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Comment by antirez | Hacker News Reader

They are in a risky business at this point. Finally after the users begged for years, new phones start to be a little more thick but with whole day battery life even with non trivial screen on time usage patterns. This will not make aux battery packs go away, but will reduce the use case from "almost everybody" to "people with special needs".

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Expanding into more product categories is a logical evolution for Anker, but it’s also a response to a looming existential threat: Yang says he foresees a future where portable chargers won’t be necessary due to advancements in both fast charging and wireless charging. “I think we all agree that the portable charger isn’t forever,” Yang says. But consumers will always need wall plugs and cables, and Anker sees its goal now as keeping pace with changing standards, like the introduction of USB-C. In the meantime, Yang says it’s diversifying with a future expansion into audio, smart home, and automotive product lines.

It looks like something they are already taking into consideration

They make VASTLY more than just aux battery packs. They also make (or rebrand) a ton of other phone and computer accessories. They've built amazing brand loyalty through their customer service. They aren't going anywhere.

Phones will (and should) always optimize for being as thin and small as possible. Battery cases and packs can make the battery of a thin/light phone meet the needs of heavy users, but there is no accessory that can make a thick/heavy phone thinner and lighter.

The lack of success for the Moto Maxx is a testament to the idea that there isn't really a substantial power user segment that doesn't care about thin/light,

Do you have any examples of phones with battery life like that?

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