Thoughts on the cheap eBay battery and charger combos for the HTC EVO 4G

[Roadblock]

Not really a review, just my after thoughts.

Anyway, I'm sure by now a lot of you have seen those cheap eBay battery and charger combo sets being offered for around $10~12.00 dollars shipped from Hong Kong.

I ordered one a couple weeks ago to give it a shot. I figured even if the batteries only lasted 2/3, hell even 1/3 the time of the OEM HTC battery, at least they were spares to keep in the car for an emergency when I might not be able to use my car charger.

The combo came with two (2) batteries marked 1500mAh and a wall charger. The wall charger also included a built in USB port so you can connect your phone to it (much like you would to the HTC dongle included with the phone) and charge two batteries off the same plug at once.

Anyway, I figured for $10 dollars shipped these would probably suck. I'm happy to report that was not the case.

I've fully charged and discharged (used) both batteries about 3 times each and they seem to last me just a long as my factory OEM battery. Might not be exactly as long but the difference is really not that noticeable.

Also, the charger is compatible with the OEM HTC battery pack. That said, I've noticed a little longer run time charging any of the batteries off the included wall charger then charging them THREW the phone itself.

I had planned to buy one of those "extended" life batteries when they came out but considering this combo was only $10.00 dollars, I can't see the point. I don't mind swapping a battery once in a while.

That said, if anyone's looking for a couple cheap batteries and a external wall charger, hit up eBay and type in HTC EVO Batteries and they will pop right up. As stated above, all of the dealers who had them are located in Hong Kong but shipping only took about 12 days, for the price, the money saved I was able to wait!

 

[Cubanjinx]

Always wanted to know about thoae batteries but didn't want to risk my new phone. Thanx for the heads up.+1

 

[nickoakdl]

I'll cosign the OP's post here.

Right now I am at hour 21 with 20% battery remaining with one of these generic batteries. I think the generic wall charger actually does a better job filling the batteries than the charger that plugs into the phone. I currently only charge via the phone when desperate, otherwise I just swap 1 of my 3 batteries in. Also, the generic ones perform just as good for me. Yesterday I was working in a hospital all day and using the OEM battery and it lasted less than 12 hours, today my generic should make it over 24. I'm not implying that the generics are better, the OEM didn't last as long probably because I get horrible service in the hospital so the phone is constantly searching for a signal. Either way, I highly recommend them.

 

[F14Scott]

+1

I bought the ebay two batteries + charger combo from Hong Kong. I find the after-market batteries (which are marked to be for the "HTC TouchPro2") to last a little longer than the stock HTC battery in my Evo. No other differences.

Truly, a great bargain with no discernible downside. This is the package and seller I bought from:

2x 1500mAh battery + dock charger for Sprint HTC Evo 4G - eBay (item 250641711190 end time Jun-29-10 01:08:58 PDT)

 

[Thomcat99]

I bought these too. They seem to work just as well as the stock battery, and the external charger is nice. I've been using them for four days now, and I keep waiting for my phone to explode considering they were so cheap. So far so good. The only apparent difference is the color of the battery, and the missing htc logo.

 

[MisterEd]

+1

I bought the ebay two batteries + charger combo from Hong Kong. I find the after-market batteries (which are marked to be for the "HTC TouchPro2") to last a little longer than the stock HTC battery in my Evo. No other differences.

Truly, a great bargain with no discernible downside. This is the package and seller I bought from:

2x 1500mAh battery + dock charger for Sprint HTC Evo 4G - eBay (item 250641711190 end time Jun-29-10 01:08:58 PDT)

This is the same charger that Seidio sells for $38 (inc $8 shipping charges) with no batteries. How can it be a bad deal?

 

[whatsitsname]

The charger doesn't charge the OEM (red) battery sometimes.

 

[Caloy]

Great review guys. I bought the multi-function charger and extended battery from Seidio which are great but I could've saved a lot if I bought my spare batteries from ebay. Cheers!

Sent using my HTC Evo 4G.

 

[jgalan14]

Mm that's nice to know I always wonder about those batteries

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[Bruse Wayne]

Just ordered these today based on a few other reviews here on AF

 

[Thefoodman52]

I bought em, I just hope they can ship from Hong Kong and get here in Tally before I have to leave the 14th to go to Kansas. Having them so I can listen to music my entire flight would be good.

 

[Kelita]

I bought them today too.

 

[Kelita]

I bought em, I just hope they can ship from Hong Kong and get here in Tally before I have to leave the 14th to go to Kansas. Having them so I can listen to music my entire flight would be good.

Hey foodman, I just got an email saying my batteries have shipped but it may take 10-25 business days. Did you get the same email?

 

[Thefoodman52]

Not yet.... and I ordered those exact ones. Looks like I'll be hittin' up the food court in Atlanta hunting for a wall socked in the food court while I wait out my layover. Bummer. =\

 

[Kelita]

I think you may have ordered right after me this morning. Keep your fingers crossed you're next!

 

[Eureka7]

thank you for your thoughts on it. Was abit hesitant on buying it but now i bought it today. Hope they ship it soon and its good as you say.

 

[LcsEvo]

Ordered mine got it in 11 days. Currently they last just as long as the one that comes with. Which is about 7-14 hours depending on my usage. Like them just prefer if they was red like the oem ones lol

 

[hollawood24]

Hey foodman, I just got an email saying my batteries have shipped but it may take 10-25 business days. Did you get the same email?

Mine came in 14 days, i couldnt believe it when they said 10-25 days, but they weren't lying lol..

 

[dr g]

The charger doesn't charge the OEM (red) battery sometimes.

I noticed this as well, the light never turns blue. It is charging it somewhat though, my battery came up to at least 93%.

The other thing I noticed is I can't use the USB out on the charger to charge the phone via USB cable. Connecting this way causes MAJOR malfunctions with sense/the UI, which worry the crap out of me that some pins are misconnected or something in the USB out. Anyone else notice this?

 

[ZNA03]

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[rsa]

I noticed this as well, the light never turns blue. It is charging it somewhat though, my battery came up to at least 93%.

The other thing I noticed is I can't use the USB out on the charger to charge the phone via USB cable. Connecting this way causes MAJOR malfunctions with sense/the UI, which worry the crap out of me that some pins are misconnected or something in the USB out. Anyone else notice this?

I've not had any problems charging my original battery with my "Hong Kong" charger. Unfortunately you've apparently gotten a bad one. Charger that is.

I got my charger back before they started showing up as a combo with batteries and had to order some Touch Pro 2 batteries from another source at the time. Both the charger and the batteries have been working very well. Though I paid too much for my batteries, about $15 each. I've since ordered 3 more batteries for my wife and another friend and only paid $6 each for them. I paid the slight premium because it was a US source with faster delivery.

 

[takirb]

How long should/will a fully charged Hong Kong battery (or OEM) stay charged if it's not being used? Reason i ask is i see some people say they'd like to have 1 for emergencies. If i charged one and left it on the charger 24/7 till i needed it (days or weeks down the road), or even pulled it off and stored it away till future use (days/weeks down the road), how would the battery hold up?

 

[rsa]

How long should/will a fully charged Hong Kong battery (or OEM) stay charged if it's not being used? Reason i ask is i see some people say they'd like to have 1 for emergencies. If i charged one and left it on the charger 24/7 till i needed it (days or weeks down the road), or even pulled it off and stored it away till future use (days/weeks down the road), how would the battery hold up?

Normally a Li-on battery will sit for months with a charge. That's one of the many advantages of Li-on. Whether or not it will 100% I couldn't tell you but I've charged Li-on phone batteries and set them aside and used them a month later without a problem.

 

[joehornback]

Glad I found this thread, as I ordered this combo last week and got a notification email of shipping already. I've ordered stuff from Hong Kong before so I know it takes a few extra days to float over. Now at least I know I'm getting a good deal even before they arrive !

 

[skittlesV1]

I ordered this same combo because its cheap and looks good. But in reality im sure im not going to be taking off my case and swapping my battery's out often but I guess it doesn't hurt to carry a spare.