Mophie Juice Pack Helium - a battery case for the iPhone 5

The days an interesting product came into my mind, which I call iPhone 5 accessories got to test: The Mophie Juice Pack Helium. The somewhat complex product name hides a battery case for the iPhone 5 which, according to the manufacturer, is able to charge the iPhone 5 by 80%. This means that if you plug the fully charged battery case into an iPhone 5 that just has 20% battery “level”, the case will recharge it to 100%. I also measured the charging speed by setting the timer in the iPhone to 10 minutes and then turning off the display. After 10 minutes I looked at it again and in that time the battery level went from 50% to 60%. This gives you a rough idea of ​​how long it takes to get the full 80% into the iPhone battery to "pump".

Battery case versus power bank - an unequal battle

Now some people will ask “Why do I need a 1500mAh battery case when I can have a power bank that offers over 20000mAh?” I think it's just different uses. The battery case is a way to almost double the battery life of the iPhone without restricting usability while charging. You can put the iPhone in your pocket without the hassle of a cable or battery pack and use it to work, play or make calls. When I connect a power bank, the iPhone is “busy” for a good 1,5 hours because I need that time to charge it from almost empty to completely full.

For this reason, there are various situations in which either one or the other option makes more sense:

• For Geocacher or hikerIf you use the iPhone as a GPS device, the battery cover is certainly a practical accessory, as it can be easily and inconspicuously taken with you.
• For Cyclist A power bank can be useful, as you can simply put it in a frame pocket and then connect it to the iPhone using a cable. So you can cycle all day in GPS mode and the power bank does not interfere with operation. If you really have to make a phone call, you can disconnect it briefly. But who wants to make a phone call while cycling ... ;-)
• motorist will probably neither use one nor the other solution, since you can charge the iPhone very easily with a car charger cable.
• Hard-working gamers will certainly like to use the battery case, because you can get through the day with one charge despite frequent games. And the battery case is so ergonomic that you can hold and operate the iPhone with it.
• Campers and tent vacationers are certainly better served with a power bank, because if you really need “a lot” of power to keep your iPhone running for several days without a socket, you are better off with a huge power bank. But the emphasis here is on “several days”!

My verdict on the Mophie battery case

After unpacking the device, I was initially surprised how easy it is. I would have expected a heavy lump of battery, but you don't really get that feeling. The case can also hardly be described as bulky. It makes the iPhone 3-4 mm thicker, of course, and there is also 1-2 mm on the outer edge, but I don't find it difficult to get used to. My favorite silicone case for the iPhone is not very thin either and is bulky. But protection is really more important to me than wanting to save 0,5 mm of silicone for it.

The workmanship and the wobble problem that some users have with their iPhone 5 cases I couldn't understand why. Apparently there was a little too much space in the case for the iPhone in previous versions, so that it could slide up in the case, causing the Lightning charging connector to no longer fit properly and the iPhone to not charge. I shook the case, including the iPhone, and knocked the top edge lightly on the table to understand the problem, but I just couldn't stop the charging process due to a loose contact. I think the manufacturer has made improvements here.

The interior also makes a reasonable impression: the iPhone is pushed into the case from below, which is only possible with a little pressure. The accuracy of fit is definitely exemplary. The back of the iPhone is also held in place by small rubber dampers. I suppose this is to prevent tiny bits of dust from scratching the back as you slide it in.

The switch on the cover is solved with a slide switch that is relatively stiff. This effectively prevents you from accidentally triggering the charging process when you slide it into your pocket or backpack. The capacity display is also helpful, as it uses 4 white LEDs to show how much charge is left in the case with a short press of a button on the back of the case. I assume that it happens in steps of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%.

A point of criticism from many users is the headphone connection, which can no longer be used for headphones and headsets with thick plugs due to the extended lower part of the case. I tried it with the original Apple headset and it worked without any problems - but you have to plug the connector into the iPhone when the case is still disassembled (or working with the extension that is included). For all headphones that do not work, Mophie has included a mini 3,5 mm extension in the scope of delivery. Unfortunately, it is technically not possible to install this directly as an integral part of the battery case, because then the iPhone would always assume that a headset is connected.

Of course, the weight of the [battery case-> iphone-5-battery-case] is also interesting. Once I put it on the scale when it was charged and it was exactly 70 grams. The iPhone 5 weighs 113 grams and my silicone case weighs exactly 20 grams.

My conclusion on the Mophie iPhone 5 battery case

My personal conclusion is that the case will be used for geocaching and hiking. Unfortunately, I can't use it on my bike because I have an [iPhone-5 bike mount->iphone-5-bike mount] that can only hold the “raw” iPhone. Nevertheless, it will certainly not lead a shadowy existence for me, because for a short energy boost, just before the battery says goodbye, it is always good and also easy to take with you.

Jen Kleinholz( Founder & Sir Apfelot )

Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He acts as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with technical problems. In his spare time he rides electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with the iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions to current bugs.