Apple's $99 Smart Battery Case for the iPhone 7 looks similar to the iPhone 6/6s model that came before it, but features a decent bump in battery capacity (to 2,365mAh) and altered port cutouts. It remains a unique-looking battery case with a pleasant, grippy feel, and a solid choice for Apple fans, as well as anyone else who values a slim case that leaves their Lightning port easily accessible. If you're looking for as much extra power as possible, however, Apple's option falls short of less expensive alternatives like the ZeroLemon Slim Juicer.
Design and Features
If you've seen the original, the Smart Battery Case ($99.00 at Amazon) doesn't surprise in the design department. It's the same silicone design in black, red, and white color options. There's a distinct battery bump on the back, emblazoned with an Apple logo in the middle. The inside of the case is lined with a soft microfiber to help cushion your phone from bumps and drops. The outside of the case is nicely grippy and comfortable to hold. To get your phone in or out, all you have to do is bend back one of the top corners.
The case measures in at 5.8 by 2.7 by 0.6 inches (HWD) and weighs 3.7 ounces. It falls right between the hefty ZeroLemon Slim Juicer (6.0 by 2.8 by 0.6 inches, 5.3 ounces) and lighter options like the Anker PowerCore 2200 (5.6 by 2.8 by 0.6 inches, 2.2 ounces) and Flux Battery Case (5.5 by 2.7 by 0.4 inches, 2.0 ounces). It's easy to reach across with one hand.
The iPhone 7 lacks a headphone jack, so there's no cutout for one here, unlike the previous Smart Battery Case. The rear camera is also larger, so there's a bigger cutout to accommodate it. There are two front-facing speaker grilles to redirect sound from the bottom of your phone, and a built-in Lightning port that supports pass-through charging and syncing. It also lets you use wired headphones without having to remove your phone from the case.
Similar Products
ZeroLemon Slim Juicer (for iPhone 7)
Anker PowerCore Case 2200 (for iPhone 7)
Trianium Atomic Pro (for iPhone 7)
Mophie Hold Force PowerStation Plus Mini (for iPhone 7)
Flux Battery Case (for iPhone 7)
Anker PowerCore 10000 With Quick Charge 3.0
Mophie Juice Pack Air (for iPhone 7)
Aside from the pronounced battery hump, another way the Smart Battery Case differs from many others is its lack of a power button. The case begins charging automatically as soon as you slip your iPhone in it, keeping it constantly topped up for as long as the juice lasts. In a way, it's a nice feature because you don't have to fiddle with any buttons or cables; you can just slip the case on and forget about it. But it also means you can't turn off the flow of juice when you don't need it, and save it for later, when you do.
There's no external LED indicator—instead there's one on the inside of the case. It appears yellow when charging and green when fully charged. Otherwise, if you want to check battery status, you need to wake your phone and drag down the notification pane or swipe to the left to check the battery widget. This is the only case that integrates directly with the iPhone, and as such it provides a much more precise measure of battery life than a few external LEDs.
Performance and Conclusions
The 2,365mAh Smart Battery Case gave our iPhone 7 an additional 3 hours, 28 minutes of battery life while streaming full-screen video over LTE at maximum brightness. That's right in line with the 2,525mAh Mophie Juice Pack Air (3 hours, 49 minutes) and the 2,200mAh PowerCore (3 hours, 27 minutes). It'll keep you running for longer than the Flux's 1,500mAh cell (2 hours, 14 minutes), but can't come close to matching the 4,000mAh Slim Juicer (5 hours, 48 minutes).
Apple's Smart Battery Case has several advantages over competitors, including an on-screen battery indicator and a built-in Lightning port. But for the price, it doesn't add any truly useful features like the Juice Pack Air (wireless charging, a magnetic back for compatible mounts), and it doesn't provide as much battery life as cases like the Slim Juicer.
The Smart Battery Case is a solid choice if you're a fan of its quirky design, or simply like to see that Apple logo on the back of your phone. Shopping around, however, will get you more battery life for the price. And if you don't want to deal with the bulk of a battery case at all, it's worth considering an external backup battery like the Anker PowerCore 10000.
Apple's Smart Battery Case for the iPhone 7 has a pleasant, grippy feel, a Lightning port, and an on-screen battery indicator, but you don't get a lot extra juice for the price.
Like What You're Reading?
Sign up for Fully Mobilized newsletter to get our top mobile tech stories delivered right to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Sign up for other newsletters
