Mophie Juice Pack review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, USB, Apple, Smartphones, Features, Handhelds, Product Reviews

Okay, we’re mobile warriors here at Gear Live, and the battery life is the only negative for me when it comes to my iPhone 3G. The Mophie Juice Pack 3G aims to fix that problem, and so we took it to task. Now, mind you, not everyone uses up their battery as quick as I do - I have two email accounts that are on push data, and I also push calendars and contacts as well. That’s a lot of constant connectivity going on. If I’m not careful, my iPhone 3G battery will be dead within 9 hours on a typical day.

That’s where the Mophie Juice Pack steps in, aiming to provide that extra battery goodness. Read on to find out why it earned a spot in our Holiday Gift Guide.

It’s a simple enough idea - build an iPhone external battery that doesn’t impede on functionality. We liked the Richard Solo iPhone battery, but it isn’t something that you’d want connected to the iPhone while you were trying to actively use it. It was just a clunky experience, even though it did its primary job (keeping the iPhone powered) very well. As you can see, though, the Juice Pack 3G takes a different approach. Rather than hanging off the end of the iPhone, the phone just slides right into place. The Juice Pack conforms to the iPhone, and actually has a couple of added benefits.

With the iPhone in the Juice Pack, I notice that typing is a little easier. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem typing quickly on the iPhone (using two thumbs, no less,) it’s just that the Juice Pack gives it a little more heft - more of a base, if you will. I definitely think it’s a nice added bonus. The main feature, though, is the doubling of the iPhone battery life. It’s real, and it is wonderful. I can go a full 24-hour day with a fully charged iPhone and a fully charged Mophie. Obviously, I am sleeping for 8 of those hours, but still, my fears about being without power are gone. You charge the Juice Pack over mini-USB, and you can charge both the Juice Pack and the iPhone at the same time.

On the flip side, one negative is that the iPhone, when in the Juice Pack, doesn’t fit into any other case. That means I either keep the iPhone in the Juice Pack constantly, which isnt much protection, or I keep the Juice Pack in a spare pocket or bag. A small gripe, but still, worth noting.

The Mophie Juice Pack retails for $99, half the price of an 8GB iPhone 3G if you get it subsidized. A bit much to pay for extended battery life? Depends on who you ask. We think it is completely worth it if you rely on email, web, and push calendars as much as we do. Having the peace of mind that your iPhone won’t run out of juice in the middle of the day gives us warm fuzzies. If you fit into this group, it’s a must buy. You can pick one up at Amazon for $99.

Gallery: Mophie Juice Pack review