Subsequent-generation battery era is just like fusion energy: a big leap forward is at all times a yr or two away. We stay being promised such things as computer batteries that may ultimate for a month, and true wi-fi charging all over a room. None of it ever materializes.
On the other hand, one modest however nonetheless profitable leap forward in battery tech is actual and to be had nowadays: solid-state powerbanks – together with a brand new MagSafe type from Zens …
My colleague Fernando Silva examined one solid-state MagSafe battery ultimate month and I’ve been trying out some other. Technically, the Zens Semi-Cast-State Powerbank is, because the title suggests, a hybrid battery tech.
Zens made that selection as a result of solid-state batteries have the best power density, however don’t be offering the most productive efficiency and lifespan. Combining the 2 battery techs objectives to ship the most productive of each worlds.
Specifications
The 5000mAh model measures simply 8mm thick and is differently slightly conventional in measurement for a MagSafe battery at 10.2x7cm. There’s additionally a ten,000mAh variant with the similar dimensions however a thickness of one.4cm.
It’s Qi 2.2 appropriate, which means that it gives as much as 25W of charging with the iPhone 16 collection and up, or 15W with previous fashions. Along with powering an iPhone, it’s additionally appropriate with any AirPods type with wi-fi charging enhance.
Glance & really feel
The powerbank is an overly darkish grey, with on the subject of a black look. It has squircle-like rounded corners, a matte end at the outdoor and a rubberized one at the within to give protection to the iPhone from scratches.
There’s a somewhat discreet Zens branding above 5 extraordinarily small charge-state LEDs, and a USB-C charging socket on the backside.
In use
I’ll be the primary to confess that I’m now not a herbal candidate for a MagSafe battery as I work at home and my iPhone spends maximum of its existence sitting on a MagSafe charger with the utmost price capability set to 80%.
There are two situations the place iPhone battery existence does change into a topic for me. First on lengthy cycle rides the place I’m the use of it for navigation, and 2nd on lengthy days travelling. I examined it in each situations and located that it more or less doubles the battery lifetime of my fully-charged iPhone 16 Professional Max.
The use of the iPhone with the charger hooked up does clearly upload weight (122g), however to not an extent that makes it impractical. The added bulk is just about the similar because the Apple MagSafe pockets I generally have hooked up.
Go-through charging makes it very handy to make use of. I will be able to merely plug a charger into the battery whilst it’s hooked up to the telephone so as to concurrently price each gadgets.
Pricing & conclusions
Positive, it’s now not the entire revolution in battery tech firms would have us consider is simply across the nook, however for me it is a notable growth on previous and bulkier gadgets. Coupled to a GaN energy brick, it truly does make for a a lot more compact and light-weight setup than earlier generations of era.
At $59.99 for the 5,000mAh model and $79.99 for the ten,000mAh type, it’s a bit pricier than typical tech, however I’d say is definitely well worth the top class for the narrow and light-weight shape issue. Each fashions are to be had with quick transport from the Zens site.
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