Comparison

PhoneBattery vs PlainAuto

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

PhoneBattery

This app displays your iPhone's battery level directly on your Apple Watch. Avoid constantly checking your phone with quick glances at your wrist, perfect for workouts, commutes, or when your phone is just out of reach.

Highlights
  • iPhone battery level on Apple Watch
  • Smart battery notifications
  • Apple Watch complications
  • Alternative app icons
  • Clean and simple interface
Features
Read full description

PhoneBattery is the tiny little app that solves a surprisingly annoying problem How much battery is left on your iPhone? And why do you need to dig it out of your pocket every time just to find out? With PhoneBattery, you can simply glance at your Apple Watch and boom — mystery solved. Perfect for: • Workouts where your phone is buried somewhere in a sweaty pocket • Busy commutes with too many bags and not enough hands • Couch-days where the phone is just a little too far away No magic. No fuss. Just your iPhone battery, right where it should be: on your wrist. FEATURES • Smart battery notifications (never get caught at 2 percent again) • Clean and simple interface (nothing extra, no clutter) • Lots of Apple Watch complications • Alternative app icons (because vibes matter) • Free, no ads, and made by one indie developer • Optional tips if you want to support future features Need help or want to say hi? help@marcelvoss.com

About

PlainAuto

Features
Read full description

PlainAuto explains your car — and the shop — in plain language. Whether you're a driver who wants to understand what that warning light means, or a technician who needs a quick torque spec, PlainAuto has you covered. CAR OWNER MODE • Warning Lights — what every dashboard light means, color-coded by urgency • Emergency Guide — flat tire, dead battery, overheating, fluid leaks, and more • DIY Repair Guides — step-by-step with tool lists and difficulty ratings • Maintenance Schedule — know exactly what's due and when • Cost Estimator — typical repair costs so you're never caught off guard • Mechanic Visit Prep — questions to ask, upsells to decline, your rights • Service History Log — track all maintenance, repairs, and costs over time • Seasonal Prep — winterizing, summer prep, pre-road-trip checklists • Fluids Guide — engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission, and more • Buying & Selling Guide — pre-purchase inspection, trade-in, private sale tips MECHANIC / TECH MODE • OBD-II Code Library — 500+ codes with plain-language causes and fixes • Torque Spec Database — lug nuts, head bolts, drain plugs, suspension, and more • Repair Procedures — step-by-step with special tools and time estimates • Diagnostic Decision Trees — symptom-based troubleshooting sequences • Wiring Color Codes — by manufacturer (GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Chrysler) • Customer Explainer Cards — shareable cards that explain repairs in plain terms • Labor Time Estimator — standard labor times for common repairs • Parts Cross-Reference — cross-references across major brands • Fluid Capacities — by make, model, and year WORKS OFFLINE. No account required. No data collected.

Screenshots

PhoneBattery4 screens
PlainAuto4 screens

Verdict

The call

PhoneBattery and PlainAuto are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PhoneBattery sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and PlainAuto sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
PhoneBattery versus PlainAuto: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhoneBatteryPlainAuto
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (381 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews58.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings381 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarcel VossBhim Upadhyaya

Bugs and requests

PhoneBattery

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Complication shows skeleton loading screen but never loads data
  • App displays blank battery icon with no charge information
  • Battery percentage shows incorrect values
  • App only works if opened on phone first
  • Incompatible with watchOS 7 and iOS 14+
Show 5 more
  • Circular display setting doesn't apply
  • Low battery notifications never trigger
  • App crashes or fails to display on Apple Watch
  • Settings changes don't persist (e.g., round to long battery display)
  • Inconsistent functionality across Watch Series 3, 5, 6 models

Requested features

8 requests
  • Add working complication for watch face integration
  • Support for circular battery indicator display
  • Sound notifications for low battery alerts
  • Display phone signal strength information
  • Show Bluetooth headphone battery percentage
Show 3 more
  • Change Apple Watch app icon customization
  • Battery health information display
  • Regular app updates for current OS compatibility

PlainAuto

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

PhoneBattery

One-time4
  • Small tip$0.99
  • Medium tip$1.99
  • Large tip$3.99
Show 1 more
  • Generous tip$4.99
3 purchases

PlainAuto

One-time3
  • Owner Premium$4.99
  • Pro Unlock$9.99
  • Complete Bundle$12.99

Questions

Is PhoneBattery free?
PhoneBattery is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PlainAuto free?
PlainAuto is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PhoneBattery or PlainAuto have ads?
Neither PhoneBattery nor PlainAuto shows ads.

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