Review: PowerSkin Shock Absorbing Battery Case for iPhone 4

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

As smartphones like the iPhone 4 become more multifunctional and increase in the number of apps they can support, the one specification that goes down dramatically is battery life. With iOS 5 around the corner and increased features plus the ability to serve as a mobile hotspot, serious iPhone users will need a boost. We checked out PowerSkin's Shock Absorbing Battery Case to see how it measured up.

Few smartphones today have such a plethora of battery cases as the iPhone 4 and PowerSkin's take on this accessory is simple yet effective. For US $70.00 you get the following features.

• One piece tough case
• Soft silicone rubber
• Provides up to twice the power
• 100% recycled case
• Rechargeable
• Lightweight
• Charge and Sync
• Smart battery technology
• On/Off button
• LED battery status lights
• Patented XPAL Power^® battery technology

The PowerSkin Shock Absorbing Battery case really focuses on two shortcomings of the otherwise excellent iPhone 4.

The need for protection, from drops, scrapes and scratches is covered for all except the front touchscreen which can be remedied by adding a nice matte or glossy screen protector.

The PowerSkin's rubber finish adds substantial grip to the iPhone while reassuring even the clumsiest users that the rubber can dampen or absorb most knocks and bumps that might be experienced.

During our tests, the PowerSkin case effectively doubled the iPhone 4's battery life and was useful when we used the device as a mobile hotspot.

Another inadvertent convenience offered by cases like the PowerSkin is that they replace Apple's proprietary dock connector with a more universal microUSB connector that one can use to charge and sync whcih is convenient specially when travelling since you don't want to bring more cables you can only lose.

Also, when plugged in, the powerSkin allows the iPhone 4 to get charged first before the backup battery gets replenished, which is convenient should you have to use the iPhone 4 without the case. The PowerSkin also has an optically engineered camera lens window that does not interfere with the camera and eliminates flash glare from the skin's surface.

Heavy iPhone 4 users will love all the benefits of protection and addeed juice the PowerSkin Shock Absorbing case for iPhone 4 can offer. It is particularly ideal for back to school as students who rely on their iPhone 4s for a myriad of functions need all the power they can get.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5