Mikey Campbell
In a surprise release on Tuesday, Apple debuted the Smart Battery Case for iPhone 6s and 6, the first integrated battery pack to come out of Cupertino since the original iPhone launched in 2007.
According to the item's description, the Smart Battery Case is designed specifically for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6 devices, offering users a high level of protection and up to 25 hours of extended usage.
Like Apple's current lineup of custom-fit iPhone cases, the battery-packed version is made from soft touch silicone and comes lined with microfiber material. A special elastomer hinge design allows for easy insertion and removal, suggesting the case itself is somewhat pliable.
A small "chin" section houses the Lightning connector and what appears to be acoustic channels for iPhone's speaker and microphone. Importantly, a female Lightning port is built in to the case bottom, meaning iPhone owners connect their favorite Lightning accessories or charge iPhone and the Smart Battery Case simultaneously. Apple points out compatibility with the official Lightning dock.
Unlike popular third-party designs that effectively double iPhone's sleek profile, like Mophie's Juice Pack, Apple chose to stuff the external battery into a small hump. Cutouts along the edges and case back provide access to iPhone's iSight camera, mute switch and headphone jack, while system volume controls and sleep/wake button remain snugly covered.
Apple fails to specify exact battery capacity information, but claims talk times can increase up to 25 hours, Internet browsing over LTE up to 18 hours, and audio and video playback up to 20 hours.
When attached and charging iPhone, users can quickly check the pack's power status through a special lock screen graphic and in Notification Center's Batteries section.
German language site iPhone-ticker.de also reported on Apple's Smart Battery Case launch.
The Smart Battery Case comes in at $99 and is being offered in white and charcoal gray colors. Orders are being accepted now through Apple's website with overnight delivery times pegged at Dec. 10 to Dec. 14, or Dec. 11 to Dec. 15 for the free option.
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71 Comments
Did they move April Fools Day to December 8th? This just seems weird to me. And no 6+/6S+ size: Are the sales low enough that it’s not worth the effort or does the already longer battery life not warrant the same interest?
Pro: Has a female Lightning connector, and I presumably will allow charging both batteries whilst attached.
Con: Trolls will claim that if iPhone batteries didn't suck or if Apple did build the battery into the case they wouldn't have need to create this product and charge you for what otherwise should be free blah blah bs.
... UGH?!
Why not taking a clue from the pencil recharge concept?:
Have the lightning dock as a portable battery as well. Just plug the phone in the lightning dock and have the phone fully charged in 15 minutes or so. At your hotel you could recharge both your phone and lightning dock while the lightning dock is plugged in.
I remember I once had a Nokia 121 that had a High Cap Battery with a tumour on the back... And I think the OKI900 had a similar lump... Design fail. Does this one work exceptionally well,like ugly well? Other people make quite attractive battery/music add-ons but who designed this prosthesis?
Apple basically admitting that 6S battery life sucks. My 6S w/ Samsung processor has worse battery life than my old 6.
An odd decision. And one that might affect Apple's image, not to mention stock price.