With the 4,700mAh iPhone 6 Plus UnityPower Rechargeable External Battery Case ($64.95), i-Blason aims to offer bargain-hunting consumers an alternative to name-brand battery cases with arguably inflated prices. The UnityPower will add more life to your iPhone 6 Plus for less money than its higher-end competitors, like the Mophie Juice Pack ($15.00 at Amazon) and our Editors' Choice, the Tylt Energi Sliding Power Case . But that lower price comes at a cost, and the UnityPower's average build and questionable protective qualities may deter some.
Design and Features
The UnityPower's 6.75-by-3.2-by-0.65-inch (HWD) dimensions are generally similar to the 2,700mAh Juice Pack, but it weighs almost an ounce more at 4.8 ounces, most likely due to its larger 4,700mAh battery. You get the choice between black and gold color options for the UnityPower's plastic body, which doesn't look or feel quite as premium as the Juice Pack or Energi cases.
The two-piece design is similar to the OtterBox Resurgence Power Case for iPhone 6 in that a frame surrounds and secures your iPhone 6 Plus to the main section containing the battery. The frame doesn't snap onto the main section very easily, though. i-Blason boasts basic impact-absorbing protection without the backing of shock absorbing standards, like the Resurgence's military-rated shock protection. The case stayed secure after a few drop tests from a height of about four feet, but after that it began to show signs of separation between the frame and main battery sections. It also just feels chintzy.
Similar Products
Tylt Energi Sliding Power Case for iPhone 6 Plus
Mophie Juice Pack (for iPhone 6 Plus)
uNu Superpak
Juno Power HUE Pro
myCharge Talk & Charge+
TravelCard Charger
On the bottom edge of the UnityPower, you'll find a micro USB port for charging the case and your iPhone simultaneously, and it also acts as a pass-through for syncing. Also on the bottom edge is a recessed port hole for the iPhone's 3.5mm audio jack, which won't fit headphone connectors wider than Apple's EarPods; thankfully, i-Blason includes a headphone adapter. Around back are four battery status LEDs above a button that activates the lights and turns the case on and off, which is standard for most battery cases.
There are cutouts for the iPhone's Power and Volume buttons, as well as the Silent Mode switch. Unfortunately, the cutouts are a little too recessed, which makes it slightly more difficult than it should be to access them.
Performance and Conclusions
The UnityPower's 4,700mAh battery gave our dead iPhone 6 Plus 3 hours, 54 minutes of video streaming time over LTE until the iOS 20-percent battery alert appeared. As with all our battery case testing, the iPhone's screen brightness was set to max, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth were turned off. That's an excellent result for the UnityPower's relatively inexpensive $64.95 price tag. To compare, the $99.95 Juice Pack's 2,600mAh battery gave our depleted iPhone 6 Plus 2 hours, 39 minutes of LTE video streaming time, while the 3,500mAh Tylt added 3 hours, 26 minutes.
The UnityPower impresses with its battery life, and even though it's lacking in build quality, it can be forgiven thanks to its relatively low price tag. If you value performance over brand-name recognition and looks, the UnityPower is a solid choice. But if you seek a balance of performance, looks, and increased protection, you should check out the Juice Pack or Energi cases. The Energi gets our Editors' Choice for its versatile design that lets you slide the battery off when you don't need it.
If you'd rather keep your iPhone 6 Plus's already-large form factor to a minimum, we recommend checking out an external battery, especially if you often carry around a bag. External batteries, like our Editors' Choice, the uNu Superpak , may weigh a little more and require charging cables, but they offer far more juice for the price, and they let you use whichever case you want.
The i-Blason iPhone 6 Plus UnityPower Rechargeable External Battery Case gives your iPhone 6 Plus a huge battery boost for the price, but it lags in looks and protection.
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