According to Apple's comparison tool, the Air has 27 hrs of video playback, compared to 30 for the 17 and 39 for the Pro.
Based on that, it doesn't sound like it's that much worse. Of course, if you're trying to maximize battery longevity by not exceeding 80% charge, that might make it not very useful for many people.
Yes, and then don’t even make it compatible with other phones. I’m a big fan of their previous (discontinued) MagSafe battery as that supports reverse charging, charge state display on phone and has the perfect size.
This new battery however is only compatible with the Air as other phones have a bigger camera bump.
And how much better would be if it had a physical connector so it's much more efficient. So you would have a bigger total charge and it wouldn't cook both batteries in the process. One can dream though.
The previous MagSafe battery has the size of the MagSafe wallet and thus fits onto all the iPhones that have MagSafe down to the "Mini" variants. It's the perfect emergency power backup. But Apple discontinued this a while ago.
Selling a thin phone with half a battery where you have to buy the other half and keep it attached to get a proper battery runtime (turning it into a normal-sized phone) can't be the solution Apple intended. At least I hope so. And that battery doesn't fit other iPhones as the camera bump of those other phones is in the way.
Well, swappable batteries has the UX advantage of being able to swap in full charges.
I don't really understand all the complaining since it's merely a variant of the iPhone for people who prioritize thinness over battery.
For over a decade, HNers have complained that they don't want thinness to be forced on them and that there should be a separate SKU for it. Yet when it finally happens, HNers complain about the trade-off.
Either way, people have options now. If one doesn't like the compromises of the thin phone, they can buy the thick phone. Seems silly to complain about the thinness if you're not the target demographic.
Magsafe battery has also been a great fix for a 5-year old built-in battery for 1/3 the cost of a battery replacement, and when I finally replace this phone I'll still have the magsafe battery for travel/emergency.
3rd party versions of course, the official one was much more expensive than that.
The camera bump on other models protrudes more towards the centre of the body. And thus the battery wouldn't fit (flush) and the Qi charging wouldn't engage properly.
So running the battery perpendicular to this photo isn't an option?
I'm sorry if I'm not completely familiar with this product: you are to have this battery attached at all times while you're charging, and it just stays in place? (gawd I sound like I'm from a different planet, I apologize -- wireless charging just never has been interesting to me)
What on earth are you talking about? It includes a battery and there is both a cheaper and a more expensive version that has more battery, plus an add on battery pack. And you’re complaining about what exactly?
