mophie battery packs ease iPhone, iPad charging with Lightning ports and connectors

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mophie's iPad and iPhone batteries include Lightning ports.
mophie's new iPad and iPhone batteries include Lightning ports, and come in a range of capacities and colors.
Photo: mophie

Accessory-maker mophie launched a family of external batteries designed specifically for iPhone and iPad. They’re among the first to be charged through a Lightning port. Even better, some models have a built-in Lightning cable, and one includes wireless charging.

Apple approves of these new powerstation products so much they are available  exclusively at Apple Stores and Apple.com.

mophie’s newest iPhone batteries range in capacity from 6,040mAh to 20,200mAh. Prices go from $59.95 to $99.95.

Most external batteries recharge through a micro-USB port, requiring users of iOS devices to carry a separate cable. “The powerstation and powerstation plus lines feature a Lightning connector capable of accepting up to 10W, giving users the ability to recharge using the same cable that charges their Apple devices,” said Robert Johnson, general manager for mophie., in a statement.

This doesn’t make them unique, though. Last week, rival Belkin debuted the BOOST↑CHARGE Power Bank ($59.99), which also has a Lightning port. It can store 10,000mAh and weighs half a pound.

AUKEY began offering battery packs with Lightning ports last year. However, these are not certified by Apple. Instead, the company reverse engineered the Lightning port.

mophie powerstation plus and powerstation plus XL

Both the powerstation plus ($79.95) and powerstation plus XL ($99.95) come with a built-in Lightning port and a Lightning connector. They offer, respectively, 6,040mAh or 10,000mAh of capacity. 

For extra convenience, the powerstation plus XL can be re-charged wirelessly with any Qi-enabled pad. Both versions have a single 10W fast-charging USB-A port for a second device. 

They’re covered in fabric on the top and bottom plates, The powerstation plus is available in heather gray,  slate, and black.  The plus XL is available in the same, plus deep blue.

mophie powerstation and powerstation XXL

The budget options in mophie’s new external batteries are the powerstation ($59.95) and powerstation XXL ($99.95). These come with, respectively, two or three USB-A output ports, and offer 6,040mAh or 20,200mAh capacities.

These don’t come with built-in Lightning cables, and have basic aluminum casings. The smaller comes in indigo blue and millennial pink while the XXL is available only in black.

Additional features

No matter the capacity or price, all these powerstation products have LED charging status lights, and when plugged into the wall are designed to  send power to your phone to tablet first before recharging their own battery. 

Also, mophie promises it triple-test certified the lithium-polymer batteries that are at the heart of these products.

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