Review, Teardown: Anker PowerCore 10050 (A1310) QC2.0 Power Bank
When it comes to discussing power banks and USB charging in general, it’s hard to overlook Anker branded products. The company was started by a group of friends working at Google, and has since put out a multitude of USB power banks, wall chargers and cables which have received recognition for their quality from a wide range of sources. In America, they hold a leading position in the USB charging market.
Because of this, many readers have been eager for me to review an Anker product to see how it really stacks up against the competition (or more likely, how its competition compares) from an unbiased technical perspective, backed up with test results. However, as it turned out, nobody was willing to donate a product to me for review and I didn’t qualify for their power user review program due to being in Australia.
Rather luckily, I met with representatives from Anker at CeBIT Australia in early May, as they were looking for distributors in the Australian region. After proving my commitment to producing high quality technical reviews, they were willing to immediately provide an Anker PowerCore 10050 Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 Power Bank (A1310) for review under the review challenge terms.
Unboxing Features
The item comes packed inside a medium matte cardboard box which has a duotone sky-blue and black print. The front features a simple aesthetic, with the brand and model number front and center. The item sports the Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 logo on the front. The rear panel is used to advertise some of Anker’s other products, whereas the sides feature the approvals, model numbers and support information (including a US toll free number).
Upon opening the box, you are greeted with a thank you message on the inside lid. Neat!
Inside, the power bank is packed in a milky plastic bag in the bottom section, with a bit of cardboard isolating the rest of the included accessories.
Lifting out the cardboard, we see that even the bottom is not free of self-praising print. Included is a multilingual welcome guide, and a support details card.
Unlike many other power banks on the market, we get a sense that this product is a premium product as there is a bespoke nylon drawstring bag to store the power bank, and a charge cable with a decent length is included in the set.
The cable is part of Anker’s PowerLine series and has unique serial and model name printing on the cable. No cable thickness is specified on the cable, and while it looks a little thin, it is quite stiff for the thickness implying thicker metallic conductors.
Of course, you get the power bank itself. This particular unit is a rosy colour with sandblasted aluminium finish and etched logo. There is a power check button on the top, featuring a 10-segment LED display which is one of the most generous I have seen. The power bank weighs 238 grams.
The rear has the Qualcomm QC2.0 logo etched into it.
The power bank features one USB A output and a USB micro-B input. The specifications are printed underneath, and imply a 10050mAh/3.6v/36.18Wh capacity with 5V or 9V/2A input (QC2.0) and 5V/2.4A, 9V/2A or 12V/1.5A (QC2.0 18W) output.
The suite of features provided in Anker power banks are given in their marketing brochure. Some of the descriptions were rather interesting, which resulted in me scribbling all over it.
The first technology is PowerIQ, which helps emulate different charging protocols to ensure compatibility with picky devices. This could be quite handy, if you have particularly special devices, although some of the competitors will work with most popular devices out of the box.
The next technology is VoltageBoost, which has a very confused explanation which involves adapting the output power, and has a graph showing current. All three terms are not interchangeable! As an engineer, this really got on my nerves – what they seem to be implying is a voltage drop compensation circuit which increases the output voltage as a function of current to try and maintain a constant voltage at the device based on an assumed resistive cable loss.
Then, there is a suite of protections they term MultiProtect. They have a Qutput Current Limiter … which made me chuckle, as well as Temperature Control. They also seem to class High Energy Efficiency as a protection. I suspect, in more succinct terms, they just mean that the power bank has OCP, OTP, SCP, OVP (input and output) and OPP. The output current stabilizer feature is … well … still a mystery to me because the current really depends on the demand of the connected device, rather than the power bank.
Finally, they also include Qualcomm Quick Charge technology, which we will explore in the next section.
Qualcomm Quick Charge Technology
As this is the first power bank to come across my test rig that featured Qualcomm Quick Charge technology, it’s probably a good idea have a brief summary of how the technology works. From now on, for brevity, I will abbreviate Quick Charge as QC.
To find out more details about the technology, the easiest way is to look up a datasheet. I found the ON Semiconductor NCP4371‘s datasheet to be the most comprehensive, so the following diagrams have been reproduced from the datasheet for educational purposes. This particular IC is a QC3.0 capable device, which represents the state of the art at this time. But first, a little fun –
It seems the guys at ON Semiconductor like title case, and really don’t want their ICs being too obvious about changing voltages … (really, they mean discrete).
As it turns out, the whole Qualcomm QC system is another form of charger-and-device negotiation. Whereas in previous systems, the chargers signalled to the device about their current capabilities in various ways while sticking to 5v, the QC system allows devices to request the charger change voltages between fixed voltages of 5v, 9v, 12v (Class A) and 20v (Class B) in QC2.0 or to have an adjustable output voltage between 3.6v and 12v in 0.2v steps (Class A) or 3.6v and 20v in 0.2v steps (Class B) in QC3.0 capable devices.
This system works as illustrated in the state machine diagram to the left, and has specific timing requirements.
This system improves charging speed by improving the efficiency of power transfer as resistive losses in the cable become less significant at higher voltages as a smaller current is required to deliver the same power. It also allows for better power efficiency in some cases, by allowing the device to control the input voltage in QC3.0 to reduce internal losses (e.g. in linear based chargers).
A list of Quick Charge certified devices (phones, chargers, ICs, etc) is maintained and updated by Qualcomm on a periodic basis. If your device is on the list, then you will likely benefit from noticeably faster charging from a Quick Charge capable power bank. Of note is that the Anker Powercore power bank is capable of QC input as well, so charging the power bank from a QC capable charger is likely to save you time.
Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 PD Review – The Best Power Bank in the World
I’m going to save you some time picking a power bank: because I have family in Asia, I often have to stay in places with poor to no power at all. In Manila, it’s a miracle if your electronics don’t catch fire, considering the insane overvoltage and current variations I’ve seen. On top of this, most countries I travel to are superheated in the summer, and my battery packs tend to get damaged when they lack temperature control. I always have at least two power banks on myself. One in my to keep my cellphone alive (usually a PowerCore Slim), and a bigger one in my backpack.
I try and pick power banks that a) have at least 2 ports, b) output at least 2.4A, if not 4.8A, and charge a phone fast c) use high quality batteries and d) can gracefully handle overvoltage, high temperatures and current fluctuations. Over the years, I have had many power banks of different brands, price ranges and quality. To give you an idea, here’s a short list of the ones I’ve used in the past few years alone:
- Anker PowerCore 20100;
- Anker PowerCore 13000;
- Anker PowerCore Slim 5000;
- PowerAdd EnergyCell 5000;
- RavPower 6700mAh Silver;
- RavPower 20000mAh White with LED flashlight;
- Silicon Power 20000mAh Power Bank;
- A few no-name 5000mAh received as promotional gifts;
- Many smaller 2500-2600mAh USB power banks.
Long story short, I’ve had a lot of decent power banks, and also a lot of shitty ones. Anker and RavPower tend to rank higher, but only Anker supports all the interesting charging standards and features that make their battery packs stand out. Which brings us to…
Specs that matter
Amongst all of the power banks I’ve used, only one has the right combination of output power, port count, weight, charge speed, build quality, temperature/overvoltage protection circuitry and value for the money. That’s the PowerCore Essential 20000 PD. This thing has survived everything that I’ve thrown at it, from charging my iPhone 12 Pro Max to 50% in half an hour, to juicing up my laptop on a long trip (Lenovo x1 Nano, through USB-C!). It has handled dozens of drops, hundreds of top-ups, many 4-hour train rides and a couple of 12-hour plane trips – and came out victorious. I just wouldn’t trust any other battery pack. For some of the newer, bigger phones, it’s in fact the only option.
Where to get it
I got mine on Amazon, on sale for 40 instead of 60. Canadians like me can also get it on Amazon Canada. There are also plenty of sellers carrying it on eBay.
This Web site costs me a lot of money. I buy the products with my own cash, I pay for my hosting and my domain names. I want people to benefit from my research and experience. If you decide to buy the product I recommend, please do so using the links I provide on this page. It’ll help me cover my costs, and motivate me to write more reviews. Thanks!
Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless review: Your MagSafe battery BFF
Bottom line: Anker‘s PowerCore Magnetic packs in 5000mAh of power in a compact package and is compatible with MagSafe. It also has USB-C output for non-MagSafe devices.
Pros
- Nice compact size
- MagSafe-compatible
- 5000mAh of power
- 10W USB-C output for non-MagSafe devices
- Grippy soft-touch rubberized exterior
Cons
- – Only 5W wireless output
- – Thickness doesn’t make it very.friendly
- – A little pricey for capacity and charging speed
You can always trust i.
Our team of Apple experts have years of experience testing all kinds of tech and gadgets, so you can be sure our recommendations and criticisms are accurate and helpful. Find out more about how we test.
One of the best new additions to the iPhone 12 lineup was the introduction of MagSafe. It was one of the features that I was looking forward to, and so far, it’s been tremendously helpful in various ways. Don’t underestimate the power of magnets, folks!
With MagSafe, Apple opened up a whole new world of possibilities in terms of iPhone accessories. While the most common MagSafe accessories include cases, chargers, and wallets, there is a newer category that has been popping up. That’s right — MagSafe battery packs.
I got Anker’s PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless a few months back, but I’ve been putting it to the test recently since things have opened up again and I’m out of the house more. It’s become one of my favorite little battery packs to carry with me everywhere I go.
Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless: Price and availability
The Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless is available both from Amazon and directly from Anker‘s website. It retails for 46, though you can occasionally find it on sale. It only comes in black.
The Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless is a fairly small battery pack that clocks in at 3.66-by-2.46-by-0.63 inches. Honestly, it’s one of my more compact battery packs, and it can comfortably fit into a in my women’s jeans, which is saying something. The exterior of the PowerCore Magnetic has a soft-touch, rubberized coating that provides additional grip to prevent slips and drops. This exterior is also quite comfortable to hold and looks sleek. You have the Anker logo on the top/front of the battery, and the back has the magnetic ring to show you where to align it with your iPhone 12.
With the 5000mAh capacity, Anker claims that the PowerCore Magnetic can provide 1.2 charges for iPhone 12 mini, 0.95-0.97 charge for an iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro, or 0.75 charge for an iPhone 12 Pro Max. Considering the size, this is a great little battery pack to have around just to make sure your iPhone is topped off and lasts until the end of the day.
One of the negatives of the Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless is the fact that wireless charging is limited at 5W output. This is a limitation that pretty much applies to all third-party accessories, though, so it can’t be helped. Until Apple allows third-party accessory makers to get the fastest possible wireless charging, it’s just something that we’ll have to endure. But for what it’s worth, even though 5W is a bit slow, it definitely tops off your device, and it’s convenient since you don’t need a cable.
Another well-known brand that has a MagSafe batter pack is mophie, with the snap juice pack mini. Like Anker, this one packs in 5000mAh of power, but it differs by being slighting thinner while being taller. It also has a textured fabric exterior, USB-C input and output, but a slightly weaker magnet. It does have 7.5W wireless charging output, so it’s slightly better than Anker‘s, but also a few dollars more expensive.
But if you are looking for something that is more affordable, there are some magnetic battery packs from lesser brands on Amazon. Just search for MagSafe battery pack or something similar. While these off-brands may be cheaper, we don’t have personal experience with them, so we can’t vouch for how good they are over the long term.
Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless: Should you buy it?
You should buy this if.
- You want a compact MagSafe battery pack
- You need to top off your iPhone 12 throughout the day
- You trust the Anker brand
You shouldn’t buy this if.
- You want the fastest possible charge
- You prefer a slimmer profile
- You don’t have an iPhone 12
The Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless is a nice and compact battery pack with MagSafe capabilities, which makes it perfect for iPhone 12 owners. It’s small enough to take with you everywhere, so you can top off your device whenever you need to without the need for cables. However, the wireless charging is limited at 5W, but you can use the USB-C port for 10W output too.
However, since the battery pack is a little thicker, it may be a little bulky when going into your while attached to your iPhone 12. It’s also a little pricey for only 5000mAh capacity, but again, you’re paying for the convenience of MagSafe.
No Fast Charging With Two Devices
If you connect two or more devices to the power bank it will disable all fast charging tech. When you connect the second device you’ll notice the charging resets on the first. This is the power bank stepping down to a 5V output level. If you disconnect the second device you’ll want to unplug and replug the first. To make sure fast charging turns back on.
The total output is limited to 5V/3.6A, with the amps shared across all ports.
This limitation is typical of most power banks. The few I’ve seen which allow for two fast charging devices are unusually large. There is a limit to how much current can cross its circuits without extra hardware. Which adds size, weight, and cost.
Most smaller devices will revert to their normal charging rate. Which will continue to charge the battery while they are in use. Total charge time for two devices is about the same. Whether you fast charge them one at a time. Or charged them at a slower rate together.
Quick Charge 3.0 Over USB-C
The presence of Quick Charge over USB-C is against USB-C specifications. Such chargers have been around for years without issue. But we don’t know what the future holds.
Under section 4.8.2 of USB-C specifications a proprietary charging method cannot change the voltage of USB-C output (between 4.40V and 5.25V) in a manner not defined by USB methods. Quick Charge operates at higher than default voltages. And so goes against the specifications. USB Power Delivery is an open source charging method. Created alongside USB-C, it is with specs even though it also increases voltage. The big difference is USB PD uses communication lines to negotiate power transfer. While proprietary methods take over the data lines for their negotiation. They do so because legacy USB connections, such as USB-A, don’t have comm lines.
There is no known risk with running proprietary charging standards over USB-C. Manipulating the data lines does disrupt data transfers. But when plugging into a wall charger or power bank there is no data transfer anyway. Some USB-C engineers warn against using any USB-C chargers with third party standards. Their concern is unforeseen consequences. Future technology may prove to be incompatible with such configurations. And pulling out a charger several years from now with a new device could have a bad result.
I have not run into any issues with these fast charging standards on this or any other charger. But as it is a spec violation I want you to be informed. If you’re a stickler for meeting USB-C specifications this isn’t a good charger for you. If you’re more pragmatic it works fine and has no known issues.
Summary
The AUKEY PB-Y36 Sprint Go Mini 10000 PD is a solid, size portable charger. Good for phones, earbuds, Nintendo Switch, and small tablets. It supports the two most popular fast charging standards. Though like most portable chargers it can only offer one at a time.
AUKEY PB-Y36 Sprint Go Mini 10000 PD ports
For phones it fast charges iPhone 8/X/XR/XS/11/SE, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel. As well as Quick Charge supporting LG and Motorola phones.
The Huawei FCP support also allows for fast charging Huawei phones. It isn’t as fast as their newer SCP standard. But a better offering than with some other portable chargers.
The Nintendo Switch charges in handheld mode while you play. Due to the 12V power profile the original model Switch charges slower than it should. But still enough to charge the Switch with the most demanding games. The newer models (August 2019 and later) aren’t affected.
Its low current charging mode is for small earbuds, watches, and fitness trackers. Devices which usually draw less than 0.6W of power. It forces the power bank to keep operating, allowing these devices to charge. The mode is only available on the USB-A port.
Both USB ports support a variety of fast charging standards. Allowing one portable charger to work with many different devices. But the options do violate USB-C specifications, which don’t support third party tech. No problem came up during testing.
With the included USB-C to USB-C cable this is one of the best value 18W/10,000mAh portable chargers on the market.
About AUKEY
AUKEY has U.S. based support (web and email) and a 24 month warranty. You must have purchased the product either from them or through Amazon for support.
The AUKEY PB-Y36 Sprint Go Mini 10000 PD is compact and performs as expected. It doesn’t offer any new innovations and instead keeps up the competition. While offering a better value than many, with its lower price and included USB-C cable.
Buy if you:
- Are looking for the best value 18W/10,000mAh power bank, with included USB-C cable
- Need to fast charge iPhone, Samsung, Pixel, LG, Motorola, or Huawei phone
- Want to charge your Nintendo Switch, Bluetooth earbuds, or Fitbit
Don’t buy if you:
- Want to charge an original model Switch at the fastest rate possible
- Are uncomfortable with the USB-C spec violation
You’ll want a USB-C wall charger to quickly recharge this USB-C power bank. I recommend the AUKEY PA-Y18 Minima 18W PD. It’ll meet this power bank’s input specs as a similar low cost. And you can pick a matching or opposite color.
Be sure to check the Deals page to see if this or a similar charger is on sale.
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