Hands-On With Caviar's $4,400 'Tesla' Solar-Charging iPhone X

[MacRumors]

Several months back, a crazy custom "Tesla" iPhone X with a built-in solar charger made headlines across the internet because of its unique design and its $4000+ price tag.

We managed to get our hands on one of the Tesla iPhone X models, designed by custom iPhone maker Caviar, to test it out, and while this isn't something that most MacRumors readers are likely interested in buying, it's always interesting seeing one of these insanely expensive custom devices in person.

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According to Caviar, the Tesla iPhone X is so named because the solar charging panel and battery pack built into the back of the device were inspired by Elon Musk. There's no actual association with Tesla aside from the name and the solar design.

The Tesla iPhone X's solar charger isn't a case or a standalone battery pack - it's built right into the back of the iPhone. The solar addition is a 2,300mAh battery that can be used to charge the iPhone, and the battery itself charges using the power of the sun or via USB.

When charging using the sun, the battery takes 30 hours to charge, so it's in no way efficient. It is, however, useful if you're stranded sans power, and while home, you can use an included magnetic charging cable to charge it up in just a few hours.

We did notice when charging that the Tesla iPhone's battery frame and magnetic connector got super burn-your-hand hot, which is always a concern because it's not clear how safe custom iPhone components are in day to day use.

The device also comes with headphones, a Lightning cable, and a wall adapter, just like any other iPhone, but it has a Caviar-designed box that offers a premium unboxing experience as one would expect from a $4,400 iPhone.

The Tesla iPhone's battery pack is essentially similar to one of Apple's battery cases, except the battery is included at the back of the phone. This does, of course, disable the iPhone X's wireless charging feature, and it adds a good amount of bulk.

Along with the solar panel at the back of the device, the Tesla iPhone features carbon fiber accents, gold plating, and Tesla and Caviar-branded labeling on the device.

Aside from the solar panel and the custom design, the Tesla iPhone works like any other iPhone X. Face ID is unhindered, and the buttons work as normal.

This isn't a phone designed for the average consumer given its $4,400 price point, but there's a definite customer base for altered iPhones like this, and it's fun to check out even if it's not something we might buy.

What do you think of the Tesla iPhone? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: Hands-On With Caviar's $4,400 'Tesla' Solar-Charging iPhone X

 

[TIOATIOA]

Ridiculous.

This is not a $4400 iPhone. This is a $1000 iPhone with a $3400 solar battery stuck to the back of it.

 

[AngerDanger]

It looks so thick, you're probably paying $4.4k to take partially obscured rear camera pictures.

 

[HiVolt]

Hahaha, ridiculous. I can just image the ridiculously low durability... I will be surprised if they sell a single unit. Even the rich "gotta have it" folks are probably gonna look at it and go WTF?

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

It's not even good looking. It's the opposite of what one expects a Tesla to be.

 

[precogincog]

30 hours to charge. So if you're stuck in the middle of the ocean or camping and are really bad at planning such that you forgot to bring an extra battery or decent solar charger (that max out at around $50 on amazon for most) . . . and you want it permanently stuck to your phone.

 

[seatton]

30 hours to charge? It will be a great paper weight for billionaires!

 

[DTphonehome]

Possibly the stupidest modified iPhone I've ever seen.

 

[Ninjasrule]

There are so many things wrong with this phone design wise-

1) the sides and front screen aren’t protected at all. The solar panels and battery pack is so heavy, it’s going to fall and likely shatter the screen with the added weight.

2) the battery takes 30 hours to charge with solar panels. Wtf! There are third party solar panels that you can buy on eBay or amazon that do a better job charging the phone. I was using anker’s Solar panels and charged my iPhone and iPad to completion within an hour.

3) the cost is just outrageous. I don’t think anyone with the money would buy this. It would be more cost effective to buy a cheap usb battery pack and then carry it with phone. Essentially the phone is so much heavier with a battery and solar panel on back. This is like targeted for the buyers who buy those ugly phones with gold on front and back. Just ostentatious and impractical.

4) ugly. It’s just ugly as hell. It ruins the slim look of the phone.

 

[va1984]

Tesla was not funded by Musk, by the way.

 

[neilw]

That is astonishingly inelegant, ugly, and generally awful. The "inspired by Elon Musk" is a joke, intended to sponge off Tesla's popularity. Gets "burn your hand" hot and disables wireless charging.

But at least there's some gold plating, so sign me up!

 

[ChristianVirtual]

Rather ugly ... looks like a patched hobby weekend project. Expected more from Tesla. And why not just a solar powered powerbank?

 

[JPack]

How ugly is this thing?

Not only does it add considerable bulk, it makes your iPhone look like a 1950s appliance.

 

[69Mustang]

/taps mic to see if it's working
/pushes up glasses
/re-reads index cards
/clears throat

"Um yeah, that's straight doo-doo."

/receives standing ovation

 

[bkaus]

Rather ugly ... looks like a patched hobby weekend project. Expected more from Tesla. And why not just a solar powered powerbank?

It’s not from Tesla. It’s someone borrowing their name.

 

[tridley68]

Looks like junk for the uber rich.

 

[tkermit]

According to Caviar, the Tesla iPhone X is so named because the solar charging panel and battery pack built into the back of the device were inspired by Elon Musk. There's no actual association with Tesla aside from the name and the solar design.

How is that even legal?

edit:

Never mind...

Since 2014, the brand Caviar has been fully under the Russian management.

https://caviar.global/history/

 

[deebinem]

30 hours to charge. So if you're stuck in the middle of the ocean or camping and are really bad at planning such that you forgot to bring an extra battery or decent solar charger (that max out at around $50 on amazon for most) . . . and you want it permanently stuck to your phone.

I would think that being stuck out in the middle of the ocean would bring many other concerns than whether or not my battery is charged.

WILSON!!

 

[ChrisMoBro]

$4400? That’s how much the iPhone XI will cost

 

[rafark]

There are so many things wrong with this, I mean just look at the name.

 

[spiddyman007]

Several months back, a crazy custom "Tesla" iPhone X with a built-in solar charger made headlines across the internet because of its unique design and its $4000+ price tag.

We managed to get our hands on one of the Tesla iPhone X models, designed by custom iPhone maker Caviar, to test it out, and while this isn't something that most MacRumors readers are likely interested in buying, it's always interesting seeing one of these insanely expensive custom devices in person.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

According to Caviar, the Tesla iPhone X is so named because the solar charging panel and battery pack built into the back of the device were inspired by Elon Musk. There's no actual association with Tesla aside from the name and the solar design.

The Tesla iPhone X's solar charger isn't a case or a standalone battery pack - it's built right into the back of the iPhone. The solar addition is a 2,300mAh battery that can be used to charge the iPhone, and the battery itself charges using the power of the sun or via USB.

When charging using the sun, the battery takes 30 hours to charge, so it's in no way efficient. It is, however, useful if you're stranded sans power, and while home, you can use an included magnetic charging cable to charge it up in just a few hours.

We did notice when charging that the Tesla iPhone's battery frame and magnetic connector got super burn-your-hand hot, which is always a concern because it's not clear how safe custom iPhone components are in day to day use.

The device also comes with headphones, a Lightning cable, and a wall adapter, just like any other iPhone, but it has a Caviar-designed box that offers a premium unboxing experience as one would expect from a $4,400 iPhone.

The Tesla iPhone's battery pack is essentially similar to one of Apple's battery cases, except the battery is included at the back of the phone. This does, of course, disable the iPhone X's wireless charging feature, and it adds a good amount of bulk.

Along with the solar panel at the back of the device, the Tesla iPhone features carbon fiber accents, gold plating, and Tesla and Caviar-branded labeling on the device.

Aside from the solar panel and the custom design, the Tesla iPhone works like any other iPhone X. Face ID is unhindered, and the buttons work as normal.

This isn't a phone designed for the average consumer given its $4,400 price point, but there's a definite customer base for altered iPhones like this, and it's fun to check out even if it's not something we might buy.

What do you think of the Tesla iPhone? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: Hands-On With Caviar's $4,400 'Tesla' Solar-Charging iPhone X

This is what I have been saying for years. F wireless charging. Just do straight solar power. You guys should do a
Giveaway of this too

 

[MRI3T]

Several months back, a crazy custom "Tesla" iPhone X with a built-in solar charger made headlines across the internet because of its unique design and its $4000+ price tag.

We managed to get our hands on one of the Tesla iPhone X models, designed by custom iPhone maker Caviar, to test it out, and while this isn't something that most MacRumors readers are likely interested in buying, it's always interesting seeing one of these insanely expensive custom devices in person.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

According to Caviar, the Tesla iPhone X is so named because the solar charging panel and battery pack built into the back of the device were inspired by Elon Musk. There's no actual association with Tesla aside from the name and the solar design.

The Tesla iPhone X's solar charger isn't a case or a standalone battery pack - it's built right into the back of the iPhone. The solar addition is a 2,300mAh battery that can be used to charge the iPhone, and the battery itself charges using the power of the sun or via USB.

When charging using the sun, the battery takes 30 hours to charge, so it's in no way efficient. It is, however, useful if you're stranded sans power, and while home, you can use an included magnetic charging cable to charge it up in just a few hours.

We did notice when charging that the Tesla iPhone's battery frame and magnetic connector got super burn-your-hand hot, which is always a concern because it's not clear how safe custom iPhone components are in day to day use.

The device also comes with headphones, a Lightning cable, and a wall adapter, just like any other iPhone, but it has a Caviar-designed box that offers a premium unboxing experience as one would expect from a $4,400 iPhone.

The Tesla iPhone's battery pack is essentially similar to one of Apple's battery cases, except the battery is included at the back of the phone. This does, of course, disable the iPhone X's wireless charging feature, and it adds a good amount of bulk.

Along with the solar panel at the back of the device, the Tesla iPhone features carbon fiber accents, gold plating, and Tesla and Caviar-branded labeling on the device.

Aside from the solar panel and the custom design, the Tesla iPhone works like any other iPhone X. Face ID is unhindered, and the buttons work as normal.

This isn't a phone designed for the average consumer given its $4,400 price point, but there's a definite customer base for altered iPhones like this, and it's fun to check out even if it's not something we might buy.

What do you think of the Tesla iPhone? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: Hands-On With Caviar's $4,400 'Tesla' Solar-Charging iPhone X

This cant be!!! This has to be the only one sold,,.,...? Who would want this... or buy this???
But i will say.... for all of you whiners, talking about not wanting a thin phone and extended battery life, HERE YOU GO!! Lmao... this is silly....

 

[alexandr]

I want to see Drop Test results for this!

 

[ugahairydawgs]

To be a fly on the wall the first time someone shows a picture of this thing to Jony Ive.

 

[mcdj]

Looks familiar.