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[Review] Apple Smart Battery Case for iPhone 6/6s - The BEST battery case I've ever used

tsevince

tsevince

macrumors regular
Original poster

I've been MIA from the forums, but back to post a recent review of the new Apple Smart Battery Case everyone has been talking about.

I think with the surprise that Apple even released a battery case, plus trying to be first to market with a review/preview of the cases, that a lot of reviewers (even seasoned ones) didn't give the case the chance it deserved to be tested.

It's got a built in 1877 mAh battery and fits both the iPhone 6 and 6s.

I'm a big fan of the look of the case, simply because it's comfortable in the hand, which is something I can't say for a lot of other battery cases.

Unfortunately, they've used a silicone material, which offers a lot of grip, but loves to attract dust and dirt - especially when you put it in your pocket.
 
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It's at times like this, that I'm especially grateful I've had the money, time and desire to test Most of the top of the line, popular iPhone Battery Cases.

Nothing beats first hand experience and ownership for my curiosity.

Mophie still has the best, nicest looking, long lasting battery cases of all.

When it comes to external batteries ANKER is the brand that I find exceptional.

That said I do understand the emotional connection to Apple's products many users have. That they choose Apple and proclaim them the best does fall in line with Apple's wishes.

Viva Le Difference
I'll take third party accessories in this category. 😀
 
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maxsix said:
It's at times like this, that I'm especially grateful I've had the money, time and desire to test Most of the top of the line, popular iPhone Battery Cases.

Nothing beats first hand experience and ownership for my curiosity.

Mophie still has the best, nicest looking, long lasting battery cases of all.

When it comes to external batteries ANKER is the brand that I find exceptional.

That said I do understand the emotional connection to Apple's products many users have. That they choose Apple and proclaim them the best does fall in line with Apple's wishes.

Viva Le Difference
I'll take third party accessories in this category. 😀
Click to expand...

Very fair to say and to each their own for anything. The term 'best' is a subjective and personal term, I'm not here to say it should be your best or anyone else's best, but it's the best I've ever used.

It's ergonomically the best for any I've tested - that includes the Mophie, Anker, Lenmar, and LifeProof.

It's the most convenient case, as the only time you ever interact with it, is when you have to install the case. You don't have to learn new interactions, remember to do anything, or need a new set of cables - you simply install and you have more battery capacity, that's it.

It's the most comfortable I've ever used, as silicone is one of the best materials for grip and therefore maneuverability in my hand, without needing to hyper-extend and fingers to reach certain areas of the screen. The design of the battery in the back may be unsightly to some, but fits best in the hand when compared to any other case I've used.

The case is definitely not PERFECT though. Silicone is a terrible mess to keep clean and for the value you pay for the case, you're getting a much smaller battery capacity than others in the same price bracket.

Sure, I love Apple, you can call me a fanboy, but in the end, the Apple Smart Battery Case meets all my needs, which makes it the BEST for ME.
 
so it kills the battery case first then my phone. interesting way to do things. I have chargers everywhere I got and an anker external battery, I use to love mophie, but hated the cable.
 
For the headphone?
They sell a Belkin adapter Cable in the Apple Store. 10 bucks. I bought one along with my Smart Battery Case.
 
skiltrip said:
For the headphone?
They sell a Belkin adapter Cable in the Apple Store. 10 bucks. I bought one along with my Smart Battery Case.
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-_- I asked if they had any extenders and the apple woman said no. Really don't want to go BACK to the mall during the holiday season. Sigh
 
jcorbin said:
-_- I asked if they had any extenders and the apple woman said no. Really don't want to go BACK to the mall during the holiday season. Sigh
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The sales kid that was helping me said he didn't know if they had one, and asked another guy who said yes and knew where they were. This is the one...
ddb372a06225cafd7bf50da4e0afc02c.jpg
 
Great review. Hit the nail on the head. My only complaint so far is the silicone material. Sticks in my pocket quite a bit, but otherwise, a fantastic accessory. I use my iPhone very heavily and am now able to get through the entire day and then some.
 
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Would not personally buy it, but happy others have it as an option if needed.

Biggest issues for me are:
  • Bleh design
  • Always discharging
  • Overpriced compared to competitors
 
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uiop. said:
Great review. Hit the nail on the head. My only complaint so far is the silicone material. Sticks in my pocket quite a bit, but otherwise, a fantastic accessory. I use my iPhone very heavily and am now able to get through the entire day and then some.
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That's my biggest issue. I don't mind the design (it's pretty easy to get used to), but sheesh the endless amounts of lint that gets stuck on it is cringe-inducing. A leather version of this would be fantastic.
 
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horsebattery said:
That's my biggest issue. I don't mind the design (it's pretty easy to get used to), but sheesh the endless amounts of lint that gets stuck on it is cringe-inducing. A leather version of this would be fantastic.
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I'm not seeing any lint on mine. I think once minimal/normal amounts of finger oil get on the surface it grabs a LOT less lint. When it was new out of the box I got a few pieces of lint that wiped right off. That stopped after a day or two.
 
gman36 said:
Why does it matter if its "always" discharging?
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Yeah. This is frequently cited as being a drawback, or that simply having no on/off switch is a con.

I don't see the validity in the argument. You're going to discharge the case's battery into your own at one point or another, so why not just let it start right off the bat?

The case battery isn't being wasted in any way. It's just trickle charging your phone battery a little at a time as it needs it.

I don't want to manage this kinda nonsense. This is why I moved back to iPhone from Android in the first place. I was tired of micro-managing my battery life by toggling things on and off all the time. This case just gives you a virtual larger battery with no management needed. That's all win in my book.
 
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skiltrip said:
Yeah. This is frequently cited as being a drawback, or that simply having no on/off switch is a con.

I don't see the validity in the argument. You're going to discharge the case's battery into your own at one point or another, so why not just let it start right off the bat?

The case battery isn't being wasted in any way. It's just trickle charging your phone battery a little at a time as it needs it.

I don't want to manage this kinda nonsense. This is why I moved back to iPhone from Android in the first place. I was tired of micro-managing my battery life by toggling things on and off all the time. This case just gives you a virtual larger battery with no management needed. That's all win in my book.
Click to expand...

I agree, I couldn't come up with a single reason why a battery case needs an off and off switch.
 
skiltrip said:
I'm not seeing any lint on mine. I think once minimal/normal amounts of finger oil get on the surface it grabs a LOT less lint. When it was new out of the box I got a few pieces of lint that wiped right off. That stopped after a day or two.
Click to expand...
That's interesting to know. I've only had mine for a couple of days so maybe it'll improve after a while. Though I tend to be bothered with even slight amounts of lint, so maybe that's the main difference between us. 😉
 
horsebattery said:
That's interesting to know. I've only had mine for a couple of days so maybe it'll improve after a while. Though I tend to be bothered with even slight amounts of lint, so maybe that's the main difference between us. 😉
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I wouldn't say that. I'm a clean freak with phones and cases. I've had cheapo low budget silicone cases in some of my old Android phones and I couldn't tolerate it. Those were nasty. Lol

I always prefer TPU cases when given the choice because they have no interest in picking up lint.
 
Is it safe to constantly keep the phone charging? Doesn't that hurt the battery down the road if you don't use the case or is the technology too advanced nowadays for that to matter anymore?
 
I really wanted to like this battery case but it made my 6S weigh like a brick. Also a lint/dirt magnet. Nice effort but make it lighter and cheaper and Apple might have something. For $100, not a chance!
 
Is the Case sturdy enough to handle being removed and installed several times over? I planned on letting my wife borrow it sometimes but worry that removing it and installing it will wear it out
 
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