ZDNET's key takeaways
- Baseus' Picogo AM41 power bank is on sale now starting around $20.
- It's a 5,000mAh power bank with a sculpted form that's unobtrusive and exceedingly thin (0.3 inches) and light (3.8 oz).
- The aluminum surface is prone to scratching.
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Talk to any iPhone user about their smartphone experience, and it isn't long before they start talking about battery life -- and not in a good way. Since its release back in 2007, the iPhone's battery capacity has increased three-and-a-half-fold, but it seems like it can never be enough.
This is why MagSafe power banks have become so popular: you can simply attach one to the back of your iPhone for an instant battery boost. As long as you're willing to put up with the bulk.
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But even that is changing. Take the Baseus Picogo AM41 Magsafe 5,000mAh Qi power bank -- the thinnest, lightest power bank I've ever tested.
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Measuring 3.9 x 2.6 x 0.3 inches and weighing only 3.8 ounces, it's smaller and lighter than my wallet (which is also MagSafe-compatible). Baseus calls this "ultra-slim, ultra-light, and ultra-portable," and while I think calling 0.3 inches "razor-thin" is a bit of a stretch, it is an incredibly sleek power bank.
Inside is a 5,000mAh/18Wh battery, which is enough for around one full recharge of an iPhone, depending on the model. No matter how hard you push your iPhone, you'd be hard-pressed to drain both its battery and this power bank in a single day. If you're worried about the remaining charge, you can press the tiny button on the side of the power bank to activate the built-in LED power meter.
This power bank is really thin, and makes my iPhone feel thick.
The AM41 features a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad that can deliver up to 15W, depending on the iPhone model it's connected to. It attaches using strong neodymium magnets with a force of 11N, which is enough to keep the power bank securely attached, even during active use or when the iPhone is in a thick Otterbox Defender case.
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Wireless charging is great for fast, on-the-go power, and I have no problem using this power bank even when my iPhone is in a thick case. There's some warmth, as with all wireless charging, but nothing excessive or concerning. This is thanks to Baseus incorporating an NTC (negative temperature coefficient) temperature control chip, graphene heatsinks, and a redesigned shell to better dissipate heat. Baseus claims this keeps the unit below 104℉, which is 14.4℉ cooler than the industry standard, and my testing confirms this.
This power bank clamps firmly to the iPhone and creats a very easy to hold package.
The downside of wireless charging is that there's always some power loss -- up to 45% -- which is significant when you're starting with just 5,000mAh of battery capacity. To maximize the power bank's efficiency, you can use the USB-C port to charge your iPhone or other non-wireless devices. This port supports input and output at 15W and 20W, respectively. While 15W isn't particularly fast, it's sufficient to recharge the power bank in a couple of hours.
The power bank also comes with a short 60W USB-C cable, but there's no way to attach the cable to the power bank itself, as some other models allow (e.g., integrating the cable into a lanyard). I wish more manufacturers would include this feature because a loose cable is easy to misplace.
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On the charging pad side of the power bank, there's a silky, soft, siliconized layer that's been "nano-coated" to be waterproof and resist fingerprints. The back of the unit is made of aluminum that's anodized in a range of finishes. According to Baseus, the power bank has an "ergonomic 5D curved design." I'm not sure what "5D" means beyond marketing jargon, but it does fit well with the look and feel of the iPhone, and I have to admit it's comfortable to hold.
My MagSafe wallet is much thicker than this MagSafe power bank.
However, this is where compromises come into play. The aluminum back is lightweight and acts as a good heatsink, helping to dissipate the heat generated during wireless charging. But aluminum is also soft and prone to scratches and dents, even when anodized. I'm not too concerned about a few scratches, but if you are, and you want to keep this power bank looking pristine, avoid dropping it or putting it in a pocket with keys or other sharp objects.
ZDNET's buying advice
Prices for the Baseus Picogo AM41 Magsafe 5,000mAh range from $30 to $40, depending on the finish. Currently, there's a sale on Amazon, bringing the cheapest version with the space gray finish to $23. If you're looking for a discreet external battery for your iPhone and don't need flashy LCD screens, this is a great choice -- as long as you take care of it.
That said, 5,000mAh of power doesn't go far. If you need a power bank that can keep larger devices charged (like tablets or laptops), you'll need something with a capacity in the range of 10,000mAh to 20,000mAh.
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