One of the biggest complaints I hear about most cell phones is the battery life. Most cell phones have user-replaceable batteries which can easily be changed by simply removing the back cover. However, Apple, in their infinite wisdom, elected to go against the grain and seal the iPhone battery without a way to allow it to be easily changed. If youre a heavy user, and need additional battery life, what should you do? Ive found a great solution.
First Impressions
The MiLi Power Pack (MPP) arrived in a very nice box that set the stage for a neat unboxing reminiscent of the Apple Store. In the box I found a 2000 mAh MiLi Power Pack, USB cable, cleaning cloth, and instructions. In the hand, the MPP feels very solid and well-crafted. The shell is made of plastic, and buyers can choose from several different color combinations (white or black externally, and many colors for the inside). Mine was black with a gray interior since I use it in an office environment. The finish on the shell is very shiny and sleek.
Overview
The newly-released MiLi Power Pack contains a 2000 mAh battery in a case which is designed for your iPhone or iPhone 3g to slide into. While there are other similar external battery packs for the iPhone already out there, the Power Pack really innovates with a couple of features that tips the scale in their favor. First, it has two USB ports on the bottom. The “in” port allows for charging AND iTunes syncing via a standard mini-usb cable, and the “out” port allows you to charge just about any USB device off the Power Pack simply by plugging in the USB cable for that device. I found this to be invaluable for charging up my BlueAnt Z9i (and even my Tilt on occasion).
Form
The iPhone 3G is a very snug fit in the MiLi. In fact, it’s so snug, I wasn’t able to use it without first removing my BodyGuardz cover on the rear of my phone. That’s not a knock on the MiLi, but rather a testament to the precise fitment of this case to the iPhone 3G. The front of the MPP has 4 blue LEDs and a power button. A quick press of the button displays the battery status in 25% intervals. The LEDs aren’t overly bright, and when turned off are barely noticeable. The plastic on the case is very similar in look and feel to the iPhone 3G case. While the finish on the shell is very shiny, sleek, and looks great out of the box, it quickly showed lots of fingerprints just like the iPhone 3G. This is not a full case; once the phone is slid into the case the top is still exposed. There is a radius on the back to allow full camera usage. Overall the form has a very solid and quality feel to it.
Power and Specs
One of the most impressive parts of the MPP is something the user can’t see. Inside the pack is a smart chip that prioritizes power consumption. One of the goals is to ensure that the iPhone battery’s charge is not used unless all other power sources are depleted. What this means is that when the MiLi is connected to USB, power comes from USB. If the MiLi is not being charged, power comes from the MPP battery. The iPhone will then use the MPP’s power until it drops to 5% at which point it will switch over to the iPhone’s internal battery.
- 1st = iPhone uses USB outlet power source
- 2nd = iPhone uses MiLi power pack battery
- 3rd = iPhone switches to Internal iPhone battery
This is a great advantage for business travelers or those who aren’t always near a charger. I found myself throwing the MiLi in my gear bag, and slipping the iPhone in for a recharge as needed. It was great to leave the proprietary iPhone charger at home.
From the MiLi website, here are their claimed specs for the Power Pack Battery
Compatibility = iPhone 2G and 3G
Battery Capacity = 2000 mAh
Standby time = 390 Hours
Talk time = 6.5 hours on 3G, 13.5 hours on 2G
Internet use = 6.5 hours on 3G, 8 hours on Wi-Fi
Audio play = 31 hours
Video play = 9 hours
Verdict
In a somewhat crowded market of iPhone accessories, it’s important for a vendor to innovate and make their product stand out. PhoneSuit has a done a fabulous job with their MiLi Power Pack. As a power user, I love flexibility with my gadgets and accessories. This provides so much flexibility for me that it’s become a permanent fixture in my gear bag. Whether I’m going out for several hours or flying on a business trip, the MiLi has freed me from worrying about finding a place to charge ALL of my gadgets. The capability of charging not only my iPhone but also accompanying headsets or even spare phones (HTC Tilt, I’m looking at you) is a beautiful thing. Couple that with the fact that iTunes synching is available using a standard mini-USB cable (and who doesn’t have a dozen of these things laying around anyway?) makes this one a no-brainer for me.
If you frequently need to charge your iPhone, and want a portable power station in a sleek package, the MiLi Power Pack is for you. At a price point of $80, it’s $20 less than the Mophie Juice Pack (and offers 200 mAh more) while complementing the sleek lines of Apple’s flagship mobile device.
To make the Power Pack even more appealing, PhoneSuit is currently offering a free 2-pack of their Mask Screen Protector with every purchase. I posted an install video of the screen protector, so be sure to check that out also.
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