Apple creates iPhone battery case to avoid running out of juice

Apple has launched its own iPhone charging case, competing with third-party manufacturers to extend the smartphone's famously poor battery life.

The Smart Battery Case is available for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6 – but not the larger iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone 6 Plus.

It is being praised for its hardware and software integration, providing "intelligent battery status" on the lock screen and Notification Center.

The Smart Battery Case, which can be charged simultaneously with the iPhone, offers increased talk time up to 25 hours, internet use up to 18 hours on LTE and longer audio and video playback.

One of the first reviews came from the Wall Street Journal, which praised the new case's look and feel, but criticised the fact customers could get "twice as much power for half the cost" from a third-party case.

Apple's new case is thinner than third-party accessories, but the battery adds a lump to the iPhone's silhouette, which Engadget called an "odd design choice"

The Smart Battery Case costs $165 and is availlable now from the Apple Store and online in in white and charcoal grey.