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Fonesalesman QiStone 2 wireless charging power bank review

REVIEW – There are a lot of portable and easy to carry external batteries you can use to charge your phone or other devices like a laptop or tablet.  However, there are not that many that advertise themselves as wireless.  I love the idea of not having to carry an extra cable around to keep my phone charged up if I don’t have access to an outlet.  Let’s see how the new QiStone 2 Wireless Charging Power Bank works out.

What is it?

The QiStone 2 is a portable charging power bank that will let you charge Qi-enabled devices wirelessly.  It also has ports that will let you charge devices via a USB cable or a USB Type C cable.

What’s in the box?

  • 1 x Wireless Charging Power Bank
  • 1 x Micro USB Cable
  • 1 x User’s Manual

Hardware specs

  • 8000mAh Polymer Li-ion battery
  • USB Input: DC 5V/2A
  • Wireless Charging Output: DC4V/1A
  • USB Output: DC5V/2.1A Max
  • Dimensions: 105 x 72 x 20mm
  • Net Weight: 135g

Setup

Setup for this device was pretty simple.  It actually came showing two of the four power level LED indicators on.   To see the amount of battery left, you simply press the single button on the bottom of the device and look for the blue LEDs to light up.  There are a total of four, showing power levels from 25% up to 100%.  To play it safe, I did plug in the micro USB cable into the device and plugged the USB end of the cable into an available USB outlet that I have in my kitchen overnight.

The above picture shows you the ports available on the device.  The type C port on the left can work as input or output.  If you use it as output to your phone it will rapid charge.  The same goes for the USB 3.0 port on the far right.   You can charge up the power bank by using the type C and the micro USB port in the middle.  The included cable works with the port in the middle.

Performance

After leaving the device plugged in overnight, I now have all four LED lights lit up at the bottom of the device.  The LED at the top of the device is red to indicate that it is not currently charging any device.  In order to charge a device, you must first press the button on the bottom of the QiStone 2.  Just placing your phone on the power bank will not activate charging.

I placed my husband’s iPhone X Plus on the charger sideways so you could see the top LED turn green to indicate that it is charging.  It is just a standard charge when you wirelessly charge either Android or Apple devices.  You will not get rapid charge times when charging wirelessly.   When I used the USB C port on my Galaxy S9 or the USB 3 port on my S9 or the iPhone, I did get rapid charging indicators.

This last picture shows the iPhone charging vertically.  You do have to be careful about placement on the power bank.  Make sure you see that your phone is actively charging.  In the case of the iPhone above, you have to look closely at the battery indicator on the phone itself because it covers the entire power bank.  I do want to mention that you can charge multiple devices at once.  I had my S9 charging via the USB 3.0 port and a Note 9 wirelessly charging at the same time.

What I like

I love that I do not need to bring along an extra cable to keep my device charged.  I simply place my phone on it, wait for the green LED and know that it is charging.  I also like that it does support rapid wired charging if I wish.  That comes in handy if I need to charge it while it is in a bag or where the bank and device could not sit on top of each other.  The large 8000mAh battery is also a huge plus for the device in my mind.  My S9 is a 3000mAh battery and could be charged up almost 3 times from zero percent with this charger.  It allows me to share it with others if need be.   I also love that I can wirelessly charge one device and charge another via the USB port.

What I’d change

It was a bit disconcerting to have the charger simply stop charging my device before it was completely charged a couple of times.   I am not exactly sure why it did that and I have not been able to repeat the situation since then.   It may have been that my phone moved ever so slightly and lost the proper Qi connection on the device.  The other thing that would be very helpful is if this device supported quick wireless charging.  Placing your depleted phone on this device means waiting easily over an hour to get a full charge again if you are anywhere below 75% charge.

Final thoughts

There are a ton of power banks out there to choose from.  If you are looking for one that does wireless charging, then I would not hesitate to recommend this device.  Please note that the link below on Amazon is the proper link to order the device.  The pictures on Amazon, however, do not match what my device has.  I believe they are still showing pictures of the original QiStone in the QiStone 2 product listing.

Price: $79.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Fonesalesman.

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Fonesalesman QiStone 2 wireless charging power bank review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 3, 2019 at 11:07 am.

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EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad review

REVIEW – Many chargers for Qi-enabled devices have entered the market in the past few years.  Most have a very simple design and are typically made of plastic with perhaps some metallic components to add a bit of style.  But did you ever wish your Qi charging pad had just a bit more of a sophisticated look?  EasyAcc must have wanted that too, so they designed their PU (Polyurethane) Leather Qi Charging Pad.  Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad is a charging pad for Qi-enabled devices that is very thin and has an elegant-looking polyurethane leather-like surface on its exterior.

What’s in the box?

  • EasyAcc PU Leather Qi Charging Pad (with integrated USB power cable)
  • Instruction booklet

Hardware specs

  • Charge modes:
    • 10W quick charge for most Android phones
    • 7.5W mode for Apple iPhones
    • 5W slow charge mode for Pixel devices
  • Exterior: Polyurethane (PU) leather-like material that is mothproof and antibacterial
  • Dimensions:
    • 4.25 inches (10.8 cm) in diameter
    • 7/16-inch (6.5mm) thick
  • Charging cable: 4 feet, 9 inches (57 inches or 145 cm) long integrated USB
  • Compatibility
    • Will charge virtually any Qi-enabled device, with a few exceptions
    • Can charge through cases up to 5mm thick
  • Built-in protection against overheating, overcharging, and short-circuits
  • Warranty: 18 months

Design and features

My initial impression of the EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad was that its PU leather material was very soft and felt and looked almost like real leather.

The PU leather material has been applied to both the top and bottom of the charging pad, and it acts as a non-slip surface on both sides of the device, helping to prevent your phone from slipping off its top, as well preventing the charging pad from slipping off smooth surfaces.

Despite the layers of PU Leather on its top and bottom surface, this is a very thin charging pad at only 6.5mm thick.

The hand-stitched PU Leather material is of course not actually leather but rather artificial polyurethane leather-like material, which is often abbreviated as PU leather or simply PU.  When PU leather was introduced to the market some years ago, it often had a less than flattering reputation due to it often looking and feeling quite fake and un-leather-like.  However, the design and manufacturing processes that produce PU leather today are much more sophisticated and give this material a much more leather-like appearance and texture along with durability and less expensively than real leather.  In addition, the EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad is 100% handmade.

This charging pad’s USB power cable is actually integrated directly into the pad itself and is non-removable from the pad.  This helps cut down on the thickness of the pad and also helps give the overall look a more simple, elegant appearance; however, it does require that the cable be plugged into a computer, AC adapter, or another device with a USB port.

When the pad has been plugged into power but there is no device on it being charged, a tiny LED on the top of the pad glows blue.

When a Qi-enabled device has been placed upon the charging pad, the tiny blue LED switches to a green glow to indicate that a device is being charged.

I first used my wife’s iPhone X as a test subject (seen in the photos here), and later my daugher’s iPhone 8 Plus, and the pad charged both iPhones easily.  This pad also seemed to be a bit less sensitive to having the iPhone positioned in a certain location in order for charging to take place, unlike other charging pads that I have tried that seem to require the device being charged to be in a precise spot on the top of the pad.

The charging pad was also able to charge my wife’s iPhone X and my daughter’s iPhone 8 Plus while the iPhones were inside of their protective cases.  This case is about 5mm thick but this did not seem to inhibit charging.

This charger looks quite nice sitting on a nightstand, desk, or just about anywhere you want to use it.

What I like

  • PU leather material has an elegant appearance and feel
  • Very thin
  • PU leather provides a non-slip surface to top and bottom

What needs to be improved

  • Nothing that I can see

Final thoughts

I was impressed with the EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad.  Its leather-like PU material gives it a sophisticated appearance and texture, yet it is quite affordable in price.  It is also very thin and not particularly sensitive to the placement of the device being charged.  If you are in the market for a Qi-enabled charging pad that is affordable and has an elegant look and feel, the EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad might be a good option for you.

Price: $16.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by EasyAcc.

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EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 12, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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PBL by EVOTech Labs is a wireless charger and wireless backup battery

CROWDFUNDING NEWS – Now that I’ve switched from the Pixel 2 XL to the Huawei P30 Pro, I’m able to enjoy wireless charging again. Yay me! I’ve been trying several different Qi chargers and recently was introduced to the EVOTech Labs PBL which is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter.

What is it?

The EVOTech Labs PBL is a Qi wireless charger AND a portable backup battery that can be used to charge your phone wirelessly or with a USB cable.

Why do I like it?

I like the EVOTech Labs PBL because it’s a wireless charger for your desk and you can remove the charger/backup battery from the magnetic base and take it with you to charge your devices while you’re on the go.

EVOTech Labs sent me a pre-production demo of the PBL to test while I was on vacation this week. I found it to be really handy while we were hiking in the Red River Gorge in Kentucky where there are obviously no electrical outlets!

Where can I find more info?

The PBL campaign ends on 4/3/19 they have already met their funding goal of $5,000. You can pre-order a PBL starting at $39. After the PBL campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in May 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

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PBL by EVOTech Labs is a wireless charger and wireless backup battery originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 30, 2019 at 6:06 pm.

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Satechi Aluminum Type-C PD & QC Wireless Charger review

REVIEW – It’s been a while since I had a smartphone with wireless charging capabilities but having recently splurged on a Huawei P30 Pro, I’ve been on the lookout for a Qi charger worthy of taking up space on my desk. The first one up for testing is the Satechi Aluminum Type-C PD & QC Wireless Charger. PD stands for power delivery and QC stands for quick charge. Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The Aluminum Type-C PD & QC Wireless Charger from Satechi is a flat desktop charger capable of charging phones and even Apple’s new AirPods.

What’s in the box?

  • Satechi Aluminum Type-C PD & QC Wireless Charger
  • USB-C cable

Design and features

The charger is circular-shaped with a diameter of 4 inches. The top surface has a black rubber mat with a large + in the center and the Satechi logo below it.

The bottom of the charger is made of brushed aluminum (hence the product name) in either space grey (which is the one I have) or silver. Four small rubber feet are attached to the bottom of the charger to keep it from sliding around on your desk.

The back of the wireless charger has a USB-C connector that you will obviously use to connect it to power. Note that an AC adapter is NOT included with this charger and it will not work with computer USB ports. That means it’s up to you to supple the power adapter. Just be aware that you will want to use a QC or PD capable adapter in order to take advantage of quick charging speeds of up to 7.5W/10W on compatible smartphone devices.

On the front edge of the Satechi charger is a small LED that glows green while it is charging a device, blinks blue if you place a non-compatible device on it, and turns off when the charging is not in use.

There really isn’t a whole lot more to say about this charger other than it looks nice and does a great job charging any Qi capable device on it quickly and safely.

There’s almost no lag to when it detects the device and it either starts charging or lets you know it’s not a compatible device.

What I like

  • Looks nice
  • Simple to use

What needs to be improved

  • Need to include a power adapter

Final thoughts

I forgot how much I enjoyed the convenience of wireless charging after not being able to use one for the last couple of years. It’s funny how satisfying it feels to be able to drop my phone on the Satechi charger to charge it instead of needing to plug in a cable. I know that plugging a cable into a phone is not a difficult task, but the Satechi charger looks so much nicer on my desk than a stray cable. This charger has earned a permanent spot on my desk.

Price: $44.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Satechi.

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Satechi Aluminum Type-C PD & QC Wireless Charger review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 15, 2019 at 9:11 am.

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MyCharge Unplugged10K wired/wireless charging pad review

REVIEW – We all count on our phones.  We count on them for different reasons, calls, texts, social media, calendars, cat videos, games, and so on. No matter what your particular reason is, the underlying common denominator is that all those activities drain your battery. The MyCharge Unplugged10K can help alleviate dead-battery anxiety by giving you 10,000mAh of portable wired or wireless charging goodness.

What is it?

The MyCharge Unplugged10K is a portable battery pack. It is Qi-certified, meaning it can wirelessly charge any Qi-certified device.  In addition, you get two USB-A ports to attach your micro-USB, USB-C, lightning or other charging cable. This will allow you to charge just about any mobile device.

What’s in the box?

MyCharge identifies themselves as a hip, funky bunch, as evidenced by their fun shipping box.

The actual box is a little more standard. The box comes with a lift cover.  Lifting it uncovered the unit in a plastic carrier.

Inside, we find:

  • MyCharge Unplugged10K battery pack
  • USB-A to micro-USB charging cable
  • Quick start card

Hardware specs

  • Dimensions: 5-7/8″ l x 2-3/4″ w x  3/4″ h
  • Weight: 8.9 ounces
  • Capacity: 10,000 mAh
  • Input: 2.4A micro-USB
  • Output: Wireless 10W; 2 x USB-A 2.4A
  • Soft touch finish

Design and features

Setup

I expected no setup since the box says that it shipped pre-charged. When I hit the power button, the battery indicator only showed two dots out of four (the top one is a power light).

So, I plugged in the charging cable and let it charge.

Each light flashes during charging and then goes solid as it hits 25/50/75/100% charge levels. At full charge, all four lights glow solid.

Hitting the power button turns the top light blue, indicating that the unit is on and ready to deliver power to your device(s).

Performance

Once we were charged and ready, it was time to try charging something.

I dropped my Galaxy S9+ still in Samsung’s LED flip case onto the Qi pad.  Much to my delight, it immediately started charging.

As you can see, if your device can handle fast wireless charging, this pad will do the trick. Also, these photos were taken at different times.  It didn’t take a day and a half to charge from 78% to 94%. 🙂

This is a side-by-side of my wife’s Galaxy S9+ in Samsung’s LED flip case.

The pad is just about a half-inch shorter than the S9+ and just about the same width and thickness. The S9+ with the LED case weighs in at 9.5 ounces.  Bottom line is that if you carry a new iPhone, Galaxy, Pixel or another large phone, this pad will essentially double your carry weight and size.  Not too bad considering that it will be able to recharge your phone at least twice without needing a wall plug.

About that…at 10,000 mAh, and my S9+ with a 3,500 mAh battery, simple math says I should be able to get nearly three charges from dead.  In the real world, however, there are losses during charging, so it will be more like two full charges and a little more wiggle room. How many charges you get will depend on how big your battery is.

A big attraction with this device is flexibility. Along with the Qi charging pad, you get two, count ’em, two USB ports.

You can actually use all three methods at the same time – two wired USB connections plus a Qi charge. That’s a pretty cool thing. The wired charging is 2.4A but doesn’t trigger wired fast charging as a dedicated fast charger does. Still, at 2.4A, the charge will be pretty quick.

What I like

  • Big battery capacity
  • Fast Qi wireless charging
  • Can charge three devices simultaneously
  • Soft touch feel

What needs to be improved

  • The package said “pre-charged” but it was only 50% – OK, perhaps I’m just whining

Final thoughts

The MyCharge Unplugged10K is a great portable charging solution.  You can be the cell phone battery hero among your group of friends and provide most of a full charge for three phones all at the same time.

Price: $69.99
Where to buy: MyCharge and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by MyCharge.

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MyCharge Unplugged10K wired/wireless charging pad review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 23, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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