Apple quietly launched its first iPhone battery case, making the case available on its website without any fanfare.
The Smart battery case, designed for the iPhone 6 and 6s, provides 25 hours of talk time, 18 hours of Internet use on LTE and 20 hours of video playback, according to Apple. Battery status will display on the lock screen and in Notifications. It charges via a Lightning port.
Design features include a soft-touch silicone exterior, microfiber lining and an elastomer hinge design.
The case comes in white or gray and is priced at $99.99.
There are already quite a few third-party battery iPhone cases, with similar products from Mophie, Otterbox and Incipio, to name just a few. Prices for these cases begin at just $39.99. While the battery-extension promises from these makers may not be quite as lofty as Apple’s, the hefty price tag on the Smart case may be banking on its convenient ability to charge via Lightning — and, of course, the Apple name.
