Review: Seidio multi-function battery charger for HTC EVO 4G
One of the worst things about using a spare battery with the HTC EVO is that it needs to be charged separately. One battery charges inside the phone, while the other sits on the side waiting for its turn.
That's why Seidio's multi-function battery charger
is a great complement to the phone. It plugs into an outlet and can charge the EVO and a second battery at the same time; it can also be connected to a computer and used as a simple battery charger.
Contents
Inside the package are a base with foldable prongs, battery charging plate, and micro USB cable. A standard USB cable, which is needed to connect the charger to a computer, is not included.
The battery plate snaps into place on the base. I assume the base can be used with other plates but if you're not swapping them out, you'll put in the included plate when you first get it and leave it there for good.
Design & Quality
There's not a whole lot to say here. It's a battery charger. It's made of plastic, looks bigger in person than it does in photos, and charges batteries.
The battery is easy to put into and take out of the plate, though, so there are no glaring design flaws to speak of.
There's a switch on the right side to designate AC power and USB power (the printed words cheapen the look of the charger, if you ask me) and a USB port on the bottom. Above the port is a round indicator light that glows red when a battery is charging and green when it's charged.
I really like chargers with foldable prongs. I have a big box of chargers, power bricks, and cords for all of my gadgets and it's such a pain to have to play a game of real-life Tetris when trying to get them all to fit nicely. Prongs that fold down make it so much easier not just to store but to pack as well. I never have to worry about them jabbing anything or scratching something.
Performance
The charger does what it's supposed to do: charge batteries.
It can charge the EVO and a second battery simultaneously or either one separately when plugged into an outlet, or it can just charge a battery when plugged into a USB port. All tasks are done well and exactly as you'd expect them to be done.
Conclusion
If you have the Seidio Innocell 1750mAh slim battery
, Amzer 1800mAh battery
, or even just an extra stock battery and you still use the 1500mAh battery that came with your HTC EVO, then this multi-function charger is an absolute must-have. It's such a time saver!
But if one of the slim extended batteries has completely replaced your use of the stock battery, then there's no compelling reason to get this charger other than to periodically charge the original battery (li-ions last longer when stored at a 40% charge level). But you could just use the EVO for that.
The Seidio multi-function battery charger retails for $29.95 directly from Seidio but can be purchased for less than $24 on Amazon.
