommends just placing the iPhone down on a flat surface with the camera facing up this will apply weight to that front cover and flatten it out now what's cool about the surface pad is that it works as a stand because of that little flap in the back that accommodates that standing position so you can use it for FaceTime calls for videos whatever the case may be it works great as a stand it also has two card slots so you can put two credit cards in here or the credit card and your license there is no cash slot like you'll find on the leather folio from Apple but remember two different types of products here one is a cover that costs 50 bucks the other is a full-fledged case they cost 100 bucks keep that in mind now I'm not saying one solution is better than the other you will have to ultimately decide which one is right for you are you okay without full protection or are you okay with a bulkier case are you okay with only having the ability to carry two credit cards or would you like to have a cash slot as well those are things you have to consider do you want a case that allows your iPhone to stand up like this because Apple's Leather Folio doesn't really allow that not too easily anyway both apples leather folio and the surface pad will automatically wake your iPhone 10 when open and put it to sleep when it closed so both of them have that functionality built in now for me personally speaking I think I would want the full protection just because with the iPhone 10 I'm just super super anal about dinging it up or scratching it so I want the full protection but I know some of you hate the idea of a leather folio and if that's you then the surface pad may be a viable and much cheaper alternative let me know what you guys think down below in the comments this is Jeff with nine-to-five Macthe surface pad from 12 South is like a smart cover for your iPhone 10 12 South ultra slim leather luxury cover is available in 103 colors I have the till in the cognac versions there's also a black version available as well now it's important to think of the surface pad as just that a surface or a cover for your iPhone 10 don't think of it as a case because it's not a case it doesn't actually cover the edges of your phone and it will not protect it nearly as well as a case will but that's the point it's supposed to be less bulky than your typical case while providing some features like credit card slots for your convenience unlike the previous version of the surface pad this one is comprised of high quality full grain leather so it's going to last longer and we're in better than the previous version of the surface pad now 12 South provides you with plenty of documentation to help you get to know the ins and outs of the surface pad such as how to attach it to your phone how to protect and reuse the adhesive and how to break it in properly so the first thing that you'll need to do is clean the rear of your iPhone 10 once that's done simply use the red tab to expose the adhesive and apply it to the rear of your iPhone 10 so let's do it right now just line it up and press down and it's installed super simple super easy now the first thing you'll notice is that it provides a very slim profile while protecting the front and back of your iPhone 10 now as alluded to earlier there will be a break-in period that you'll have to go through because the front cover doesn't want to stay closed so 12 South recommends just placing the iPhone down on a flat surface with the camera facing up this will apply weight to that front cover and flatten it out now what's cool about the surface pad is that it works as a stand because of that little flap in the back that accommodates that standing position so you can use it for FaceTime calls for videos whatever the case may be it works great as a stand it also has two card slots so you can put two credit cards in here or the credit card and your license there is no cash slot like you'll find on the leather folio from Apple but remember two different types of products here one is a cover that costs 50 bucks the other is a full-fledged case they cost 100 bucks keep that in mind now I'm not saying one solution is better than the other you will have to ultimately decide which one is right for you are you okay without full protection or are you okay with a bulkier case are you okay with only having the ability to carry two credit cards or would you like to have a cash slot as well those are things you have to consider do you want a case that allows your iPhone to stand up like this because Apple's Leather Folio doesn't really allow that not too easily anyway both apples leather folio and the surface pad will automatically wake your iPhone 10 when open and put it to sleep when it closed so both of them have that functionality built in now for me personally speaking I think I would want the full protection just because with the iPhone 10 I'm just super super anal about dinging it up or scratching it so I want the full protection but I know some of you hate the idea of a leather folio and if that's you then the surface pad may be a viable and much cheaper alternative let me know what you guys think down below in the comments this is Jeff with nine-to-five Mac\n"