Yesterday, I reviewed PowerSkin’s Spare, a semi-protective battery case designed specifically for the iPhone 6. While Spare didn’t strike me as a great value for its asking price, PowerSkin also sells a more powerful alternative called PoP’n 3 that can work with multiple iPhones, including the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and earlier iPhone 5 models. And despite having nearly twice as much power as Spare — enough power to fully recharge any iPhone — it sells for only $50-$55, depending on the color you prefer.
PoP’n 3 isn’t a typical USB battery pack, even though it looks like one. Made mostly from metallic plastic that matches the space gray, silver, or gold colors of recent iPhones, it has a Lightning cable built into the bottom for easy connection to bare or encased devices. Suction cups on one side let it attach or detach from your iPhone on an as-desired basis, and unlike iPhone-specific battery cases, enable it to function as a just-in-case power source for iPads, too…
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As the third-generation version of PowerSkin’s PoP’n battery pack, PoP’n 3 offers the family’s best overall combination of design and value. Measuring roughly 4.3″ tall by 2.3″ wide by 0.5″ thick at its largest points, PoP’n 3 fits a 4000mAh battery into a metallic plastic chassis that’s not much larger than the original PoP’n battery’s 2000mAh cell. It’s only a few millimeters wider than iPhone 5 models, and about a half-inch shorter, so it can fit on any Lightning-equipped iPhone like a backpack. But it was clearly designed mostly for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, as its capacity is a better match for the larger iPhones’ bigger batteries.
The biggest difference between PoP’n 3 and typical USB external batteries is the integrated suction cup pad on its back. There are 24 small suction cups and one large, clear microadhesive surface that can be used “if necessary” to attach PoP’n 3 to your iPhone — I found it necessary. While the suction cups and microadhesive surface work on a wide range of surfaces, it’s fairly easy to get an imperfect alignment between the battery and your iPhone, so if you’re cosmetically obsessive, a traditional battery case might better suit your needs. On the other hand, I was very pleased to find that PoP’n 3 fit right between the steel pins on the back of Incipio’s Trestle for iPhone 6 Plus, which meant that I could use my regular iPhone case along with a spare battery on an as-needed basis.
Another key distinction between PoP’n 3 and common USB batteries is the integrated Lightning plug, which has been redesigned from PoP’n and PoP’n 2 for greater flexibility and case-compatibility. Apple-licensed with Made for iPhone branding, PoP’n 3 is capable of recharging iPhones at their expected 1-Amp speeds, and also works with Lightning-equipped iPods and iPads. Connected to the iPhone 6 Plus, Apple’s most power-hungry iPhone, PoP’n 3 was able to deliver a 102% overall recharge before expiring, going from 2% to 100% and then adding 4% to a partially discharged phone. Any other iPhone will be able to achieve a complete recharge while still having plenty of juice left over. Interestingly, though PoP’n 3 offers only 1-Amp output, it can be recharged at 2.1-Amp speeds, which is a nice benefit if you have a spare iPad charger or 2.1/2.4-Amp USB port handy.
One unusual thing did come up during my testing. PoP’n 3’s single button is supposed to turn on the battery’s power after being held for five seconds, alternately triggering the power indicator lights when it’s tapped. Although the power-on feature worked perfectly when connected to partially powered iPhones and iPads, it wouldn’t work when the iPhone 6 Plus was completely discharged; on multiple separate tests with a completely discharged iPhone, I had to jumpstart the phone first using another power source, then connect PoP’n 3 once the phone had 2% or more power. I haven’t seen this issue in any other battery I’ve tested, and some people will consider the battery’s inability to resuscitate a dead iPhone a show-stopping flaw.
That having been said, PoP’n 3 is much like iPhone-specific battery cases in that it’s designed primarily for people who need extra energy while their devices are in use. The backpack-style design will appeal more to some people than others, perhaps finding its greatest audience with presently underserved iPhone 6 Plus owners, users of multiple Lightning devices, and people who want to occasionally couple a battery with a favorite case. There are more capacious bargain batteries out there, and some great dedicated iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus battery cases, but if you want something that’s convenient for as-needed use alongside an iPhone, PoP’n 3 is worth your consideration.
| Manufacturer: PowerSkin |
Price: $50-$55 |
Compatibility: iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, Lightning iPads/iPods/iPhones |
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I’ve been seeing a LOT of battery cases and external batteries advertised and reviewed recently. Why doesn’t Apple get the hint already and build a thicker phone with a more substantial battery?
It’s not their job. They want to provide the thinnest technology possible, but everyone’s needs will differ, and therefore, everyone’s battery usage will differ. Besides, it’s all about the add-ons and accessories, that’s where the money is! Cases, batteries, cables, etc.
I’m feel certain Apple is building a product for the average user and not the fringe user and they’ve probably determined that the current battery life is optimum. I’m sure Apple is smart enough to know better to not to deliberately undermine loyal customers. At least that’s my way of thinking. Also, the less raw materials Apple uses per iPhone, the higher the profit margins will be for the same price. Then there’s Apple providing an opportunity for third-party manufacturers to build accessories for the iPhone which I think is a good thing. I tend to believe Apple knows what it is doing even if it doesn’t always make sense to us.
I would certainly prefer longer battery life (even two hours more) to a thinner smartphone but I believe I’m in the minority.
You’re definitely not in the minority. Surveys have shown that a majority of people agree with you.
Exactly. Not to mention that Apple often does work with software and hardware to save on power consumption in order to extend battery life. People that would love to have a thicker phone with more battery forget that batteries are heavy. Do you really want your phone to weight more too?
We know that iOS 9 will bring optimizations and stability to the OS. Seemingly, this will include power consumption. Now, who doesn’t want an extra two hours of battery via OTA update?
“…Then there’s Apple providing an opportunity for third-party manufacturers to build accessories for the iPhone which I think is a good thing.”
I agree, I wonder what’s the stats on that? I wonder how many companies(software & hardware) has been started just from the iPhone?
It’s not just for extra battery life… my iPhone 6 plus is simply too thin. It’s awkward to hold, and the camera sticks out beyond the casing. It would just be a nice added bonus to get a little more battery life if they would have put a little more thought into the design. Almost everything Apple makes is already more than thin enough, I wish they’d get another idea in their heads besides “thinner”.
I’ve never had a problem with the thickness of an iPhone. I thought the first iPhone was big, but that’s because the trend prior to the iPhone was ever-shrinking flip phones. I’ve had every other iPhone since the first one and never once thought of the phone as being thick. I think the iPhone and hit a sweet spot with the 4/4S. I think the 5/5S is a little too thin but I wound up using a relatively bulky Speck Amped case so it really doesn’t bother me, on the other hand, i’ve used a friend’s 6 and it felt downright delicate. My contract is up this fall and I really don’t relish getting such a thin phone, but if I wait for the 7 I’ll probably need a sheath rather than a case.
A case a few mm thicker for a larger battery would be welcomed. Lithium and aluminum are pretty light so I doubt anyone would strain themselves carrying the extra weight. Long battery life is a desirable feature, just look at how Apple brags about the battery life of the 13″ MBA.