What's the No. 1 must-have accessory for the new iPhone?

Powerplay: The iPhone 3G, extended edition.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET Networks)

With every step forward, there's often a step back, and in the case of the new iPhone 3G, it appears that battery life has taken a hit. Of course, the old disclaimer that your mileage may vary with use is in full effect, but the early consensus here in the CNET New York office is that if you're a road warrior/power user, you better have some backup juice on hand or you may be looking at a dead iPhone before day's end.

The solution: an extended battery. The sexiest one we could find was the $40 Kensington Mini Battery Extender and Charger for iPod and iPhone 1G, 3G. It basically doubles the battery life of the iPhone and allows you to charge both the extended battery and iPhone with its included retractable USB charging cable (in other words, no need to carry the iPhone's charger). As far as these things go, it's fairly compact and clips onto the bottom of the iPhone without being too obtrusive (however, you may have to remove your case to clip it on). I wish it also doubled as an A2DP stereo Bluetooth adapter, but that's another story.

Anyway, we suspect a lot of folks are going to be looking at batteries like this Kensington. Sure, when you connect it and talk on your iPhone, it looks pretty ridiculous, but on the upside, you'll have everybody thinking you're talking on some sort of super cordless phone rather than a cell phone.

Anybody else got a better battery extender option? Or is this it?

Check out CNET's full iPhone coverage here.

[superflymo86]

that kensington charger is ok, but it adds length to the iphone, I found using another charger better, because it charged the iphone 4 times on one full charge, and can be recharged using a wall, usb cable, OR car adapter, and added width to the iphone instead of length.

http://instylegadgets.com

under ichargers they have a couple different designs and colors.

[superflymo86]

I'm sorry about the comment above, I was able to get 3 full charges after my iphone was at 20% (in the red)

[superflymo86]

I'm sorry about the comment above, I was able to get 3 full charges after my iphone was at 20% (in the red)

[superflymo86]

i actually got 3 full charges after my iphone was below 20%

[Evanescentflame]

At first glance i thought that fine piece of wonder bread was an accessory....and I was like..."wow apple, way to step it up. But isn't that illegal."....But the battery is cool 2 I guess.

[alchemistmuffin]

My battery, for the iPhone, it's draining like crazy.... (I hope there's no leak, if there is, I need a tape to seal the battery leak)

But yes, a second battery attachment would be nice... (or maybe a third, or fourth, or etc, enough to keep my battery charged for at least 3 days with 3G talk)

[dirty55409]

Yeah when I buy a giant phone that hardly fits in my pocket... I usually run for the largest black piece of plastic I can shove into the bottom of it! lol good times. i'm so glad I love my blackberry and don't need to buy new things to be cool amongst my friends.

[provenceman]

mophie at mophie.com has developed a juice pack for the iphone.
The ipohne slips into this juice pack which also serves as a cradle for the iphone

provenceman

[j101ess]

Actually there's a cool product from Duracell that is a portable USB charger that will recharge the iPhone and gives an extra 35 hours (!) when you use it connected to the iPhone, or so the manufacturer claims. Even if you don't actually use it connected to the iPhone, it's nice that it's so convenient to charge it up whenever it dies. You can see it here: http://www.duracelldirect.com/part_dr7000li.aspx

[supabri]