iPhone power pack review part two, the Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 3G

First off I'd like to apologies for the long delay in getting the second part of the power pack review, but with all the apps to review things have been a bit hectic. Anyway apologies out of the way, it's time to get down to the review.

First impressions

The Mophie Juice Pack comes supplied in a smaller iPhone case like package, compaired to the MiLi, with a clear front that shows of the Juice Pack. Remove the Juice Pack from the package and you will find tucked inside the user guide and USB sync/charge cable. Unlike the MiLi the Mophie has a matt almost rubbery textured finish, with two rubber strips down each side for added grip, which make the Juice Pack feel safe in your hand. On first impressions the Mophie Juice Pack looks and feels like a well made product.

Out of the box

Once out of the box and fully charged it was time to fit the Juice Pack to my iPhone 3G, and this is where the Mophie immediately stands out from the previousely reviewed MiLi, as the Mophie has a much more snug form fitting design, and unlike the MiLi, has no movement between the battery pack and iPhone, so this is one up for the Mophie.

As with the MiLi, when you insert your iPhone in to the Mophie Juice Pack, as with the MiLi the iPhones battery charge indicator screen comes on and the recharge/power outlet icon is displayed in the top right hand corner of your iPhones screen. When the battery becomes depleted and it is time for the iPhone to switch over from the external battery pack to its internal battery you do get the same on/off charging tones as the MiLi, but on the Mophie is for a shorter period, and so is much less annoying, but annoying never the less.

Like the MiLi the Mophie has a cut out for the iPhone's camera lens, and the good news for anyone who uses their iPhone to take photo's and wanting and external battery pack, there is no vignetting of the camera. That's another thumbs up for the Mophie.

Simplicity itself

The Mophie Juice Pack is a very simplistic design, with the "Mophie" name on the front. On the underside you will find the mini USB sync/charge socket and on the rear the 5 blue LED's to indicate the battery charge/drain status, and the little button to press to show the battery status, and that's it.
Specifications:

• Standby Time – Up to 350 hours
• Talk Time – Up to 6 hours on 3G | Up to 12 hours on 2G
• Internet Use – Up to 6 hours on 3G | Up to 7 hours on Wi-Fi
• Audio Playback – Up to 28 hours
• Video Playback – Up to 8 hours

Size and weight:

Dimensions = 4.75"(L) x 2.5" (W) x 0.75" (D)
Weight = 3 oz

Final Thoughts

As with MiLi Power Pack, you get then same charging tones when the battery pack is at the end of it charge, as the power management is switching from the external pack to the internal iPhone battery, but this did seem less annoying than the MiLi. The good news for any iPhoneographer thinking of buying an external battery pack, if the Mophie doe not suffer the same vignetting that I found on the MiLi. Also the Mophie is shorter in length so minimises the additional bulk, and is currently the best external battery pack for the iPhone.

Pro's:

• Light weight
• Fit
• Price
• Look and Feel
• Battery managment

Con's

• Battery managment during switchover
• Nothing else

Price and availability:

UK = £67.99 from Juice Pack
USA = $99.99 from Mophie.com