Universal but at a cost!
Pros | Cons |
Multi port coverage Small, light and travel friendly Subtle design | Multi port coverage Small, light and travel friendly Subtle design |
A snap-n-charge power bank for the wireless charging of mobile phones or other small devices.
Specs
3000mAh battery
Micro USB connection
3 types of magnetic connection
Included in the box?
Power bank
Micro USB cable
Three magnetic charger types
Manufactured by
Statik – Based in the US, they are a company that focus on producing and providing innovative, flexible and effective ways of charging your mobile devices.
In their own words “We at Statik are dedicated to providing you with top-rated, versatile and innovative e-commerce products that are guaranteed to improve your quality of life. We develop all of our products only with the latest technology and manufacturing standards. From product development to manufacturing, Statik has worked to create a superior shopping experience for our customers by developing inventive and useful products that people love to share and talk about. Our commitment to quality, integrity and customer satisfaction combined with an unmatched expertise in applications and processes has provided every one of our customers with superior results”.
Targeted at
Any consumer who owns a mobile phone or small chargeable tech, across the multiple port types of new and older devices. So a huge market, albeit one that is slowly overtime becoming USB-C dominated, as industry competitors aim to provide consumers with charger diversity versus the many different charger types that were previously in play.
Design & Comfort
Small and light in design at only 60 grams, it is finished in a matt black plastic casing, is subtle by design and aimed at blending into your device (As much as it can while it protrudes out of the end!) . It has a micro USB slot for taking a charge itself and a magnetic port that connects to the three device connectors it comes with. These being USB-C, Micro USB and an iPhone lightning connector. The outside houses four small led lights, which indicate how much charge remains available.
Performance
Taking this in two parts, firstly the experience when using the power bank is as simple in its functionality as it is in its design. Giving you three small connectors, that magnetically attach to the power bank which allows you to select the one that fits your phone/device. Useful if you have multiple phones with different ports, but otherwise lacking any real benefit over purchasing another power bank dedicated specifically to your phone’s port. And this is at the core of the device’s main flaw. When you connect the power bank to your phone (using my Samsung phone via USB-c for purposes of this review) the magnetic hold is strong, though the power bank can turn 360 degrees when connected. The positive is that this avoids your phone’s port being damaged if you suddenly impact the phone or drop it, as the power bank will just be knocked off, leaving the connector still within your phone’s port. He lies the main issue or at the very least the main inconvenience. The magnetic connector remains in your phone’s port and is not very easy to remove; in fact on my first attempt I had to apply enough force that it flew across the room. The only approach that negates this, is if you leave the connector permanently in your phone’s port. This may work for some, but for the majority this would just limit your options to use other wired connectors or power banks.
The more you use it, the more this becomes an irritation, as devices like this should be plug and play, so that you can take advantage of their wireless charge quickly and without much thought. Also, the selling point of any device like this, is to give your phone a quick charge when you are not near a power source, so it is likely this will be when travelling or not at home. Here, the chance of losing the very small magnetic connector is very likely and reduces the lifespan of this being available to you. Even when everything is connected and in place, due to the forementioned movement of the device, the charging connection is flaky. Sometimes it appears to be charging, only for me to look back and see it has stopped. If you finally get it charging, it is only really reliable if you leave the phone stationery on a table or flat surface. If you were to put it in your pocket or within a bag, despite the size being ideal for this, it is highly likely it will not charge consistently if at all, and probably fall off.
If you overcome all the above challenges and drawbacks, how does using it to charge your phone perform? Well it contains only a 3000mAh battery, with no fast charge capability, but as a top up/emergency option, it should serve a purpose. From a full charge it will charge my S21 Ultra to 60% of capacity. But though it was sometimes seen as a standard charger by my phone, I often received the slow charge warning. For example as I write this review, my phone is at 35% charge and with the power bank connected, it predicts it will take 8 hours 36 minutes to fully charge! I wanted to use it to charge my phone overnight, but I didn’t trust it would complete the job.
There are just too many competitors on the market for a similar price, which perform to a much more consistent level. The Veger 5000mAh mini power bank for example, which is my go to, this provides a decent consistent and fast charge boost when needed, and at around £20 compared to the Statik’s £30 price (Though multiple varying prices appear online, so both can be obtained cheaper). If it could change the magnetic connection method for a screw in one, while it would take longer to switch out, it would provide a much tighter seal and more reliable performance, but then dramatically dilutes its USP.
Conclusion
In summary, the idea behind this device is a good one, providing a charging device with flexibility and across mobile platform functionality. Its size and weight mean it is perfect for on the go charging, while its simple form factor blends in with no fuss. A power bank should, like many devices, sit quietly in the background, only coming out to play when it is really needed. Then it should do so in a quick, no fuss way which takes a few seconds to initiate. I really like a device that is multipurpose, it is what I look for in any new gadget I purchase, allowing me to reduce my overall tech and be more efficient in the area it supports. So I should really like this, but unfortunately I don’t, and that is purely down to the poor execution of its multi device connectors. Its biggest strength is also its biggest weakness and stops me recommending this.
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