Apple Case Doubles iPhone 6S Battery Life But Is It Worth $99?

Apple launched a battery case for the iPhone 6S that also works with the iPhone 6, on Tuesday. Debate of added 'girth' notwithstanding, the launch was seen by many as Apple's admission that battery on its latest iPhone was inadequate.

The case went online on Apple store for $ 99 and is available in two color options. Called the Smart Battery Case, it packs a 1,877 mAh battery that Apple claims can increase talk-time from the phone to 25 hours. The battery nearly doubles the phone's 1,715 mAh battery but many opined that given the price of the case, the additional juice it provides falls short of third-party battery cases.

The Verge mentions that the bump on the battery case is noticeable though the case fits nicely onto the device and is easy to install or remove. Comparisons were made with other cases which offer as much as 3,000 mAh, come with an on/off switch to let users choose when to use the battery case and cost nearly half of Apple case. Apple's Smart Battery Case does not have a power option but in the event the phone's battery is completely charged, the case's device integration allows it to be consumed before the phone's battery begins to drain.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the case fits the phone better than other third-party options and integrates with the device to show battery and case life separately. With a larger 10W power adapter, it is possible to charge both the phone and the case in one go.