Belkin has released two smartphone-oriented accessories – the 15W Qi wireless charging pad and a massive 10,000 mAh RockStar powerbank.
Qi wireless charging is a global standard that allows for wireless inductive charging of Qi receiver equipped devices like the Samsung Galaxy S6/S7/Note series and Parrot’s Zik 3 headphones. Many devices can be retrofitted with a Qi charging case or card.
And Power banks can be pedestrian until you discover that this Rockstar holds enough juice to do an iPhone over four times!
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The A$109.95 Belkin Boost Up delivers a massive 15W (5V, 3W) – by comparison, Samsung’s Fast Charge puts out 5V x 2W and 9V x 1.67W to quick charge first and finish off with a normal USB voltage. It also gets over the efficiency loss of many Qi chargers and extends the charging range to about 3mm to cater for thick cases and bumper covers. It is also fan-less for quite night time, bedside table placement and comes with a USB charger.
The A$119.95 RockStar has 2 x 2.4A ports – more than enough for micro-USB and Lightning based devices (both cables are supplied and one fits into a storage slot in the battery). You will need a micro-USB to USB-C adaptor if you have a USB device.
I have been using it with a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and Galaxy Tab 2, 10.1” and it provides full rated recharge power when using both devices. It will also charge a 3A USB-C Galaxy TabPro S 10.1” Windows tablet and an older Microsoft Surface 3.
Charging such a big Powerbank does take time. Using a 5V 2.1A charger (not supplied) takes about 5 hours (higher or lower capacity chargers will decrease or increase the time taken). It has Belkin’s A$2500 Connected equipment warranty covering any device connects to it.
Just a note – when travelling by air you are allowed to take up to 100Wh Lithium batteries into the cabin – not as checked luggage. This is 50Wh.