If you have an HTC Thunderbolt, you know how much of a bulge that extended battery makes in your pocket and how exposed the phone is without a protective case that can accomodate it. Now there’s a nice silicone case available that streamlines the look of the phone to make it look far less like a camel hump. The cases were specifically designed with the extended battery in mind and also feature a slit for the Thunderbolt’s kickstand, an opening for all necessary ports, and cameras. Unfortunately, though, the Extended Battery Fit Silicone cases are on back order.

As reported back in February, the HTC Thunderbolt had such problems with battery life, that Verizon had to delay the launch while trying to stretch it beyond just a few hours. The problem was the paltry 1400 mAh battery, which at most provided 3-4 hours running 4G. HTC and Verizon briefly considered a firmware update, but in the end, a hardware solution had to be devised.

The solution they came up with was a very bulbous 2750 mAh extended life battery which replaced the original and sells for around $50. The problem though, was that it has prevents any case from being used without severe modifications. So now that there’s a protective solution that works around the hump of the E.L.B. Thunderbolt users can breathe again. When they are available again, the cases will be available in six colors (black, dark blue, light blue, red, pink, and gray) and sell for $24.99.

[via HTCpedia]

43 COMMENTS

  1. Then you have $75.00 tied up in an extended battery and cover for an already overpriced phone! Where is Verizons commitment to their long time costomers? I feel they should if not comp. the set to us at LEAST give us 50% off. (considering taking mine back before 30 days are up)

    • Call the customer service, I feel the same way and that’s exactly what they did…I got the extended battery for $20 🙂

      • In the mean time try “bump” charging your phone, its supposed to double the battery life and i’m sure ebay has the extended case covers for way cheaper…good luck

      • Okay, for those less in the know, what is “bump” charging?

        I have did a slow charge using the USB port with the appropriate connection to my computer and have slow charged my phone over night and now I average at least a full days charge using the phone under my normal usage. i.e. bluetooth, off and on, satelite occassionally and also Wi-Fi when needed. And lots of game time.

      • Okay, for those less in the know, what is “bump” charging?

        I have did a slow charge using the USB port with the appropriate connection to my computer and have slow charged my phone over night and now I average at least a full days charge using the phone under my normal usage. i.e. bluetooth, off and on, satelite occassionally and also Wi-Fi when needed. And lots of game time.

  2. Back order from who? I have never seen them advertised or saw anyone selling them. I have never even read about anyone having one.

    So…

    Where are they back ordered from and how do you get on that list?

  3. Back order from who? I have never seen them advertised or saw anyone selling them. I have never even read about anyone having one.

    So…

    Where are they back ordered from and how do you get on that list?

  4. This price is ridiculous. You can buy a silicone case for the standard battery on the Thunderbolt for $4 and this new case is the same thing but the battery door is left open on the back of the case. I expected something really great eventually versus my taking a hard case with a rubberized coating and cutting out the back carefully around the extended battery door. But for this price which they want to stick it to Thunderbolt users again I will continue to modify the original cases. The Thunderbolt may be a great phone and I really like mine but continuously sticking it to the users of this phone is insulting. Verizon is really taking advantage of me and I have been with them for a lot of years. When they knew this phone had problems with battery life they should have immediately contacted all buyers of this phone and offered them the extended battery and a new case when it was available. I decided to upgrade to aqn android phone when this phone came out and I’m almost sorry I did.

  5. This price is ridiculous. You can buy a silicone case for the standard battery on the Thunderbolt for $4 and this new case is the same thing but the battery door is left open on the back of the case. I expected something really great eventually versus my taking a hard case with a rubberized coating and cutting out the back carefully around the extended battery door. But for this price which they want to stick it to Thunderbolt users again I will continue to modify the original cases. The Thunderbolt may be a great phone and I really like mine but continuously sticking it to the users of this phone is insulting. Verizon is really taking advantage of me and I have been with them for a lot of years. When they knew this phone had problems with battery life they should have immediately contacted all buyers of this phone and offered them the extended battery and a new case when it was available. I decided to upgrade to aqn android phone when this phone came out and I’m almost sorry I did.

  6. Original case. $10.00
    Razor blade $1.00
    Cutting a giant hole in the back of original case rather than paying someone $25.00 to do it….
    Priceless

    Is anyone else irritated that they don’t seem to think you might
    Want the back of the phone protected too?

    If someone comes out with a hard case that covers the battery door…
    That I will pay 25.00 for. Until then… I’m happy to make arts and crafts projects out
    Of my existing phone covers.

  7. I just purchase this case from HTCPedia and it arrived today. Believe me when I tell you, it is not worth the $24.99.

    Once I took my phone out into the day light and looked at the case, you can see the uneven cut around the extended battery and also you see where the over cuts took place along the top and bottom at the corners.

    This case was truly a normal case (standard battery) and it had the back cut out to make it fit over the extended battery cover.

    Can you say deceptive advertisement. I truly believe I was deceived.

  9. So how do i order one? Sooner or later someone is going to realize that verizon is pushing the extended battery on all new thunderbolt purchesses. Where are the cases? Who ever makes the first hard case for this phone that fits the giant battery wins cause im buying it and you can charge me 100$ ill pay it. What the f ill even test it out for you. WE NEED CASES THIS PHONE IS TO BIG TO BE THIS UNPROTECTED.

  10. Why should I buy this case if I can just use the case I have now and cut out the back. This doesn’t protect the whole phone so why bother.

  12. Why is it so hard to make a case for the extended thunderbolt battery??? I’ve had my phone since the first day it came out. Bought my battery 2 days after that. There should be something available by now. This is taking way too long. Maybe someone should of thought about an extended case before the phone came out like they do with the standard cases. I’m just sayin…..

  13. Hey guys, I came across this great website
    http://www.CustomHTCcase.wordpress.com that manufactures hard rubber covers for
    the HTC Thunderbolt’s with the extended batteries. I just received mine
    today and the fit is dead on. They are only asking for $14.99 vs some
    of the other competitors I’ve found like HTCpedia.com who sells what
    appears to be the exact cover for $24.99!!!! Hope this post helps you
    guys out!

    • Yeah but from what I can see the battery is still exposed. They just made a cover to go around the battery. is this not correct?

  14. Well, I’m back. Guess what? I found this site that finally has the cover for the extended battery and the entire phone is covered! Including the battery. Right now they say they are back ordered but I went ahead and ordered one and 3 days later it was shipped. They must be getting slammed for orders because it’s back ordered again. When I get the cover I’ll let everyone know how it works. Here is the site to go to. http://web52.letstalk.com/product/productpop.htm?prId=38821&servicePrId=0&index=1&cart=1

  15. Well, I’m back. Guess what? I found this site that finally has the cover for the extended battery and the entire phone is covered! Including the battery. Right now they say they are back ordered but I went ahead and ordered one and 3 days later it was shipped. They must be getting slammed for orders because it’s back ordered again. When I get the cover I’ll let everyone know how it works. Here is the site to go to. http://web52.letstalk.com/product/productpop.htm?prId=38821&servicePrId=0&index=1&cart=1

  16. I just received my cover for my TB yesterday and this thing is just what I’ve been waiting for. It is a hard cover with a rubberized coating so it will not slip out of your hand. It also completely covers the phone INCLUDING THE EXTENDED BATTERY.  If you have been waiting for a cover that will give complete protection as I have then this is the one to order and the price is reasonable. I’m sure that in the future there will be additional covers available but this is the first I have come across. So here is the link again for all  of you out there wanting a complete cover.  http://web52.letstalk.com/prod…  

  17.  i made my hard case in 15 minutes, its been great, 6 weeks, 3 drops, no problems!, would love to post pics’, but have not figured out yet.
    ggorken

    •  It’s not a bad looking case but they still cut around the battery on this one. That’s why I posted a link earlier to “lets talk”. Their case completely covers the entire phone including the battery for 16.99.

  20. I suggest NOT BUYING THE THUNDERBOLT until they have cases for it and the charging base that allow using the extended battery.  Have had mine for 2 months and Ottercases just said they will not make an extended case for it due to market research. Arrrg

    • You can buy covers at “LetsTalk.com and also Seidio now has their convert covers available for the extended battery. I don’t know about the charging base I haven’t checked for that.

    • You can buy covers at “LetsTalk.com and also Seidio now has their convert covers available for the extended battery. I don’t know about the charging base I haven’t checked for that.

    • You can buy covers at “LetsTalk.com and also Seidio now has their convert covers available for the extended battery. I don’t know about the charging base I haven’t checked for that.

    • You can buy covers at “LetsTalk.com and also Seidio now has their convert covers available for the extended battery. I don’t know about the charging base I haven’t checked for that.

  21. I have this case and it was not worth the $30 including shipping!! All it is is a regular case that’s cut in the back with a razor and it’s crooked. Honestly, I could have done it better myself if I knew. Not to mention it covers the front camera so I have to cut it myself because I video chat a lot and it’s too much of a hassle for me to take of the case with every video call. All in all either make your own case or wait. 

    • Go to “letsTalk.com” or Seidio.com. Both of these places have “FULL” cases that cover the battery as well. I bought a case from LetsTalk and it fits perfectly and protects the battery back as well. If you need a more rugged case with a belt clip you can attach to the case go to Seidio. Both cases are excellent.

      • The cases that cover the entire phone prevent the standup bar from operating correctly, thus, presenting a chance of breaking the standup bar. This is why the custom cut ones are the better choice.

      • The case from Lets Talk is no different than the cut out version you are talking about other than it covers the battery door. The stand up bar works perfectly with this case. The Seidio case has its own stand up bar built into the case. I personally haven’t tested this case to see if it covers the rear speaker to where it possibly makes it non functional but it definitely is a sturdy case from the appearance.

  22. I just received the Seidio Surface Extended Case with belt clip.  I think the combo retails for around $50.
    First, note that it does not work like the standard surface case where you snap together 2 pieces to make the case, it is a single solid piece that you put one side in then snap in the other side of the phone, doesn’t look to be a really tight fit.
    Now the big issue I have is that it covers over the metal kick stand, which covers over the speaker; they added a plastic kick stand, which is held shut by a couple of small plastic nubs.  It’s very hard to open the kick stand, there is an opening at the end of the kick stand which I think is supposed to be for sound, but remember the original kick stand is covering over the speaker already.  The plastic kick stand is held in a the end by a small metal pin.
    The good thing is that they offer a 1 year wtty, after talking with them, they told me that if the kick stand breaks they would replace the case (we’ll have to see how that goes, if too many start to break off).  You also have a 14 day return if you go to their web site and get an RMA (return merch auth)
    Also: The Seidio desktop charger does hold the phone with the Surface Extended Case (or if you remove the case there is an insert for the stand that holds the naked phone)
    Hope this helps

  23. Just FYI — info on upcoming thunderbolt software upgrade.  I just left the verizon store and they are well aware of the issues with the cover and the battery usage. Like all of you, i just bought the extended battery.  Until they start making a better selection of covers, we found a pouch with a top strap and belt clip that worked very good.  Not my favorite solution, but  for now it is ok…I will look at your suggestions provided below.  HOWEVER, the HTC representative just left the store and told the verizon folks that they are coming out with an upgrade to the software that will extend the battery life usage of the original battery and possibly eliminate the need for the extended battery.  We will see.

  24. There is a guy with userid moretalktime on eBay that sells a pretty
    inexpensive high quality TPU case that allows for use of the kickstand
    too.

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