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Review: Expansys universal power bank charger

Lebo Mashiloane
By Lebo Mashiloane
Johannesburg, 18 Mar 2014
The Expansys universal power bank battery charger is convenient for on-the-go charging.
The Expansys universal power bank battery charger is convenient for on-the-go charging.

In an era in which smartphones have become multi-tasking tools filtering into every aspect of work and play, the Expansys universal power bank battery charger is an absolute necessity.

Essentially an external battery in a sealed case with a pleasant aroma, this USB external backup battery comes with a USB cable that gets connected to a power source such as a laptop to charge it.

Another option is to charge, instead, via flip-out blades for plugging into the wall. In either case, you carry the charged up power bank - and the cable - in your pocket, purse, backpack or briefcase, and use it to charge the phone (using the same USB cable) when the battery meter gives in.

Look and feel

Small, sleek and available in a range of colours, this portable USB battery charger and power bank's lightweight design won't take up too much space in your bag or on your desk. It will fit nicely in your pocket or handbag ready to provide power as you need it. For good measure, it comes scented with an array of pleasant aromas, a nice touch but the scent fades a little over time.

Functionality

This universal power bank has a lithium-ion battery that delivers power up to 2 600mAH capacity. The 5V output can fully recharge your smartphone or USB device, but not the larger current requirements of tablets. You can, however, connect your iPad/Samsung tablet to a personal computer with the four-in-one USB charger cable (output) for well-qualified charging. When the power bank is getting charged, the LCD indicator turns red and goes off when it's fully charged.

An added bonus is the built-in LED flashlight which comes in handy in dark places. The four-in-one cable also enables compatibility with most mobile devices on the market that have a micro USB charging port, as well as other 5V electronic devices, such as cameras, MP3/MP4/MP5, GPS.

Performance

Expansys universal power bank battery charger

Pros: Compatible with most smartphones, environmentally friendly, on-the-go charging
Cons: It should come with different cables for different devices
Charging time: 0 to 3 hours
Dimensions: 98mm x 26mm x 23.5mm
Battery capacity: 2 600 mAh
Input: micro USB 5V, 500mA
Output: Type-A USB 5V, 1A
Price: R169.00
Rating
: 8/10

The official line from manufacturers is that it has a long service life of more than 500 cycles of charging and discharging. An uninterrupted 12-hour charge lasted me up to three days of on-the-go repeated charging (this is dependent on your smartphone's battery life).

Conclusion

From a journalist's perspective, I found it most convenient in cases where my phone had to act as a back-up recorder during interviews. This meant I could charge on-the-go and avoid the embarrassment of my battery dying in the middle of an interview. For people who spend a fair amount of time on the road, I strongly recommend it.

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