Apple’s new Smart Battery Case fits an iPhone X, but charging requires iOS 12.1.3

While Apple’s newly released Smart Battery Case for the latest iPhone XS and XR devices fits the company’s iPhone X model from 2017, it does not actually function without iOS 12.1.3.

Doesn’t work with the X…

That’s according to iMore’s Rene Ritchie, who reported today on Twitter that there are issues because iOS throws up a compatibility error message when putting the new case on an iPhone X, with the prompt cautioning the user that “The accessory is not supported by this device”.

Indeed, Apple’s product pages for the case don’t mention iPhone X compatibility at all.

…or maybe it does after all?

This could also be an issue with the current iOS version. Whether or not Apple will remove this functional software block is anyone’s guess but one MacRumors reader is claiming that the case does work with iPhone X. The poster has offered the image embedded below as proof, displaying iOS’s Battery widget showing the case as charging his iPhone X.

“It does work and charge on an iPhone X,” he wrote.

“Working perfect on mine. Sound is just as loud as before.”

Rene in a follow-up tweet said that the iPhone XS case did charge his iPhone X running iOS 12.1.3 (currently in beta testing). Charging did not work on iOS 12.1.2, leading us to suspect that iPhone X compatibility could become a reality when iOS 12.1.3 release publicly.

Update: iOS 12.1.2 DID NOT work for me with iOS XS case. iOS 12.1.13 DOES work for me.

iPhone XS Max case DOES charge X for @chriswelch on iOS 12.1.2. It DOES NOT for me, even on 12.1.13.

So, um… ?‍♂️

More testing! https://t.co/H1kk031Z5d

— Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie) January 16, 2019

The Verge’s Chris Welch has corroborated Rene’s finding in his own testing, confirming that he was able to charge an iPhone X running iOS 12.1.2 in an iPhone XS Max version of the case. Rene had no luck getting his case to charge an iPhone XS Max, even on 12.1.3.

X is charging in our XS Max battery case.

— Chris Welch (@chriswelch) January 16, 2019

Additional testing is definitely required to clear up this confusion.

Nothing but XS Max charges in my XS Max case, not even XS or XR. What version of iOS?

— Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie) January 16, 2019

Rene has since deleted the original tweet.

Deleting tweet because iPhone XS/Max battery case *is* working for iPhone X for some people, but I’m getting inconsistent enough results with iOS 12.1.3 that it’s going to take some time to figure out exactly what works and what doesn’t.

Sincere apologies for bad test/tweet. pic.twitter.com/EQJjqzz8kK

— Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie) January 16, 2019

MacRumors separately noted that the new cases don’t seem to be cross-compatible between the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models. ”Neither iPhone XS nor iPhone XR were able to be charged with the iPhone XS case,” states the publication.

The camera cutout fits iPhone X, but not tightly. Image courtesy of Rene Ritchie

With all that in mind, I’d avoid putting this case on my X until we receive official confirmation from Apple that it’s safe to. do so. First of all, the camera on iPhone XS is ever so slightly taller compared with the X so the case doesn’t fit tightly. More worryingly, the new Smart Battery Case could have an impact on antenna placement and consequentially reception on the X.

We find ourselves in a weird situation because Apple’s never released a Smart Battery Case for iPhone X or iPhone 8, forcing owners of those devices to look at third-party options.

Other tidbits

Rene adds that the speaker and microphone holes at the bottom are not aligned, but this is a visual issue that doesn’t limit the case’s functionality. We also saw a few comments wondering if there are any holes at the case’s bottom for audio from the speakers to pass through.

As per Daring Fireball’s John Gruber:

I am reliably informed that there are, of course, perfectly aligned holes for sound to pass through from the speakers—you just can’t see them in the product photos.

Glad we sorted that out!

Left to right: Smart Battery Cases for iPhone6/6S, 7, XS and XS Max

Wirecutter’s Mick Guy, who received his iPhone XS case ahead of in-store availability starting this Friday, has discovered that the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max versions have a 1,369 mAh internal battery, which is significantly less than the iPhone 7 counterpart at 2,365 mAh.

This is probably due to 2018 iPhones being more power-efficient, plus the new case supporting Qi wireless charging (which requires extra parts that take up space). Aside from Qi wireless charging, Apple has innovated in other areas like adding support for fast charging capability to recharge the internal battery from zero to fifty percent in just 30 minutes.

The new Smart Battery Case gives your iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max or iPhone XR increased talk time up to 37 hours, Internet use up to 20 hours and even longer audio and video playback.

• iPhone XR: 39 hours of additional talk time, 22 hours of Internet use, 27 hours of video
• iPhone XS: 33 hours of additional talk time, 21 hours of Internet use, 25 hours of video
• iPhone XS Max: 37 hours of talk time, 20 hours of Internet use, 25 hours of video

You can get the new Smart Battery Case in Black or White for iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max for $129, a $30 increase from the previous cases. The iPhone XS case weighs in at 3.46 ounces while the iPhone XS Max edition is3.81 ounces.

Why do you think about the new Apple-branded battery case so far?

Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2019/01/16/smart-battery-case-iphone-x-compatibility/