Disassembly of Portable Power Supplies: Rechargeable Batteries Vs Battery Boxes
Regardless of how you slice it, having extra battery power can work wonders in affecting the way you navigate the world. If you want to use concentrated electricity for emergencies, you have two options:
Applicants
- Battery compartment : You’ve undoubtedly seen the battery compartment before. Basically, it is a smartphone case with a built-in battery and connector, designed for 24/7 phone use. Many charge via the Micro-USB port and have visual indicators that let you know how much charge is left inside.
- External battery pack : A battery pack is an external battery that can charge more than your smartphone. Equipped with one or more USB ports, you can charge any mobile device as long as you have the right cable. External battery packs tend to hold more power than their battery case counterparts and are great for charging not only your phone, but any wireless headphones or other small electronics that you take with you.
Both charge your devices and both require charging themselves. But where one is trading functionality for convenience, the other is abandoning the one-size-fits-all approach in favor of a dedicated battery for your smartphone.
External batteries: functional, convenient and versatile
I carry a battery with very short cables with me simply because I carry more than my smartphone. My Bluetooth headphones and my digital camera are always in my bag, but not always taken out when the batteries are low. This is where an external battery comes in handy. There is an almost endless variety, from bags that fit in your wallet to huge blocks that can charge your devices multiple times before needing to see an outlet. Mine fits in the palm of your hand and can charge your phone at least twice.
Batteries are usually charged via a Micro-USB cable and have one to two USB-A ports. Depending on your needs, you should choose a battery with the correct amperage for charging larger electronics. 2.1A batteries are great for charging iPads and tablets, and charging smartphones faster than the slower 1A charger.
An external battery can also turn you into a savior if you are around your friends with a broken phone. I charged devices for friends and family in less than ideal situations simply because I had a battery in my backpack.
The functionality of an external battery pack comes at a price. In short, you must remember to charge it and bring the correct cables with you. Unlike the battery compartment for your phone, which you likely charge every night next to your bed, the external battery pack just sits in your bag, patiently waiting for you to remember that it exists. This usually happens when it’s on its last legs, right before it turns into a bunch of useless lithium-ion cells. There is nothing worse than pulling out a battery in a hopeless situation and finding it dead like a door nail.
Battery boxes: function is more important than form
To make sure you have a charge, no matter what you put in your bag, you should take a closer look at the battery compartments. Battery boxes are more likely to stay charged because you need to connect the battery to charge your phone. If you plug it in every night, the battery and smartphone are charged, leaving you with two fully charged devices. This convenience alone is worth considering buying a case instead of an external battery pack.
There is also a downside: since it is always connected to your phone, you will be carrying a much larger device with you. Battery compartments are not the most elegant accessories. Even Apple’s own iPhone battery bay looks odd and adds a rectangular jagged bump to the back of your iPhone.
The larger the case, the more difficult it is to remove it from your pockets. When I experimented with the battery compartment for several months, I found myself sometimes removing the case from my device because of my small pockets. Companies like Mophie are trying to share the difference with smartphone cases that can be charged wirelessly when magnetically attached to external battery packs. But that means you still have to carry an external battery with you.
Verdict: Travel light, carry a battery compartment with you
So what should you carry with you? It depends on how many devices you have. If you just carry your phone with you and want to be able to check your social media and chat with friends no matter how long you are away, you should consider the battery compartment. It will not only double the operating time of your smartphone, but also protect your device from falls if you drop it. To be honest, I think I can wear one of them again.
If you carry multiple devices with you, such as a phone, a camera, and a pair of wireless headphones, the power bank may be more functional. You will have to carry some cables with you, but if you already put your electronics in your backpack or purse, why not ditch the battery just in case. You just need to remember to charge it.