Apple admitted earlier this week that iOS 5 contains some bugs that are affecting battery life for some iPhone users. It is preparing an update, and despite the fact that Apple has already seeded iOS 5.0.1 to developers, the battery fix won't arrive for several weeks.
In the mean time, what's an iPhone user to do? Well, Byte has offered plenty of suggestions to help fine-tune battery life of the iPhone using the settings tools. These work to a certain degree, but if they aren't impacting your iPhone's battery life enough, here are some battery cases that will definitely get the trick done.
Mophie Juice Pack Plus
Mophie has long made cases available to the Apple iPhone that double as battery packs. The iPhone is inserted into the case and connects to a docking pin within. The tradeoff is that the Juice Pack Plus adds significant weight and size to the iPhone because there is a 2000-mAh battery contained within.
Mophie claims that the Juice Pack Plus adds up to eight additional hours of talk time on 3G; 16 hours of talk time on 2G; up to seven additional hours of Internet on 3G; up to 11 hours of Wi-Fi browsing; up to 44 additional hours of audio playback; and 11 additional hours of video playback.
[iPhone owners are upset about the iPhone battery bug. Learn more: Apple Batterygate Mea Culpa Doesn't Soothe.]
It charges via microUSB, has a charge level indicator, will charge the iPhone while the battery pack is being charged, and allows the iPhone to sync with a PC even when wearing the Juice Pack Plus. It works with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.
MSRP: $99
Boost Case Plus
The Boost Case Plus looks and acts similar to the Mophie. It ups the game with a monstrous 2200-mAh battery that also acts as a case to protect the iPhone.
The Boost Case claims to increase 3G talk time by eight hours; 2G talk time by 16 hours; Wi-Fi browsing time by 12 hours; 3G browsing time by 8 hours; music playback time by 45 hours; and video playback time by 15 hours.
It, too, charges via microUSB, has a charge level indicator, will charge the iPhone while the battery pack is being charged, and allows the iPhone to sync with a PC when wearing the Case Plus. It is compatible with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.
MSRP: $79
uNu Power DX-1700B
The uNu Power DX-1700B follows the same battery-within-a-case design of the previous two, but offers a more modest power source with its 1700-mAh lithium polymer battery.
Details are scarce, but with less power than the Mophie and Boost, you can expect fewer hours of use from it. UNu says the Power DX-1700B increases talk time by 10 hours, and increases standby time by up to 250 hours.
It, too, charges via microUSB, has a charge level indicator, will charge the iPhone while the battery pack is being charged, and allows the iPhone to sync with a PC when wearing the uNu Power DX-1700B. It is compatible with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.
MRSP: $34.95
EnerG4 Rechargeable Battery Case
Last up in our roundup of iPhone 4/4S battery cases is the EnerG4 Rechargeable Battery Case. As with the above cases, the EnerG4 is a case and battery in one compact unit. It includes a 1700-mAh battery to provide extra power to the iPhone 4/4S when you need it.
EnerG4 claims the case's internal battery provides up to 40 extra hours of music playback, 14 extra hours of talking time, and 10 extra hours of Internet browsing and video playback. It includes microUSB charging, charge level indicator LEDs, and an on/off switch so it charges when you need it to.
MSRP: $29.99
There are dozens of other, similar battery cases on the market, but these offer the best combination of value for the dollar.
