CEBU, Philippines - While the makers of smartphones and tablets are keen on affording electronic consumers with performance-enhanced devices, the reality of their batteries going flat after a "work day" tends to be a rut which users have to contend with.
Thankfully, portable battery chargers—popularly referred to as power banks or battery packs—are now readily available in electronics stores and device-specialty venues all over Cebu, designed to charge the batteries of mobile gadgets, anytime, anywhere.
If you happen to be on the lookout for a reliable power bank for your device, here are some considerations worth looking into.
On battery milliamp hours (mAh)
Like the batteries of smartphones and tablets, power banks are rated in mAh or milliamp hours. Depending on your device's battery, it is best to pick a power bank that "complies" with your device's charging and battery specifics.
You can start your power bank hunt by learning more about your device's battery's details, particularly its mAh rate and its charging specifications. You can find this information in battery section of the specification sheet of your device, which is jotted down in your device's user manual/box.
Ideally, you should get a power bank that has a higher mAh rate than your device's battery.
For example, if you have an iPhone 5S, you should get a power bank that has a 1600 mAh rating at least, since the 5S has a 1560 mAh battery. If you have a Galaxy S4, you should get a power bank that has a 2600 mAh at least, since it has a 2600 mAh battery.
Generally, getting a power bank with three times the mAh rate of your device's battery is preferable.
On form factor and design
Since you'll be carrying a power bank with you wherever you go, take the time to also look into the design and form factors of power banks before settling for one.
Consider weight (if it is lightweight enough) and consider its overall design (if it would be too clunky when used on the go).
Generally, high mAh capacity power banks tend to be bigger and heavier, while their "just right" counterparts are usually smaller and lighter.
Opting for a power bank that comes with an easy-to-understand indicator lamp or LED console is also advisable, to help you determine just how much power is left in the device and when it needs to be charged.
On Variations: Multiple Ports and Battery Cases
While most battery packs are designed to be compatible with a wide range of devices, there are variations designed for specific models and needs.
One example would be the multiple port battery pack, which are battery packs designed to provide extra power to two devices. Another variation would be the battery case, which is essentially a model-specific case that comes with an extra battery built-in.
Depending on your preferences and what you need, a multiple port battery pack or battery case may be more relevant to you, as opposed to the functional benefits boasted by the standard battery pack.