By 'Doctor Dave' Greenbaum

Sometimes your iPhone needs a bit of a power boost to make it through the day, just like its owner might need a cup of coffee or a shot of the latest energy drink.  

The US$69.99 Dexim P-Flip Foldable Power Dock (http://www.dexim.net/us/products/P-F/DPA065.html) is a small, powerful external battery that will get you to the end of the day and then some, with a few extras to make it a great value. The P-Flip is an external 2000 mAh battery charger and claims to provide up to six hours talk time, 10 hours video/gaming or 40 hours music.  

My real world tests were consistent with this claim. Folded up it’s about the size and thickness of a business card holder, 2 x 3 inches, and weighs about nine ounces.

The P-Flip is designed to be used as an iPhone 4 stand for FaceTime conversations or a convenient way to use the phone while charging via its USB mini cable, since it can provide power to the iPhone 4 while charging. I was able to use the P-Flip while holding the phone up to my ear, but it was a slight bit awkward. I kept this in my pocket and used it for an extra power boost while taking a break for lunch or dinner while on the road.

Included with the P-Flip is a clear bumper case to provide a tight fit in the stand for an iPhone 4, but the device works fine to charge a naked iPhone or while using some of the other popular iPhone cases. However, if you use a full wraparound case for your iPhone you’ll most likely need to remove it while using the P-Flip. No big deal given the number of naked iPhone 4s I see in the wild.

Dexim boasts that they also provide a free alarm clock iPhone app that’s designed to compliment the P-Flip. The idea is with the P-Flip you can use it as a replacement for your standard beside clock. The app works fine but doesn’t really take advantage of any special feature of the P-Flip.  Nothing negative, but it’s more a marketing gimmick than providing anything useful.

If you need a bit of a power boost throughout the day and run your iPhone 4 naked or with a minimal bumper, the P-Flip Foldable Power dock is a great option.

Pros:   Powerful, lightweight and easy to use.
Cons:  Need to use either their bumper or a minimal case

Rating: 8 out of 10