Apple Launches Official $99 Battery Enhancing Case for iPhone 6s

[nicho]

Completely agree. Apple has an unhealthy obsession with phones being thin, even when it compromises battery life and actually makes the phone harder to hold. Did anyone complain about the 5S being too thick? I doubt it.

the 6S already weighs 25% more than a iphone 5S (in fact it near as dammit weighs the same as every iphone from the first through the iphone 4S, but still more than any of them). excluding the plus models, it's the heaviest iphone ever. more thickness = even more weight.

 

[jweinraub]

but will it work on the 6?

I assume you didn't read the website then?
The Smart Battery Case is engineered specifically for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6 to give you even longer battery life and protection.

 

[Rogifan]

why didnt they make the area bigger, like from camera start to bottom and made it a slimmer pocket?

Send a note to Jony and Dan and ask them why they designed it the way they did.

Good review to read. I wouldn't say it's a "glowing" endorsement. But it's a solid review.

I'm not sure why you put glowing in quotes as I didn't say that about the review.

 

[satchmo]

Sadly this is what has come of Apple. I'm a fan, but not an apologist.
Unfortunately, this will sell because of that logo and it's availability in Apple retail stores.

Companies like Mophie are probably just as shocked. I was in the market for one of their battery cases, but at the time, they only came in black. This will no doubt, affect their bottom line.

 

[Narcaz]

Uhm...good point. Well, I guess i don't think they'll get an image hit. Most people won't probably even know this product exists.
People interested will buy, most of the other won't care.
For people who DO care about details, this is not the first nor the worst thing apple has made this year (for me, personally, the smart keyboard)...but they are a minority.

They are certainly the joke of the day in techblog area. As usual that means nothing. But i still wouldn't have put the Apple logo on the back. And looking at the technical details, i think the case has after market product written all over the place. If they really wanted to embrace battery cases, they could have released an 6S with some kind of miniature iPP Keyboard connector somewhere on the back. The ugly chin with the overengineered lightning /audio/ speaker design is just a workaround for this shortcoming.

No thanks. I'd much rather have a thinner phone, as it is now. Then, should I (or others) need more battery capacity, say for making a lot of videos or whatever, it's nice knowing that option is available.

I have no issues at all with current battery life and do not want to endure a thicker phone as a consequence. Apple has found the right balance for most people. That's something Apple does very well overall.

Maybe they found the right balance for you. But in the masses are still asking for more. Better battery life is still the top request from most users, even in Apples own market research (from the samsung trial).

 

[TouchMint.com]

While I think this is just another in a long list of apple ripoffs here is an honest review by the verge.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/8/9867996/apple-smart-battery-case-iphone-6-6s-hands-on

 

[iStig]

Apple seems to be steadily losing focus and commitment to beautiful design. I think I first noticed it with the camera lens protrusion out of the back of the iPhone 6. I don't believe that's something SJ would have tolerated. Then there is, to my mind at least, the questionable aesthetics of the Apple Watch. Speaking only in terms of appearance, I find some of the round-face android watches more attractive. Now there is this hideous battery pack case, a product which Apple had no need to make. There are plenty of third-party offerings readily available, and were this case made by anyone else, I think it would be nearly universally panned for the way it looks. Very disappointing.

 

[Max(IT)]

For those who are interested it's 1877mAh

Thank you. It basically is another 100% of charge for an iPhone 6.

That's a crock. They've been selling Mophie cases in their stores for years. Most users (myself included) can make it through their day with the iPhone 6 with no need for any additional charging. But there are some people who need that extra bump, and they buy battery cases. Just like some people want their phones to be protected no matter what, so they buy ugly Otter Box cases.

If you decide you're one of those people you can buy an accessory that customizes your phone to your particular set of needs. I used to own a Mophie case and carry it in my briefcase, so I could put it on my iPhone if I ran into a situation where I needed more juice and couldn't charge.

The biggest thing I take from this release is that Apple has pretty much gutted Mophie. There is no need to buy a Mophie case now when Apple has given me the best of both worlds. A battery case that I don't need a micro usb cable to charge.

Correct. People here would criticize Apple whatever they do.
I would buy an Apple battery case over ANY third party, and Im sure the battery used is of greater quality (as for Apple's tradition).

this article leaves out some interesting facts:

"
The Apple case has some ‘smarts’ to justify its name. For starters, it includes iOS system integration to show the battery pack status in Notification Center and the lock screen. The case itself also includes a discreet light that indicates charging status (amber, green, or off).

Moreover, Apple says that other cases often impair cellular performance as the battery gets in the way of the radios. For the Smart Battery Case, Apple has incorporated a passive antenna which reroutes radio frequencies and minimizes interference. For sound, the case includes a specifically designed acoustic opening to channel audio from the iPhone speaker.

The company also claims its charging mechanism is better than competing cases. Most cases first charge the phone and then charge the battery pack. Apple’s case can crossover to charge the integrated battery mid-way through the phone charge cycle."

and also a picture of this:

Not a beauty, but surely well engineered ...

Not all of us want a thicker phone. I also prefer leather cases to silicone.

Sure. And if Apple would have presented a leather case you would have complain about the need for a silicone one ...

This is sad. How long before we get the apple toaster back? Apple makes great quality products but seems to have lost vision.

except Apple had never been this high under Steve Jobs direction ...

If Apple products success and failure were based off Macrumors responses, the iPod would have flopped harder than any other Apple product.

This is MacRumors. A nest of haters and serial complainers. What do you expect ?

LOL..... i couldnt even believe that i would read comments about "Apple Doomed" even in a topic that has to do with a "battery case"..... LOL

Again, it is so typical here.
I didn't read any complain about Mophie battery cases in the past.
But this one has an Apple on the back.

 

[DanielSw]

And apple subtly admits the iPhone 6 and 6s battery life is not what users want.

As if this is meant for everyone. It's not. It's an option for those who need for battery life.

 

[navaira]

I love reading that the hump is so that edges look thinner and so people won't notice. Samsung owners will fall off their chairs laughing. "Please... DO NOT NOTICE THE HUMP". On the plus side when you put it hump-side down and glue little feet and a head to the case it can double as a really cute angular turtle!

 

[Nismo73]

So this was the October event release that wasn't. OK I'll take it.

 

[pondhopper]

Uh. How about making a PHONE with decent battery life.
My dumb phone back in the day could rock a week without a charge.
My SMART phone has to have a battery pack to get me through halfway?
Innovation Microsoft style.
I miss Steve.

 

[citysnaps]

For most people according to you. Everyone's use case is different. Personally, I would rather a slightly thicker phone with better battery life. Some of the newest phones (Android and iPhone), to me, are too "brittle" in feel. Solid phones. But I like to have a good grip on my phone. If there was one "aesthetic" I would trade on any phone it would be in regards to power. Fast charging, removable battery or a little thicker.

No, actually that's according to Apple. As a company, they're highly motivated to find the right balance of features, performance, and physical size to maximize the number of phones sold. They have the data and research. You do not.

 

[Rogifan]

While I think this is just another in a long list of apple ripoffs here is an honest review by the verge.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/8/9867996/apple-smart-battery-case-iphone-6-6s-hands-on

Not surprising. When have Apple's accessories ever been the best, at least according to the tech press. There's always something just as good (or better) for cheaper. And maybe this is by design to keep the 3rd party market healthy.

No, actually that's according to Apple. As a company, they're highly motivated to find the right balance of features, performance, and physical size to maximize the number of phones sold. They have the data and research. You do not.

I've never understood this notion that Apple purposely designs things people don't want. At the end of the day they want to sell product. Isn't it harder to sell product if you're making things people don't want to buy? Yet Apple is selling more iPhones than ever before.

 

[sshambles]

I would argue that it's form that enables function.

Personally, I love the way my 6S+ feels in my hand naked. I have used my last 2 iPhones without any cases and that my current iPhone is now clad in a Spigen air cushion is a concession to its camera bump. But otherwise, when I occasionally take my phone out of the case to use at home, I feel the thickness and contours of the 6S+ fit my hand just right and doubt that a thicker phone would be as ergonomic or satisfying to hold.

One day, I will muster up the nerve to use my 6S+ without a case, but it seems that that day is not today.

I have tried to steer away from cases. Ran into problems using it with one and using without one. Rather without, though I am quite careful with them.

 

[winston1236]

Whoa, did Apple actually design this? Looks like a cheapo best buy special.

 

[69Mustang]

It's not a tumah! (Schwarzenegger-Kindergarten Cop)

Is an alien going to pop out of the back?

The iPhone Backpack by Jansport.

Is that a battery in your case or are you just excited to see me?


I'm here all weeks folks. Don't forget to tip your server.
Seriously Apple, you're drunk.

 

[OllyW]

While I think this is just another in a long list of apple ripoffs here is an honest review by the verge.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/8/9867996/apple-smart-battery-case-iphone-6-6s-hands-on

Their description of the bump is quite amusing (and accurate).

The case has a bump. It’s the first thing you’re going to notice when you see it. And it’s not a look-at-the-way-the-lens-extends-from-the-body bump, it’s a my-iPhone-ate-my-iPod bump.

 

[mbh1976]

the 6S already weighs 25% more than a iphone 5S (in fact it near as dammit weighs the same as every iphone from the first through the iphone 4S, but still more than any of them). excluding the plus models, it's the heaviest iphone ever. more thickness = even more weight.

It weighs more also because it's bigger/has a larger screen (something I could care less about)

 

[keifer.street]

A well designed, first party case that nearly doubles the (admittedly lackluster) battery life of the iPhone 6S without being overly bulky? Sign me up!

 

[TJ82]

Hideous. Really no effort was put into that design at all.

Hopefully they'll keep at it and get a decent looking one made for the 7+. I'll buy one of those on discount. The price of this is daft, but typical for these rip off merchants now.

Can't even look at Cook's head without taking him for a slimy shill these days.

 

[hh83917]

Wow...really Apple? You guys have decided to go that low?... It doesn't even look good... I guess next iPhone may have exchangeable battery then? I have to say, I miss Steve, I don't think he would ever allow this to market...or at least make it look nicer... I felt Apple is selling their name now vs selling quality well designed products...

 

[MH01]

Really surprised they launched this. The case looks very un Apple like with its hump on the back. Will check it out in store, might look better.

 

[ryanissamson]

Well, I mean, okay.

I just purchased a 6s case on Amazon for $12. Admittedly, on a really good sale. It may not be as good quality as this case, nor have the fancy notification features, but $100 for a battery case seems very Apple-y.

Anyway, alright.

 

[MacHiavelli]

The skeuomorphic design based on a snake swallowing a chicken whole.

Personally, think it looks good...and will make the phone easier to hold by the look of things.