Earlier this week, Apple launched the Smart Battery Cases for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. The battery cases are now available for purchase through Apple’s retail and online store. Planning on buying one? Read this article first to know all about Apple’s Smart Battery Cases for the iPhone XS and iPhone XR.
Unlike the Smart Battery case for the iPhone 6s, Apple is charging a flat $129 for the three different variants of its Smart Battery Case for its 2018 iPhones.
Smart Battery Case for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR
Q) How heavy are the Smart Battery Cases?
A) Apple does not mention the weight of the cases but they are bulky and will add a considerable amount of heft to your phone especially on the iPhone XS Max. If you don’t mind a heavy phone, you will appreciate the additional battery boost offered by the Smart Battery Case. But if you are someone who prefers to carry their phone naked and show off its slim and sleek design, the hefty and bulk added by the Smart Battery Case is definitely going to bum you out.
Q) What’s the battery capacity of the Smart Battery Case?
A) Unlike the iPhone 6s Smart Battery case, Apple has managed to fit in a significantly higher capacity battery on its Smart Battery Case for the iPhone XS and iPhone XR. These cases come with a massive 10.1 Whr battery (around 2700mAh) which also explains the added heft introduced by them.
Q) How much charge does the Smart Battery Case have right out of the box?
A) 0 percent. Yes, you read that right. Due to some regulations, Apple can only ship the Smart Battery Case via ground and they come with 0 percent charge right out of the box. Due to this, the case might not charge wirelessly so it is recommended to charge it over Lightning the first time around.
Q) How dramatic will be the battery life improvement with these cases?
A) Depending on which iPhone you are using, you will see an improvement of anywhere between 50-75 percent for most tasks. Below are the official numbers from Apple:
iPhone XS:
- Talk time up to 33 hours
- Internet use up to 21 hours
- Video playback up to 25 hours
iPhone XS Max:
- Talk time up to 37 hours
- Internet use up to 20 hours
- Video playback up to 25 hours
iPhone XR:
- Talk time up to 39 hours
- Internet use up to 22 hours
- Video playback up to 27 hours
For comparison, without the Smart Battery Case, the 2018 iPhones offer around 10-11 hours of Internet use.
Q) What colors is the Smart Battery Case available in?
A) This time around, Apple is offering the Smart Battery Case in only two colors for all three iPhones: Black and White.
Q) Does the Smart Battery Case offer ample protection from dings and drops?
A) Yes, it does! The silicone exterior is good enough to protect your iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR from drops and dings, while the microfiber lining inside helps keep your phone free from scratches from dust and dirt particles. It also has a soft elastomer design for easy removal.
Q) Does the Smart Battery Case support wireless charging?
A) Like the 2018 iPhones, the Smart Battery Case also has Qi wireless charging support. This means you can simply put the phone on top of a wireless charger to charge the phone and the battery case.
Q) What about wired charging?
A) Similar to the previous Smart Battery Case from Apple, one can charge the new battery case over Lightning as well. Even better, the Smart Battery Case supports USB-PD which means you can use an 18W or 30W USB-C power adapter to charge the case quickly.
Charging the Smart Battery Case using a 10/12W iPad charger or an 18W USB-C charger will be faster than wireless charging which is limited to 7.5W.
Q) How does charging the Smart Battery Case works? Which charges first — the case or the phone? And how does the Smart Battery Case work?
A) The Smart Battery Case talks to your iPhone XS or iPhone XR over Lightning. It comes with a Lightning port of its own which also acts as a passthrough. Once you install the case, your iPhone will first use the battery from the Smart Charging case. After the case battery is fully depleted, the iPhone will start using its internal battery. When you put your phone on charge, the roles are reversed. Your iPhone will charge first and once it is fully charged, the Smart Battery Case will start getting charged.
If both the phone and Battery Case are fully depleted, they will take around 4.5-6 hours to charge fully depending on the type of power adapter you use. It is strongly recommended that in such a scenario you do not use the stock 5W charger as it will take an extremely long time.
Q) How can I check the battery status of the Smart Battery Case?
A) The battery status of the Smart Battery Case will be shown on the Lock Screen of your iPhone and on the Notification Center alongside the battery of your phone itself.
Do you plan on purchasing a Smart Battery Case for your iPhone XS or iPhone XR? Drop a comment and let us know!
