Smart Battery Case for iPhone XS Max, forget about chargers

With the increasingly important role that smartphones have in our daily lives, whether for leisure or work, batteries are one of the aspects that tend to leave most users unsatisfied. That is why external batteries have taken a leading role in accessories that we always carry in our backpacks and bags, or placed on our smartphones in the form of battery cases.

Apple made its debut in this market with the iPhone 6 and 6s, the first to enjoy a battery case from the apple brand, and after a year in which the company seemed to be leaving this market, has just launched new cases for its iPhone XS, XS Max and XR. We have tested the model for the iPhone XS Max and we tell you how it works and our impressions.

New design but continuity

Apple launches a new design with these new Smart Battery Cases, although it is more of a "restyling" than a completely new design. Continuous because it takes the classic silicone covers as a base, using the same material for both the interior and exterior. Silicone that covers the entire iPhone, including the bottom that conventional models leave free, and velvety soft fabric inside to be delicate with the steel frame of our XS and XS Max, or the aluminum of the XR.

But it is also continuous because it opts again for the "hump" at the back of the case to house the battery that the case incorporates. Although now it has achieved, at least in my opinion, a more harmonious design by extending this hump to the bottom, not like in the previous ones, which was only occupying the middle third of the case. In this way, the upper third is free and allows it to be bent just enough to be able to insert the iPhone into the case easily. There are no two pieces to join here, nor do you have to force the iPhone into the case. Apple has achieved something that others should imitate, although the final design generates hatred in some users ... It is impossible to please everyone.

The best thing about the new design is the absence of a "chin" at the bottom of the case. Having an iPhone without frames and giving you a frame with a battery case would be inexcusable, and Apple has taken this into account in the design of this Smart Battery Case. If we look at the iPhone from the front, we will not be able to distinguish if it has a Smart Battery Case or a conventional silicone case. If you regularly use the silicone case, the touch when you hold it, the pressing of the buttons ... you will have the same sensations with this Apple battery case, less the weight.

It is comfortable to hold, like normal covers it takes care of collecting all the lint in your pocket, but in return it has a fabulous grip and is easily cleaned by hand. It does not increase the dimensions of the iPhone except for the thickness in that lower part, so even if you have a small hand (like me) you can handle the huge XS Max with one hand, or at least the same as without a case. But the weight does increase considerably, something that must be added to the fact that the iPhone XS Max is not exactly a light device. For my taste it is the only "but" that can be put to this case, although it seems inevitable. Despite everything, the iPhone + case set is lighter than any other iPhone + external battery set.

Lightning or wireless, charge it however you want

There are more differences between current cases and previous models besides the aesthetic ones, and a very important one is the compatibility with wireless charging. The Smart Battery case can be recharged wirelessly by placing it on top of any Qi-compliant charging base. Of course this also applies when you carry the iPhone inside the case. If you want a faster charge you can choose to use the Lightning cable, and even if you want to use even faster charging, you can use a Power Delivery charger with a USB port and a certified cable. Apple has wanted the case not to take away any functionality from its iPhone, and it has succeeded.

The case will always prioritize recharging the iPhone over its own, so if you recharge the case with the iPhone inside, the iPhone will be charged first, and then the case will be charged. This depends on the amount of energy you supply, because If you use a more powerful charger, it will be used to recharge the iPhone and with the excess energy you can recharge the case at the same time. It is an intelligent energy management system that makes the difference with other similar products.

No buttons, no indicators

You are not going to find no button to turn the case on or off, and no LED indicator to tell you how much charge is left in the same. This case represents the purest style of Apple doing things, a totally transparent product for the user without elements that the company considers useless. Why indicate the remaining charge by means of LEDs when the iPhone screen can show it more accurately? Why leave the decision of when to use the cover up to the user if the system knows better how to handle this task? I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just that the company thinks so, and has applied it to this Smart Battery Case.

To see the remaining load we have the widget that we can add both on the lock screen and on the iOS desktop. That widget You will know it if you have AirPods or an Apple Watch, since it is the same one that shows you the remaining battery of these devices. It also appears on your iPhone's lock screen when you put it on charge, but it only lasts for a few moments. Here I miss being able to see the remaining battery from the top bar of the iPhone, for example, when we deploy the control center. Like when you use dual SIM, iOS could show you two batteries if you have the Smart Battery on.

When it comes to battery performance, there is little to say, or rather, little to do. You put the battery in and you forget it, because you don't have any kind of control in your hands. You will not be able to deactivate it, you will not be able to activate it. The system takes care of everything, and your iPhone will pull the external battery while it is charged, to start pulling its own battery once the Smart Battery has run out. Many will worry if that is good or bad for the health of the battery of our iPhone…. I personally do not consider it, if Apple has opted for this way of working it must be adequate.

With all this, Apple ensures that the battery of your iPhone XS Max will reach 37 hours of conversation, 20 hours of internet use and 25 hours of video playback. In practice This should mean that whatever you do, the battery of your iPhone XS Max should last you a whole day without the slightest problem.even if you are watching videos or playing games continuously. We will have to wait to carry out the tests with it on for a few days to verify it. In the case of the iPhone XS the times are 33, 21 and 25 hours, and in the case of the XR, 39, 22 and 27 hours respectively.

Editor's opinion

The Smart Battery Case is an ideal solution for those who want more battery than what the iPhone can offer in any of its models. With a design that generates love and hate in equal measure, the materials used are the same as in classic silicone cases, and Apple has managed to eliminate annoying elements such as that "chin" at the bottom, achieving a case that is easy to use. grip and comfortable to wear, even for the largest model. In addition, the technology it includes is unique in its category and allows you not to have to give up wireless charging or fast charging on your iPhone..

But all this comes at a high price, and not only in terms of economic cost. The case considerably increases the weight of the iPhone, which also in the case of the XS models is already high if we compare it with other aluminum models. And its price is high, higher than any other similar case you can find: € 149 Whatever model you want. In addition, it is currently only available in black and white. You can buy it at the Apple Store.