Review of the iPhone 5 Powerskin battery case

As long as
you need to call for a long time, to guide you with maps and
emails to consult regularly, without forgetting to read our articles via
the i-nfo.fr V2 application of the blog, you will quickly exhaust the battery of
l’iPhone …
Fortunately there are solutions, external batteries to plug in or
more hulls. With the change of connections, it was worth several months
to see the first products arrive, in particular those which have passed the
official validation from Apple ("Made For iPhone" program and label) but they
are now there.

Today, it’s the PowerSkin iPhone 5 case that we’ve been using since
some time, which is the subject of a new test on iPhon.fr

The Powerskin iPhone 5 battery case is on sale here

From the first contact, its texture allows you to understand this notion of “Skin”
or skin, it is in fact made of flexible matte plastic which allows it to slide
the iPhone in it.

You can't see it in the photo, but on the packaging, you can clearly see the
“Made for iPhone” label. It is important to clarify its meaning especially
in this area of accessories connected by a Lightning port. Indeed, this
label indicates that Apple has validated the product, that the socket is manufactured according to
the rules of the company, also that she received a commission along the way,
but above all that the connectivity will continue to work in the future, even
after iOS updates. Products that do not have this label are often
less expensive, but nothing proves today that Apple will not be able to
block with a simple iOS update.

That being said, let’s move on to discovering this accessory.

The hull is made of a single block, this is quite rare, since often
hulls of this type are made up of two parts, one of which opens to
allow the machine to be inserted. This is rather positive, because it avoids losing
one of the elements.

At the back, we can see the battery part itself, inserted and glued
in the rubber shell. A button allows you to know the charge level, it
lights up blue LEDs, 4 lit indicate that the battery is full
ability. They also light up when recharging to indicate where you are
is. This type of indicator is very practical and even essential because it
you need to be able to know the battery level before leaving for the day and
don't be caught off guard. Avoid any battery that does not have this
function !

The battery has a displayed capacity of 1500 MAh, it recharges in 3
approximately hours using a micro USB cable provided to plug into a
USB transformer, that of the iPhone or on a computer.

This capacity should make it possible to fully recharge the iPhone 5, equipped with
it has a capacity of 1450 mAh, we will see later the result of our
measures.

The lightning plug can be taken out and plugged in before inserting
l’iPhone.

The insertion of the machine is carried out without worry and without forcing thanks to
the elasticity of the material. the iPhone is then fully protected, while
the screen, the switch to switch to vibrate mode and the photo cell
remain accessible.

On the other hand, we notice aproblem on the upper partor the
case is so snug that it tends to let the iPhone slip out
a millimeter, particularly when it has been lying around a little in the pocket. Not
catastrophic but a little annoying in the long run. It can be seen in photos
below :

The buttons are covered by the "skin" but remain completely
functional and comfortable to use, no worries to complain about. On the other hand, the
passing the jack on the bottom of the iPhone has an impact on this type of
solutions since it masks it.

A hole is provided for the passage of the helmet but it is very narrow and
an extension is therefore provided. You will have to think about taking it with you (the
leave it on his helmet?) and above all not lose it.

Otherwise, without headphones, the sound comes out via fine holes specially
fitted out:

Recharging!

Upon insertion, as long as the battery is charged, the iPhone is
powered and recharges. However, if desired, it is possible to
stop charging by pressing and holding the rear button on the
hull. To restart the charge, simply carry out another
appui long.

Concerning the charging of the iPhone, the tests have unfortunately shown
that if the Powerskin gave a good boost to the iPhone 5 battery,
it wasn't a full recharge.

Here are the measurements taken with an iPhone with only 1% left.
charging and the battery case fully charged. After 48 minutes, the iPhone
unused had reached 51% charge. The battery has completely discharged
after an hour and the iPhone had reached two thirds of its charge,
or 66%. Other measurements showed equivalent results. It is therefore necessary
face the facts, the 1500 mAh of the case does not allow it to exceed
2/3 of charging the iPhone.

The battery, as we have seen, is recharged by a micro-USB cable provided,
this can be plugged into the iPhone's USB transformer or
on a computer. It will be noted in this case thatthis also allows
iPhone sync. If you have several
devices using this type of cable, you can then do without the cable
Lightning. Fully recharge the battery with the supplied transformer
with the iPhone takes just under 3 hours.

In use, if the iPhone is very well protected, the case in hand adds well
heard of the bulk, particularly in length, more than a centimeter this
which is not negligible on a machine that is already quite high. Otherwise, the outfit is
very pleasant, quite natural, thanks to the slightly "skin of
fishing" of the battery but also to the rear shape which allows sliding
fingers around the excess thickness. Result, the hold is precise and we do not
does not feel too thick, secure without problem. In the event of a fall, no
big risk for the iPhone, it is protected on all sides.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the PhoneSuit battery case provides basic functions
expected: protection, grip, charge level indicator and
recharge, it is very easy to put in place and remove, but it fails
nevertheless by a slightly tight capacity to ensure a complete recharge of
the iPhone when necessary, it appears slightly ill-adjusted (by a very small margin)
on the upper part. If it will not be used continuously due to
the clutter, let's say that it does what we ask of it and will help out for years
problem at the end of the day, but it does not reach the perfection that we would
entitled to wait at a rate of around 70 euros.

The Powerskin iPhone 5 battery case is on sale here

Namely, the same manufacturer offers another charging solution, this
this time it does not act as protection, but is placed at the back of
the iPhone. We are currently testing it, series of photos to come and test one
a little later. It is also less expensive