Skip to main content

Kensington debuts KeyFolio Thin X3: A keyboard that can charge your iPhone

There are a ton of iPad keyboard cases out there and it can be hard to find the right one for your needs. However, the Kensington KeyFolio Thin X3 keyboard case for the iPad Air does just about everything you could ask for. The case holds your tablet in place, protects the screen, allows for easy typing with shortcuts keys, and it can even charge your iPhone in the meantime.

So if you’re on an airplane, train, bus, or just sitting in a cafe typing madly away on the KeyFolio Thin X3’s keyboard and you suddenly realize that your phone is going to die at any minute, you can simply plug in the USB adapter and connect your power cord to the keyboard. Since the adapter is a USB, you can charge any kind of smartphone, be it an iPhone, Android, or Windows device.

The KeyFolio can give your phone a full charge ad still have battery left for typing, but Kensington says the charging feature is mainly for a small, added boost. The keyboard connects to your iPad Air via Bluetooth and provides protection fro the screen and the back of your device. The case closes to look like a laptop and is held secure by magnets, so you don’t have to worry about something getting lodged between the keyboard and the tablet while it’s in your bag.

Kensington KeyFolio Thin X3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When you open the case, your iPad Air will automatically wake up. Then, you can slide the iPad Air back into the typing position and a magnetic groove will hold it in place while you type. Then, when you don’t want to use the keyboard anymore, you can slide the tablet forward and rest it at the perfect angle for touchscreen use. The KeyFolio Thin X3 also recognizes that you’re no longer using the Bluetooth keyboard and automatically switches over to the iPad Air’s own touchscreen keyboard.

Recommended Videos

The keyboard itself is laptop style, offers the full range of keys, and several shortcut keys to make your life even easier. In our short test of the it at CE Week, we found the keys responsive and easy to use. The charging feature is also a very cool bonus, especially when you’re on the go.

Kensington says the KeyFolio Thin X3 will be available soon for $100.

Malarie Gokey
As DT's Mobile Editor, Malarie runs the Mobile and Wearables sections, which cover smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and…
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra at lowest-ever price for Prime Day — buy it now!
The screen on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Amazon's Prime Day is almost over, but the amazing phone deals aren't slowing down. In fact, we can't believe that this offer for the 512GB version of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hasn't sold out yet -- 26% off for savings of $365 on its original price of $1,420, for a lowest-ever price of $1,055. That's excellent value for this flagship smartphone, but you need to hurry as time is running out for you to take advantage of this bargain. Complete your purchase as soon as you can to make sure that you don't miss out!

$1,055 at Amazon

Read more
It’s critical to buy the Google Pixel 9 today if you want it’s best ever price
Person holding the Google Pixel 9.

By the time you read this, we'll be entering the final hours of Amazon's summer Prime Day 2025 (if it isn't already over). This means that you need to take advantage of the time you have and take advantage of the very best deals. If you're hunting for a new Android phone, then the very best deal for you just might be this one we found on the Google Pixel 9. It's down to $549 on Amazon for Prime Members (if you're not a Prime Member, don't fret, you can get the Prime free trial easily). That price, which is $250 down from the usual $799, is the lowest we've seen for the Google Pixel 9 on Amazon this year, and a price we haven't seen since the height of the Black Friday deals season last November. If you want a Google Pixel 9 — we'll refresh you on the details about it below — you really ought to act quickly by pushing the button below and getting your order in soon.

$549 at amazon

Read more
Hurry if you want the latest Apple iPad Air at lowest-ever price for Prime Day
13-inch iPad Air (2025) purple rear.

The Apple iPad Air M3 was just released a few months ago, but it's already part of Amazon's tablet deals for Prime Day. The 11-inch model with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage is on sale for its lowest price so far of $479, following a 20% discount on the device's original price of $599. Once the shopping event is over, we're not sure how long you'll have to wait until we find a similar offer for this iPad, so push forward with your purchase now while the savings of $120 are still online.

$479 at Amazon

Read more