iPhone XS Smart Battery Case Work With iPhone X? Yes, With Caveats

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Apple recently announced the smart battery cases for the 2018 iPhones – iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. Apple’s announcement would have left the iPhone X users disappointed as the company never released a case for them. However, if the recent reports are true, then there might be a smart battery case for the iPhone X as well.

iPhone XS smart battery case supports iPhone X on iOS 12.1.3

The smart battery case for the iPhone X that we are talking about is not a new case from Apple. Rather, it appears that the iPhone XS smart battery case is compatible with the iPhone X as well.

The information regarding the compatibility of the smart battery case for the iPhone X does not come from Apple. Rather, Apple is completely denying any such cross compatibility. “The Smart Battery Case is available for iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, and iPhone 7, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max. The Smart Battery Case isn’t compatible with iPhone 8 or iPhone X,” Apple says on its support page.

However, iMore editor-in-chief Rene Ritchie claims that the iPhone XS smart battery case not only fits, but also charges the iPhone X. Users trying to put the smart battery case for the iPhone XS on the iPhone X will have to swipe away the notification, saying “This accessory is not supported by this device.” After this, the case should work fine with the iPhone X.

Ritchie, initially, claimed what Apple said – that the iPhone XS smart battery case does not support the iPhone X. Later, he deleted his earlier tweet and shot another tweet bringing good news for the iPhone X users.

“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,” he said in a tweet.

As Ritchie noted in the tweet, a user would need the iOS 12.1.3 for the case to work on the iPhone X. Ritchie was earlier using the iOS 12.1.2, but was getting compatibility issues.

https://twitter.com/reneritchie/status/1085621933583015937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1085621933583015937&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theverge.com%2Fcircuitbreaker%2F2019%2F1%2F16%2F18185502%2Fapple-smart-battery-case-iphone-xs-support-iphone-x

It hasn’t been just Ritchie, but others also have found cross compatibility of the smart battery case between the XS and X. Separately, The Verge claims that the case of the iPhone XS Max also charges the iPhone X, but it doesn’t fit nicely.

Smart battery case for iPhone X – not without caveats

Even the iPhone XS case is not a perfect fit for the iPhone X. Since Apple tweaked the bottom design of the 2018 iPhones, the cutouts for the speaker and microphone on the iPhone XS smart battery case does not fit perfectly on the iPhone X. So, if you choose the iPhone XS case for the iPhone X, expect reduced acoustic performance. Also, iPhone X has a smaller camera module, suggesting there will be a small gap when you use the iPhone XS case for the iPhone X.

If you are okay with such fitting issues and want an Apple accessory for your iPhone X, then this $125 iPhone XS case is the right choice for you. But, if you want the perfect fit, several third party options are available, like Mophie. Mophie’s Juice Pack Air extends the iPhone X battery life to up to 30 hours.

As of now, it is not known how much charge users will get when they use the iPhone XS smart battery case on the iPhone X. The iPhone XS case when paired with the iPhone XS offers up to 33 hours of talk time, up to 25 hours of video playback and up to 21 hours of internet use. Without the case, the iPhone XS offers up to 20 hours of talk time, 14 hours of video playback, and 12 hours of internet use.

The iPhone XS Max alone offers up to 25 hours talk time, 15 hours of video playback and 15 hours of internet use. With the Smart Battery Case, it extends to 37 hours of talk time, 25 hours of video playback and 20 hours of internet.

The iPhone XR offers up to 25 hours of talk time, 16 hours of video playback and 15 hours of internet use. With the case, it extends to 39 hours of talk time, 27 hours of video playback and 22 hours of internet use.

Apple’s new Smart Battery Cases come in black or white color options, and are compatible with the wireless (so-called Qi-certified) chargers.

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