Apple recently released its first battery case accessory intended to extend the battery life of the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6S. The case and battery pack combination dubbed Smart Battery Case was received with mixed criticism. Some applauded Apple for creating ways to extend the limited battery life of its devices, while some pointed out the case was horribly designed.
The Apple Smart Battery Case costs $99. The case is made of silicone and the battery has 1,877mAh of power. In comparison, the battery pack embedded on the iPhone 6 only has 1,810mAh worth of power and 1,715mAh on the iPhone 6S, according to Fortune.
The official description of the Smart Battery Case posted on Apple's official website reads, "Charge your iPhone and battery case simultaneously for increased talk time up to 25 hours, Internet use up to 18 hours on LTE, and even longer audio and video playback."
In terms of battery power, the Mophie Juice Pack Air packs 2,750mAh worth of battery power while a case from Anker costs $47 and boasts a 3,100mAh battery pack.
Critics pointed that the silicone exterior of the Smart Battery Case feels similar to the cases marketed by Apple for the past two years. The only blatant difference is the giant bump that was the result of incorporating the battery into the case.
Some critics praised the increase battery life brought by the Smart Battery Case. However, a practical user would prefer to choose a case that sports a more powerful battery pack and picks a far lesser price tag.