Apple's battery-case design has an explanation

24 hours ago Apple launched by surprise a completely new accessory for its iPhone 6 and 6s: a battery-case called "Smart Battery Case" that no one has left indifferent. Some more than interesting features (25 hours of conversation and 17 hours of web browsing via LTE) and a high price (€ 119 in Spain, $ 99 in the United States). However, the most controversial aspect has been its design with that "hump" on the back. Some people are horrified, others if it implements it seems strange (I include myself in that second group) but be that as it may, it seems that this peculiar design has a logical explanation: patents registered by Mophie.

There is no such thing as a nice drum bag, I think it is necessary to start from that base. Even the best designed ones, which in my opinion are from the Mophie brand, enlarge the iPhone and fatten it in a plastic case whose design will never win any awards. Precisely Apple could have created that case with such a peculiar design precisely to avoid problems with Mophie, which has registered patents for many elements related to the design of its covers.

Let's look at the cases that I have indicated as a reference, specifically the Juice Pack Plus model for iPhone 6 and 6s, which should be noted that has a price of € 129, even higher than the Apple case. Its design is very similar to that of Apple, but opts to give the entire case the same thickness, rather than using the "hump" of the Apple case. The cover is divided into two pieces that are separated, and has switches and LEDs that inform us of the battery charge and allow us to turn the charge on or off. All these elements, how the cover is assembled and the design of the smallest detail is patented by MophieSo if Apple had done something similar it would have been in trouble.

The solution that Apple has found is still original: a silicone case whose upper part can be easily folded to put the iPhone in and out, and with a charging indicator that appears in the notification center, next to the charge of the iPhone and Apple Watch (if you have it). Instead of a power button it has chosen to start charging the iPhone from the moment the case is connected, and your iPhone will remain at 100% charge as long as the Smart Battery Case has some charge remaining. When the case is zero then your iPhone will start using its battery. The Lightning connector that incorporates the case also allows you to charge the iPhone and the case simultaneously, which is a huge plus. In short, I think that no one carries a battery case out of pleasure, but out of necessity, and Apple's meets this premise.