Apple expected to release Smart Battery Case for iPhone XS later this month
Hot on the heels of the release of Apple’s official Clear Case for the iPhone XR, information suggests the company could soon release a Smart Battery Case for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR.
As uncovered by 9to5Mac‘s Guilherme Rambo, model identifiers for the three new battery cases were found in iOS code alongside an icon of the new case found within a watchOS 5.1.2 beta. The icon (shown below) suggests Apple is tweaking the design of the new accessory, removing the bottom chin and reshaping the rear camera cut-out to fit the horizontal camera shape on the three new iPhone models.
A specific release date for the new Smart Battery Case hasn’t been shared, although the inclusion of the icons within the watchOS 5.1.2 beta suggests a launch is imminent.
Apple has never released Smart Battery Cases for its larger “Plus” iPhone models, presumably because the bigger devices always include a larger battery, so the launch of a Smart Battery Case for the iPhone XS Max would be a first.
The original Smart Battery Case for the iPhone 6s is still available to purchase through Apple for $99 in the United States. As with the current battery cases, the new accessory is expected to support Lightning accessories, such as the Lightning to USB Cable and work with the iPhone Lightning Dock (sold separately).