You’ll not run out of choices should you log on the online for wi-fi energy banks. Nevertheless, many people are ready for the Qi2 chargers to point out up, which is able to deliver extra options like magnetic locking and sooner 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 along with the usual Qi chargers (and their limitations). I lately acquired a wi-fi charger made by Urbn for evaluate. What makes it fascinating is its small type issue, which is barely seen even behind a standard-sized iPhone mannequin. Nevertheless, after just a few weeks of use, I found plenty of limitations that make it arduous to advocate this mannequin when in comparison with different choices out there 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 gentle at simply 121 grams. Whereas its outer shell is product of plastic, its outer floor is coated with a rubber-like texture, which affords a very good grip and feels stable with no undesirable gaps. Nevertheless, I seen that the world on the charging pad is a correct mud magnet and will get fairly messy after some utilization.
The ability 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 putting a smartphone on the charging pad however solely upon urgent the button.
Whereas it was one thing I needed to hold reminding myself to do, it has its benefits as you possibly can have the facility financial institution snapped on the again of your iPhone all day however you possibly can activate the wi-fi charging solely when wanted on the press of a button.
Whereas the LEDs are a useful indicator of the interior battery’s present capability, you need to remember that it is simply an estimate. The ability financial institution displaying a single LED (as a substitute of all 4) signifies that it might be holding something between 25 p.c to 10 p.c of its charging capability. So, one glowing LED doesn’t imply that it presently holds 25 p.c of the battery pack’s charging capability. I’d truthfully desire a digital battery monitor show on the again, which might give customers a extra correct thought in regards to the cost left as a substitute of such estimates.
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 appropriate, 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 affords a 5,000mAh energy backup. Nevertheless, 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 by way of 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 test all of the bins 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 appropriate” 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 take into account the anticipated energy loss, which happens when charging units wirelessly.
Protecting the above two elements 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 half-hour 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.
Fairly dissatisfied, 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 one more cost.
As soon as drained, the Urbn MagTag takes about two 2 hours and 25 minutes to completely cost.
Urbn 5,000mAh Compact MagTag Wi-fi Energy Financial institution Overview: Verdict
Total, the Urbn MagTag in its 5,000mAh flavour (priced at Rs. 2,499) can’t be used to completely wirelessly cost an iPhone and clearly will not do justice to premium Android units which already pack in 5,000mAh batteries (for numerous causes). Its usefulness as a wi-fi charger is principally restricted to brief top-up fees when positioned in a pocket (due to its compact dimension), however I am undecided if that can pan out effectively, given its barely weaker magnets. The ability financial institution additionally helps pass-through charging, which fees up each smartphones (wirelessly) whereas charging the batteries inside its energy financial institution itself, so it may be used as a desk charger when linked 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 concept, be capable of ship one full cost for a regular-sized iPhone. Whereas the market is flooded with choices, I’d advocate the Each day Objects Surge Magnetic MagSafe Battery Pack as a substitute, because it affords 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