Battery life is one of those bugaboos that’s always a concern with smartphones, and the iPhone 6 is no exception. Protecting a phone from a nasty fall is another thing altogether, so when a case comes along that can take care of both, it may be worth a look. LifeProof’s pedigree has usually been in making quality waterproof cases, and the Fre Power takes that and adds a large battery to keep the iPhone going double the time.
In a nutshell, this is the same type of durable case LifeProof has made in the past, except it also includes a 2600mAh battery. The Lightning connector at the bottom of the case keeps the iPhone 6 plugged in, but the Fre Power’s battery will only start to charge the phone when the switch is turned on.
To ensure that precious energy isn’t wasted, there is a stop-gap measure in place that automatically stops the Fre Power from charging the battery once the phone has reached 100%. Considering the iPhone 6 has a 1810mAh battery, this means the Fre Power can take it all the way from almost being dead to a full charge, and still have some left over.
The case itself is ruggedly designed to withstand punishment. LifeProof says it is waterproof down to a depth of 6.6 ft for up to one hour. It’s shockproof up to drops of 6.6 ft. high. It’s also tightly packed, keeping out dirt and snow for maximum protection. This also makes it an all-seasons case, since it can do its thing in the summer or winter, rain or shine.
If you use Touch ID, you won’t need to worry about having access to that. The film that covers the phone’s home button is able to pass through your fingerprint. Shooting photos is also fine, as the lens is covered by clear plastic. The built-in screen cover is meant to avoid scratches, as much as it does the elements.
LifeProof also says that sound coming from the phone shouldn’t be too muzzled, courtesy of a sound enhancement built into the case to let the audio flow through. Without testing it, it’s hard to gauge how well this works, however.
Naturally, because the battery is embedded inside, the case is thicker than other LifeProof cases have tended to be. This will also make it heavier than usual, all of which is a consequence of everything the Fre Power has packed in. Even if you don’t envision yourself doing too many watersport activities or roll around in sand, this case may save your phone from that one clumsy moment. If battery life is always a concern, you are guaranteed to go double the number of hours with this case.
Best Buy has the LifeProof Fre Power case available now for pre-order, so you can pick it up when it launches in June. There are plenty other LifeProof cases already available, too.
