For the Apple fans disappointed in the Quasimodo look of the new Smart Battery Case, there is probably great satisfaction in seeing it all busted up. Yes, the staff at iFixit wasted no time prying one open to behold the guts of the beast.
iFixit did not defend the case from the “ugly” tag so many people gave it in its’ first 24 hours of public life. The technicians were impressed with the ducting on the case, which turned a downward-facing speaker into one that faces forward. The microphone also faces forward and iFixit wonders if this a preview on future designs.
Apple’s Smart Battery Case was rolled out this week and while the protruding battery pack was off-putting to some, the case promises practical value to the iPhone 6s with 25 hours of talk time, 18 hours of internet and 20 hours of video playback.
Photo: iFixit
iFixit’s Teardown feature is popular because of how it demystifies the technology and informs the DIY spirit in the many who make their own repairs. But most of us are chicken to take apart our own devices, so it’s fun when someone else does it for us.
That iFixit had to destroy the case to get a detailed look (on a fixability scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being easy, iFixit rated it a 2) may be a testament to the case’s durability. The entire case, except for a hinge, is constructed out of a hard plastic that is coated with a soft silicone to make it comfortable to the hand.
The case contained a battery connector “so we don’t have to bust out the soldering iron,” iFixit said. “The battery is very strongly adhered in place – probably so it can help stiffen the case to protect its precious cargo.” The battery more than doubles your iPhone 6s capacity, iFixit said.
Photo: iFixit
Other discoveries included two Lightning connectors housed on the same board and only “rudimentary ICs” inside, an indication that the brains of the battery “live in software on your iPhone.”
iFixit said battery replacement is possible but not without destroying the microfiber liner, which is attached with strong adhesive.
iFixit gave a nod to a developer on Twitter who referred to the Smart Battery Case as the place where traded-in iPhone 4’s wind up.
Photo: iFixit
Source: iFixit
David Pierini is a former newspaper writer and long-time photographer. Considered a luddite by most of his friends, they did not believe him when he broke the news that he would be writing for a technology website. He is fascinated by human nature and would love to cultivate stories about the people driving the tech bus. Reach out to him at [email protected].
7 responses to “You think Apple’s Smart Battery Case is ugly? Wait ’til you see its insides”
This case is getting panned for no reason. It has great functionality and features that no other case has. It’s much easier to get on and off, you get to see the charge level in notification center, it charges via lightning cable, and it’s much better looking than any other battery case on the market. Additionally, the price tag is comparable to mophie which is where we’d expect an Apple accessory. This is the best looking battery case I’ve ever seen.
LOL. Give me a break, that case is ugly as shit.
Okie., then let’s compare with other battery pack inside.
what you just said doesn’t make any sense but okie lets. Mophie sells an uglier fleet of battery cases for $100 and there’s a well established Apple tax so I don’t see an issue.
No comparison. No other battery case has all these features.
Isn’t the existence of this ugly thing an admission that the iPhone 6’s battery life is crap?
“Siri lives inside of your phone throwback” XD