Power banks are now a tool for individuals who heavily depend on their smartphones and other portable gadgets, like tablets and tech devices. Yet often, users find it puzzling that a 10K mAh power bank cannot fully charge a 4K mAh phone battery twice. How does this occur exactly? Let’s delve into the functioning of power bank capacity to understand it better.

Understanding mAh vs. Usable Capacity

The capacity of a power bank is typically denoted in mAh (milliampere hours). The stated capacity may not necessarily reflect the amount of power you can derive from it due to various factors –

• Power banks hold energy at 3.S volts, which is the voltage of lithium-ion batteries.
• When you connect your phone to charge it up using a power source of 5 volts as, per the USB output requirements; this change leads to a reduction in power usage by, around 10 to 20 percent.
• Most power banks do not reach a 100 percent efficiency level. Usually, they work at an efficiency rate of around 85 to 90 percent.
• The effectiveness of the charging cable influences the efficiency of power transmission.

How to Calculate the Usable Capacity

To estimate how much power your phone actually gets, use this formula:

Usable Capacity = (Advertised Capacity × Efficiency × (3.7V/5V))
For a 10,000mAh power bank with 85% efficiency:
10,000mAh × 0.85 × (3.7V/5V) = ~6,290mAh

So, instead of 10,000mAh, you get around 6,290mAh of actual charge.

Choosing the Right Power Bank

If your 4,000mAh phone requires two charges to keep running throughout the day without any interruptions in the power supply, then you should consider investing in a 15Ah power bank for better backup support while on the go. Search for power banks that offer efficiency and quick charging capabilities. Make sure you opt for high-quality cables to minimize energy wastage.

Consider these Smart Flick power bank options for better efficiency and performance:

• FlickMini 2.0 Smallest 5000mAh 22W Fast Charging Powerbank (available in blue, white, and black): Compact and highly efficient, this power bank offers fast charging capabilities with a 5000mAh capacity, making it ideal for quick, on-the-go top-ups.
• MagFlick 1.0 – SmartFlick 10000mAh Powerbank (available in black & white): A sleek design with a 10000mAh capacity, this power bank ensures that your devices remain powered up with its reliable performance.

Final Thoughts

The real amount of power a power bank can hold is typically less, than what you see in the ads because of things like voltage changes and energy efficiency issues, such as resistance, in cables, which can affect the overall performance of the power bank device.