Apple is replacing its traditional polyurethane iPad cover with a new premium fabric design, introducing TechWoven material to its tablet accessory range for the first time.

The redesigned Smart Folio arrives alongside the latest iPad mini, which features Apple’s A20 Pro processor and an OLED display.

The accessory marks a significant shift in Apple’s approach to tablet protection, combining a woven fabric finish with a redesigned folding mechanism that offers greater flexibility when positioning the device.

However, the changes also come with a higher price tag.

The new TechWoven Smart Folio costs US$79 (£79), making it US$20 more expensive than the previous-generation model. Australian pricing and availability have yet to be announced.

Apple is offering the accessory in two colours, Navy Blue and Taupe, designed to complement the iPad mini’s Midnight and Starlight finishes.

One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a two-panel folding design, replacing the previous Smart Folio construction.

The new arrangement allows the iPad mini to be positioned at a wider range of viewing angles, making it more versatile for watching movies, reading, video calls and everyday productivity.

The cover continues to attach magnetically to the tablet, maintaining the slim, lightweight design associated with Apple’s Smart Folio range.

The introduction of TechWoven also brings an end to a familiar material that has been part of Apple’s iPad accessories for more than 15 years.

Polyurethane was first introduced with the iPad 2 Smart Cover in 2011 and has remained a standard feature of Apple’s tablet covers through successive generations.

With no polyurethane version announced for the new iPad mini, Apple appears to be moving away from the material for its smallest tablet.

The change could also signal a broader shift towards fabric-based accessories across Apple’s iPad range, although the company has not confirmed plans to introduce TechWoven covers for other models.