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Mophie Juice Pak For Iphone 4 Is Out
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Yes, in my opinion, it doubles it. However, it is easier to grip and not that much bigger for what it does.
Don't have any pictures to add to the thread that will beat the previous poster's excellent pics. But my initial thoughts are very very positive. I love it.
yes, it adds thickness. It's kind of a lot. But I LIKE it. Not that the iPhone 4 was too thin, but, this gives it some weight, bulk, and just an overall nice feel. It's not like Otterbox bulky. It's nice. It's hard to explain, but if you are even the least bit concerned about adding height to the phone, don't get this.
The soft touch feel on the back is nice. It isn't as soft as the Incase Slider (I own one for the iP4) but that's a good thing because my Incase scratched up and I don't think this one will as easily.
The "amplifying" of the audio is pretty good. I noticed in my apartment elevator my ringtone was much louder than it normally sounded. It's hard to explain - it isn't MUCH louder, but it's noticeable enough that you know. It isn't muffled. Wouldn't call it acoustic either. It's just...different. But a good different.
The form factor on this case is better than I've seen on any of the other battery pack cases out there so far, so if you're considering this or exogear, mili, etc. I'd definitely go with this. I'm loving it.
Only thing I can't figure out (reading the manual that came with it) is if it's best to let the phone drain down to 10-20% and then use the pack and charge it up as far as possible, or if it's best to charge the case up and then turn it on and let it run in place of the Iphone battery for X amount of hours and then let the iPhone do it's thing once the battery pack is depleted. The website and manual both say different things. Hmm.
But overall, very good quality. The flash also doesn't distort at all from what I've seen. I took it in an entirely dark room. Even the Incase Slider's "flash ring" showed signs of flash distortion on certain parts of the images. I can't notice a difference in this. Probably because when you see the cutout, it's almost like it gradually increases as it goes outwards, it's hard to explain without seeing it first hand. If anyone with a good camera could take a picture it'd probably help. But mine is great on the flash.
yes, it adds thickness. It's kind of a lot. But I LIKE it. Not that the iPhone 4 was too thin, but, this gives it some weight, bulk, and just an overall nice feel. It's not like Otterbox bulky. It's nice. It's hard to explain, but if you are even the least bit concerned about adding height to the phone, don't get this.
The soft touch feel on the back is nice. It isn't as soft as the Incase Slider (I own one for the iP4) but that's a good thing because my Incase scratched up and I don't think this one will as easily.
The "amplifying" of the audio is pretty good. I noticed in my apartment elevator my ringtone was much louder than it normally sounded. It's hard to explain - it isn't MUCH louder, but it's noticeable enough that you know. It isn't muffled. Wouldn't call it acoustic either. It's just...different. But a good different.
The form factor on this case is better than I've seen on any of the other battery pack cases out there so far, so if you're considering this or exogear, mili, etc. I'd definitely go with this. I'm loving it.
Only thing I can't figure out (reading the manual that came with it) is if it's best to let the phone drain down to 10-20% and then use the pack and charge it up as far as possible, or if it's best to charge the case up and then turn it on and let it run in place of the Iphone battery for X amount of hours and then let the iPhone do it's thing once the battery pack is depleted. The website and manual both say different things. Hmm.
But overall, very good quality. The flash also doesn't distort at all from what I've seen. I took it in an entirely dark room. Even the Incase Slider's "flash ring" showed signs of flash distortion on certain parts of the images. I can't notice a difference in this. Probably because when you see the cutout, it's almost like it gradually increases as it goes outwards, it's hard to explain without seeing it first hand. If anyone with a good camera could take a picture it'd probably help. But mine is great on the flash.
Agreed on all points. Now, in one day, I have noticed that, just like the phone, the pak charges faster in an outlet than thru USB. I am going to do a few cycles using the pak first and then the phone's own battery. See how it lasts.
Agreed on all points above. Its not just the size of the flash cutout, but also because its matte material as opposed to the shiny plastic, there isn't flash reflection. You can still have a big cutout and have the flash glare like on the Mili which is one of the reason why I returned it.
Here is a good read for those that are on the fence or deciding between Mophie and Mili.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/22/mophie-juice-pack-air-vs-mili-powerspring-4-review/
And again, I do believe one of the main reason for these battery packs not being able to fully charge the iphone from 0 to 100% is the loss of power when going from battery to battery. I get around 70 to 73 percent and now I only charge once every other or every other 2 days. I believe the iphone 4 has a great battery for standby, but when you start using graphics intense apps, or heavy 3G, the battery goes down relatively quick. Having this gives you the confidence of using your phone however much you like and not having to worry about running out of juice right before you have to head out.
Here is a good read for those that are on the fence or deciding between Mophie and Mili.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/22/mophie-juice-pack-air-vs-mili-powerspring-4-review/
And again, I do believe one of the main reason for these battery packs not being able to fully charge the iphone from 0 to 100% is the loss of power when going from battery to battery. I get around 70 to 73 percent and now I only charge once every other or every other 2 days. I believe the iphone 4 has a great battery for standby, but when you start using graphics intense apps, or heavy 3G, the battery goes down relatively quick. Having this gives you the confidence of using your phone however much you like and not having to worry about running out of juice right before you have to head out.
I have not seen it in our local Apple Store. Also AT&T (Corporate Retail) store says they will have it in a month. I'm waiting for it to show up on AT&T so I can use my FAN discount.
Well it's much to my displeasure that I can probably say I'm the first person to experience a fall to the cement with this case.
It's something I NEVER do - but I wasn't driving, I was a passenger so I was texting in the car, and had it on my lap and forgot. I stepped out of the car forgetting it was there and it flew to the cement, hit, then flipped upside down onto its front. I was expecting glass breakage when I picked it up but the screen had no scratches at all (probably because of the very small lip that it offers).
But where it landed, on the right side near the camera, the case has several indention marks from the rocky cement. The plastic is silver through and through though, so there's no discoloration, but it's definitely pretty scuffed up, the plastic corner that meets the black rubber is pushed inward a little too.
I'm not overly OCD so it's not going to bother me that much, plus I'd rather have the case take the damage than the phone, but just wanted to post that from a good fall to the cement the case still charges and works perfectly. LCD lights still work too, and there's scuff marks near the case's power button too where it must've hit the cement there as well. Oh well.
FWIW, the soft-touch back remained unharmed which I'm happy about, cause that being all scratched up would have bothered me more.
It's something I NEVER do - but I wasn't driving, I was a passenger so I was texting in the car, and had it on my lap and forgot. I stepped out of the car forgetting it was there and it flew to the cement, hit, then flipped upside down onto its front. I was expecting glass breakage when I picked it up but the screen had no scratches at all (probably because of the very small lip that it offers).
But where it landed, on the right side near the camera, the case has several indention marks from the rocky cement. The plastic is silver through and through though, so there's no discoloration, but it's definitely pretty scuffed up, the plastic corner that meets the black rubber is pushed inward a little too.
I'm not overly OCD so it's not going to bother me that much, plus I'd rather have the case take the damage than the phone, but just wanted to post that from a good fall to the cement the case still charges and works perfectly. LCD lights still work too, and there's scuff marks near the case's power button too where it must've hit the cement there as well. Oh well.
FWIW, the soft-touch back remained unharmed which I'm happy about, cause that being all scratched up would have bothered me more.
UPS dude just dropped mine a couple hours ago. Quick unbox, set it up to charge a bit and then had to go get dinner ready (darn kids
were hungry).I'll be on the phone with mine all day tomorrow and can let you know. Just listening to voice mails through speaker, I'm not really noticing anything different.....but will report more tomorrow.
First off impressions that might not have been covered yet. QUALITY. Attention to detail everywhere. Excellent case (that happens to have a battery in it). Have zero buyers remorse on this purchase.
The way the rear of the case is designed (rounded bulging), it makes the iPhone 4 feel very close to holding a bigger 3Gs (or maybe the 3Gs in a Speck Candy Shell). Very good balanced feel, both vertical and horizontal. I really like the way it feels now holding the iP4 horizontal two handed for games. Weight...you will notice it, but like has been mentioned, it's not bad, and makes the total package just feel 'right'.
Any specific tests or things anyone wants to know about, toss it out there....
I'm on the fence and I will honestly order if you can answer this one.
Do you have a screen shield on the front/back of your iphone? if so, has the mophie attempted to peel it off?
Do you have a screen shield on the front/back of your iphone? if so, has the mophie attempted to peel it off?
I have both front and rear skins (as well as a 'wrap' covering the entire aluminum outer band of the iPhone). Fits well even with all these still installed (not tight at all). I don't foresee problems. In the front, the Mophie JPA case lip only goes up against the outside edge of the glass, it does not cover it at all. The way the case 'frames' the iP4's front glass is very well done.
Question about the LED lights. Do they ever turn into 4 solid while charging? I kept it plugged in at work, charging, for about 4.5 hours, and all I ever saw was the first 3 being solid while the 4th blinking. It never turned solid.
But in the mophie manual it has a line that reads (something like this) "4 LED lights will show current charging status, but the 4th will remain blinking until fully charged" - except mine never turns solid. 4th light always blinks.
But in the mophie manual it has a line that reads (something like this) "4 LED lights will show current charging status, but the 4th will remain blinking until fully charged" - except mine never turns solid. 4th light always blinks.
I could be wrong on this....but it also appears that the JPA circuitry is smart enough that it charges your iPhone first, and then charges the JPA pack whenever it is connected to a power source. I don't think switch position on the Mophie matters.
This is a benefit of Mophie being in the 'Made for iPhone' program from Apple. They can use all the iPhone software & internal circuitry info that comes from that investment ($100k!) to make this work. Very cool if that is what it is doing.
This is a benefit of Mophie being in the 'Made for iPhone' program from Apple. They can use all the iPhone software & internal circuitry info that comes from that investment ($100k!) to make this work. Very cool if that is what it is doing.
Sound quality?
I'm really curious about the sound difference that people have noticed when playing music or a game with the phone in the case. I just got my Exolife yesterday but I'm thinking about sending it back unopened and getting the Mophie. Has anyone found a good comparison of the 2? Youtube only seems to have mophie vs mili comparisons..
I'm really curious about the sound difference that people have noticed when playing music or a game with the phone in the case. I just got my Exolife yesterday but I'm thinking about sending it back unopened and getting the Mophie. Has anyone found a good comparison of the 2? Youtube only seems to have mophie vs mili comparisons..
It does not charge both at the same time. Mophie's smart circuitry means that if your phone and case are both out of juice and you plug it in, the iphone's battery will be charged first. When that battery is full, only then, will the mophie's battery be charged, regardless of if the switch is set to on or off.
Thank you outrigger. His question was "Did it have to be removed to be charged?" No it charges them both, in what order, who cares.