Decent extended battery?

[dragon0978]

Am looking for a decent extended battery for a reasonable price (seidio seems to be the best but their prices are inflated and not worth IMO) and came across this....

Amazon.com: QCell Samsung Galaxy SIII GT-i9300 / AT&T I747 4000mAh Extended Battery + Dark Blue Back Cover (Compatible with Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-i9300): Cell Phones & Accessories

Qcell seems to make favorably reviewed ones for other Samsung+htc phones for reasonable prices.

My main concern is can anyone tell if this is compatible with the sprint model?

My other concern is finding a decent case if I bought it...any suggestions?

 

[legalkill]

any one try this one? Amazon.com: Samsung Galaxy S3 III GT-i9300 ~ Extended Capacity 3600mAh Li-Ion Battery + Pebble Blue Back Cover ~ Mobile Phone Repair Parts Replacement: Electronics

NFC Compatible?

 

[yenduc]

I'm also looking for an extended battery.

I had the 2150mah HTC one for my incredible which was plenty of battery for a full day.

I'm worried that the bigger screen, dual core, etc is going to eat battery for me. Even though I'm surrounded by tech all day at work, there isn't a place for me to leave my phone plugged in to recharge during the day.

 

[dragon0978]

Hey thanks for the responses. I actually emailed Qcell and what they told me was the battery would definitely work, but the back cover might not fit...so I didn't go for it and now it's sold out...I might snatch one up if they restock...

Now what I'm curious about is the forum I'm linking to below which says the gnexus extended battery will fit the g3...someone in the forum claims so...anyone with a gnex as their previous phone can verify this? And just cause it "fits" is that a guarantee of compatibility and that the phone won't get fried somehow?


is the gs3 battery the same as the extended battery for the nexus

 

[pinesal]

I haven't had the phone for long but the stock battery seems to last at least as long as my Thunderbolt with a 2750 extended battery.

Have you actually tried the stock battery yet>? You may find you don't need an extended.

 

[thenew3]

I have both Gnex and GS3, the batteries are not interchangeable. The Nexus battery is about 1/2" shorter, also the cut out on the corners are slightly different so they won't fit in the GS3.

The extended battery for the Nexus is also about 1/2" shorter, but thicker than the GS3's 2100mah battery.

I haven't found a need for an extended battery for the GS3. So far battery life is almost 3x better than the Nexus with extended battery.

 

[dracozny]

I use the power saver mode when I am not needing the performance boost, my phone has been on my desk without charger for the past 4 hours and its still at 83% I've only checked a few things randomly during that time.

 

[Kiri]

Hey I actually just received the QCell battery from Amazon today. I have a Verizon Samsung S3 and the cover fits perfectly. The only thing I really hate is how slick the cover is... you have to be very careful handling your phone. I'm thinking of using sandpaper or a brillo pad to add some resistance to the cover. The size actually isn't too bad. Because the battery cover covers the entire back the whole phone gets a increase rather than a portion of it. It still fits comfortably in my hand.

Cover size difference

Battery size difference]

Extended battery installed

I'm going on a trip this weekend so when I get back I can report whether there is a substantial difference in battery duration or not.

BTW, Mugen is reportedly about to sell their extended batteries too Mugen Facebook

 

[DroidUser1]

I find the battery to be damn good and I'll be playing with it a lot. I would love to get this regardless though but my it wouldn't fit my new otter box case :/ Sucks they couldn't make it the same size..

 

[crboone]

While this is a little different than an extended internal battery, for those who occasionally need extra juice you can purchase a decent portable external battery:


Anker External Battery


There are several different sizes and ratings, but the one linked is small & portable enough to take with you. With the stock S3 battery being quite good as it is, something like this would be great for that occasional use when you're out taking photos & videos on vacation somewhere away from power outlets.

EDIT: Be aware though, that the actual battery usage is about 60-70% of the rating. So the 5600 mAh would actually produce about 3360-3920 mAh. Someone explained it like this:

"There are two power conversion stages involved here. First, the 3.7V source battery voltage is boosted to 5V at the USB port. Next, the 5V from USB port is stepped down to abuut 4V to recharged the target battery. If each conversion is 85% efficient, you still lose 30% in the whole process."

So apparently the "loss" isn't due to vendor exaggeration of the battery capacity.

 

[Vitiator]

Hey I actually just received the QCell battery from Amazon today. I have a Verizon Samsung S3 and the cover fits perfectly. The only thing I really hate is how slick the cover is... you have to be very careful handling your phone. I'm thinking of using sandpaper or a brillo pad to add some resistance to the cover. The size actually isn't too bad. Because the battery cover covers the entire back the whole phone gets a increase rather than a portion of it. It still fits comfortably in my hand.

Cover size difference

Battery size difference]

Extended battery installed

I'm going on a trip this weekend so when I get back I can report whether there is a substantial difference in battery duration or not.

BTW, Mugen is reportedly about to sell their extended batteries too Mugen Facebook

Your pictures were extremely helpful! I just placed an order at Amazon as well for the same battery and cover. I am traveling myself visiting National Parks (Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, and the Grand Canyon). Anyone who has been in this area known that there are pockets of coverage, and then nothing. The phone battery got so drained just trying to find a signal that the battery was at 20% after 8 hours. Searching Google on a weak Edge / 2G signal will cost almost 1% battery per search! It's seriously bad! Since we travel to places with no 4G or low signal every few months, I wanted to invest in an extended battery but was worried about the impact to the phone dimensions, and your pictures answered my concerns. I only wish I had it on this trip...

 

[Funnyusername]

Hey I actually just received the QCell battery from Amazon today. I have a Verizon Samsung S3 and the cover fits perfectly. The only thing I really hate is how slick the cover is... you have to be very careful handling your phone. I'm thinking of using sandpaper or a brillo pad to add some resistance to the cover. The size actually isn't too bad. Because the battery cover covers the entire back the whole phone gets a increase rather than a portion of it. It still fits comfortably in my hand.

Cover size difference

Battery size difference]

Extended battery installed

I'm going on a trip this weekend so when I get back I can report whether there is a substantial difference in battery duration or not.

BTW, Mugen is reportedly about to sell their extended batteries too Mugen Facebook

Would you say that it doubles the size of the phone?

 

[rushmore]

I would like the big battery, but already bought a clamshell case with built in stand from VZW. Cases will be slim to none for the bigger size.


Added: Are there any cases for these bigger sizes?

 

[treb1797]

Call me crazy, OCD, or whatever, but there is no way I would ever use anything but a Samsung battery in my phone. Not worth voiding the warranty if these aftermarket batteries jack up your phone.

 

[rushmore]

The only problem I have had with extended batteries is sometimes getting ripped off by actual battery life, or lack of cases for the bigger size.


If this size battery is proportional with results of the 2100, this would destroy the Maxx battery life lead.

 

[treb1797]

The only problem I have had with extended batteries is sometimes getting ripped off by actual battery life, or lack of cases for the bigger size.


If this size battery is proportional with results of the 2100, this would destroy the Maxx battery life lead.

I hope for the Samsung OEM extended battery they do what hey did w/ the Gnex, just a nice increase but doesn't make the phone to hidious. I had the Samsung OEM on my DROID Charge & it made my phone huge & heavy. Zack Morris ( Saved By The Bell ) would have been jealous of my DROID Charge.

 

[rushmore]

VZW also did a battery for the Rezound and a bigger clam case for it.

 

[powdbyrice]

BTW, Mugen is reportedly about to sell their extended batteries too Mugen Facebook

lolz, mugen.

 

[snilloconator]

Call me crazy, OCD, or whatever, but there is no way I would ever use anything but a Samsung battery in my phone. Not worth voiding the warranty if these aftermarket batteries jack up your phone.

+1

 

[kayst]

I had 2 spare batteries for my Incredible but decided for this phone that instead of spare or extended batteries I would go for an external battery pack. That way it'll work for all my phones to come too.

I ordered the Anker Astro 5600mAh external battery pack from Amazon yesterday.

 

[Kiri]

Would you say that it doubles the size of the phone?

I would say yes it does double the size of the phone but it is still manageable to hold. So kind of a funny story and unfortunate accident. Because the case was so slippery I dropped my phone and lost the extended sized case... But prior to that I was able to note the battery usage, just not to its full extent.

*Brightness was always set to Auto for both browser and homescreen

9:30AM - Off the charger. Dropped to 99% almost immediately
11:32AM - 89% WIFI with PowerAmp music listening, texting.
1:35pm - 81% 4G with PowerAmp music and light browsing.
2:15pm - 71% - 4G, in browser streamed a tv show for 12 minutes and PowerAmp music
5:11pm - 52% 4G/3G Heavy browsing and Music
Sometime later... phone dropped, lost case and just used my original standard battery.

That's a total of about 7.5 hrs of moderate usage and i had 52% left. I would say the extended battery appeared to give me great results. I really despise that glossy smooth back case though...

Also... I received this battery case from Ebay 3200mAh Backup Battery Power Case And would NOT RECOMMEND it. The kickstand is extremely flimsy. The phone wobbles when inserted in the case... and most importantly, the case will not even charge my phone. I'm not against this particular seller, just this particular case.

 

[crboone]

I had 2 spare batteries for my Incredible but decided for this phone that instead of spare or extended batteries I would go for an external battery pack. That way it'll work for all my phones to come too.

I ordered the Anker Astro 5600mAh external battery pack from Amazon yesterday.

Good deal. I did the same on Friday and it shipped already w/the free shipping. For me, as good as the S3 battery is already, that should be all that's needed for those times away from outlets (taking pics on vaca, etc). If it provided only one full charge per use it would be worth it to me. I took pics all day in Williamsburg with my Droid X and the battery ran out around 4:30-5, so an extra charge would have been great w/out having to carry the extra bulk of an extended internal battery everywhere I go. (Guess it's just as easy to swap out an internal, but those bulky aftermarket doors are usually cheap/break easily and it wouldn't fit in my case). Most days I don't typically run the stock battery out during the day to warrant a bigger internal anyway.

I realize this isn't for everyone -- just mention it as an alternative.

 

[dragon0978]

So I caved and saw on Saturday that Qcell had another 4000mah battery in stock that said it was compatible for sprint...got it in mail today (2days later) from amazon. I'd post the link but it's weird, can't find it today...

Still charging so not much first impressions yet....but the back cover IMO is nice...doesn't match OEM but its still a glossy blue/grey...

My biggest concern is finding a case that cover this bad boy...dunno if I have the guts to use this "bareback". If anyone finds a case that will work, I'd appreciate it thanks!

 

[jmz768]

Call me crazy, OCD, or whatever, but there is no way I would ever use anything but a Samsung battery in my phone. Not worth voiding the warranty if these aftermarket batteries jack up your phone.

How is a battery going to void your warranty?

 

[rushmore]

Here is one that is getting decent feedback on. There was a problem though with a 2300mah battery (did not fit), but the 3800mah seems good. The only bad I have seen are a few people assuming this was the battery that did not fit.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0082BYK8M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&smid=AUINAUJRKUKIE

I can care less about NFC, so okay with it not a feature. Still not sure though on getting an extended, since really like the clamshell case with built-in stand. Like having a case on the device.