Choosing the Best Capacity for a Portable Phone Charger
When it comes to choosing a portable phone charger, the right capacity is a crucial factor. With smartphones becoming increasingly advanced and energy-intensive, more robust power banks are being developed to ensure that users can stay connected and powered on the go.
How Many Recharges Will You Get?
Before you purchase a portable charger, it's essential to consider how many times you might need to recharge your phone. The calculation for determining this can be quite straightforward, but it's important to keep in mind various factors.
For instance, a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which has a 5000mAh internal battery, can be fully recharged up to four times by a 20000mAh power bank. However, this is only an estimation, as real-world conditions can reduce the number of recharges. Age and condition of the power bank, in addition to the inefficiency of power transmission, can all impact the actual number of recharges you can get.
The effective transmission rate of the power bank also plays a significant role. Over time, the internal batteries of power banks lose their capacity, so an older model might not provide the full expected charge capacity. This is something to take into account when choosing a portable charger.
How Many Devices Do You Need to Keep Power-Bound?
Many modern high-capacity power banks come equipped with multiple outputs, making it convenient to charge multiple devices simultaneously. This is particularly useful if you're traveling with friends and family, or if you need to keep multiple gadgets powered up.
When it comes to connector types, USB-A is the most common standard, given that most charging cables end with a rectangular USB-A plug. However, some advanced power banks offer USB-C or even Apple's Lightning ports, particularly for higher-end devices. When charging the power bank itself, ensure you have a compatible cable that matches your device's interface.
What Kind of Power Output Do You Need?
The power output of a portable charger is a critical consideration. While smartphones can generally use any power bank, faster charging is often required for more energy-hungry devices like laptops.
Certain power banks support charging standards like Qualcomm's Quick Charge, which can significantly speed up charging time. However, other brands may have proprietary standards such as Oppo’s VOOC that aren’t always listed in power bank specifications. When a power bank delivers higher wattage to your device, it can lead to faster charging, though this is not always guaranteed.
For devices like laptops, the power bank should have Power Delivery (PD) as a standard. This allows the power bank to negotiate with the laptop to deliver the optimal power level. It's essential to have the right combination of power bank and cable to make this work, although it can be hit and miss as the device and power bank must effectively communicate and agree on the power delivery level.
If the laptop doesn't recognize the power bank and cannot negotiate the charge level properly, the device may not receive any charge and instead use the power bank as an external power source, leading to a drain on the battery without actually recharging it.
My Recommendations
I highly recommend BOLD power banks for their reliable performance and comprehensive features. BOLD power banks come with all the necessary components, making them an excellent choice for anyone on the go.
Click on the link below to learn more about BOLD power banks:
Learn More about BOLD Power Banks