The new Smart Battery Case for the iPhone XS fits the iPhone X, after all.
This accessory is among the three that Apple recently released. Aside from the iPhone XS, the iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR also got one each.
Good News For iPhone X Users
Initially, the consensus was that the iPhone X wouldn't fit into the iPhone XS battery case, despite sharing nearly identical dimensions. That's because the product page of the accessory said it'll work only with the latter model.
On top of that, the support page clearly says that the Smart Battery Case "isn't compatible with iPhone 8 or iPhone X." A spokesperson of the Cupertino brand also corroborated this.
However, Rene Ritchie, editor-in-chief of iMore, has confirmed that the iPhone does indeed fit into the iPhone XS battery case and, when the incompatibility notification is dismissed, even functions correctly — or in other words, it charges the phone. In case it doesn't, Ritchie recommends updating the software or rebooting the phone.
Ok, here’s the correct info: You CAN use iPhone XS battery case with iPhone X. You may get that incompatibility pop up. But, if you dismiss it, it should charge fine. (Update iOS/reboot if not.) (Speaker/mics still won’t be aligned, if you care about acoustic performance.) pic.twitter.com/05IQyUctcQ — Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie) January 16, 2019
Not An Exact Fit
It's worth pointing out that Ritchie was among the people who said that the iPhone X wouldn't work with the case. He has now deleted his first tweet about it.
Deleting tweet because iPhone XS/Max battery case *is* working for iPhone X for some people, but I’m getting inconsistent enough results with iOS 12.1.3 that it’s going to take some time to figure out exactly what works and what doesn’t. Sincere apologies for bad test/tweet. pic.twitter.com/EQJjqzz8kK — Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie) January 16, 2019
Despite the confirmed compatibility, the fit isn't exactly perfect. As Ritchie points out, the iPhone X's speaker and microphone won't line up right with the cutouts of the case, not to mention that its rear camera is smaller, so there'll be a small gap there.
The silicone-made Smart Battery Case for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR costs $129 each and comes in either black or white. They're already available to order on Apple's website.
