Apple launches Smart Battery Cases for iPhone XS, XS Max & XR

Apple on Tuesday launched three new Smart Battery Cases to match its latest iPhone lineup, significantly extending the longevity of its handsets.

The iPhone XS case adds up to 21 hours of internet use, 25 hours of video, or 33 hours of talk time. The XS Max model supplies 20 hours of internet, 25 hours of video, and 37 hours of talk, while the XR case offers the best performance, raising those numbers to 22, 27, and 39 hours, respectively.

The cases are compatible with Qi wireless chargers, which can charge an iPhone simultaneously. Alternately they can be fueled by Lightning-to-USB cables, with USB-C enabling fast charging.

All three cases cost $129 and come only in black or white, even though the iPhone XR ships in six different colors.

Apple skipped first-party battery cases for 2017 iPhones, despite having produced earlier ones for the iPhone 6, 6s, and 7.

The only design changes for the new products appear to be a relocated battery hump and a vertical camera cutout.

Hints that Apple was returning to the field first emerged in early December, thanks to an icon in watchOS 5.1.2 and a leaked image. By late December a merchandising guide all but confirmed intentions.