I’ve used numerous battery packs with my iPhone’s over the last few years but I have never been able to find one that is very compact and adds very little bulk to the device.

This week, I think I may have found one called the Primo Battery that works with both iPhone and iPod devices.

Primo Battery Pack by PhoneSuit

The Primo Battery Pack is definitely the smallest and most portable battery pack that I have ever used for my iPhone. Since the battery is rechargeable, it can be quickly charged and easily used at any time.

Size

The Primo Battery is just under 2.5 inches wide and just over 1 inch thick. Because of its small size, it adds very little bulk to an iPhone or dock connector iPod. The battery pack snugly plugs into the dock connector and does not get in the way at all.

When holding the iPhone or iPod in portrait, the battery causes no discomfort, however in landscape, users will have to compensate for the extra length.

Battery Life

The battery pack features an 800mAh lithium-ion capacity battery that is tested for over 500 full charge cycles. The company estimates the following additional battery level amounts:

iPod Nano

• Audio: 45 hours
• Video: 8.5 hours

iPod Classic

• Audio: 36 hours
• Video: 6 hours

iPod Touch

• Audio: 25 hours
• Video: 4 hours

iPhone

• Audio: 12 hours
• Video: 3 hours
• Talk time: 3 hours

iPhone 3G/3GS

• Audio: 11 hours
• Video: 3 hours
• Talk time: 3 hours

Testing the battery pack on the iPhone 3GS, I found the statistics to be accurate. At 3% battery life, the 3GS lasted me almost an additional 6 hours of mixed iPod and call use.

Charging the Primo is done through an included standard USB cable which is compatible with any USB 2.0 or 1.1 outlet. Once the battery is fully charged, a LED battery meter displays the remaining charge during use. During a charge, the third LED shines red and turns green when it has fully charged. During use, the LED’s slowly turn off indicating the amount of charge left.

Made for iPod; Works with iPhone

The Primo is “Made for iPod” and “Works with iPhone”. In other words, the device is Apple certified. The battery pack will support any iPhone and any dock connector iPod, which includes all generations except for the iPod Shuffle.

Extras

A nice little extra that is included in the box is a small clip that attaches itself to the top of the battery pack and covers the dock connector. Attached to this clip is thin strap that can be used to attach the battery pack to a key chain for example. However the battery is so small that users could just put it in their pocket with absolutely no discomfort.

For me, the size is really the selling feature. It is so small and portable and delivers such good battery life that it has replaced my current battery pack.

Where To Buy

The Primo Battery Pack is available on the PhoneSuit online store for $34.95 and comes in both Black and White models.