Apple Releases Smart Battery Cases for iPhone XS, XS Max and XR, Qi Wireless Charging Supported

[Cosmosent]

RE: "As with the previous versions of the Smart Battery Case, the new options provide an intelligent battery status on the iPhone's Lock screen and in Notification Center so you're aware of the remaining charge of the device."

Hey Cook & Schiller, that's a WEAK definition of "Smart" !

 

[Starship67]

$129 BWAHAHA they must be smoking crack

Im sorry, Im an Apple fan and owned every iPhone since the 3GS but they've lost touch with reality in recent years.

Right in line with all other battery cases.
I wish they would make an iPad silicone battery case.

 

[ElectricPotato]

All the benefits of a thick, plastic phone but without the hassle of an integrated battery? All for only an additional $129?

Sign me up. This is pure genius.

 

[bLackjackj]

I don't necessarily disagree that $129 is too much money for what it is, but my main point is that people are blaming Apple for being expensive and "losing touch with reality" when the fact is that this pricing is not unique to Apple, it's in line with other hardware manufacturers selling the same sort of accessory at a comparable level of quality.

That doesn't make it right! Apple is a trillion dollar company and is the gatekeeper of the iPhone. Other hardware manufacturers don't have access to bucket loads of cash! It's pretty obvious that these could be sold for $US89 WITH MAJOR MARKUP,.. its a battery and silicon for goodness sakes!

Apple has absolutely lost touch with reality.

 

[AFDoc]

So. Damn. Ugly.

I'd rather let me phone die than to use this thing.

I agree it's fugly but you'd rather not have a usable phone than strap this on? Silly.

 

[ghost187]

Wish they also made one for the X

I ordered it for my iPhone X, because I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Unless they went out of their way to prevent it from working with the X via some special hardware or software.

 

[LovingTeddy]

Right in line with all other battery cases.
I wish they would make an iPad silicone battery case.

Quick search on Amazon. Lots of battery case below 50 bucks. Yes, both this Apple battery case and Mophie one are overpriced.

 

[Michael Goff]

Apple makes iPhone thinner in order to sell a battery case of $129? Why not make iPhone thicker and increase the capacity of the built-in battery?

They have been almost every year for the last few years.

 

[Starship67]

Quick search on Amazon. Lots of battery case below 50 bucks. Yes, both this Apple battery case and Mophie one are overpriced.

Wouldn't even entertain putting one of those Amazon $50 battery cases on my iPhone. To each their own.

 

[Michael Goff]

Wouldn't even entertain putting one of those Amazon $50 battery cases on my iPhone. To each their own.

I’ll never understand why some people want to cheap out on a battery or cable for their 1k$ phone.

 

[decypher44]

It doesn’t look that thick. When I hold my Max, my left hand curves way out behind the phone. And this phone is so thin, adding a bit won’t change much as far as fitting in my pocket.

 

[Arran]

Why don't they match the color of the phone?

Because Apple’s lost its mojo.

It feels like sad little bean-counters run the place now. Gone are the days of...

So Vic, we have an urgent issue, one that I need addressed right away. I’ve already assigned someone from my team to help you, and I hope you can fix this tomorrow. I’ve been looking at the Google logo on the iPhone and I’m not happy with the icon. The second O in Google doesn’t have the right yellow gradient. It’s just wrong and I’m going to have Greg fix it tomorrow. Is that okay with you?

Link: https://www.google.com/amp/s/9to5go...ow-gradient-of-the-google-icon-on-iphone/amp/

 

[TonyC17]

Will this fit the X?

 

[Arty6]

They literally just stick a battery on the back of a case. I'm sure they could modify the design of the battery so it fits the entire length of the case.

Then it covers the antennas causing attenuation and negating some of the power gained by having the external battery. Since it’s a “smart battery” the phone doesn’t just go into charge mode and it further conserves power vs other battery packs by running like it’s running off a battery and not like it’s plugged in.

 

[Wags]

Impossible to say.

I think the more interesting question is how many people were fooled into upgrading because their phone had slowed down without realising that a battery replacement would've sufficed. Again hard to say..

Tim says part reason didn’t make sales number was because batter replacement program. So Apple must count on the fooling lots.

 

[xraydoc]

I ordered it for my iPhone X, because I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Unless they went out of their way to prevent it from working with the X via some special hardware or software.

Please post back if it works or not.

 

[kakinc]

Couldn't find the actual size of the battery...
From the picture, it look way smaller than the one within the phone.
Putting energy losses from battery to battery into consideration, one would be better off carrying a 10000 mah power bank in your bag.

 

[Arty6]

same design and more expensive... Apple learned nothing...

Not the same. $30 more for wireless charging sounds about right and they got rid of the chin the battery pack for the iPhone 7 had. So... new design. They delivered and improved upon on a product people we asking for. Try educating yourself a little before posting catchy burns for likes in chat forums.

 

[jdoyle]

Lazy product. They could've enhanced the design a bit. Imagine how thick and heavy a XR will be now with this on it!

 

[FriendlyMackle]

+1

Just used the XR while on holiday in Europe...12hr days while abusing maps, uber, Zomato, camera, etc

I think I want one of these cases for vacation and business travel.

I hate having to charge a portable battery and remember to carry it with me when I may need it — I usually don't want to bother with the additional item for just a couple of hours (that easily turns into 20 hours!).

Maybe I'll like it well enough that I'll just keep it on all of the time. What worries me is the thickness and how well it (battery) will fit in a jacket pocket.

On the other hand, that big base might be good if I can reverse the phone orientation and use it as a prop to raise the screen slightly for viewing when stationary.

 

[Cryates]

Lazy product. They could've enhanced the design a bit. Imagine how thick and heavy a XR will be now with this on it!

I mean, did you see the 2015 battery case design? This one is markedly better, and besides, not much you can do to fancy up a battery case anyway.

 

[cmaier]

This is really awesome to see, nice job Apple for the folks that want them.



But the battery life of this year's iPhones were better than prior years with the less expensive Xr having the longest battery life of a iPhone ever. So seems like they did a good job. They also made them easier to replace batteries (from iFixit tear down)...so much better than the Android alternatives where the more glue the better.

My Xs max definitely has worse life than my old 7plus, 6plus, etc.

 

[TomaxXamot]

I could see this being good for things like a trip to Walt Disney World or long convention days.

Of course you could carry a (cheaper) battery pack. But hey... the world is full of options.

Is this the first battery case you’ve ever seen?

 

[mtneer]

Wish they also made one for the X

Apple wants you to upgrade. Thank you very much.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Ordered. Been waiting for a Plus sized battery case (that doesn’t suck) for a looong time. Happy Apple made one for the XS Max.
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Is there any reason this wouldn't work with the iPhone X? I know the XS has a slightly-modified camera, and so XS cases on an X leave the tiniest extra gap in the hole for the camera... But other than that, shouldn't this work with the X?

That’s my question as well—was considering one from my wife.