You’ll not run out of choices when you log on the online for wi-fi energy banks. Nonetheless, many people are ready for the Qi2 chargers to point out up, which is able to carry extra options like magnetic locking and quicker charging speeds. And whereas these have but to reach as energy banks in India, many who require the wire-free comfort of on-the-go charging should go together with the usual Qi chargers (and their limitations). I just lately acquired a wi-fi charger made by Urbn for evaluate. What makes it fascinating is its small kind issue, which is barely seen even behind a standard-sized iPhone mannequin. Nonetheless, after just a few weeks of use, I found numerous limitations that make it arduous to suggest this mannequin when in comparison with different choices accessible in India.
Urbn 5,000mAh Compact MagTag Wi-fi Energy Financial institution Overview: Design and specs
The Urbn 5,000 mAh Compact MagTag Wi-fi Energy Financial institution, henceforth known as the Urbn MagTag charger, comes with some fascinating options. Key amongst them is its small and well-rounded pebble-like design, which has a extremely tiny footprint measuring simply 9cm x 6.3cm, with a thickness of 1.6cm. It is also very mild at simply 121 grams. Whereas its outer shell is made from plastic, its outer floor is coated with a rubber-like texture, which gives grip and feels strong with no undesirable gaps. Nonetheless, I seen that the realm on the charging pad is a correct mud magnet and will get fairly messy after some utilization.
LED battery cost indicators solely reveal an estimate of battery life
The facility financial institution has only one button on its again which is flanked by two LED indicators to show the quantity of charging energy left within the batteries. Not like most different wi-fi energy banks that I’ve used, the charging course of doesn’t activate upon inserting a smartphone on the charging pad however solely upon urgent the button.
Whereas it was one thing I needed to preserve reminding myself to do, it has its benefits as you may have the facility financial institution snapped on the again of your iPhone all day however you may activate the wi-fi charging solely when wanted on the press of a button.
Whereas the LEDs are a helpful indicator of the inner battery’s present capability, it’s important to remember that it is simply an estimate. The facility financial institution displaying a single LED (as a substitute of all 4) signifies that it could possibly be holding something between 25 p.c to 10 p.c of its charging capability. So, one glowing LED doesn’t imply that it at the moment holds 25 p.c of the battery pack’s charging capability. I’d truthfully choose a digital battery monitor show on the again, which might give customers a extra correct thought concerning the cost left as a substitute of such estimates.
The Urbn MagTag hardly ever aligns itself completely due to its weaker decrease magnet
I examined this energy financial institution solely with an iPhone, as they pack smaller batteries. The producer claims each on the field and on its web site that it is MagSafe suitable, however I’ve my doubts about it. The magnetic ring and the sprint beneath it weren’t highly effective sufficient to carry my iPhone 14 Professional firmly in place. The round floor had a greater maintain and so fairly often the facility financial institution saved rotating because the magnet beneath it by no means latched on the cellphone correctly.
As its product title implies, the facility financial institution gives a 5,000mAh energy backup. Nonetheless, Urbn additionally sells one other mannequin with the next 10,000mAh capability. Urbn claims to supply a most wi-fi charging output of 15W with 10W enter through a USB-C port.
Urbn 5,000mAh Compact MagTag Wi-fi Energy Financial institution Overview: Efficiency
Whereas the facility financial institution’s design appeared to examine all of the packing containers for a finances charger, it doesn’t hit the mark or meet expectations relating to the precise charging course of.
Since this can be a “MagSafe suitable” charger, it is probably not able to hitting the marketed “Most 15W” when charging an iPhone wirelessly, however is clearly restricted to 7.5W. Then, one has to additionally consider the anticipated energy loss, which happens when charging gadgets wirelessly.
Maintaining the above two components in thoughts, the Urbn MagTag couldn’t even ship a full cost for the iPhone 14 Professional’s 3,200 mAh battery. It managed a 23 p.c cost in 30 minutes after which carried on to cost the cellphone to 46 p.c in 1 hour. 2 hours later, the facility financial institution lastly gave up and stopped charging the cellphone at 80 p.c, with one LED indicator glowing, hinting at an estimated 25 p.c cost left within the tank.
The Urbn MagTag’s 5,000mAh battery can not totally wirelessly cost an iPhone 14 Professional’s 3,200mAh battery
Fairly upset, I made a decision to strive charging the iPhone 14 Professional utilizing its official cable plugged into the facility financial institution’s USB-C port. This delivered higher outcomes. I totally charged the cellphone in 2 hours and three minutes, with barely sufficient juice left for an additional cost.
As soon as drained, the Urbn MagTag takes about two 2 hours and 25 minutes to totally cost.
Urbn 5,000mAh Compact MagTag Wi-fi Energy Financial institution Overview: Verdict
General, the Urbn MagTag in its 5,000mAh flavour (priced at Rs. 2,499) can’t be used to totally wirelessly cost an iPhone and clearly will not do justice to premium Android gadgets which already pack in 5,000mAh batteries (for varied causes). Its usefulness as a wi-fi charger is principally restricted to quick top-up prices when positioned in a pocket (because of its compact measurement), however I am undecided if that can pan out effectively, given its barely weaker magnets. The facility financial institution additionally helps pass-through charging, which prices up each smartphones (wirelessly) whereas charging the batteries inside its energy financial institution itself, so it may be used as a desk charger when related to an influence cable and an adapter.
Certainly, it makes higher sense to go for the larger (and thicker) 10,000mAh mannequin (oddly priced at Rs. 2,199) because it packs in the next capability, which ought to, in principle, be capable to ship one full cost for a regular-sized iPhone. Whereas the market is flooded with choices, I’d suggest the Every day Objects Surge Magnetic MagSafe Battery Pack as a substitute, because it gives loads of options (and a greater design) at a barely larger price ticket of Rs. 5,999.
Value: Rs. 2,499
Professionals:
- Small and compact design
- USB-C port
- On/off button
- Doubles up as a desktop charger
Cons:
- LED indicators present the estimated cost left
- Magnets are a bit weak
- Can’t ship one full cost
