With the iPhone continuing to evolve into an almost everything type of device. There is one thing in particular that you always have to keep an eye on, that is Battery Life. I’m sure most of us have hit that wall where we couldn’t use our fav app without fear of not having a phone. That’s where the Xtreme Mac iPhone case Battery comes into play. Hitting 2 different markets a Case that protects along with an extra Battery this device aims to extend you iPhones battery. How does the device hold up to everyday use?
Features
The Case has some unique features to it. First and formats is the Micro USB which replaces the iPhone jack. I was most impressed with the ability to still sync your phone now over Micro USB. You are also able to charge both the Case and the iPhone simultaneously utilizing the Micro USB. The device also features a On and Off switch, allowing you to dictate when the extra battery should be used. Along with a status button showing you how much extra battery life is left. There is also a kickstand on the device to allow your to prop up the device while watching movies. Though using the kickstand is a different subject and covered below.
Design
I was pleasantly surprised about the design of the case. I figured with an extra battery essentially attach to the iPhone there would be a lot of added girth to the Device. That being said while the case does make the iPhone a little bigger it was no where near the amount I expected. The case is made with a Rubber/Plastic material, that gives it a nice firm feel. Giving the iPhone + Case a nice solid weight, while a easy to grip surface. The only issue I saw with the design was the kickstand. Essentially the kickstand is used for standing your iPhone up while watching movies. A fantastic idea though to use the kickstand you have to remove the top of the case in order to access it. I really wasn’t impressed by this as it became a bit tedious to get at the kickstand. Also I was concerned with long term use and perhaps the top of the case becoming to loose. This of course is a prototype so perhaps the final design might be a bit different.
Everyday Use
I have been finding myself using my iPhone more and more lately. With a couple of really solid apps that I can’t seem to put down, and yes the recent sale on Infinity Blade certainly didn’t help, I’ve watched helplessly as my battery life dwindled.
With using the iPhone while continuously streaming over 3g using the Ustream App, I found it took about 2hrs to bring the device down to a 10% charge. At that moment I turned on the Xtreme Mac and ran same test. At about the 2hr mark similar battery life remained. Essentially meaning that the device doubles the battery life of the iPhone.
On day to day use the case almost was an essential tool. Really taking the concept of Mobile to the next level. Not having to worry about having a Plug nearby meant that I could use my phone for all the extra features it has without any concerns.
Overall
A really solid addition to the iPhone Case market. Not only does it appear to add the necessary protection to the device it also doubles the iPhone 4 battery life. While what I reviewed was a prototype I can only imagine the quality of the final version.