One of the unexpected side effects of the many developments in mobile technology is the growing industry of power banks. It is no longer uncommon for people to carry at least one power bank in their bags to make sure they have power throughout the day. Now more than ever, it is important to stay connected, so while mobile batteries still need to catch up, we’ll need to supplement our power needs with these accessories.
Most people see these banks as just another way to supply power to our phones, but there is so much more to this piece of technology than meets the eye. As such, we have compiled this list of interesting facts about this essential part of our power requirements.
FACT 1: There are battery packs capable of charging a laptop
Not all power banks are capable of charging laptops, but there are a select few manufacturers and models that cater specifically to laptop owners who need the ability to recharge on the go. These models have a far larger power output than the ones we carry around to charge our phones, which deliver a voltage of only 5 V.
FACT 2: You should try to charge only to 80 per cent
If you still haven’t noticed, your phone starts to charge more slowly from a power bank beyond 80 per cent. That’s because it requires more power to charge from that point onward. Think of it as a knapsack that has been filled up to 80 per cent. It is much harder to fill the last 20 per cent than it is to fill the first 80.
FACT 3: Lithium-ion batteries have a short lifespan
Most lithium-ion batteries have a lifespan of 300 to 500 charging cycles. Their capacity to store power will degrade over time. This is the chief reason these banks have become so popular. Mobile phones are charged nearly daily, so a phone might reach the end of its cycles around a year from its first purchase.
FACT 4: Battery technology is about to improve drastically
Lithium-ion batteries are proving less than reliable with modern power requirements, but a better alternative is coming: graphene batteries. Graphene batteries are set to revolutionise the market, with increased power capacity, faster charger capacity, and capacity to reduce heat.
There are already several mobile models on the market that incorporate a graphene composite into their batteries for larger power capacities and faster charging, but a fully graphene-powered phone might come out within the next two years.
FACT 5: Not all power banks are capable of pass-through charging
Pass-through charging is the act of charging your phone through a power bank while the bank itself is connected to a charger. While this can seem like a shrewd thing to do, not all power banks are actually designed with this function in mind. Make sure to determine whether your current model is capable of pass-through charging safely, as this can damage your power bank, your mobile’s battery, and even your charger.
In conclusion
Power banks are now an important part of daily life, but they are a thing we often take for granted. These may seem like random, useless facts, but understanding how your devices work and knowing all the little facts about them can help you take care of your chargers, battery packs, and mobile phones more comprehensively, increasing their lifespans.
If you’re looking for a high-quality power bank to power your mobile devices, send us a message at Chargeasap. We have a wide selection of mobile accessories for the user on the go.
