Apple’s Smart Battery Cases for the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro are here

By Christian de Looper Published November 20, 2019

Apple’s official Smart Battery Cases for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max are finally here. The new phones were launched to the public in September, but official battery cases for the phones were absent from Apple’s lineup — until now.

The new cases don’t look all that different from previous generations, offering a relatively large bump on the back, where the extra battery is stored. The main difference, of course, is that the cases have a square camera cutout instead of an oval one to accommodate for the new shape of the camera cutouts on the iPhone.

apple smart battery case iphone 11 pro

apple smart battery case iphone 11 pro 2

According to Apple, the battery cases for the iPhone 11 series give the iPhones up to 50% extra battery life, which is good news for those who travel a lot or forget to charge their device. The case has other new features. too. For example, there’s a new dedicated camera button that allows users to launch the camera app, whether the phone is locked or unlocked. That button can then be used to quickly capture a photo, or you can long-press it for a QuickTake video.

Recommended Videos

The Smart Battery Case can be charged simultaneously with the iPhone 11 with a Lightning cable, plus it’s compatible with wireless charging. When you charge the devices, your iPhone will first be charged, after which the case will get charged. And, you’ll be able to see the battery level of the case on the lock screen and in Notification Center.

Of course, fewer people will likely need the case than in previous years. That’s because Apple seriously improved the battery life of the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. In a decision that was largely praised by customers, Apple made the new iPhones slightly thicker than previous models — but the result is that the iPhone 11 Pro Max gets a hefty five extra hours of use compared to the previous-generation iPhone XS Max.

The Smart Battery Case comes in soft white and black for the iPhone 11, or white black, and pink sand for the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. They’re a little expensive — you’ll have to shell out $130 to get any of the Smart Battery cases from Apple’s website. For some, it will be worth it — however, others might be better served with other iPhone 11 cases.

Topics

Christian de Looper

Contributor

Christian de Looper is a long-time freelance writer who has covered every facet of the consumer tech and electric vehicle…

Mobile

Five reasons I’m excited for the new Google Pixel 9a

Person holds Pixel 9a in hand while sitting in a car.

Google has consistently ranked among the best smartphones for its affordable devices over the past six years, particularly with its Pixel A series. The Pixel 3a set the trend for major phone manufacturers to provide a compelling experience at half the price of flagship models, intensifying competition in this segment.

In the last three months, we’ve seen Samsung introduce the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36, which deliver features from the Galaxy S25 series at a significantly lower price point. Then there’s Apple, which entered the market with the iPhone 16e, priced considerably higher than its rivals. Additionally, Nothing offers the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro, arguably the best phones available at $379 and $459, respectively.

Mobile

The iPhone 16e made me face a hard truth about mobile cameras

OuttaFocus: The iPhone 16e made me face a hard truth about mobile cameras.

I’ve spent a few days taking photos with the Apple iPhone 16e, which has a single camera on the back. One, solitary lens on the back of a current smartphone makes it look rather old school, and somewhat under equipped next to the multi-lens competition. But instead of feeling short changed by the iPhone 16e, it made me face a hard truth. I don’t need a wide-angle camera on my phone as much as I think I do.
One camera is better?

Wide-angle cameras have been a staple addition on smartphones since the days of the LG G5. Most have a 120-degree field of view, allowing us to capture photos of vistas to help convey scale in a way cameras with a narrower field of view cannot. It’s normal and accepted to have a “0.6x” mode in the camera app, and to not see it as an option on the iPhone 16e was quite jarring at first.

Mobile

Here’s a big reason the ‘iPhone Fold’ will look like an iPad

Concept render of a foldable iPhone in a fully open state.

Apple is expected to launch its first “iPhone Fold” in 2026, several years after rival companies like Samsung and OnePlus have already released their own foldable devices. The reason for Apple’s delay in entering the foldable market is not entirely clear. However, one plausible explanation is that Apple has focused on ensuring the device offers a seamless transition between the outer and inner displays.

This week, it was reported that Apple plans to use a liquid metal hinge in the iPhone Fold. This innovation aims to enhance durability and reduce the visibility of the display crease. Creasing was a significant issue for early foldable devices, such as the first Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, but it has improved considerably over the years.