A charging case, or battery pack, can extend the battery life of your phone. This sounds like an obvious pro for iPhone customers and tech lovers, but all that glitters isn't always gold. Many Apple charging cases are considered top-notch and are worth the investment, according to consumers. But there are a few things you should keep in mind before using one so that you get the best experience from a charging case.
[Photos: Walmart]
"On newer iPhones (7 and 7 Plus, new Samsung Galaxy's), the battery pack will use up the only Lightning port on the device, meaning you won’t be able to listen to music on the device without Bluetooth headphones," says Apple Distinguished Educator Patrick Fogarty. "While this may only impact users of the latest iPhones, it’s a safe bet that the major phone manufacturers won’t be re-adding the headphone jack anytime soon. So you should plan for a future in which your phone has one port."
Another consideration: battery packs require charging just like phones do, so if you ever choose to use your phone without the juice pack, you should be prepared to plug in your phone and case (and clear some room on your nightstand) at the end of the day, Fogarty says. And then there's the question of efficacy. Many of these external batteries won’t charge your device all the way to 100%, so while you’re occupying the charging port (and therefore unable to charge via traditional means), you’re also getting a short-term juice fix from your battery pack, Fogarty says.
And lastly, we all want to save money, but skimping on your charging case is not advisable.
"Certain models carry risks," Fogarty says. “If you’re purchasing your battery pack straight from the Apple Store, you can skip this bullet. However, if like many consumers, you’re sorting by price low-high on Amazon, caveat emptor: not all battery packs are made equal. Cheaper cases don’t always abide by manufacturers’ strict voltage rules, meaning you may be pumping too much (or too little) power into your phone. Too little will result in a slow or incomplete charge that ultimately draws power as it charges; too much could lead to overcharging, which will shorten the life of your phone’s battery."