External battery for 3G iPhone?

**smileyboy** · 07-14-2008, 02:47 PM

I have a Proporta Power brick. It doesn't seem to work with the 3G model. Can anyone recommend anything else?

**kilsey** · 07-16-2008, 01:06 PM

Mophie is supposedly coming out with a new Juice Pack for the 3G

(this is the 1st gen one)

**hermdog** · 07-16-2008, 03:16 PM

From their FAQ

Will my current Juice Pack work with the new iPhone 3G?

Unfortunately, the current design is intended for use with the first generation Apple iPhone ONLY. The dimensions of the 3G iPhone will not allow for cross compatibility. We will be releasing a version of the Juice Pack for the 3G iPhone soon.

Mophie please hurry!

**whmurray** · 07-16-2008, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by hermdog

From their FAQ

Mophie please hurry!

September.

Since it is such an elegant solution, I can wait.

**hermdog** · 07-16-2008, 08:56 PM

Nice find I hadn't seen the ETA was in September. Woohoo!

**smileyboy** · 07-17-2008, 08:20 PM

Found this
Very cool, but not pocket friendly

**whmurray** · 07-18-2008, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by smileyboy

Found this
Very cool, but not pocket friendly

I would not buy it without a specific assertion that it works with 3G. I have a number of solutions that work with all other iPhones and iPods that do not work with the 3G

**charlestonsc** · 07-28-2008, 04:52 PM

If you look further down on the page it does say that it works with 3g.

**whmurray** · 07-28-2008, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by charlestonsc

If you look further down on the page it does say that it works with 3g.

Found it. Bought it.

**iamnot** · 07-29-2008, 01:34 PM

hmmm...let me also have a try

**PhilR** · 07-31-2008, 10:39 PM

I've joined here to ask about backup batteries. I like the 3Gjuice or the RichardSolo batteries. Has anyone used either of these? I was told the 3G juice is not available and the RichardSolo is available so I'm leaning towards that one. In my research, the 3Gjuice has more power (1700mAh) vs the Solo at 1200 mAh. However what good is 1700 if I can't buy it? I can trust the RichardSolo because I've purchased from them before and they have great customer service. Has anyone here tried the RichardSolo? The 3Gjuice? Interested to hear your comments. Thanks.

**whmurray** · 08-01-2008, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by PhilR

I've joined here to ask about backup batteries. I like the 3Gjuice or the RichardSolo batteries. Has anyone used either of these? I was told the 3G juice is not available and the RichardSolo is available so I'm leaning towards that one. In my research, the 3Gjuice has more power (1700mAh) vs the Solo at 1200 mAh. However what good is 1700 if I can't buy it? I can trust the RichardSolo because I've purchased from them before and they have great customer service. Has anyone here tried the RichardSolo? The 3Gjuice? Interested to hear your comments. Thanks.

I am expecting delivery any day and will post a report. I too have been impressed by their customer service but they did not provide a tracking number.

**James Verdon** · 08-02-2008, 02:26 PM

Both Richard Solo and 3G Juice aren't available before end of August. Solo's offer seems to me a fine choice since the company exists longer then today. The 3G JUICE is new. It's the better battery with 50% more power, OFF-button to save energy for months and a endorsed by the boss of LinkedIn, see the back of the package here: (2 Mb, PDF)

If I go for what others do, I would go for the 3G Juice. That one has a sales rank #2 in Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Batteries, Chargers & Power Supplies > Battery Chargers > Telephone of Amazon, the one of Richard Solo is not in the top.

3G JUICE (Amazon)

Amazon.com: 3G JUICE iPhone 3G/2G & Ipod Battery Extender - Certified by Apple: Electronics

RICHARD SOLO (own site)

See also

**kilsey** · 08-03-2008, 01:54 PM

Just saw that the Mophie 3G is now available for pre-order:

Easily the most integrated and low-profile solution, I'm looking forward to it. $99 ($105 with shipping) now, shipping in late September.

Design looks a little better too - the speaker cutouts aren't quite so pronounced.

**smileyboy** · 08-05-2008, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by kilsey

Just saw that the Mophie 3G is now available for pre-order:

Easily the most integrated and low-profile solution, I'm looking forward to it. $99 ($105 with shipping) now, shipping in late September.

Design looks a little better too - the speaker cutouts aren't quite so pronounced.

Perfect, thanks for the post about the preorder. It seems pretty expensive, But it is the best solution without adding a battery sticking out the bottom of the iPhone

**PhilR** · 08-07-2008, 11:31 PM

I decided on the RichardSolo Battery. I placed my order. It won't ship til near the end of the month but I did more research and here's what sold me:

RichardSolo is the only one that lets you charge the iPhone and the Backup Battery together. The Mophie requires you to charge it separately, and the 3G doesn't have a chance to charge them together because they stupidly put the mini usb port right next to the Apple pin, so that if you connect it to the iPhone there is no way to charge it.

And neither of them give you a USB wall charger, which is probably 8 times faster than charging from your computer USB port...

RichardSolo does and that's a PLUS that nobody seems to realize until you start having to depend on these little boogers... Boy I'm glad I researched these.

**whmurray** · 08-08-2008, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by whmurray

I am expecting delivery any day and will post a report. I too have been impressed by their customer service but they did not provide a tracking number.

I have received the battery. It took five days including a weekend.

In the box is the battery, a 110v to USB power adapter, and a retractable USB to little USB cable.

The battery is rated at 1200mah. It is about the same size as the spare battery for my Treo, that is, about the same length and width as a match box with half the height. It took about 3 hours for the initial charge. Fit and finish is fine. It is much more handsome than one might conclude from looking at the photo on the web page. The physical connection is also more stable than one might conclude from looking at the photo. One can comfortably use the phone while it is plugged in.

It has three LED indicator lamps. Blue says that it is able to charge the iPhone. The blue light came on about 5 minutes after plugging it in. This meant that, although the battery was not fully charged, it would "charge through." Red says that it is accepting a charge and green that it is fully charged. Note that blue and red or blue and green should show up when charging the iPhone through the battery.

I am still accumulating use experience and I will continue to report as I learn more. For now I can say that it takes the battery about five minutes to turn the iPhone from its red (battery low) to green. At that point the iPhone can be used. Plugging the fully charged battery into a two-thirds charged iPhone brought the iPhone to fully charged in about forty-five minutes. I am assuming that if I am in a call and get an iPhone low battery indication, then plugging in the RichardSolo would allow me to continue the call.

I am also trying to accumulate experience, not to say, data, on how long it takes to charge the RichardSolo. As I mentioned above, an out-of-the-box charge took about 3 hours. A recharge of the battery from a one-third charge of the iPhone took an hour+.

For now, I am hopeful that the iPhone battery plus the RichardSolo will get me through a 12 hour work day.

**PhilR** · 08-09-2008, 01:38 PM

Interested to see your results.

Question: Did you compare to the other batteries available?

I had some questions and the customer service was fast with their reply at the RichardSolo site. I wrote to two other battery sites and still have not heard anything. That's not a good sign.

**whmurray** · 08-10-2008, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by PhilR

Interested to see your results.

Question: Did you compare to the other batteries available?

Not hardly. I would not have this one if I had not ordered early. I do not think that are "other batteries available."....................

**kilsey** · 08-11-2008, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by PhilR

I decided on the RichardSolo Battery. I placed my order. It won't ship til near the end of the month but I did more research and here's what sold me:

RichardSolo is the only one that lets you charge the iPhone and the Backup Battery together. The Mophie requires you to charge it separately, and the 3G doesn't have a chance to charge them together because they stupidly put the mini usb port right next to the Apple pin, so that if you connect it to the iPhone there is no way to charge it.

I don't think you finished your research. The Mophie page pretty clearly states that you can charge the Mophie by itself or both the Juicepack and the iPhone 3G at the same time, via the Mini-USB port on the base of the battery pack.

You can also sync to iTunes via the mini-USB cable.

Of course, this was standard on the original Juicepack too, though they used a dock connector for that version instead of the mini-USB.

**whmurray** · 08-11-2008, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by kilsey

.........You can also sync to iTunes via the mini-USB cable.......

Wow! I think that is a feature I would pay for.

**James Verdon** · 08-15-2008, 01:38 PM

Geez, I smell corporate bloggers here. If you want to use your iPhone 3G whole day don't buy that Solo thing. I did.. It's a weak battery, weaker then the battery of the iPhone 3G! It's 1200 mAh and you can have 1750 for the same money (3G Juice) They use old technology: li-ion (normal). The 3G Juice and the Mophie use li-polymer. That means that Solo's battery is KAPUTT after only 300 charge cycles. They even put that on the box (not on the site).

The 3G Juice uses the USB-adapter of your iPhone for power, so why get another??

Here's my two cents

If you go for looks, please DO buy RIchard Solo! It's a great design. (See Richard Solo's site)

If you want raw power, go for the 3G JUICE. It's the smallest battery with 1750 mAh and fits easily in your pocket/ glove department. (See Amazon)

If you want both, go for the Mophie. It's stylish AND has raw power.

**kilsey** · 08-15-2008, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by James Verdon

Geez, I smell corporate bloggers here.

Says the dude with 2 posts...

**James Verdon** · 08-15-2008, 02:09 PM

That is not true. It's three posts now! Lol.

Oh well, that was not a nice remark of me, I agree.

But I can't understand why people are promoting a Lada when they can have a B&W or Ferrari. I guess I'm too greedy for this forum.

**whmurray** · 08-15-2008, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by James Verdon

Geez, I smell corporate bloggers here. If you want to use your iPhone 3G whole day don't buy that Solo thing. I did.. It's a weak battery, weaker then the battery of the iPhone 3G! It's 1200 mAh and you can have 1750 for the same money (3G Juice)........

No, I really cannot. In fact I cannot have the Juice at any price. Price is only relevant for products that are shipping. When I cannot ship a product I always price it far below the product that is shipping.