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    Hands on testing: Anker Nano Power Bank 10000mAh (30W, Built-In USB-C Cable) A1259

    The new Anker Nano line of battery banks anticipates the shift from Lightning to USB-C in the iPhone ecosystem but that doesn’t mean these cute little products aren’t suited for Android phones as well.

    I’ve been using the Anker Nano Power Bank 10000mAh (30W, Built-In USB-C Cable) A1259 during day to day life for a few weeks now to recharge my Google Pixel 8 Pro and find it very handy.

    At first I didn’t think much of the 30W charging rate but it makes a big difference when recharging my phone while in my pocket compared to my old 10W power bank.

    Yes at $99.99 it does cost more than basic 10000 mAh power banks but with this new one from Anker you’re paying for super convenient 30W pocketable fast charging, built-in status screen and built-in USB-C cable.

    Specifications

    Weight: 215 grams

    Dimensions: 104 × 52.3 × 26 mm

    Input:

    USB-C Cable: 30W Max (5V⎓3A / 9V⎓3A / 15V⎓2A / 20V⎓1.5A)
    USB-C: 30W Max (5V⎓3A / 9V⎓3A / 15V⎓2A / 20V⎓1.5A)

    Output:

    USB-C Cable: 30W Max (5V⎓3A / 9V⎓3A / 10V⎓2.25A / 12V⎓2.5A / 15V⎓2A / 20V⎓1.5A)
    USB-C: 30W Max (5V⎓3A / 9V⎓3A / 10V⎓2.25A / 12V⎓2.5A / 15V⎓2A / 20V⎓1.5A)
    USB-A: 22.5W Max (5V⎓3A / 9V⎓2A / 10V⎓2.25A / 12V⎓1.5A)

    Total Wattage Output

    30W max for one device, 24W Max for 2 or 3 connected devices.

    Strengths

    • Native USB-C for charging and recharging but also has a USB-A socket for older devices.
    • 30W two way charging rate – so it gets refilled and can supply other devices twice as fast as a 15W battery bank or 3 times faster than a 10W battery bank. This was verified with Ampere an app which measures charging rate.
    • Charge 3 gadgets at once – at a total charge rate of 24W you can plug in two USB-C and one USB-C devices so they all get a topup at the same time
    • Small – so it fits easily in a pants pocket or handbag
    • Built-in USB-C cable – so you don’t need to remember to bring one separately or worry about the loose USB-C cable you keep with your battery bank from getting lost
    • Looks good – the silvery look is much nicer than the boring black matte finish which is common with battery banks
    • Built-in colour status screen – press the little button at the top corner to see the current percentage charge level or get an update on how long the battery will take to charge to 100% / discharge to 0% at current charging rate

     

    Weaknesses

    • Built-in USB-C cable – looks sturdy but I keep it closely wrapped around the power bank using a rubber band as I fear the cable might get caught on something in my backpack and get ripped out.
    • Cost – it is priced higher compared to a more boring, plain looking USB-C power bank without a built-in USB-C cable and with only a few blinking dots to indicate current charge level.
    • Screen brightness – sometimes the screen isn’t bright enough to see properly outside in the sun.  I guess making the built-in status screen brighter would have used up more of the battery capacity.

    Neerav Bhatt
    Neerav Bhatthttps://www.bhatt.id.au/blog/about-neerav-bhatt/
    Thanks to his broad general knowledge, research skills and ability to explain complex issues Neerav Bhatt has appeared in the online, print, radio and TV media including: ABC (Online, TV, Radio), SBS (Online, Radio), BBC World Service (Radio), 10 News TV, Sky News TV, Australian IT, Technology Spectator, Ausdroid, iTnews, APCMAG, IDG CSO and a variety of other publications. In 2023 he joined the techAU team and represents them at Sydney events.

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