The iPhone 4S has solid battery life on its own, but for those looking to eke out a few extra hours, a battery case is one of the more popular options. These cases add considerable bulk, but also protect your delicate phone and can be a real boon if you run out of juice and don't have an outlet handy. With so many choices out there, the two main features you want to look for will be how much battery life these cases add and also how they look and feel.  It doesn't quite match our current Editors' Choice Mophie Juice Pack Plus ($99, 4 stars) in terms of added battery life, but at $79, the XtremeMac Incharge Mobile is a less expensive alternative.

Design and Performance
The Incharge Mobile measures 4.93 by 2.38 by 0.81 inches (HWD) and weighs 3.04 ounces, which makes this case slightly thicker and heavier than others we've tested. Whereas the Juice Pack Plus has a glossy plastic construction with rounded edges, the Incharge Mobile, opts for a soft-touch, rubberized plastic body with hard lines and an angular look. I actually prefer this to the rounded edges, but it will probably vary based on user taste. There are cutout-style buttons that, while not as good as the actual plastic buttons on the Juice Pack Plus, still get the job done, though the power button is a bit harder to press. The case comes in two pieces, a smaller top cap and a larger bottom cradle. My iPhone 4S slid easily in and out, and the fit was secure. The Incharge Mobile definitely provides protection for the back, and since the edges along the front are slightly raised, this case offers some security for the screen as well. 

Similar to other cases that double as battery extenders, the Incharge Mobile has a physical switch to toggle the flow of juice, LED status lights, and a button to activate those lights to check how much charge remains. All the controls, as well as a micro USB port, are contained in a raised, boxy tab on the rear panel. I would have preferred the controls to be flush with the case, but I suppose it goes with the overall angular look. The Incharge Mobile also features a built-in, metal stand, but to use it you must pop the top off the case, which is a bit annoying and impractical.

By itself, the iPhone 4S turned in 9 hours and 22 minutes of 3G talk time. The Incharge Mobile added 9 hours and 17 minutes, which was impressive, but somewhat less than the 10 hours and 43 minutes added by the Juice Pack Plus. Still, this case will double the life of your iPhone.

Conclusions
The Incharge Mobile is a capable battery case, but it can't quite beat our current Editors' Choice Mophie Juice Pack Plus. It also doesn't bring any added bonuses, like the security features on the Kensington BungeeAir Power ($99, 4 stars). The Incharge Mobile is $20 cheaper than both of those cases, however, and does include a metal kickstand, though I found its implementation to be less than useful. For the same price you can also get our previous Editors' Choice, the Mophie Juice Pack Air ($79, 4 stars), which adds roughly the same amount of battery life.

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