An Iconic iPhone Travel Accessory is Better Than Ever

You thought iPhone battery cases were a thing of the past? Not so fast.

Published July 15, 2024

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Updated July 15, 2024

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The dedicated iPhone battery case — a protective sheath with a built-in battery — was once among the most beloved and popular smartphone accessories around … but it seemingly died a few years back.

The reason? MagSafe.

Ever since Apple introduced its magnetic charging system with the iPhone 12 in 2020, most people have found it easier to use a MagSafe power bank. These portable batteries magnetically snap onto the back of your iPhone and wirelessly charge it — no extra charging cable needed.

Smartphone accessory brands caught onto this fact and stopped making iPhone battery cases. Mophie, probably the best-known of them, last released a new Juice Pack — its popular line of battery cases — in 2018 to fit the iPhone XS and iPhone XR.

Well, that recently changed as Mophie brought back its iconic Juice Pack battery case earlier this year.

I’ve been using one with my iPhone 15 Pro and, selfishly, couldn’t be happier. That said, there are some definite pros and cons to using battery case in 2024.

Mophie Juice Pack (2024)

Mophie Juice Pack (2024)

Pros

One of the only battery cases for iPhone out there
Super seamless and easy to use
Adds drop protection to your iPhone

Cons

Not available for iPhone 15 Plus
Your iPhone won't be able wirelessly charge
Your iPhone won't work with MagSafe accessories
$100 is a touch pricey

$99.95 at Mophie

It works with every iPhone 15 … save one

Mophie’s revived Juice Pack battery cases come in three models. There’s one to fit the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The notable exception here is the iPhone 15 Plus, which, according to an interview with The Verge, Mophie has left out because it’s the least popular iPhone model.

Each Juice Pack has a two-part design that snaps onto your iPhone 15 model. A USB-C male connector on the bottom plugs directly into your iPhone’s charging port. The Juice Pack has its own USB-C charging port that you use to charge your iPhone; when charging, it’ll charge your iPhone first and then refill the Juice Pack.

The battery case gives your iPhone a few extra hours of juice

Mophie’s Juice Pack battery cases vary in their battery capacities depending on the model. The iPhone 15 case has a 2,400 mAh capacity. The iPhone 15 Pro case has a 2,600 mAh capacity. And the iPhone 15 case has a 2,800 mAh capacity.

Generally speaking, these are fairly low-capacity batteries — most iPhones require a 5,000 mAh (or greater) battery to recharge fully. Most smartphone-compatible batteries come in either 5,000 mAh or 10,000 mAh capacities and thus can provide a little more juice than Mophie’s battery cases.

In my experience, the Juice Pack added between three and five hours of battery life to my iPhone 15 Pro.

You can choose when the Juice Pack charges your iPhone

When attached to your iPhone, the Juice Pack doesn’t automatically charge it. You have to press and hold the back button on Juice Pack to let it know to charge your iPhone.

This is good because it’s not always healthy to have your iPhone’s battery life maxed out. On the flip side, you must remember to press the button and initiate the Juice Pack’s charging. (If not, you can have a dead iPhone, but a fully charged battery case.)

If you simply tap the Juice Pack’s back button, the LED dots will light up to show you its battery life. If all four dots glow, the battery case is fully charged.

It adds bulk to your iPhone, but it’s less than most portable batteries

If you’re accustomed to a naked iPhone or an iPhone with a super-thin case, the Juice Pack will add considerable bulk and weight to your iPhone 15. So, slipping your iPhone in and out of your pocket will be more difficult.

That said, it’s not as bulky as many MagSafe battery packs. And you’re also far less likely to lose or forget to charge it because, unlike a MagSafe battery pack, you’ll probably never take the Juice Pack off your iPhone after you buy it.

It’s not compatible with other MagSafe accessories

Aside from the bulk, the main caveat with getting a Juice Pack battery case is that it doesn’t support MagSafe or wirelessly charging. Once the battery of your iPhone and Juice Pack case are dead, you need a wired USB-C connection to recharge both.

Since the Juice Pack does not have integrated magnets, it won’t work with MagSafe either. You can’t use any MagSafe accessory, like a MagSafe wallet or MagSafe wireless charger/stand, that relies on that magnetic connection.

$100 ain’t cheap

Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 15 — The buttons fit flush over the buttons on your iPhone 15 model.

At the end of the day, Mophie’s bringing back its Juice Pack battery cases is a good thing—it gives people a different option than a MagSafe battery pack, which can often be misplaced and is useless if you forget to recharge it.

That said, $100 isn’t cheap. And considering most MagSafe battery packs are less expensive and higher-capacity — and won’t prevent you from using other MagSafe accessories — they are probably still the better option for many people.

But for those who want a longer-lasting iPhone, Mophie’s battery case adds protection (and a little bulk) and is a welcome upgrade.