Apple Potentially Working on Smart Battery Case for Latest iPhones

It's been three years since Apple first debuted the $99 Smart Battery Case for iPhone 6, 6s, and eventually 7, which included a rear-facing protrusion that held a 1,877 mAh battery. Apple may be working on a similar accessory for newer iPhone models, according to a discovery made by 9to5Mac in the second beta of watchOS 5.1.2.

smart battery case for iphone xs maybe
In previous versions of watchOS, Apple Watch had an icon that displayed a battery case with a bottom chin and horizontal camera, indicating this as the Smart Battery Case for iPhone 6, 6s, and 7. In the latest beta of watchOS 5.1.2, things have been changed and this icon now displays a battery case with no bottom chin and a vertical camera.

new battery cases

Image via 9to5Mac

While far from a confirmation, this suggests that Apple could be working on a Smart Battery Case for the latest set of iPhones with vertically aligned cameras, which would include iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. For previous generations, Apple never made Smart Battery cases for "Plus" iPhones, presumably because a major selling point for those devices was increased battery life sans battery case.

Unless Apple changes tune, this means we'd likely see a Smart Battery Case for iPhone X/XS. Still, the launch window for such an accessory -- if there even is one -- remains unclear.

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Top Rated Comments

pmas76 Avatar
90 months ago
I just wish Apple would make these damn iPhones a tenth of a millimeter thicker so that they can have a longer lasting battery in them to begin with...
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tromboneaholic Avatar
90 months ago
I just wish Apple would just make these damn iPhones a tenth of a millimeter thicker so that they can have a longer lasting battery in them to begin with...
Apple has been making them thicker every year since the iPhone 6.

iPhone 6: 6.9 mm
iPhone 7: 7.1 mm
iPhone 8: 7.3 mm
iPhone X: 7.7 mm
iPhone Xr: 8.3 mm
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NinjaHERO Avatar
90 months ago
My XS Max makes it through a day easy. But nice to have the option.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
90 months ago
You know, Apple, a little cortisone cream would clear that welt right up.



Attachment Image
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mashdots Avatar
90 months ago
Cool idea: make the internals as if you were going to make a thinner phone, but then make the same-sized phone and put a bigger battery in.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pmas76 Avatar
90 months ago
I just wish Apple would make these damn iPhones a tenth of a millimeter thicker so that they can have a longer lasting battery in them to begin with...
The have been making them thicker every year since the iPhone 6.

iPhone 6: 6.9 mm
iPhone 7: 7.1 mm
iPhone 8: 7.3 mm
iPhone X: 7.7 mm
iPhone Xr: 8.3 mm
iPhone 6: 6.9 mm MAKE them 7.0 mm instead with a larger battery
iPhone 7: 7.1 mm MAKE them 7.2 mm instead with a larger battery
iPhone 8: 7.3 mm MAKE them 7.4 mm instead with a larger battery
iPhone X: 7.7 mm MAKE them 7.8 mm instead with a larger battery
iPhone Xr: 8.3 mm MAKE them 8.4 mm instead with a larger battery
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)