Bernskiold Media

The battery in the iPhone, despite getting better and better battery life, cannot last during a longer flight or a longer day when you are using battery heavy features. Rarely you have the option then of just plugging in the iPhone into the wall and charge it (especially not if you are in the air) or into your computer to do the same. Here, the Mophie Juice Pack shines!

 

The juice pack is available in both black and white colors (as well as a purple) to match both the white and black iPhone. It works with both the 3G and the 3GS and is a little slide on device that connects to the iPhone via the dock connector. With it on, the iPhone is noticeably thicker, but still amazingly thin for adding that much more battery life.

When using the pack, you cannot dock your iPhone, nor can you use a standard sync cable that is provided. This is because the dock connector is used by the pack. Instead, you can use the miniUSB cable that is shipped with the product, the same cable that is also used for charging the pack by itself.

In terms of battery life, it says to provide up to 270 hours of additional standby time or up to 9 hours of video playback (more specifications on the Mophie website). After a six hour flight a couple of weeks ago, the pack and iPhone still had a lot of juice in it to last the rest of the day, without charging (I was watching video and gaming practically the entire time in the air, then listening to music most of the day)! Pretty stunning.

All in all, the device is great if you need the extra battery life although the iPhone gets a lot more clunky with it on. If you keep it in a pocket, you will definitely notice the extra size, more so than the little extra weight. I have used it not only on flights, but in day to day use in city life and it is not too obtrusive with the pack on.