Xiaomi UltraThin PowerBank: as large as a credit card, but...
It’s not like other power banks. The UltraThin Magnetic 5000 15W is just 6 mm thick, weighs 98 g, and attaches magnetically. You can carry it with you at all times without even noticing it.
At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona a month and a half ago, Xiaomi had a booth full of new releases. Phones, tablets, scooters, headphones. But the object that struck me the most was in a side display case, almost hidden. It was small, orange, and weighed less than two eggs. I bought it immediately. Since that day, it hasn't left my side.
It's called the Xiaomi UltraThin Magnetic Power Bank 5000 15W. It's an external battery for your phone. Nothing new so far, you might say. There are hundreds of them. True. But this one is different from all the others.
First fact: it is 6 millimeters thick. Six. To be clear: your phone is almost certainly thicker. Second fact: it weighs 98 grams. Less than a pack of tissues. Third fact: it attaches to the phone with a magnet and charges it wirelessly. No cables to look for, no sockets to find. You place it on the back of the phone, feel the "click" of the magnet, and charging starts.
I got it in the orange version. Xiaomi also produces it in silver and black, but the orange has a particular charm. On one side is the silver metal with the engraved Xiaomi logo. On the other is the orange surface with the magnetic ring. It fits in a jacket pocket, in a jeans pocket, in a wallet. I'm telling you this after a month of daily use: you forget you're carrying it.
The internal battery is 5,000 mAh. It's not a huge capacity. It won't charge your phone from zero to one hundred. But that is not its purpose. Its purpose is to save your day. You're out of the house, the phone is at 15%, you need to pay with Twint or call a taxi. You snap on the battery, the phone recharges, and you continue to use it. In an hour, you gain 30% to 40% charge. Enough to get you through the evening.
How does Xiaomi fit 5,000 mAh into 6 millimeters? The answer is a technology called silicon-carbon battery. Traditional batteries use graphite to store energy. Silicon stores more in the same space. Xiaomi has integrated 16% silicon into the cell and paired it with a graphite sheet that manages heat. Result: a lot of energy in a very small space, without the device getting too hot. In a month of use, I noticed that the battery gets slightly warm during wireless charging. This is normal. The aluminum body acts as a heat sink. It’s not hot, it doesn't burn, it just feels slightly lukewarm. Internal sensors monitor the temperature constantly.
Wireless charging reaches 15 watts with the latest Xiaomi phones. With iPhones, it stops at 7.5 watts, Apple's standard speed for magnetic charging. With Samsungs and Google Pixels, it's around 10 watts, but you need a compatible magnetic case. If you prefer a cable, there is also a USB-C port on the edge, which reaches 22.5 watts. You can even charge two devices simultaneously: one via cable and one wirelessly.
An important detail for those traveling by plane: the battery has a power of 18.58 Wh, well below the limit allowed by airlines. You can carry it in your hand luggage without problems.
Three practical tips for those who buy it. First: if you have an Android phone without integrated magnets, buy a magnetic case compatible with the Qi2 standard. Without it, the battery will not stay attached to the phone. Second: use a USB-C cable of at least 3 amps to recharge the battery itself. With a weak cable, recharging is slow. Third: press the side button to check the four LEDs that indicate the charge level. When they all go out, it's time to recharge the battery.
The list price in Europe is 59 euros for the black and silver versions, 69 euros for the orange version. On Amazon.it, it is often on offer for around 55 euros with free delivery to Switzerland. All details on the official website: https://www.mi.com/it/product/xiaomi-ultrathin-magnetic-power-bank-5000-15w/
After many years of working with technology, I have seen hundreds of accessories come and go. Most of them end up in a drawer after a week. This Xiaomi battery is the exception. My orange version is always with me, in my right jacket pocket. It doesn't weigh me down, it's not bulky, it doesn't stand out. Until the phone needs it. And in that moment, I assure you, it’s worth every penny spent.