Skip to main content

Griffin PowerJolt for iPhone Review

Griffin PowerJolt for iPhone
MSRP $1,599.00
“The Griffin PowerJolt is a handy way to keep your iPhone or iPod charged while on the road.”
Pros
  • Charges both iPod and iPhone; connect by car adapter or USB; available in black or white
Cons
  • Doesn't charge other cell phones; missing vital wall outlet option

Summary

As any iPod or iPhone owner knows, keeping those sweet little devices charged can sometimes be a daily chore. When you’re on the road, in the car or even stationary, finding a place to plug in can be anywhere from mildly annoying to downright impossible. Griffin has you covered with a quick and easy, dual-function charger – the PowerJolt.

Full Review:

Recommended Videos

The Griffin PowerJolt is a three-piece charger meant specifically for iPod and iPhone charging. There’s the PowerJolt charger that gets plugged into car cigarette lighters (any 12V DC plug in automobiles), a USB-to-Dock Connector cable and a USB-to-mini-USB cable.

To set the PowerJolt up, simply plug it in to a 12V outlet in your automobile, connect the USB-to-Dock Connector cable into the PowerJolt’s USB port, and then connect your iPhone or iPod. If you happen to be using Griffin’s iTrip in your car, you can keep your iPod charging by using the USB-to-mini-USB connector between the PowerJolt and the iTrip.

If you’re mobile and need to connect your iPod or iPhone to your laptop, disconnect the USB-to-Dock Connector cable from the PowerJolt and plug it in to an available USB port on your laptop. You can instantly charge and sync your iPod or iPhone.

That’s it – nice and easy. Two upgrades to the PowerJolt could make this accessory 100% perfect – a flip-out plug for standard wall outlets and the ability to charge other devices, like cell phones.

The PowerJolt comes with a 1-year warranty, comes in black and white, and costs roughly $19.99 USD. It also has a replaceable fuse should a power surge ever cause it to fail.

Te PowerJolt is available in Apple stores, on Griffin’s website and at most consumer electronics retail locations where iPod accessories are sold.

Griffin PowerJolt iPhone
Griffin PowerJolt iPhone and iPod Charger

Bonus Value

If you’ve lost or damaged your original iPod or iPhone USB-to-Dock Connector cable, don’t spend $19 USD to replace it with Apple’s branded cable. For an extra dollar, you can get this Griffin PowerJolt charger, a USB-to-Dock Connector and an extra USB-to-mini-USB cable. That’s a fantastic value!

Conclusion:

The Griffin PowerJolt is a handy way to keep your iPhone or iPod charged while on the road. It allows you to charge via any 12V DC outlet (aka cigarette lighter plug) in an automobile or straight from a USB port on your computer. At $19.99 USD, it’s an easy purchase. We just wish Griffin would have added a wall plug and the ability to charge mini-USB-equipped cell phones.

Pros:

• Charges both iPod and iPhone
• Use in-car or connected by USB
• Doubles as backup iPod/iPhone Dock connector
• Available in black and white

Cons:

• Doesn’t charge cell phones
• Missing vital wall outlet option

Jason Tomczak
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Here’s what the inside of the iPhone 16 Pro looks like
A screenshot of the iPhone 16 Pro from iFixit's teardown video.

A bit over a week ago, we covered how the iPhone 16 is a major step forward in terms of repairability. Now, iFixit has posted its teardown video of the iPhone 16 Pro and the Pro Max, giving us a look inside the device and showing how all the components fit together. To quote the video, Apple has "massively simplified" the disassembly process and made it easier to access several vital components. The video is only about 10 minutes long, so give it a watch. The biggest takeaway? Apple has made it more repairable, earning a provisional score of 7/10 from iFixit.

The video shows the redesigned chassis and its back-glass entry, a far less risky alternative than entering the phone through the screen. If you've never done anything like this, it can feel intimidating in the same way that your high school bully (who you're pretty sure was in his early 20s) looming over you felt. There are lots of small components and connectors to keep track of, as well as fragile ribbon cables you need to be careful when removing.

Read more
Is the iPhone 16 in trouble? Early sales data doesn’t look good
The iPhone 16 laying face-down outside.

The iPhone 16 came out swinging, but its blows might lack a certain oomph. According to AppleInsider, a Morgan Stanley report states that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus sold roughly 37 million units in their first weekend. Despite this, demand appears to be lower than it was for the iPhone 15. This metric is measured in terms of lead times — in other words, how long it takes for your order to arrive once you click that "buy" button.

Lead times are much shorter this year compared to last year, indicating lower demand. Specifically, the times are as follows:

Read more
Why the iPhone 16 is a big deal for repairability
The Camera Control on the iPhone 16.

Historically, Apple has not been the most repair-friendly company. In fact, the iPhone has been at the center of multiple controversies concerning the right-to-repair process and its difficulty. According to news from Engadget and Tom's Guide, the iPhone 16 and iOS 18 are breaking from this pattern and taking several strides in the right direction.

To put things in perspective, iFixit — a company specializing in DIY repairs — gave the iPhone 15 a 4/10 for repairability. The company gave the same score to the iPhone 14, although it initially rated it a 7/10.

Read more