Apple's latest generation of smartphones will get USB type-C support earlier than we thought.
Starting next month, with the release of Mophie's Juice Pack Access, you will be able to charge any member of the iPhone X family (X, XS, XS Max and XR), using a ubiquitous USB-C cable, the latest generation of the USB standard now present on most modern Android smartphones, tablets and laptops.
Last October, I wrote that my firm, Atherton Research, expects Apple to go "all-in" on USB-C in the next-generation of its smartphones later in 2019.
However, with Mophie's upcoming wireless battery pack for the iPhone X family, this feature will come as soon as early March.
In addition to USB-C charging, you will be able to recharge the iPhone using the device's proprietary Lightning connector that is still accessible when using the Mophie case or wirelessly by dropping the case on a wireless charging pad: The iPhone will charge first, followed by the battery pack.
The Juice Pack Access has a 2,000 mAh battery for the XR and XS cases, and a 2,200 mAh battery for the XS Max, while Apple's Smart Battery Case—a direct competitor to Mophie's— is using two 1,369 mAh batteries for a total of 2,738 mAh, which will get you easily through a full day (24 hours).
Although the cases of both manufacturers look similar and have comparable sizes (see below), we found that Mophie's high-quality plastic is both smoother and more durable than Apple's silicone-made battery case which will crack and break apart over time.
The Mophie Juice Pack dimensions (in millimeters) are:
- iPhone XS / X – 147 x 74 x 17 (length/width/depth)
- iPhone XS Max – 161 x 82 x 18
- iPhone XR – 155 x 80 x 19
The Apple Smart Battery case dimensions are:
- iPhone XS – 149 x 75 x 16
- iPhone XS Max – 162 x 83 x 18
- iPhone XR – 156 x 81 x 80 x 18
Another major difference between the two wireless battery cases is that Mophie moves the power from its battery to the iPhone wirelessly (5W), while the Apple Smart Battery Case uses the Lightning port which is more energy efficient and could be quicker when using a faster charger (10W, 12W or 30W) than the 5W one provided with an iPhone.
Finally, the Mophie case has an on/off button that allows you to stop the case from charging the iPhone whereas Apple's battery case is always charging, constantly topping off the iPhone battery, until the battery case is completely discharged. The good thing is that when the battery case dies, your iPhone should be fully charged up, at or close to 100%. However, we don't recommend keeping constantly charging the iPhone because it creates excess heat and stresses on the battery which will reduce its lifespan.
Atherton Research Insights
In conclusion, despite using the less energy efficient wireless technology to transfer power from the battery to the iPhone, here are the five key reasons why we still highly recommend the Mophie Juice Pack Access over Apple's Smart Battery Case:
- More durable and smooth material that also easily slips easily in and out of the pocket and is less likely to pick up dust or dirt.
- Ability to start and stop recharging the iPhone to save the case and the phone's battery lifespan
- More ways to recharge through USB-C, wireless or the Lightning port
- Cheaper: $100 for the Mophie case versus $129 for Apple's
- Nearly the same dimensions than the Apple Smart Battery Case
