If there’s something I’ve discovered concerning the iPhone 3G since July 11th, it’s that the battery life is horrible. If I’m simply texting and making the occasional call, I can survive for a day, but when I attempt to play video games or use 3G I do know it is going to go to the dreaded pink battery icon shortly.
That’s why there are a rising number of manufacturers who have prolonged battery packs for the iPhone in the marketplace. For example, lithium polymer battery I seemed on the Kensington Mini Battery Pack and Charger (US$49.99), however the website doesn’t show that it works with the iPhone 3G.
My next alternative was the Richard | Solo Smart Backup Battery. This US$49.95 lithium-ion battery pack has saved me from working out of juice prematurely more than once!
Read on for more information about this should-have sidekick for the iPhone 3G. If you loved this write-up and you would certainly like to get additional information concerning LiFePO4 battery Shop kindly visit the web page. In case you are wondering about the corporate title, Richard | Solo is the brand new retail startup of Richard Thalheimer, lithium ion battery pack the man behind Sharper Image. That’s why you’ll additionally discover the Smart Backup Battery wedged into the website between the three in 1 Travel Groomer and a radio-control Ferrari. Don’t let that bother you, though — the Smart Backup LiFePO4 battery pack works very nicely. It’s also certified by Apple as «Made for iPod» and «Works with iPhone», so you know it should work nicely with both kind of system.
This is a small add-on, though most of the current battery extenders for iPhone add numerous length to the iPhone’s dimensions. The dimensions are 1.77″ wide x 2.83″ excessive x .49″ thick (4.5 x 7.2 x 1.25 cm), and the 1200mAh battery weighs only 1.76 ounces (50 grams). The Smart Backup Battery comes with a retractable cable USB AC adapter (above) that has a mini-USB connector on one end that fits into the socket on the battery. What’s good is which you can unplug the AC adapter, plug the USB cable into an obtainable port in your Mac or Pc, after which cost the Smart Backup Battery and your iPhone concurrently.
Another cool characteristic is that the case of the battery is made out of aluminum slightly than plastic, so worries about scratching or cracking the case are eradicated. I typically put the included plastic cap over the iPhone connector and drop the Smart Backup Battery into the again pocket of my pants, and the aluminum case withstands the pressures of sitting very nicely. Wondering in regards to the warranty? There is a 30-day satisfaction guarantee upon buy, and a supplies and workmanship warranty for ninety days. My one complaint is that the warranty needs to be longer, because the Kensington product provides a one-year warranty for a similar price.
The Smart Backup Battery takes about 3.5 hours to cost, though Richard | Solo recommends that you simply cost the pack in a single day for the primary two nights to «top it off.» The battery’s capability is about 70 — 80% of the iPhone’s battery capability, so if you are still in the inexperienced on your iPhone battery, plugging in the backup battery will bring your iPhone as much as a nearly full cost. Richard | Solo warns that in case your cellphone is already under a 20% charge, you will not get a whole recharge. When you high off your iPhone with the backup battery while the iPhone still has a good charge, the backup battery routinely shuts off when the iPhone is at 100% charge and retains the rest of the charge for later use.
There are three LEDs on the face of the Smart Backup Battery. The primary is a blue mild that turns on when the Smart Backup Battery reaches a 100% charged state, the second is a blue light that exhibits when the backup battery is charging the iPhone or iPod. Finally, there’s a third LED that changes color relying on what’s going on. If you’re charging the Smart Backup Battery, the LED is strong pink. When you have the iPhone or iPod linked and charging at the same time, the LED does not gentle up until the machine is absolutely charged and the Smart Backup Battery begins to charge up. If the Smart Backup Battery is nearly fully discharged and must be recharged, the LED flashes red. Finally, if it’s hooked into an iPhone or iPod and the LED turns green, the gadget is absolutely charged.
In accordance with Richard | Solo, the Smart Backup Battery is good for about 300 cost / discharge cycles. They don’t advocate frequent complete discharges, though they counsel that you just do it about as soon as each 30 costs to calibrate the battery.
Real Life Situation
Here’s a regular scenario that I run into frequently. I cost up my iPhone 3G and the Smart Backup Battery every night. I make calls during the day, examine stock prices and weather data, and ship just a few texts and Tweets. Later within the day, I discover myself enjoying video games on the iPhone, so after about 2.5 hours of that my battery decides to go into the red zone. I plug within the Smart Backup Battery, and simply let it cost the phone up whereas I’m utilizing it — this isn’t the optimum manner to use the battery, however it does let me continue working with the iPhone for about another 2 — 2.5 hours.
I discovered the Smart Backup Battery to be indispensable with my iPhone 3G and unlike my American Express card, I do not leave house with out it. If any TUAW readers have tried this or other iPhone battery extenders / chargers, please go away a comment and tell us your experiences.