The Freedom 2000 battery case from MyCharge.Knowing that power and protection are a constant necessity for personal devices, technology companies have lately been combining both into a single case. MyCharge, a maker of backup batteries, has joined the competition with a model for the iPhone 5, the Freedom 2000.
Named for the 2,000-milliamp-hour battery inside, the Freedom 2000 provides power through a tethered Lightning connector. Just pop out the connector from the bottom of the case to charge the phone. When not in use, the connector tucks discreetly back into the case, leaving the headphone jack and Lightning port uncovered and accessible.
The case adds considerable bulk, doubling the thickness of the iPhone 5, but it's still surprisingly light, weighing less than 3 ounces. Its durable one-piece design has a foam interior coupled with rubber side walls and a hard exterior that provide ample protection; MyCharge claims the case can protect phones from drops of up to 48 inches.
But the raised bezel on the front is too low, leaving the phone's screen exposed. And the power button is covered, requiring some direct pressure with a fingernail to turn the phone on and off.
According to MyCharge, all those milliamps offer up to 110 percent of extra battery power. I let my phone's battery slip to 10 percent, and then plugged it into the case, which pushed the power back up to 93 percent in about 90 minutes.
The case is too bulky for occasional use, but it is ideal for consummate power hogs. My Samsung Galaxy, for instance, drains its battery every day by 8 p.m.; unfortunately, MyCharge doesn't have a case for Samsung phones.
The Freedom 2000 is available in black or silver and costs $80, about the same as similar cases from competitors, like Mophie and PowerSkin. MyCharge provides more power than its rivals, but offers fewer choices. If MyCharge truly wants to compete, it has to bring more options to market.
