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I reviewed the Nothing Phone 3a Pro and it’s not the lights and beeps that make it the best bargain smartphone

1:30 pm | March 4, 2025

Nothing Phone 3a Pro: Two-minute review

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro (officially Nothing Phone (3a) Pro but I’m not typing that many parentheses) is the most interesting phone you can buy for less than $500 / £500 / AU$850, and if you’ve been craving something different than the cheerful bubblegum styling of cheap Android phones, you should consider the Nothing Phone 3a Pro no matter your price range.

For a full $140 / £150 / AU$150 less than the cheapest iPhone, the iPhone 16e, you can get the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, which has a larger screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a bigger battery and faster charging, plus more storage and more RAM.

You also get a camera with 3x optical zoom, a feature unheard of at this price range. Most cheap phones give you wide, ultra-wide, and macro cameras, not a real zoom lens.

And all of that comes before I get to the Nothing Phone 3a Pro’s unique design (unique except for the nearly-identical Nothing Phone 3a), which takes a stripped-down approach so far that you can literally see into the back of the phone as if you have x-ray vision.

This see-through look a signature of Nothing Phone devices, along with the cool Glyph LED lights, though the Nothing Phone 3a Pro looks a bit more restrained and polished than previous models. It looks more like a circuitry subway map than an accidental phone autopsy.

The Nothing Phone LED lights are here, in a simple ring rather than an enigmatic ‘Glyph’ arrangement like I saw on the first two Nothing Phone devices. The Glyph system is more than just decorative, it’s actually quite functional and a bit nostalgic.

I remember when the LED lights were a key selling point for cell phones and I’d spend time customizing my friends’ light cues along with their designated ringtone. Nothing Phone 3a Pro let me do that again, assigning light patterns to my friends and family. I even had fun banging out my own patterns on the glyph-maker software.

I give Nothing a lot of credit – there are few phones with a feature like the glyph that is this fun. Most phones are just a slab of glass with cameras on the back. Samsung might give you a pen, but you pay a lot for it. With the Nothing Phone 3a Pro (and Nothing Phone 3a), you get the unique glyph feature that's entertaining on its own and adds unique flair to your calls and alerts.

That said, this is still a decidedly bargain phone, with a less-powerful chipset inside and limited support for US networks. I saw plenty of lag and stuttering performance on this phone, more than I’ve see on slightly more expensive and powerful phones like the OnePlus 12R or even the Google Pixel 8a.

I had no problem using my Nothing Phone 3a Pro on AT&T’s network in the New York area. Nothing says some users might have to call AT&T or Verizon to have their phone’s IMEI (a network identifier) whitelisted, or approved, by the carrier. T-Mobile fans should have no problem at all.

Performance issues aside, it’s almost sad that Nothing hasn’t created an even more premium device above the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, because it’s clear that plenty of work went into the interface and design, and phone fans who normally shun cheap phones might enjoy the minimalist and unique NothingOS. Don't knock it until you've seen it.

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro feels special. This isn’t a pared back phone like the Galaxy A56, which is like a Diet Galaxy S25. The Nothing Phone 3a Pro improves on previous Nothing Phones with a more durable design, a better display, versatile cameras, and faster performance all around. This is the best Nothing Phone ever, and this is one bargain phone you shouldn’t ignore.

Nothing Phone 3a Pro review: price and availability

$459 / £449 / AU$849 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage
Available in the US through Nothing Beta program

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro front showing lock screen with AI wallpaper — (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro will be available worldwide in one configuration for $459 / £449 / AU$849. You can choose a white or shiny grey exterior and get 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage inside. That’s a respectable amount of storage and RAM for the price – much more than the 8GB/128GB you'll get on the Samsung Galaxy A56.

While not quite this cheap, for a bit more you can buy the Google Pixel 8a or OnePlus 12R. Both of those phones get discounted frequently to match the Nothing Phone 3a Pro’s price, but those phones were both new in 2024. Samsung’s new Galaxy A56 will cost about the same as the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, but that phone won’t hit the US until much later this year.

Most of the world can simply order the Nothing Phone 3a Pro through Nothing.tech or a retail partner, but in the US there are a couple of hoops to jump through. Nothing saves money by cheaping out on radio bands, so the Nothing Phone 3a Pro doesn’t support every single band on the three major US carriers.

If you use T-Mobile in the US, you’re in luck with the most supported bands, but AT&T support lags a bit, and Verizon users will be missing enough bands that it might make sense to look elsewhere if you need the best cell service possible.

For this reason, Nothing sells the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro in the US under a ‘Beta’ program so that users will be aware of what they are missing. I used the Nothing Phone 3a Pro in the New York area on AT&T. I got a text message from AT&T right away that my phone wasn’t supported. I ignored the message and used the phone normally for the rest of the week and I had no noticeable issues. Network speeds were good.

Value score: 5/5

Nothing Phone 3a Pro review: specs

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, which is a fairly new platform from Qualcomm, so it can support all of the latest software as well as upcoming AI features, should Nothing decide to add more machine learning.

The most outstanding spec is the 3x optical zoom camera, which is unique in this price range. Nothing uses periscopic lens technology, like you’ll find on the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 5X zoom lens, to add reach.

Otherwise, the large display is noteworthy for its high refresh rate and brightness, both of which top Apple’s latest supposed-bargain iPhone 16e. Across the board, you won’t find much better specs on a smartphone without spending hundreds more, and Nothing also gives you the unique Glyph lights around back.

Nothing Phone 3a Pro review: design

Totally unique transparent design with LED Glyph lights
A bit thick and heavy, but not too much

Nothing Phone 3a Pro back showing internals, camera bump, and USB-C port on bottom — (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro stands out, even in the muted grey and white color options available. At first glance, friends who saw the transparent back, with its roadmap of flat ribbon cables and antenna lines, asked what was going on with my phone.

Folks who caught a glimpse when the Glyph lights flared always wanted to know what phone I was using.

The design is decidedly tech-forward, and the Glyph light patterns, with their matching sound cues, and the minimalist NothingOS interface only reinforce this feeling. Most phones try to disappear behind the display and the content, but the Nothing Phone 3a Pro begs to be seen from every angle. I was looking for opportunities to place this phone face down so I could watch it ring.

The design is so unusual that you won’t notice it feels a bit cheap. The seams are not as perfectly aligned as the edges on a Galaxy S25 or iPhone 16. The phone is thick – at 8.4mm, it’s thicker than an iPhone 16e or Galaxy A56.

The transparent back is glass: a Chinese knock-off of Gorilla Glass called ‘Panda Glass’ instead of plastic like previous Nothing Phone devices. The camera bump is huge and unapologetic, with textured lines that draw a circle around the frame. The Glyph lights ring the cameras, and can also act like a ring light when you’re shooting.

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro features a new Essential Key, which is a button that will take a screenshot or record a voice memo. It won’t just store these entries, it feeds them into an Essential Space app that analyzes your notes with AI to give you summaries and answers. In practice… it needs work. I hope the Essential Key gets repurposed in a future NothingOS update so that it can do a bit more.

Design score: 3/5

Nothing Phone 3a Pro review: display

Big, bright display with a fast refresh rate
Not as bright in our tests as Nothing claims

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro home screen showing widgets for the camera, pedometer, compass, and battery life — (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro features a huge, 6.77-inch AMOLED display that can refresh at a variable rate up to 120Hz. It looked bright, colorful, and smooth in my time reviewing the Phone 3a Pro. There was some stuttering, but I suspect the slower chipset was to blame, as the display could handle whatever video content or fast-scrolling lists I threw its way.

I wonder if this display is overkill for Nothing Phone 3a Pro. NothingOS is nearly monochromatic, and in fact there is a monochrome mode if you want to eliminate all colorful distraction from your phone. Maybe Nothing should have developed a unique display to play into those strengths, instead of competing on color and brightness with Samsung and Google.

Nothing claims the Nothing Phone 3a Pro can hit 3,000 nits at peak brightness, but in our Future Labs tests we couldn’t manage half that brightness level. We still saw peak brightness well over 1,000 nits, which is great, but not what Nothing claims.

Display score: 3/5

Nothing Phone 3a Pro review: software

NothingOS offers a unique look and plenty of widgets
Nothing Phone 3a Pro gets 3 years more Android, 6 years more security

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro quick settings menu drop down — (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro uses NothingOS on top of Android 15, and NothingOS could really be considered a Theme and Widget combo pack. It doesn’t add a whole lot of useful features to Android, but instead it succeeds by taking away distractions.

By distractions, I mean color and shapes. The look of NothingOS can best be described as a monochrome, low-resolution, dot matrix theme. There's an actual monochrome mode you can enable, but the basic NothingOS theme is mostly black and white, with graphics that reduce iconography, like clouds and the sun in the weather app, to a series of large dots.

It kind of works, if you like this style. Nothing even includes an AI wallpaper generator, a feature very en vogue with the smartphone elite, though in this case the choices are much more limited than you’ll find on a Galaxy or Pixel phone.

On my Galaxy I might create a ‘lamp of flowers in pink and purple,’ with thousands of possible combinations of nouns and colors. On my Nothing Phone 3a Pro I can choose ‘flora’ and ‘iridescent’, and up to 30 total combos. What you get ends up looking like a wallpaper that Nothing might have included with its phone anyway.

If you press the new Essential Key twice, you open a new Essential Space app, where you can find the screenshots that you took and the voice memos you saved. Only the screenshots that you capture using the Essential Key end up here. If you press the power button and volume down, you get a screenshot in your Gallery, but not in the Essential Space. Weird.

Honestly, I didn’t have any use for the Essential Key or Essential Space during my time with the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, and I didn’t feel I was missing anything except a better use for the new button. I rarely take screenshots or record voice memos, and I’m not going to change my behavior for this phone, so if you’re like me, you won’t see the benefit. Hopefully Nothing will add more to make this useful for more people.

Software score: 3/5

Nothing Phone 3a Pro review: cameras

Good cameras (but not as good as Nothing's bragging)
A 3x optical zoom lens is unique at this price

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro in hand showing camera app — (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The people have spoken, and people say they want three cameras, so most cheap Android phones come with three cameras, but none of them give you optical zoom like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. The Nothing Phone 3a Pro has a clever, versatile array of cameras, making it a solid pick if you need a real zoom lens.

Most phones at this price give you a fine wide-angle camera, a mediocre ultra-wide, and a terrible, low resolution macro camera. The Galaxy A55 and the Motorola Edge 2024 offer that camera setup, for instance. Nothing gives you a lot more camera bang for your buck.

You get a real 3x optical zoom with a periscope lens, which just means it’s more compact than a normal zoom lens. You also get a big 50MP sensor on that zoom lens, in addition to the 50MP main sensor. The ultra-wide sensor is only 8MP, but who cares when you have all that zoom.

The selfie camera is a 50MP sensor as well, which is too much for selfies. I ended up with a file that is six times as large as an iPhone 16 Pro selfie, even though it doesn’t have as much detail or clarity.

The image quality from the Nothing Phone 3a Pro is fine, but not incredible. The Pixel 8a will give you better images in this price range, at least with its main camera, though it only shoots up to 12MP. The Nothing Phone 3a Pro can shoot 50MP images, but you have to dig through settings to make that happen, otherwise you get a standard 12MP file.

It’s clear from the image samples that there is a lot of AI processing going on with the Nothing photos. On the zoom photos, I could get a pretty good shot overall, but if I look closely the image takes on an oil paint quality that makes it clear a computer filled in a lot of gaps and erased all the noise.

Before this phone launched, Nothing teased us by claiming that its new cameras would be as good as an iPhone. It’s not even close, but the Nothing Phone 3a Pro is not a bad camera. It takes much better photos than any Motorola phone I’ve used, and it has more versatility than comparable Samsung Galaxy A-series phones. It’s a solid camera setup for the price.

Camera score: 4/5

Nothing Phone 3a Pro review: camera samples

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Nothing Phone 3a Pro sample — (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

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Nothing Phone 3a Pro camera image samples — (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

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Nothing Phone 3a Pro review: performance

Performance is good enough to get by
There are more powerful phones with less style

Nothing took a step up with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip inside both the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro, but the platform still isn’t quite fast enough to keep up with the demands of Android 15 and NothingOS. I encountered plenty of lag in my time with the phone, often bad enough that the screen would stop responding to taps and then would catch up all at once. It was frustrating, but it didn’t happen too often, not every day.

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro isn’t going to be the best phone for hardcore games like Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG, but it will do fine with casual games like Balatro and Marvel Snap. Vampire Survivors choked the phone when the screen filled with enemies, but it recovered quickly enough that I didn’t lose the round.

Frankly, the competition at this price doesn’t offer much better performance – the Pixel 8a isn’t winning any benchmark crowns. If you want a fast phone for less, the OnePlus 12R is your best bet, otherwise you’ll just need to spend more if you want a serious mobile gaming machine.

Performance score: 2/5

Nothing Phone 3a Pro review: battery

Great battery life and excellent charging speeds
No wireless charging

Battery life on the Nothing Phone 3a Pro was excellent, and the phone had no trouble lasting me a full day on a single charge with battery to spare. The phone also charges very quickly, though Nothing skimps by not offering any charger in the box, fast or otherwise.

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro can charge up to 50 watts, and I tested it with my own variable charger that can charge up to 50W or more. The Phone 3a Pro charged very quickly, and I got to 100% in just over 50 minutes, which is even faster than Nothing claims. That’s faster than the Galaxy S25 and the iPhone 16.

With a 5,000mAh battery inside (and a very dark, black interface), the Nothing Phone 3a Pro conserves power nicely. In our Future Labs tests, the Phone 3a Pro lasted just under 15 and a half hours, almost the same amount of time as the Samsung Galaxy S25. In my real world tests, I had no trouble taking photos and working through a full day on a single charge.

Battery score: 5/5

Should you buy the Nothing Phone 3a Pro ?

Buy it if...

You like the look
You won’t find anything that comes close to the Nothing Phone 3a Pro design, with its unique transparent back glass and minimal interface.

You like the lights
It’s surprising no other phone maker is using LED lights for notification, but Nothing gives you lights, sounds, and a composer to make your own rings.

You love the price
For everything you get – the versatile cameras, unique design, great battery and charging – this phone is a steal, and worth a look over phones that cost much more.

Don't buy it if...

You play a lot of mobile games
This is not a powerhouse phone; its Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor could sputter at times. Skip it if you need real smartphone power.

You don’t like the look or the lights
There’s not much else going for the Nothing Phone 3a Pro that is unique, besides the design and the low price. But that’s enough for many folks.

You plan on keeping your phone for years
The Nothing Phone 3a Pro will get three years of Android updates, but after that this phone will be far behind even mid-range performers and you may have problems.

Nothing Phone 3a Pro review: also consider

Google Pixel 8a
The Pixel a-series phones are a great value, offering many of the features you’ll find on the flagship Pixel phones, with very similar camera image quality as well.
Read our full review of the Google Pixel 8a

Samsung Galaxy A56
The brand-new Galaxy A56 gives you tons of Samsung AI features and great specs for a price that is comparable to the Nothing Phone 3a Pro.
Read our hands-on review of the Samsung Galaxy A56

How I tested the Nothing Phone 3a Pro

I used the Nothing Phone 3a Pro for a week before this review was published. In that time, I tested the phone extensively, alongside the Nothing Phone 3a, using the same work and personal apps and accounts on each.

I used the Nothing Phone 3a Pro for taking photos, communicating with work colleagues using messages and Slack, and conducting video conference calls. I played games, and edited photos from my Google Photos library.

I connected the Nothing Phone 3a Pro to a Pixel Watch 3 and Nothing Buds. I also connected an Xbox wireless controller to play games. I connected the Phone 3a Pro to my car for multimedia and to other Bluetooth speakers for audio.

I tested the Nothing Phone 3a Pro on my personal AT&T Wireless account in the New York City area, including Connecticut, the Hudson Valley, and New Jersey, with no trouble.

Why you can trust TechRadar

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First reviewed March 2025

When traveling with a high-performance laptop, the Anker 737’s 140W charging makes it my go-to power bank

1:38 am | March 3, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

Anker 737 power bank review

Premium power banks designed for high-wattage laptop charging are rare, but the Anker 737 stands out thanks to its 140W output, making it one of the best choices for MacBook Pros and other power-hungry laptops. Anker is a well-known brand recognized for quality, and the 737 delivers top-tier performance with a 24,000 mAh (86.4 Wh) capacity, a built-in screen, and multiple ports for a variety of devices.

While the 737 also comes with a premium price tag, at least it's easy to purchase – either directly from Anker, through online stores, or on Amazon. It's often discounted by up to 30% compared to the list price, making it a great deal for those who can catch it on sale. Plus, it's flight-safe, making it perfect for travelers who need a reliable power source for tedious long-haul flights.

Anker 737 PowerCore 24K 140W power bank — (Image credit: TechRadar)

The Anker 737 is one of a small number of power banks that cater to the latest high-end laptops, with the ability to supply up to 140W (28V, 5A) from the main USB-C port. Of course, it also handles charging phones or other portable devices just as well, with the second USB-C port offering up to 100W (20V, 5A) output, while the USB-A delivers 18W (9V, 2A). The 737 supports fast charging a phone at up to 27W (9V, 3A) as well as PPS 5A (3.3V – 21V) for wide compatibility, including Samsung fast charging.

At 630 grams, the Anker 737 is heavier than some alternatives, but its square 15.7 × 5.5 × 5 cm form factor is particularly well-suited for placement in drink bottle holders and is easy to pack in most bags, though it may be a tight fit in slim laptop bags. The power bank features an excellent color screen that provides real-time information on remaining capacity, battery health, and power output from each port, making it a valuable tool for monitoring device charging. It also includes a low-current charging mode for smaller accessories, activated by double pressing the power button.

The Anker 737’s standout feature is its ability to sustain a 140W output with rock-steady voltages. While it does get warm under sustained high-wattage loads, efficiency remains solid. The Gen 1 model I tested doesn't support 12V output from the USB-C ports, but the latest Gen 2 version of the Anker 737 is upgraded with 12V/3A PD-spec output that, among other things, charges DJI drone batteries at full speed.

At 140W (28V, 5A), 85% of the rated capacity is available. At a more common 100W (20V, 5A), an excellent 89% of the rated capacity is maintained. For phone charging at 9V 20W, the efficiency remains high at 87%. USB-C charging is the most efficient, while the USB-A port delivers 70.5 Wh (81.5%) at 5V 2A compared to 74.2 Wh (86%) from USB-C.

The Anker 737 charges itself impressively fast, reaching full capacity at 140W in under an hour. At 100W, it takes approximately 1.5 hours. It supports pass-through charging at up to 90W, but doesn't allow self-charging at the same time and lacks a UPS mode. The power bank uses high-quality 21700 cells and actively monitors battery health, making it an excellent choice for heavy daily use.

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Anker 737: Price & specs

Anker 737: Test results

Should I buy the Anker 737?

Buy it if…

You charge a laptop a lot
The 140W output on the 737 is ideal for power-hungry devices.

You value premium features like the display
It’s very useful being able to check the exact wattage being output by the 737.

Don't buy it if…

You just want a cheap power bank for occasional use
The 737 is well worth the price tag, but only if you need all the features.

You want a slim power bank
The large capacity and square form factor mean the Anker 737 won’t suit thin laptop bags

Also consider

The Anker 737 is one of the best premium power banks available, but below are a few other options if you are looking for something different.

ZMI No.20
This power bank uses premium components, has a large 25,000 mAh (90 Wh) capacity and is able to fast charge anything from a phone to a laptop at up to 100W.

Read our full ZMI No.20 review

Iniu B6 power bank
Need something easy to carry? With 20W fast-charge capability and a 10,000mAh (37Wh) capacity, the Iniu B6 is the perfect low-cost power bank to slip into your bag when on the go.

Read our full Iniu B6 power bank review

How I test power banks

I get hands-on with every power bank I test and conduct extensive evaluations in both lab and real-world scenarios. Using tools like the ChargerLab POWER-Z KM003C, I measure charge voltage, protocol support, and log capacity tests.

Each power bank is also tested with real devices, including phones, tablets, and laptops, and connected to a programmable load tester for multiple charge cycles. I carry a selection daily in both pockets and bags to assess their durability and ability to withstand everyday use.

All measurements and weights are personally verified, ensuring accuracy beyond the manufacturer’s listings.

Want to know more? Read about how we test.

The mighty ZMI No.20 is the power bank I reach for every day, whether at work or on the road

1:38 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

ZMI No.20 power bank review

Power banks that claim to fast-charge laptops often fall short, but the ZMI No.20 delivers 100W output in a premium package. ZMI might not be a name you've heard of, but the brand is a key part of Mi (Xiaomi) and is well-known for making excellent, high-quality products. The No.20 is no exception, with a large 25,000 mAh (90 Wh) capacity, high-end components, and impressive multi-device charging capabilities. It’s one of the best power banks available, though it can sometimes be difficult to purchase in Australia and the US, and almost impossible to find in the UK. Amazon is often the best place to buy it, but keep in mind that it doesn't go on sale frequently.

I purchased this power bank personally and have used it for over two years. It remains my favourite laptop-ready power bank, thanks to its high performance, great form factor, and robust reliability.

ZMI No.20 front side angle — (Image credit: Future)

The ZMI No.20 features two USB-C input/output ports and one USB-A port. The first USB-C port delivers up to 100W (20V, 5A), while the second is limited to 45W (20V, 2.25A) in or out. The USB-A port can also output 100W (20V, 5A) for PD-compatible devices like laptops, but only when using the included ZMI USB-A to USB-C cable. With a total power output of 210W across all ports, the No.20 has no issue fast charging multiple laptops, phones, or handheld gaming devices simultaneously. The 25,000 mAh capacity is also nearly the largest allowed while still being flight-safe.

This power bank also supports pass-through charging and functions as a UPS, ensuring uninterrupted power delivery when plugging or unplugging devices. It works well with low-power devices like routers (using a USB-C to 12V cable), making it a viable option for backup power needs. The remaining capacity is displayed via a simple but effective light-up percentage indicator that's easy to read in sunlight but slightly too bright at night.

The long but slim form factor makes it easy to fit in bags, including backpacks and laptop bags. At 580 grams, it’s not the lightest option, but its weight is reasonable given its high capacity, and 18.8 cm length and 8.1 cm width allow it to slip into most storage pockets in bags. While providing robust protection if dropped, the shiny plastic finish is prone to scratches. These marks are cosmetic and do not affect performance, though a sleeve can help mitigate them – albeit with some added bulk.

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ZMI No.20 (QB826G) 25K 100W power bank — (Image credit: TechRadar)

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ZMI No.20: Price & specs

ZMI No.20: Test results

I conduct comprehensive testing of every power bank I review to ensure they meet their manufacturer’s claims. The ZMI No.20 delivers outstanding results and runs slightly cooler than competing power banks, with no observed throttling in normal use.

During testing, the No.20 output 87.9% of its capacity at 20V and 84.9% at 9V, which is above-average efficiency. It sustains 100W output on a single USB-C port or 100W + 45W across both USB-C ports without overheating. The independent USB-C ports ensure that plugging in a second device doesn't cause the first to disconnect or renegotiate power levels.

The 210W total power rating is achieved using the first USB-C port (100W) and the USB-A port (100W) with the included ZMI USB-A to USB-C cable. Connecting two 100W laptops is possible, though if both use the full 100W for an extended period, the power bank may reduce the output. After efficiency losses, the power bank can easily fully charge most laptops, giving double (or more) runtime.

When recharging with a 100W charger, the No.20 hits full capacity in about 1.5 hours (and 80% charge in under an hour), or 2.5 hours when using the 45W input.

The ZMI No.20 uses high-quality Samsung INR21700-50E cells, which typically provide better cycle life and long-term reliability compared to the pouch cells in lower-priced power banks. This makes it ideal for frequent, heavy use.

Should I buy the ZMI No.20?

Buy it if...

You need to fast charge a laptop
The 100W USB-C output is ideal for power-hungry devices like laptops and gaming handhelds.

You need a large-capacity power bank
The No.20 has a 25,000 mAh capacity, making it perfect for users who frequently travel or charge multiple devices.

You use your power bank heavily
The high-quality Samsung cells and premium build make it ideal for daily heavy use.

Don't buy it if...

You need a pocket-sized power bank
The No.20 is on the larger side and is best suited for carrying in a bag.

You want a detailed display
The No.20 tells you the remaining capacity but doesn't show extra details like output wattage.

Also consider

The ZMI No.20 is one of the best premium power banks available, but below are a few other options if you are looking for something different.

Anker 737 (PowerCore 24K)
A high-end alternative with a more detailed display, a 140W output, and a love-it-or-hate-it squarish form factor.

Read our full Anker 737 power bank review

Iniu B6 power bank
With 20W fast-charge capability and a 10,000 mAh (37Wh) capacity, the Iniu B6 is the perfect low-cost power bank to slip into your bag when on the go.

Read our full Iniu B6 power bank review

How I test power banks

I get hands-on with every power bank I can and perform extensive testing in both the lab and real-world scenarios. Using equipment like the ChargerLab POWER-Z KM003C, I check charge voltage, protocol support, and log capacity tests.

Each power bank is also tested with real devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, and more, and then connected to a programmable load tester for multiple charge cycles. I carry a selection daily in both pockets and bags to assess their durability and ability to withstand rough, everyday use.

All measurements and weights are personally verified, ensuring accuracy beyond the manufacturer’s listings.

Want to know more? Read about how we test.

I spent two weeks with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and it’s one of the best camera phones ever made

5:30 pm | March 2, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phones Xiaomi Phones | Tags: Australia, China, Qualcomm Snapdragon, US | Comments: Off

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Two-minute review

Say hello to another bombastic entrant in Xiaomi's Ultra series. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra leads with its Leica-backed camera array, made all the more prominent by the existing 1-inch 50MP main sensor being joined by a new, larger 1/1.4-inch 200MP telephoto sensor.

As with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, it takes superb shots that don't look as processed or technically 'perfect' as what you might expect out of Google's Pixel imaging pipeline, but they're potentially better for it. Meanwhile, its videography skills have been tailored to meet and beat the likes of the iPhone 16 Pro series across areas including resolution, control, and LOG video capture.

Beyond the excellent imaging experience, the phone's underlining internals impress, with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite running the show. That's backed up by tangible optimization benefits from Xiaomi HyperCore resource management, a new IceCool vapor chamber, and the fastest storage and RAM you'll find on any phone out right now.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra REVIEW back straight — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

HyperOS 2.0 (atop Android 15) expands on the AI feature set introduced on the 14 Ultra, with useful translation, productivity and image editing tools. There's nothing that sets Xiaomi's AI feature set apart from major rivals, but it delivers on its promises (save for Reflection Removal, which refused to work correctly in testing).

Beyond AI, there is a wealth of nice refinements to the look and feel of the user experience, however inconsistencies and some inexplicable choices mean Xiaomi's interface remains one of the more convoluted and trickier to deal with. The company has also only committed to four years of OS and six years of security updates, lagging behind industry leaders and harming the phone's long-term value proposition.

The screen is stunning and boasts better drop resistance than its predecessor's, while the new Si-C (silicon carbide) battery lasts less time than expected but can be replenished quickly, thanks to rapid 90W charging. Presumedly due to some EU regulation, 15 Ultras sold in the EU come with a smaller battery than their Chinese counterparts, although this isn't an ailment that's unique to Xiaomi.

All in all, Xiaomi has improved on everything that made the last Ultra so great, while most of the weaknesses are persistent pain points, more deeply rooted in Xiaomi's approach (primarily to software).

For the price, this is a respectable uber-flagship, however those hoping to get their hands on one in markets like the US or Australia will have a tough time doing so, as Xiaomi doesn't sell its phones in these regions, and carrier support isn't guaranteed.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Price and availability

Priced from £1,299 / €1,599
Released February 27 in China, March 2 internationally
Limited to no availability in US and Australia

As with its predecessor, fans in Xiaomi's homeland of China were treated to a native launch of the 15 Ultra first, on February 27. The company then staged an international release in Barcelona just days later, on March 2.

The phone went on sale on the same day, at 14:30pm GMT, coming in with a starting price of £1,299 / €1,599 across the UK and Europe (the same as its predecessor, in the UK). In some markets, there's also a higher 1TB storage model, which costs £200 more.

In regions like the UK, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra undercuts principle rivals – the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max – by £50 and £100 respectively, when comparing like-for-like storage capacities. The main difference being that both of those alternatives can be had for less, if you're willing to drop down to 256GB of onboard space, which Xiaomi doesn't offer with the 15 Ultra. Both also come with less RAM than the Xiaomi.

As ever with Chinese phone makers such as Xiaomi, while the 15 Ultra's March 2 launch was heralded as its 'international' release, the brand doesn't sell smartphones in key markets like the US and Australia (although you will find their smart home and lifestyle products there). As such, beyond importing or buying via third-party retailers, you won't find the Xiaomi 15 Ultra locally; not to mention there may be carrier band incompatibilities with networks in those markets.

Value score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Specs

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Design

Xiaomi 15 Ultra REVIEW buttons — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Leica camera-inspired colorway
Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0 w/ improved drop resistance
IP68-certified against dust and water

After dropping down display sizes following the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, subsequent generations of the series have generally hovered around the same weight and dimensions, and that continues with the 15 Ultra.

It's a hefty device (226g or 229g, depending on your choice of finish), and a hair thicker than its predecessor. That makes it one of the weightiest candy bar flagships of the current generation and a trait you'll notice in prolonged use, even if it does also reinforce the Ultra's air of premium power.

Aesthetically, the pillowed glass front, chamfered metal frame and large circular camera bump are consistent with the aesthetic Xiaomi has cultivated over the last few generations of Ultra, and stands apart from the more square-jawed looks of its most prominent rivals (save for, perhaps, the similarly curvaceous Honor Magic 7 Pro).

Xiaomi 15 Ultra REVIEW app drawer — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

One of the most notable cosmetic changes is to the camera hardware. Whilst the circular quad-sensor array on the 13 Ultra and 14 Ultra offered a pleasing symmetry, Xiaomi has had to shuffle things around quite drastically to accommodate the phone's new headline telephoto snapper. The result is an asymmetrical assortment of lenses that I'd say is weaker visually but gives the 15 Ultra a more utilitarian look, which some might appreciate.

Along with the base all-black and all-white colorways – as was available on the 14 Ultra – this year you also have the option of a Silver Chrome variant (pictured), which tries to evoke the visual identity of Leica's iconic M3.

It's a bit on the nose, as a representation of the ongoing brand partnership between Xiaomi and Leica goes, but it's also undeniably distinct. Two-thirds of the phone's 'aerospace-grade' fiberglass back is wrapped in black faux leather, which stands in contrast to the satin-finish silver it's next to.

The leather has the practical bonus of added grip and after two weeks of testing, hasn't yet shown any signs of wear. That might be down to the fact that I also threw on the included glossy clear hard-shell case whenever taking the phone out and about, though.

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra REVIEW Photography Kit Legend Edition — Xiaomi once again launched a Photography Kit accessory pack with its latest Ultra (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra REVIEW Photography Kit Legend Edition shutter — This generation is called the 'Legend Edition', complete with detachable raised shutter and thumb grip (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

On the subject of durability, like its predecessors, the 15 Ultra packs IP68-certified dust and water resistance, which while great, does now technically lag behind key rivals, like the Oppo Find X8 Pro, OnePlus 13 and aforementioned Magic 7 Pro. In addition to IP68-protection, all three of these alternatives have adopted IP69-certification too (check out our pick of the best rugged phones for a rundown of some of the hardiest handsets out there).

While that pillowed glass frontage does seem a little exposed, especially if you were to fumble the 15 Ultra face-down, it's clad in Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0. The 14 Ultra sported its first-gen Shield Glass, which claimed to be 10x more drop resistant than the Gorilla Glass Victus on the 13 Ultra, while the 2.0 variant is supposedly 16x more resistant, compared to Victus. In theory, a drop on that 'All Round Liquid Display' shouldn't prove fatal.

Xiaomi hasn't eradicated Corning's presence from the Ultra outright, however, with Gorilla Glass 7i covering the camera array on the phone's back. Despite being as scratch resistant as the brand's top-tier Victus 2 glass, when paying Ultra prices, I'd have hoped for sapphire glass or something with even higher scratch resistance (even at the expense of drop durability), considering part of its job is ensuring camera clarity.

Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Display & audio

6.73-inch 2K 20:9 (3200 x 1440) LTPO AMOLED
1Hz to 120Hz variable refresh rate
Improved 'multi-scenario' 3,200-nit peak brightness

The main generational improvement to the viewing experience on the 15 Ultra is its higher peak brightness: an emissive 3,200-nit ceiling that outpaces all its mainstream rivals (the closest being the Super Actua display on the Pixel 9 Pro line, at 3,000-nits), only really falling short of Oppo's and OnePlus' latest flagships, which both claim to reach as high as 4,500-nits.

As with the 14 Ultra, the viewing experience here is unquestionably excellent. Out of the box, it serves up Full HD+ visuals and a dynamic refresh rate (between 1 and 120Hz), however, you have the option to crank the resolution up in the settings menu, to make the most of the phone's impressive 522ppi pixel density. You can also fix motion at 60Hz (for lower power consumption) or 120Hz (for more fluid viewing), and you can even force that higher refresh rate on an app-by-app basis.

Along with options for resolution and HDR upscaling, as well as motion smoothing and TÜV Rheinland-certified blue light eye protection, the 15 Ultra's display also makes the switch to an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which proves faster and more reliable than the previous optical solution, even when your hands are a little wet.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra REVIEW fingerprint sensor — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Despite an asymmetrical down and forward-firing stereo speaker pair, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra outputs sound with clear separation and clarity through almost the entirety of its volume range.

At maximum volume, the stability of higher frequencies begins to waver, while bass is present throughout, but could be more prominent in the mix. Dolby Atmos support brings with it a set of EQ sliders (including presets) and there's effective spatial audio too.

Display & audio score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Software

Xiaomi 15 Ultra REVIEW app folder — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Launches on HyperOS 2.0 atop Android 15
New AI features include Interpreter and Reflection Removal
4 years of OS + 6 years of security updates

Last year marked a pretty notable shift for Xiaomi's mobile user experience. The company retired MIUI and replaced it with HyperOS, which although familiar on the surface, served up some notable quality-of-life improvements behind the scenes (it took up significantly less space on your device's storage, for example). It also served as the launchpad for their AI feature set.

Now, the Xiaomi 15 series arrives on HyperOS 2.0 (running atop Android 15). For the most part it adds an extra layer of visual polish, with the likes of the Artistic Lock Screens now able to support video, alongside subtle new animations throughout the UI that generally elevate the experience (even if some might be a little heavy-handed).

Better contrast and reworked UI elements across the Settings, Clock and Calendar apps, make them easier to use, as do a tweaked volume control layout and the ability to long-press on control panel entries – like brightness – to expand and access additional features (very iOS-like in its execution).

Frustratingly, Xiaomi insists on continuing to bury or completely hide some fundamental Android controls (such as Extra Dim) without explanation, but it does at least finally let you toggle Today's Recommendations off, which means there's less cruft within your home screen app folders.

HyperOS is a deeply customizable and capable user experience, provided you've got the stones to learn its nuances and forgive its inconsistencies.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra REVIEW AI Writing — Look familiar Apple Intelligence users? (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

There are new and improved AI tools spanning writing, image editing, and language across HyperOS 2.0, with Xiaomi's repetoire most closely mirroring experiences from the likes of OnePlus. Apple, Oppo, Samsung and Google have all leant a little harder into generative imagery on their latest devices, which isn't really part of the experience on the 15 Ultra, beyond image expansion and the ever-creepy AI portrait (check out our Xiaomi 14 review for a deep-dive on that).

The AI Writing toolset has been fleshed out, with summarization, proofreading, extension and tone alteration; all in a handy pop-up card that, once again, looks suspiciously like Apple Intelligence's interface. Like Samsung's Writing Assist, you can call on these tools essentially anywhere you enter text, which creates more opportunities to actually use them.

The translation app – AI Subtitle – has a well thought out and easy to use interface, allowing for conversational use with a speaker sitting either side of the phone, while the existing image editing tools (Expand, Erase, and Sky) have been joined by Enhance and Remove Reflections options (although the latter was next to useless, in testing).

Erase has also been bumped up to Erase Pro, which uses a larger model for improved results, however, unlike the base feature, it relies on an active internet connection to function. In fact, when disabling my data connection, practically none of the 15 Ultra's AI features worked offline, suggesting that the all rely on off-device processing to varying degrees (the exceptions being the base Erase, Remove Reflections and Sky image editing tools).

At the phone's Chinese launch, Xiaomi also showcased interconnectivity with iOS, iPadOS and MacOS devices, including Oppo Find N5-like screen mirroring and wireless file transfer, which is on track to come to global devices in the near future (as such, I haven't been able to test this feature).

Xiaomi 15 Ultra REVIEW AI imaging — The 15 Ultra's image editing toolset (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Part of the price justification, when it comes to these top-shelf phones, is that they come with long-term support. Apple, Google and Samsung all offer a commitment to around seven years of operating system and security updates, so you know your phone will be supported for the entire time you use it, and also benefit from new functionality over time too.

Despite an improved six years' commitment to security updates with the 15 Ultra, Xiaomi has only promised four years of OS updates, which hurts the phone's value proposition, relative to some of the best phones already on the market.

Software score: 3.5 / 5

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Cameras

50MP f/1.63, 1-inch Sony LYT-900 main sensor w/ OIS
50MP f/2.2, Samsung ISOCELL JN5 ultra-wide w/ 115º FoV
50MP f/1.8, floating 3x Sony IMX858 telephoto w/ OIS + 10cm macro mode
200MP f/2.6, periscope 4.3x Samsung ISOCELL HP9 telephoto w/ OIS
32MP OmniVision OV32B front camera w/ 90º FoV

The previous Ultra – with the same 1-inch main Sony sensor – in my opinion, captured shots as close as any phone has yet come to emulating what you might more readily expect from the best cameras.

Most of the best camera phones – the Pixels and Galaxys of the world – take technically excellent smartphone photos; replete with tone mapping and HDR processing, detail enhancement and face brightening. While the 15 Ultra has access to all these same tricks, however, it handles images very differently... more authentically.

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample telephoto droplets manual — The 200MP telephoto can let in enough light for fast-motion macro shooting (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample power station telephoto — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample plane — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample building Leica filter — Leica 'Blue' monochrome filter (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample dancer — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample tunnel manual — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample tree underground manual — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample building corner — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample cat detail — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample portrait zero bokeh — Minimum amount of bokeh in Portrait mode (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample portrait default sub10 — Standard amount of bokeh in Portrait mode (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample portrait max bokeh — Maximum amount of bokeh in Portrait mode (note where edge detection falters around the whiskers) (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample flower macro — Macro mode (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample flower — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample fabric macro — Macro mode (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample fabric — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample wall art — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample garden night mode — Night mode tends to over-correct on white balance, but otherwise impresses (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample garden low light actual — Accurate real-world lighting conditions in which the Night mode shot was taken (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Xiaomi's processing isn't as technically savvy as, say, Google's and the camera system can be a little inconsistent – especially with attributes like white balance and edge detection (much like on the 14 Ultra) – but it doesn't shy away from contrast and shadow, which when twinned with the natural depth effect afforded to that 1-inch sensor, can help you capture truly arresting shots without really trying.

Add to that the Pro mode manual controls and baked-in Leica filters, and there's a lot you can do with that main snapper, without the need for post-capture editing. That lead 50MP sensor is just the start, of course.

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample optical zoom — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample digital zoom — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

The reason this phone's camera system looks so physically different to its predecessor's is because Xiaomi needed to make room for a huge new 1/1.4-inch telephoto sensor (up from 1/2.51-inches). The 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HP9 that Vivo put to work on its most recent flagship – the X200 Pro – now also finds a home on the 15 Ultra.

Here, it serves up an equivalent 100mm focal length, and helps build on the existing camera system's impressive versatility. That large size means it's able to take in far more light than your average periscopic telephoto sensor (Xiaomi claims 136% more than the 14 Ultra's equivalent), but it's also likely the reason why the 15 Ultra lost out on its predecessor's mechanical aperture; there just wasn't room.

As trade-offs go, it's a compromise I welcome, as this higher fidelity telephoto is far more practical across zoom, portrait and even macro shooting. Speaking of macro, one of the biggest limitations of such a large main sensor is its minimum focal range, which is why it's a relief that the automatic macro mode kicks in and switches to a pleasingly competent ultra-wide.

No longer being unable to stop down in particularly bright shooting scenarios may irk videographers, but at least the Photography Kit allows for ND filters and the like, even if that's more of a band-aid than a solution

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample tree Leica Vibrant — Leica Vibrant (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera sample tree Leica Authentic — Leica Authentic (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

As well as filters, Leica's involvement expands to two shooting profiles: Leica Vibrant (the default on Xiaomi's phones) and the more muted Leica Authentic (see above), while some high quality filters can be activatated in-camera too (the monochromatic 'Blue' was a personal highlight).

Xiaomi made a big song and dance about the 14 Pro's video chops, even though stabilization at some resolutions was terrible at launch (later fixed via software updates). Thankfully, that doesn't appear to be a problem with the 15 Ultra's videography skills. You can switch between all the phone's rear sensors while recording at up to 4K/30fps, with options for 4K/120fps, and even 8K/30fps capture, if desired.

The 15 Ultra also joins an exclusive group, by being the only other phone besides the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro lines to support ACES (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) Log video capture (alongside Dolby Vision recording); making it a powerful choice for serious videographers, especially those who prefer Android to iOS.

Camera score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Performance

Xiaomi 15 Ultra REVIEW Game Turbo — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC
LPDDR5X RAM & UFS 4.1 storage
Xiaomi HyperCore system management

As with the rest of 2025's Android flagship contingent so far, the 15 Ultra arrives running on Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset; in most regions accompanied by 16GB of RAM and 512GB or 1TB of the fastest and most power efficient UFS 4.1 storage on the market (there is a 12GB RAM/256GB version that's trickier to come by).

Xiaomi says the chip serves up 45% better multi-core CPU performance (compared to the 14 Ultra), artificial benchmarking places on equal footing with the recent Honor Magic 7 Pro and the company even featured a slide during its Chinese launch, highlighting every aspect in which it trumps the iPhone 16 Pro Max; including gaming and networking performance.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra REVIEW back angled — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

A new dual channel 'IceLoop' vapour chamber offers enhanced cooling, which in real-world testing ensured that even after an hour's gameplay on a demanding title like Zenless Zone Zero with cranked visual settings (i.e. 60fps instead of 30fps), the phone never rose past a slight warmth.

Game Turbo is also on-hand to prioritize gaming performance, while also silencing notifications and the like, although finding how to bring the app onto your home screen to manage installed games takes some doing (hint: it's hidden within Xiaomi's Security app, of all places).

As with every other phone that relies on the Snapdragon 8 Elite, it offers buckets of headroom, ensuring whatever phone it's in will feel fast and remain capable longer than most others in the long term. Xiaomi's latest HyperCore technology then sits on top, better managing resource allocation, so that opening and reopening apps is faster; meaning less time staring at those initial splash screens than before.

Performance score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Battery

Xiaomi 15 Ultra REVIEW USB-C — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Larger 5,410mAh battery than predecessor
Up to 90W wired & 50W wireless charging
7 hours of screen-on time per charge

While Xiaomi hasn't disclosed why, as with the Honor Magic 7 Pro, the international version of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra packs in a smaller battery (5,410mAh), compared to the Chinese variant (6,000mAh). That said, 5,410mAh is still pretty capacious, and Xiaomi's Si-C Surge Battery tech offers up increased capacity, without adding addition bulk to the phone's design; Apple and Samsung should take notes.

True to the brand, fast charging is part of the equation here, with the same impressive 90W wired and 80W wireless charging support (just don't expect a charger in-box in Europe or the UK).

If you are able to source the correct adapter, at standard speeds the 15 Ultra refilled to 56% in 30 minutes and hit 100% after 67 minutes. If you dip into the phone's battery settings, however, you can enable Top Speed mode, which warns of more noticeable warmth when charging, in the pursuit of faster recharge speeds. When enabled, the phone hit 44% in 30 minutes and 100% in 50.

If you're the forgetful type, Top Speed mode might better serve you, otherwise the results, to me, suggest it's better to leave the phone in standard charging mode, which still should still prove quick enough for most users (and will likely prolong battery health).

While benchmarking using PCMark 3.0's battery test dished out an impressive score on par to the Ultra's most like-minded and similarly-capacious Si-C battery-toting rivals, real-world longevity underwhelmed at only 7 hours of use per charge. That equates to a day's use, but considering the battery tech, system improvements and capacity of the cell(s), I would have expected closer to the Magic 7 Pro, which has a marginally smaller battery but lasted 45% longer in testing.

Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 15 Ultra?

Buy it if...

You want one of the best camera phones today
If you couldn't tell by the design, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is all about the camera. While it's strong on all fronts, its camera is the prime reason to consider it.

You want a great multimedia experience
The 15 Ultra's top-tier internals and crisp 2K OLED screen make it great for gaming and enjoying media.

Don't buy it if...

You want a long-lasting device
While fast charging is superb, battery life is pretty middle of the road. As for long-term use, only four years of OS updates for a phone this expensive isn't great.

You like a clean, easy-to-use user experience
HyperOS 2.0 is certainly more elegant and easier to use than previous iterations of Xiaomi's mobile interface, but it comes with a high learning curve and some truly illogical inconsistencies compared to other operating systems out there.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Also consider

It's clear from the jump where the Xiaomi 15 Ultra's strengths lie, but there are numerous alternatives that offer something similar or excel in those areas where Xiaomi still needs to improve.

iPhone 16 Pro Max
Sure, it's a fraction more expensive, but the top-tier iPhone of today shares in the 15 Ultra's emphasis on capturing pro-grade video, while the user experience is cleaner and will likely receive OS updates for longer.

Read our full iPhone 16 Pro Max review

Honor Magic 7 Pro
Same chipset, same emphasis on photography, with impressive zoom abilities, plus longer-lasting battery life and longer OS update support for less money.

Read our full Honor Magic 7 Pro review

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
A similar feature set, with a focus on AI, and longer software support render this Ultra a worthwhile alternative. It's also readily available in markets where the 15 Ultra isn't

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review

How I tested the Xiaomi 15 Ultra

Xiaomi 15 Ultra REVIEW front straight — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Review test period: two weeks
Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Tools used: Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, 3DMark, native Android stats, Xiaomi 120W charger

Xiaomi sent me the 15 Ultra just ahead of its Chinese and international launch events. I used the phone as my daily driver over a couple of weeks; taking it to social events for camera testing, gaming and other general smartphone use; from smart home control to social media and web browsing.

Benchmarks were carried out in both Balanced and Performance modes, although most of the time Balanced mode results were actually high. As often happens, Xiaomi devices block access to servers for graphical benchmarking apps, so I was only able to quantify CPU performance, while graphical testing was anecdotal, based on gaming usage and the like.

Having reviewed smartphones for nearly 15 years, including numerous Xiaomi smartphones, as well as devices from the company's key competition, I felt equipped to review this flagship, assessing its strengths and abilities against the market it's competing in.

Apple iPhone 16e: Two-Minute Review

The iPhone 16e is a good phone. It has a pleasing design, and it feels like a true member of the iPhone 16 family. It is not a great phone, though – how could it be with a retro notch in the Super Retina XDR display and just a single 48MP camera?

There are 'budget' phones that cost far less and which have larger screens and multiple rear cameras. They're not iOS handsets, and that counts for something – any new iPhone joins an expansive and well-designed ecosystem offering connective tissue between excellent Apple services and other Apple hardware. I mostly live in that world now, and I appreciate how well my iPhone 16 Pro Max works with, for instance, my Mac, and how all my cloud-connected services know it's me on the line.

It's been a while since I've had such conflicting feelings about an iPhone. I appreciate that Apple thought it was time to move away from the iPhone SE design language, one that owed most of its look and feel to 2017's iPhone 8. I'm sure Apple couldn't wait to do away with the Lightning port and the Home button with Touch ID (which lives on in Macs and some iPads). But instead of giving us something fresh, Apple took a bit of this and a bit of that to cobble together the iPhone 16e.

The display is almost the best Apple has to offer if you can ignore the notch, aren't bothered by larger bezels, and don't miss the Dynamic Island too much. The main 48MP Fusion camera is very good and shoots high-quality stills and videos, but don't be fooled by the claims of 2x zoom, which is actually a 12MP crop on the middle of the 48MP sensor. I worry that people paying $599 / £599 / AU$999 for this phone will be a little frustrated that they're not at least getting a dedicated ultra-wide camera at that price.

Conversely, there is one bit of this iPhone 16e that's not only new but is, for the moment, unique among iPhone 16 devices: the C1 chip. I don't know why Apple's cheapest iPhone got this brand-new bit of Apple silicon, but it does a good job of delivering 5G and even satellite connectivity. Plus, it starts moving Apple out from under the yolk of Qualcomm, Apple's cellular modem chip frenemy. That relationship has been fraught for years, and I wonder if Apple had originally hoped to put the C1 in all iPhone 16 models but the development schedule slipped.

Apple iPhone 16e REVIEW — The iPhone 16e (center) with the iPhone 16 (right) and iPhone SE 3 (left). (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

In any case, while it's hard to measure the connectivity benefits (it's another good 5G modem), Apple says this is the most efficient cellular modem it's ever put in an iPhone (that seems like a swipe at Qualcomm), and helps to deliver stellar battery life: a claimed 26 hours of video streaming. Battery life in real-world use will, naturally, be a different story.

On balance, I like this phone's performance (courtesy of the A18 chip and 8GB of RAM), its looks, and how it feels in the hand (a matte glass back and Ceramic Shield front), and I think iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence is well-thought-out and increasingly intelligent (though Siri remains a bit of a disappointment); but if you're shopping for a sub-$600 phone, there may be other even better choices from the likes of Google (Pixel 8a), OnePlus (OnePlus 13R) and the anticipated Samsung Galaxy S25 FE. You just have to be willing to leave the Apple bubble.

Apple iPhone 16e: Price and availability

Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e on February 19, 2025. It joins the iPhone 16 lineup, and starts at $599 / £599 / AU$999 with 128GB of storage, making it the most affordable smartphone of the bunch. It's available in black or white.

While some might consider the iPhone 16e to be the successor to the iPhone SE 3, it has little in common with that device. In particular, that was a $429 phone. At $599, Apple might be stretching the definition of budget, but it is $200 cheaper than the base iPhone 16. The phone's price compares somewhat less favorably outside the iOS sphere. The OnePlus 13R for instance is a 6.7-inch handset with three cameras, and the Google Pixel 8a matches the iPhone 16e's 6.1-inch screen size (though at a lower resolution), but also includes two rear cameras.

You won't find more affordable new phones in the iOS space. The iPhone 15 has the main and ultra-wide camera and the Dynamic Island, but it costs $699 / £699 / AU$1,249. A refurbished iPhone 14 costs $529, but neither it nor the iPhone 15 supports Apple Intelligence.

Value score: 4/5

Apple iPhone 16: Specs

Apple iPhone 16e: Design

No trace of the iPhone SE design remains
Hybrid iPhone 14/15 design
Sharper edges than the current iPhone 16 design

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There's no question that the iPhone 16e is a part of the iPhone 16 family. At a glance, especially when the screen is off, it's almost a dead ringer for the base model; the aerospace aluminum fame is only slightly smaller.

Upon closer examination, those similarities recede, and I can see the myriad differences that make this a true hybrid design. This is now the only iPhone with a single camera, which almost looks a little lonely on the matte glass back. The edges of the metal band that wraps around the body are noticeably sharper than those of any other iPhone 16, but the phone still feels good in the hand.

The button configuration is essentially what you'd find on an iPhone 15. There's the power / sleep / Siri button on the right, and on the left are the two volume buttons and the Action button. Unlike the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup the 16e doesn't get the Camera Control, but at least the Action button is configurable, so you can set it to activate the camera or toggle the Flashlight, Silent Mode, Voice Memo, and more. I set mine to launch Visual Intelligence, an Apple Intelligence feature: you press and hold the Action button once to open it, and press again to grab a photo, and then you can select on-screen if you want ChatGPT or Google Search to handle the query. Apple Intelligence can also analyze the image directly and identify the subject.

The phone is iP68 rated to handle water and dust, including a dunk in six meters of water for 30 minutes. The screen is protected with a Ceramic Shield to better protect it from drops, though I'm not sure it does much to prevent scratches.

I put a case on the phone, never dropped it, and handled it gingerly, and yet within a day I noticed a long scratch on the screen, although I have no recollection of brushing the display against anything. I had a similar situation with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra; I await the phone that can handle life in my pocket (empty other than the phone) without sustaining a scratch.

Overall, if you like the looks of the iPhone 16 lineup (or even the iPhone 14 and 15 lineups) the iPhone 16e will not disappoint.

Design score: 4 / 5

Apple iPhone 16e: Display

Almost Apple's best smartphone display
The notch is back
The bezels are a little bigger

If you're coming from the iPhone SE to the iPhone 16E, you're in for quite a shock. This 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen is nothing like the 4.7-inch LCD display on that now-retired design.

The iPhone 16e features a lovely edge-to-edge design – with slightly larger bezels than you'll find on other iPhone 16 phones – that leaves no room for the dearly departed Touch ID Home button. Instead, this phone adopts the Face ID biometric security, which is, as far as I'm concerned, probably the best smartphone face recognition in the business. Face ID lives in the TrueDepth camera system notch, which also accommodates, among other things, the 12MP front-facing camera, microphone, and proximity sensor.

While I never had a big problem with the notch, I can't say I'm thrilled to see it return here. The rest of the iPhone 16 lineup features the versatile Dynamic Island, which I think most would agree is preferable to this cutout.

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The iPhone 16e shares the iPhone 16's 460ppi resolution, but it does lose a few pixels (2532 x 1170 versus 2556 x 1179 for the iPhone 16). It still supports True Tone, Wide color (P3), and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The only area where it loses a bit of oomph is on the brightness front. Peak brightness for HDR content is 1,200 nits, and all other content is 800nits. The iPhone 16's peak outdoor brightness is 2,000 nits. As with other non-pro models, the refresh rate on the iPhone 16e sits at a fixed 60Hz.

Even so, I had no trouble viewing the iPhone 16e screen in a wide variety of lighting situations, and any shortcomings are only evident in the brightest, direct sunlight.

In day-to-day use, everything from photos and video to AAA games, apps, and websites looks great on this display. Colors are bright and punchy, and the blacks are inky. I'm not distracted by the notch on games, where it can cut a bit into the gameplay view, and most video streaming defaults to a letterbox format that steers clear of it, with black bars on the left and right sides of the screen.

Display score: 4 / 5

Apple iPhone 16e: Software and Apple Intelligence

iOS 18 is a rich and well-thought-out platform
Apple Intelligence has some impressive features, but we await the Siri of our dreams
Mail and photo redesigns leave something to be desired

iOS 18 is now smarter, more proactive, and more customizable than ever before. I can transform every app icon from 'Light' to 'Tinted' (monochromatic), fill my home screen with widgets, and expand them until they almost fill the screen. This customizability carries through to the Control Center, which is now a multi-page affair that I can leave alone, or completely reorganize so the tools I care about are available with a quick swipe down from the upper-right corner.

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Apple Intelligence, which Apple unveiled last June, is growing in prominence and utility. It lives across apps like Messages and Email in Writing Tools, which is a bit buried so I often forget it exists. It's in notification summaries that can be useful for at-a-glance action but which are sometimes a bit confusing, and in image-generation tools like Image Playground and Genmojis.

It's also in Visual intelligence, which, as have it set up, gives me one-button access to ChatGPT and Google Search.

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I think I prefer the more utilitarian features of Apple Intelligence like Clean Up. It lets you quickly remove people and objects from photos as if they were never there in the first place.

I'm also a fan of Audio Mix, which is not a part of Apple Intelligence, but uses machine learning to clean up the messiest audio to make it usable in social media, podcasts, or just for sharing with friends.

iOS 18 also features updated Photos and Mail apps with Apple Intelligence. I've struggled a bit with how Photos reorganized my images, and I've had similar issues with how Mail is now reorganizing my emails. I hope Apple takes another run at these apps in iOS 19.

Siri is smarter and more aware of iPhone features than before. It can handle my vocal missteps, and still knows what I want, but remains mostly unaware of my on-device information, and feels far less conversational and powerful as a chatbot than Google Gemini and ChatGPT.

Software score: 4.5 / 5

Apple iPhone 16e: Camera

48MP Fusion is a good camera
The front-facing camera shines as well
A single rear camera at this price is disappointing

With a more powerful CPU, a bigger screen, and the new C1 chip, I can almost understand why Apple set the iPhone 16e price as high as it did. Almost… until I consider the single, rear 48MP Fusion camera. Most smartphones in this price range feature at least two lenses, and usually the second one is an ultra-wide – without that lens you miss out on not only dramatic ultra-wide shots but also macro photography capabilities. Had Apple priced this camera at $499, I might understand.

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Still, I like this camera. It defaults to shooting in 24MP, which is a bin of the 48MP available on the sensor (two pixels for each single image pixel to double the image information). There's a 2x zoom option, which is useful, but it's only shooting at 12MP because it's only using the central 12 megapixels from the full 48MP frame. These images are still good, but just not the same resolution as the default or what you could get shooting full-frame.

Overall, the camera shoots lovely photos with exquisite detail and the kind of color fidelity I appreciate (in people and skies especially) in a wide variety of scenarios. I captured excellent still lifes, portraits, and night-mode shots. I was also impressed with the front camera, which is especially good for portrait-mode selfies. Much of this image quality is thanks to the work Apple has done on its Photonic Engine. Apple's computational image pipeline pulls out extraordinary detail and nuance in most photographic situations, even if it is for just these two cameras.

iPhone 16 camera samples

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Apple iPhone 16e REVIEW camera samples — Rear camera, 2x (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

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Camera score: 4 / 5

Apple iPhone 16e: Performance

The A18 is an excellent and powerful CPU
It's ready for Apple Intelligence
C1, Apple's first cellular modem, is effective for 5G and satellite connectivity

If you're wondering why the successor to the iPhone SE is not a $429 smartphone, you might look at the processing combo of the powerful A18 and the new C1.

The A18 is the same chip you'll find in the iPhone 16, with the exception of one fewer GPU core. I promise you'll never notice the difference.

Performance scores are excellent, and in line with the numbers we got for other A18 chips (and slightly lower than what you get from the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max).

The A18 has more than enough power not just for day-to-day tasks like email and web browsing, but for 4K video editing (which I did in CapCut) and AAA gaming (game mode turns on automatically to divert more resources toward gaming). I played Asphalt 9 United, Resident Evil 4, and Call of Duty Mobile, and made things easier for myself by connecting my Xbox controller. My only criticism would be that a 6.1-inch screen is a little tight for these games. The audio from the stereo speakers, by the way, is excellent – I get an impressive spatial audio experience with Resident Evil 4.

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There's also the new C1 chip, which is notable because it's Apple's first custom cellular mobile chip. Previously Apple relied on, among other partners, Qualcomm for this silicon. I didn't notice any difference in connectivity with the new chip, which is a good thing – and I was impressed that I could use text via satellite.

I didn't think I'd get to test this feature, but AT&T connectivity is so bad in my New York neighborhood that the SOS icon appeared at the top of my iPhone 16e screen, and next to it I noticed the satellite icon. I opened messages, and the phone asked if I wanted to use the Satellite texting feature. I held the phone near my screen door to get a clear view of the sky, and followed the on-display guide that told me which way to point the phone. I got a 'Connected' notification, and then sent a few SMS texts over satellite. It's a nifty feature, and it was a nice little test of the C1's capabilities.

Performance score: 5 / 5

Apple iPhone 16e: Battery

Long lasting
Wireless charging
No MagSafe

It's clear that Apple has prioritized battery life on the iPhone 16e over some other features. That would likely explain, for instance, why we have wireless charging but not MagSafe support – adding that magnetic ring might have eaten into battery space. The C1 chip is apparently smaller than the modem chip in other iPhone 16 models, and even the decision to include one camera instead of two probably helped make room for what is a larger battery than even the one in the iPhone 16.

Apple rates the iPhone 16e for 26 hours of video-rundown battery life – that's about four hours more than the iPhone 16. In my real-world testing the battery life has been very good, but varied use can run the battery down in far fewer than 26 hours.

On one day when I did everything from email and web browsing to social media consumption and then a lot of gaming, battery life was about 12 hours – gaming in particular really chewed through the battery and made the phone pretty warm.

My own video rundown test (I played through episodes of Better Call Saul on Netflix) returned about 24 hours of battery life.

I used a 65W USB-C charger to charge the phone to 57% in 30 minutes, with a full charge taking about one hour and 50 minutes. I also tried a 20W charger, which charged the phone to 50% in 30 minutes.

Battery score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Apple iPhone 16e?

iPhone 16e score card

Buy it if..

You want an affordable, smaller iPhone

This is now your only brand-new 'budget' iPhone choice.

You want sub-$600 access to Apple Intelligence

Apple squeezed a A18 chip inside this affordable iPhone to give you access to Apple's own brand of AI.

Don’t buy it if...

You're a photographer

A single, albeit excellent, rear lens won't be enough for people who like to shoot wide-angle and macros.

You never liked the notch

Apple bringing back a none-too-loved display feature doesn't make a lot of sense. If you want the Dynamic Island at a more affordable price than the iPhone 16, take a look at the iPhone 15.

You want a real zoom lens

The 2x zoom on the iPhone 16e is not a true optical zoom; instead, it's a full-frame sensor crop. If a big optical zoom is your thing, look elsewhere.

Apple iPhone 16: Also consider

iPhone 15

For $100 more you get two cameras, the Dynamic Island, and the Camera Control.

Read TechRadar's iPhone 15 review.

Google Pixel 8a

As soon as you step outside the Apple ecosystem you'll find more affordable phones with more features. The Pixel 8a is not as powerful as the iPhone 16e, but it has a nice build, two cameras, excellent Google services integration, and affordable access to Gemini AI features.

Read TechRadar's Google Pixel 8a review.

Apple iPhone 16: How I tested

I've reviewed countless smartphones ranging from the most affordable models to flagships and foldables. I put every phone through as many rigorous tests and everyday tasks as possible.

I had the iPhone 16e for just under a week, and after receiving it I immediately started taking photos, running benchmarks, and using it as an everyday device for photos, videos, email, social media, messaging, streaming video, and gaming.

Correction 2-27-2025: A previous version of this review listed Audio Mix as part of Apple Intelligence.

First reviewed February 26, 2025

I’ve used the Iniu B6 power bank for almost three years and it’s still going strong

7:20 am | February 26, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

Iniu B6 power bank review

There are a lot of power banks on the market that seem great on paper, but it can be hard to know how they hold up in the real world. Iniu is one of my favourite brands thanks to very high-quality power banks with great features and a long warranty, but just as importantly, very reasonable prices. That said, when shopping online, the list price is often quite high, but the power bank is typically sold for much less.

The little Iniu B6 offers a lot considering the price tag, with a 10,000 mAh (37 Wh) capacity and a 20W (9V, 2.22A) PD 3.0 output, which will fast charge most phones fully at least once, with enough leftover for other devices or a second charge later on. The B6 measures 13.6 x 7 x 1.5 cm, weighs 210 grams – a better-than-average size and weight for the capacity, making it ideal for slipping into a pocket, purse or bag.

Close up of the Iniu B6 power bank showing the charge ports, the LED torch, the phone holder and the digital capacity display — (Image credit: Future)

The B6 has a single USB-C port, as well as two USB-A ports and a large easy-to-read digital display that shows the capacity still available to use. In the box, you get a USB-A to USB-C cable and a carry bag – the latter is a nice inclusion, as the soft-touch coating on the B6 is great to hold but prone to scratches. The soft-touch coating also holds fingerprints and fluff, and I do worry that it might degrade and feel sticky in the future, but so far it's held up well.

The power bank has an LED torch that can be turned on by double pressing the power button. Sure, it’s not very bright, but I've found it very useful for finding lost items in a dark bag. Plus, it will literally run for days – I often use it as a portable night light when travelling. For example, a bit of dim illumination is very helpful when trying to find the bathroom in a dark, unfamiliar hotel room, and avoids needing to turn on the main lights.

The B6 also has a pull-out phone holder that turns the power bank into a stand when charging – also very handy when travelling.

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INIU B6 10K 20W Power Bank — (Image credit: TechRadar)

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Iniu B6: Price & specs

Iniu B6: Test results

I conduct comprehensive testing of power banks to make sure they can meet the manufacturer's claims. All in all, the B6 gives excellent results that are well above average – especially considering the price.

In testing, the B6 has excellent voltage accuracy and can output 85% of its rated capacity at 20W (9V, 2.22A) and an even better 91% at 5V. These are very impressive results considering the affordable price. The B6 also supports PPS mode from 5V to 11V at 2A, and 5V to 5.9V at 3A, allowing compatible phones to charge faster and more efficiently. Note that while the B6 is listed as 22.5W, that's at 5V 4.5A (or 4.5V 5A) which isn't supported on most phones.

I first tested this Iniu B6 back in May 2023, and have used it as one of my main power banks ever since. Along the way, I've performed periodic cyclic testing and have not turned up any appreciable capacity loss, so I am very confident that the B6 will last well long term. But of course, it’s worth mentioning (again) that Iniu offers a generous three-year warranty, providing peace of mind if you do have an issue.

Should I buy the Iniu B6?

Buy it if...

You need an affordable power bank
The B6 is one of the best-value power banks available, and is often on sale for even less from retailers like Amazon. The B6 offers features, specs, warranty and test results that are as good as premium power banks.

You plan to charge a phone
The 10,000 mAh capacity and 20W output is perfect for topping up small devices when on the go. It’s also just the right size to slip into a bag and not even notice it’s there.

Don't buy it if...

You want to charge a laptop
While great for charging small devices like phones, tablets and earbuds, a higher output power bank is a better option for laptops or handheld gaming devices.

You need to charge multiple devices
The 10,000 mAh capacity is perfect for topping up a phone, but if you want to charge multiple devices, a larger 20,000 mAh power bank is a better option.

Also consider

The Iniu B6 is one of the best affordable power banks available, but below are a few other options if you are looking for something different.

Iniu B41 power bank
The B41 is slightly slimmer and lighter than the B6, but doesn’t offer fast charging. Still, that’s a perfectly fine trade-off depending on your charging needs.

Read our full Iniu B41 power bank review

Iniu B5 20,000 mAh power bank
For those who like the look of the B6 but need a larger capacity, the Iniu B5 has the same number of ports and output voltages and amperage as the B6, but has a 20,000 mAh (74 Wh) battery. It includes the same torch, but no phone holder, and measures in at a larger 13.5 x 7.1 x 2.5 cm and weighs 362 grams.

Read our full Iniu B5 power bank review

How I test power banks

I get hands-on with every power bank I can, and perform extensive testing in both the lab and real-world scenarios. Using equipment like the ChargerLab POWER-Z KM003C, I check charge voltage, protocol support, and log capacity tests.

Each power bank is also tested with real devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, and others, and connected to a programmable load tester for multiple charge cycles. I carry a selection daily in both pockets and bags to assess their durability and ability to withstand rough, everyday use.

All measurements and weights are personally verified, ensuring accuracy beyond the manufacturer’s listings.

Want to know more? Read about how we test.

I tested the Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 and it’s good for charging smaller devices but capable of little else

4:00 pm | February 23, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 review

The Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 is a power bank designed for charging smartphones and other smaller devices multiple times, thanks to its 20,000mAh capacity.

As you might expect from a fairly simple power bank, the PowerCore Essential 20000 isn’t particularly striking in terms of its appearance. However, it does sport a nice texture on the front panel, and the overall build feels solid and premium – as is the case with many of Anker’s power banks.

While it’s quite thin and narrow, it’s also long and reasonably heavy, which compromises its portability somewhat compared to some of the best power banks. However, this is still a relatively easy power bank to travel with, and it reduces the dimensions that matter most.

The PowerCore Essential 20000 features a single power button, which feels as premium as the rest of the bank. It has four LED dots around the bottom to indicate the battery level. However, these are very dim, which makes them hard to see at certain angles and in certain lights, which is less than ideal if you want to quickly glance over to check the status.

There are four ports on the PowerCore Essential 20000, two of which are USB-A for charging your devices, with a power output of 15W each. You can also charge two devices at the same time, and there’s a trickle charging mode designed for safely replenishing small devices with low power draws, such as smartwatches and wireless earbuds. This can be activated by pressing the power button twice. However, when on, the fourth LED will remain green no matter what the battery level is, which is a shame.

I managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a from 50% to 100% in 90 minutes, which is a reasonable performance. It depleted the PowerCore Essential 20000 by a single bar, which means you should get a couple of full phone charges out of it. Replenishing the PowerCore Essential 20000 from two bars to full took about six hours, which is less impressive.

Ultimately, the PowerCore Essential 20000 doesn’t represent the best value when you consider its lackluster port selection, power, and features. It’s capacity does make it more practical than it otherwise would be, but there are better-priced alternatives out there.

USB ports on Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 on plinth on desk with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 review: price & specs

Side view of Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 on plinth on desk with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Anker PowerCore Essential 20000?

Buy it if…

You want a thin power bank
Given its 20,000mAh capacity, the PowerCore Essential 20000 is surprisingly thin, which does help with portability.

You only want to charge small devices
The 15W output is enough for charging smartphones and smaller devices quickly, and the 20,000mAh capacity means it can do so multiple times.

Don't buy it if…

You want good port selection
Despite having four ports, only two can be used for charging devices, and they are both USB-A; the USB-C and micro USB ports can only be used for charging the bank itself.

You want to charge bigger devices
With only 15W of power, the PowerCore Essential 20000 can’t charge laptops and the like.

Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 review: also consider

Juovi J2621
The Juovi J261 has the same capacity as the PowerCore Essential 20000, but much more power at 45W. It also has four ports that are all capable of charging devices, including two USB-C ports to keep up with the times. To top it all off, it’s cheaper too. However, it’s notably bigger in size than the PowerCore Essential 20000, which may deter those who like to travel light. Read our JUOVI J2621 20000mAh 45W Power Bank review.

I spent days with this Jiga Power Bank and it has cool features but also some problems that make it hard to carry

10:00 pm | February 22, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

Jiga 27000mAh Power Bank review

The Jiga Power Bank is a capacious power bank with a 22.5W maximum output, designed to offer plenty of charges for your smaller devices.

It probably won’t win any awards for its looks, as it adopts a strictly utilitarian design. There are variants with orange and red front panels, but that’s the only flourish you get.

The build quality of the Jiga Power Bank seems good at least: the chassis feels reasonably sturdy and the power button functioned well during my time with it. However, it isn’t as thin or as light as the best power banks out there, although given its 27,000mAh capacity, this isn’t much of a surprise.

There are five small LEDs surrounding the power button: four to indicate battery level and a lightning symbol that turns green to indicate charging – a handy visual to reassure you that your device is definitely charging.

The Jiga Power Bank also has an integrated flashlight, which is quite bright, although it does require holding the power button a little too long to toggle, which diminishes its usefulness somewhat.

Unfortunately, the Jiga Power Bank doesn’t come with a USB-C-to-C cable, only a short USB-C-to-A cable, although the USB-A ports are the most powerful, delivering 22.5W each. The USB-C port is close behind with 20W, and thankfully three-way simultaneous charging is possible as well.

There’s also a Micro USB port, which is odd on two counts: it’s rather outdated now, and can only be used to charge the Jiga Power Bank itself, not to charge other devices. Still, if you’ve got any of those cables laying around, then it could prove a useful inclusion.

Charging my Google Pixel 7a from 50% to 100% using the USB-C port took just over an hour, which is a reasonable performance. The bank’s battery remained on four bars, which seems to suggest that Jiga’s claim of getting between three and five phone charges out of it holds true.

For under $30, the Jiga Power Bank represents good value considering its output and capacity. It undercuts the Juovi J2621, for instance, which has less capacity (20,000mAh), but it does have more power (45W).

Usually, power banks with high capacities tend to have high power outputs to match, which inevitably brings the cost up, so the Jiga Power Bank occupies a rather niche position for those who like to charge small and medium devices multiple times.

Close-up of USB ports and flashlight on Jiga 27000mAh Power Bank on plinth with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Jiga 27000mAh Power Bank review: price & specs

Side view of Jiga 27000mAh Power Bank on plinth with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Jiga 27000mAh Power Bank?

Buy it if…

You need to charge multiple times
With its 27,000mAh capacity, the Jiga Power Bank is ideal for regularly charging your devices.

You often find yourself in the dark
Thanks to the handy inbuilt flashlight, the Jiga Power Bank might be a good pick for those who need to use it at night.

Don't buy it if…

You want the best travel companion
Given it’s reasonably heavy and thick, the Jiga Power Bank might be too much for those who travel light, or who want to carry their bank in their pocket.

You have large devices to charge
The 22.5W output might not be enough to charge big ticket items, such as laptops and the like.

Jiga 27000mAh Power Bank review: also consider

Iniu B61
Another good value power bank, the B61 offers the same number of ports (minus the rather redundant Micro USB port) and power output, although less capacity (10,000mAh). However, unlike the Jiga Power Bank, it features a digital display for the battery readout, and it’s much thinner and lighter. It also looks better, if that’s important to you in a power bank. Read our Iniu B61 review.

This slim 10K MagSafe power bank is the fastest I’ve tested to date

7:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) review

The Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) is a 10,000mAh MagSafe power bank with a slimmer-than-average profile. One of Anker’s most expensive MagSafe power banks at the time of writing, it’s available at a list price of $74.99 / £69.99 / $139.95 on the Anker website, and can also be purchased at Amazon.

When inspecting the build quality of the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim), it looked and felt sturdy. It has a metal frame around the edge and a liquid silicone covering over the charging area, which proved a little more grippy than other Anker MagSafe power banks I’ve tested. I always love to see a brand incorporate eco-conscious practices into its manufacturing, and Anker has done just that by using 75% recycled materials in the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim).

Using this power bank was a simple case of snapping the phone into place before pressing the small button on the lower right-hand side of the charger once to activate charging. I found the grip to be strong, so I didn’t have any concerns that the phone would fall off at any point.

The curved edges and the finish of the metal frame and matte back panel made it comfortable to hold. I was impressed with the material finish, as it didn’t show fingerprints or get scratched from regular use or after sliding around on my desk. The only scratch it sustained was during photography when it had an altercation with the corner of the small cement block it was sitting on, but it can’t be blamed for that.

The power bank is standing on its end, and the silicone charging area if facing forward. — (Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

I can say with confidence that the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) is the slimmest power bank I’ve tested, but not quite slim or light enough to be a game changer for me. It’s worth noting that I have smaller-than-average hands, however, so those with average or larger hands may find that the slimmer design does make a noticeable difference. The power bank felt warm as it charged an iPhone 13 Pro; Anker states that they regulate the charging surface to stay below 104 degrees Fahrenheit / 40 degrees Celsius, and it didn’t get uncomfortably warm (quite the opposite in fact, as I was testing it on a winter day in the UK), so this wasn’t a concern.

At 200g, the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) felt a little on the heavy side, despite being just 0.58 inches / 14.7mm deep. But when compared to other 10K power banks such as the Ugreen Uno Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh 15W, which weighs 230g, and the 260g Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank, I may have been expecting too much considering they’ve managed to pack a 10K capacity battery into such a small package. One thing I miss compared to other power banks I’ve tested is an integrated stand. That’s just my personal preference, however, and as its slim profile is the key feature, it wouldn’t have made sense for Anker to bulk it up just to fit in a stand.

A view of the slim depth of the power bank, the textured button, and the USB-C port can be seen. — (Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

I was very impressed with how quickly the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) recharged an iPhone 13 Pro, taking just one hour and fifty minutes to do so. This result makes it the fastest MagSafe power bank I’ve tested, and the second fastest out of the large number of MagSafe chargers I’ve tested, at just twelve minutes slower than the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Stand. When it comes to charging the power bank itself, Anker states that it can recharge fully in up to two and a half hours when using a 30W adapter. When the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) is fully charged, it’s stated to have the ability to recharge an iPhone 15 Pro 1.8 times.

Overall, I was very impressed with the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim). The fast charging speeds, 10K battery capacity, and slimmer profile make it a great choice when traveling. The lack of a stand is a shame, but we can’t have it all, and given the choice I’d rather have the speedy charging. Personally, I found it to be a little on the heavy side, so if you prefer something lightweight I’d recommend looking at a lower-capacity 5,000mAh charger like the Ugreen 5000mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank.

If the price tag on the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) is a little steep, or you’d like more features for your money, then there are plenty of other chargers at a range of price points to explore in our best power bank and best wireless charger guides.

An iPhone lays charging on top of the power bank. — (Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) review: Price & specs

Should I buy the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim)?

Buy it if…

You want a slim power bank that’ll recharge your phone more than once
While it may not be the slimmest power bank on the market, this power bank manages to squeeze a 10,000mAh battery into a satisfyingly slimline casing.

You want a quick charge when on the go
With the ability to charge an iPhone 13 Pro in just one hour and fifty minutes, this charger is proof that good things really do come in small packages.

Don't buy it if…

You want something lightweight
Despite the slim design, this power bank still felt pretty heavy, especially with an iPhone 13 Pro attached. I’d recommend looking at 5,000mAh batteries if a lighter weight is on your must-have list.

You want something with a stand
Many of us enjoy streaming content on our phones, which makes stands very convenient as we can sit back and relax without worrying about our phone batteries taking a nose dive. Presumably, to keep bulk to a minimum, Anker hasn’t included a stand on this power bank, making hands-free viewing a little tricky.

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) review: Also consider

Anker 621 Magnetic Battery
If you’ve not set your heart on a higher-capacity battery, the Anker 621 could prove the perfect alternative. At just 0.45 inches / 11.4mm thick, it’s even slimmer than the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim). Plus, as it’s a smaller-capacity battery, it weighs much less at just 4.5oz / 129g, making it satisfyingly lightweight and compact for little top-ups on short trips. If you'd like to learn more, check out the full Anker 621 Magnetic Battery review.

The Iniu B41 is one of the thinnest power banks I’ve used, but it won’t be powerful enough for everyone

5:57 pm | February 21, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

Iniu B41 power bank: review

The Iniu B41 is a basic power bank with limited features, but a form factor that’s sure to please those who like to travel as light as possible. The power and battery indicator LED is in the shape of a paw – a design choice that’s not explained, but one I’m happy to go along with; if nothing else, it helps to liven up the monotony of the black colorway. Fortunately, the B41 caters to those who like a little more vibrancy, as it also comes in blue, orange, and red variants.

The matt rubberized finish does help to elevate its appearance, and the power button is integrated and seamless with the material, which adds to its sleekness. It feels premium too, although it’s maybe not quite on a par with some rivals. The overall build quality of the B41, though, is quite good. The joins are tight and secure, and there’s barely any flex to any of the panels.

It’s also very thin and light for a 10,000mAh battery, even when compared to the best power banks. This makes it one of the most pocket-friendly power banks I’ve ever used, so those who are constantly on the go will certainly welcome this aspect. Iniu even claims it’s the market’s thinnest 10K power bank.

As for port selection, the B41 features one USB-C port and two USB-A ports, a generous selection considering just how thin it is. Another nice touch is the inbuilt flashlight, which is quite bright considering its small size. It can be easily toggled with two quick presses of the power button.

It took about 90 minutes to charge my Google Pixel 7a from half to full capacity, which is a decent performance. Doing so depleted the battery by only one bar, which means you should be able to get a couple of full charges out of it. However, charging the B41 itself took about three hours from two to four bars, which isn’t a particularly impressive performance.

What’s more, with only 15W of power, this isn’t a bank for charging your larger devices, such as laptops. At a stretch it can charge some tablets, such as the iPad Mini, but Iniu states it will only manage 1.6 charges for this device. At least multiport charging is possible, though.

For about $20, the B41 is also good value, undercutting many of its rivals. However, Iniu also has its B61 power bank, which isn’t much more, yet offers 22.5W of power instead of 15W, as well as a screen displaying the battery readout. But while it’s thin, it’s not as thin as the B41. The B61 might be the better pick therefore, unless thinness is a top priority for you, in which case the B41 is preferable.

Iniu B41 power bank on plinth on desk with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Iniu B41 power bank review: price & specs

Should I buy the Iniu B41 power bank?

Buy it if…

You want to travel light
As one of the thinnest 10K power banks out there, the B41 is certainly easy to carry in your bag or pocket.

You want to save money
The B41 is something of a bargain, yet still offers enough performance for keeping your smaller devices topped up.

Don't buy it if…

You have big devices to charge
With only 15W of power, the B41 won’t cut the mustard for laptop or larger tablet charging.

You want more features
The integrated flashlight is a nice touch, but there’s no digital display, and there are 10K banks with more ports and even wireless charging.

Iniu B41 power bank review: Also consider

Iniu B61
Another well-priced offering from Iniu, the B61 is similarly light and offers the same port selection, although it has more power (22.5W). It’s slightly thicker, but not by much, yet it manages to fit in a digital display which provides a battery life readout. For many, this could be the better option. Read our Iniu B61 review.

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