Apple Potentially Working on Smart Battery Case for Latest iPhones

[MacRumors]

It's been three years since Apple first debuted the $99 Smart Battery Case for iPhone 6, 6s, and eventually 7, which included a rear-facing protrusion that held a 1,877 mAh battery. Apple may be working on a similar accessory for newer iPhone models, according to a discovery made by 9to5Mac in the second beta of watchOS 5.1.2.

In previous versions of watchOS, Apple Watch had an icon that displayed a battery case with a bottom chin and horizontal camera, indicating this as the Smart Battery Case for iPhone 6, 6s, and 7. In the latest beta of watchOS 5.1.2, things have been changed and this icon now displays a battery case with no bottom chin and a vertical camera.

Image via 9to5Mac​

While far from a confirmation, this suggests that Apple could be working on a Smart Battery Case for the latest set of iPhones with vertically aligned cameras, which would include iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. For previous generations, Apple never made Smart Battery cases for "Plus" iPhones, presumably because a major selling point for those devices was increased battery life sans battery case.

Unless Apple changes tune, this means we'd likely see a Smart Battery Case for iPhone X/XS. Still, the launch window for such an accessory -- if there even is one -- remains unclear.

Article Link: Apple Potentially Working on Smart Battery Case for Latest iPhones

 

[NinjaHERO]

My XS Max makes it through a day easy. But nice to have the option.

 

[Blizzardman]

I've always wanted a smart battery case for my plus/max phones. Hope this happens

 

[nt5672]

Which acknowledges that the original design is less than acceptable for a lot of people that do actually use their phones all day long.

 

[AngerDanger]

You know, Apple, a little cortisone cream would clear that welt right up.

 

[PowerBook-G5]

It's been three years since Apple first debuted the $99 Smart Battery Case for iPhone 6, 6s, and eventually 7, which included a rear-facing protrusion that held a 1,877 mAh battery. Apple may be working on a similar accessory for newer iPhone models, according to a discovery made by 9to5Mac in the second beta of watchOS 5.1.2.

In previous versions of watchOS, Apple Watch had an icon that displayed a battery case with a bottom chin and horizontal camera, indicating this as the Smart Battery Case for iPhone 6, 6s, and 7. In the latest beta of watchOS 5.1.2, things have been changed and this icon now displays a battery case with no bottom chin and a vertical camera.

Image via 9to5Mac​

While far from a confirmation, this suggests that Apple could be working on a Smart Battery Case for the latest set of iPhones with vertically aligned cameras, which would include iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. For previous generations, Apple never made Smart Battery cases for "Plus" iPhones, presumably because a major selling point for those devices was increased battery life sans battery case.

Unless Apple changes tune, this means we'd likely see a Smart Battery Case for iPhone X/XS. Still, the launch window for such an accessory -- if there even is one -- remains unclear.

Article Link: Apple Potentially Working on Smart Battery Case for Latest iPhones

PLEASE APPLE!

The Msart Battery Case is by far my favorite accessory for any of my Apple products. It’s one of the reasons I’m still using my iPhone 6S.

 

[Mr Kram]

wife would love this for her max

 

[magicschoolbus]

Pretty awesome- a little off topic but do the leather cases for the XS fit the X?

 

[avanpelt]

The battery case for my iPhone 6 is the only Apple product I've ever returned. I must've gotten a dud. It would show that the phone was charging via the case, but the battery percentage on the phone would drop. I took the battery case off, plugged the same Lightning cable directly into the phone, and the phone charged normally. I didn't opt to exchange the case. That first experience with the case left a bad taste in my mouth and the case was heavier than I expected it to be, to boot.

 

[tromboneaholic]

It'd be cool if they got rid of that welt.

It's to prevent the battery from interfering with the antennas...

 

[pmas76]

I just wish Apple would make these damn iPhones a tenth of a millimeter thicker so that they can have a longer lasting battery in them to begin with...

 

[TechRemarker]

I've been wanting this for years. I loved their smart battery case from before. Everyone online said how silly the case looked, however, I rarely look at the back of my phone, and yes they could have filled that extra space with plastic, but why, would much rather only use as little space as possible and also so less interferance with the cell signal. Loved how it integrated so well with the iPhone. I use to use Mophie but along with less integration, they still dont support iPhone X or XS and no USB-C support so instead would have to carry an old microusb cable which would not be appealing. Hopefully this iPhone case will be released for XS and we don't have to wait another year, but imagine if it was coming it would come before Christmas which is highly unlikely. So may have to wait until AirPods 2 or such.

 

[dmx]

I would totally buy an Apple battery case for my Max. Most of the time I won’t need it, but it would be nice to not have to worry about plugging in each night .

 

[mashdots]

Cool idea: make the internals as if you were going to make a thinner phone, but then make the same-sized phone and put a bigger battery in.

 

[TechRemarker]

I just wish Apple would just make these damn iPhones a tenth of a millimeter thicker so that they can have a longer lasting battery in them to begin with...

I get through each day easily with plenty of battery life. And the days I run out are when traveling and looking constantly throughout day and using maps such as walking through a city all day, in which case a millimeter wouldn't make a big enough difference and those cases are when you bring a battery case. So I"m glad with the current size to battery ratio. With Apple Watch however, while the battery easily lasts all day, wish the battery was bigger so that we could have an always on screen and more frequent heart rate readings.

 

[tromboneaholic]

I just wish Apple would just make these damn iPhones a tenth of a millimeter thicker so that they can have a longer lasting battery in them to begin with...

Apple has been making them thicker every year since the iPhone 6.

iPhone 6: 6.9 mm
iPhone 7: 7.1 mm
iPhone 8: 7.3 mm
iPhone X: 7.7 mm
iPhone Xr: 8.3 mm

 

[Enclavean]

Would wireless charging still work though?

 

[C DM]

Which acknowledges that the original design is less than acceptable for a lot of people that do actually use their phones all day long.

And more than fine for many others.

 

[Delgibbons]

Does this stop the processor throttling over time?

 

[McG2k1]

Man this design is SO ugly. I’d prefer they just make the phone 1mm thicker and have that be allll battery.

 

[pmas76]

I just wish Apple would make these damn iPhones a tenth of a millimeter thicker so that they can have a longer lasting battery in them to begin with...

The have been making them thicker every year since the iPhone 6.

iPhone 6: 6.9 mm
iPhone 7: 7.1 mm
iPhone 8: 7.3 mm
iPhone X: 7.7 mm
iPhone Xr: 8.3 mm

iPhone 6: 6.9 mm MAKE them 7.0 mm instead with a larger battery
iPhone 7: 7.1 mm MAKE them 7.2 mm instead with a larger battery
iPhone 8: 7.3 mm MAKE them 7.4 mm instead with a larger battery
iPhone X: 7.7 mm MAKE them 7.8 mm instead with a larger battery
iPhone Xr: 8.3 mm MAKE them 8.4 mm instead with a larger battery

 

[JunBringer]

Seconded for XS Max

 

[zone23]

Based on the last design, how long could it possibly take a day?

 

[tromboneaholic]

iPhone 6: 6.9 mm MAKE them 7.0 mm instead with a larger battery
iPhone 7: 7.1 mm MAKE them 7.2 mm instead with a larger battery
iPhone 8: 7.3 mm MAKE them 7.4 mm instead with a larger battery
iPhone X: 7.7 mm MAKE them 7.8 mm instead with a larger battery
iPhone Xr: 8.3 mm MAKE them 8.4 mm instead with a larger battery

Battery life on my iPhone X isn't an issue. What phone are you using?

 

[MrGunnyPT]

Would wireless charging still work though?

Yes hence the lack of chin.