Smartphone accessories often lack excitement. Power banks, cases, and cables are essential but rarely innovative. However, CES 2025 showcased some intriguing gadgets, including Belkin’s Stage PowerGrip, Anker’s powerful 165W Power Bank, and the truly captivating Swippitt. Swippitt, one of the last products I encountered at CES, left a lasting impression. This ingenious gadget aims to eliminate the hassle of constantly charging your phone, and surprisingly, it delivers on its promise. Here are my initial impressions after a private demo at CES.
Decoding the Swippitt System
The Swippitt Hub.
The Swippitt experience revolves around three components: the Hub, the Link, and the app. The Hub, a rectangular box, sits conveniently on your desk or counter, housing five battery packs. The Link is a phone case with an integrated battery. The app displays charging and battery information for both the Hub and Link, allowing for customized monitoring.
The Link case functions as a standard battery case, wirelessly charging your phone while it’s inside. The magic happens when the Link’s battery depletes. Simply place your phone in the Hub’s opening, and within seconds, the depleted battery is automatically swapped for a fully charged one. The depleted battery then recharges within the Hub.
Someone holding an iPhone with a Swippitt Link case on it.
This ensures access to a fully charged battery whenever needed. Leaving the house with a low phone battery? With the Swippitt Link, a quick two-second swap at the Hub provides a fresh battery pack on the go. Swippitt targets families with its Hub and Link system, providing five battery packs to ensure everyone has power readily available.
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations
The side of a Swippitt Link case, showing the battery pack.
Swippitt’s concept is remarkably innovative, and the demo proved its functionality. However, some potential drawbacks warrant consideration.
Firstly, it’s arguably overkill for some users. A similar setup could be achieved with multiple conventional battery packs and a disciplined charging routine. Swippitt essentially streamlines this process, but alternative solutions exist for maintaining phone charge on the go.
Secondly, practical limitations exist. Each Swippitt battery holds 3,300mAh, sufficient for a night out, but not enough for a full charge on modern phones. Therefore, plugging in your phone might still be necessary at times.
Finally, the case’s size is noteworthy. While seemingly well-made and high-quality, it’s bulkier than standard cases due to the integrated battery. While not unusable, it’s a factor to consider.
Embracing Innovation in Smartphone Accessories
The Swippitt Hub sitting on a table.
Despite these considerations, Swippitt’s existence is exciting. While it might not suit everyone, its value for families with multiple devices is undeniable. Swippitt doesn’t eliminate phone charging entirely, but it offers instant access to a convenient, fully charged battery pack.
The Hub’s sleek design, robust cases, and the futuristic battery-swapping experience add to its appeal. Preorders are currently open, with shipments expected in June. The Hub starts at $450, and each Link case costs $120. Link cases are available for the iPhone 14, 15, and 16 series, with Android support planned for later in 2025.
