Hands-on look: Dexim P-Flip iPhone power dock
Need power to go? This relatively affordable external battery works with iPhones and iPod Touches and has power to spare, and it's incredibly compact to boot.
The Dexim P-Flip is two, two, two products in one. It's a long-lasting external battery for your iPhone and a desktop stand that keeps it propped up nicely.
This folding, three-position dock bears more than a passing resemblance to a flip-phone, albeit one that's even thinner and more compact.
Consequently, it slips easily into a pocket. It's small, despite packing a 2,000mAh rechargeable battery that, according to Dexim, will provide eight extra hours of talk time, 15 hours of games or movies, or a whopping 80 hours of music--I have my doubts about that last one.
The P-Flip charges via an included USB cable, with blue LEDs that flash or turn solid depending on if it's charging or charged.
As a desktop dock, the P-Flip works like a charm. It's great if you want to use your iPhone as, say, a clock or digital photo frame.
However, although you can tip the dock on its side for watching movies, this keeps your screen almost perpendicular to the surface. It's not angled enough for comfortable viewing.
That's my only real disappointment with the P-Flip, which is otherwise excellent. At $54.95, it costs less than some other power packs that add more bulk and have smaller batteries.
The product is compatible with the iPhone 3G and 3GS, as well as all iPod Touch models. I'm liking it, but with a better landscape orientation, I'd be loving it.