The Xiaomi UltraThin Magnetic Power Bank 5000 15W, known as the MDY-20-EB, is a sleek power bank designed to attach magnetically to your smartphone, offering a capacity of 5000mAh and wireless charging up to 15W. Announced globally in February, this power bank has recently hit the Indian market alongside other models, including the Xiaomi Magnetic Power Bank 10000 45W.
Pricing and Product Positioning
In India, the Xiaomi 5000 15W is available for INR 5,999, which is a noticeable step up from the INR 3,999 price tag on the 10000 45W model and INR 5,499 for the 20000 165W variant. The question arises: does the added cost for the ultra-thin design and portability justify the purchase? Let’s delve into its features.
Design and Build Quality
Measuring 98.5mm tall and 71.5mm wide, the Xiaomi 5000 15W is comparable in size to a standard playing card. Its thickness is a mere 6mm, making it thinner than Apple’s iPhone Air MagSafe Battery, which is 7.7mm thick and has a smaller capacity of 3149mAh. Weighing only 98 grams, this power bank is lightweight and easy to carry.
The exterior features anodized aluminum, while the underside has a soft-touch plastic that facilitates inductive charging. A circular indicator shows where the charging coil and magnets are, with regulatory markings subtly placed and difficult to capture in photographs.
Charging Capabilities
On the bottom edge, the power bank is equipped with a USB-C port for both input and output, a row of four LED indicators for battery status, and a button that displays charging status. This button can also be double-pressed to activate low-current charging for devices like Bluetooth headsets.
While the power bank is rated for 5000mAh at 3.79V, users can typically expect around 3000mAh of usable power due to common charging scenarios at 5V. The wireless charging feature supports up to 15W but is limited to select Xiaomi phones, specifically the Xiaomi 17 series, while other devices are capped at a maximum of 7.5W.
Performance Testing
In testing, the Xiaomi 5000 15W was used with an iPhone 15 Pro and a Pixel 11 Pro. The iPhone, which supports 15W charging, showed decent results, reaching 91% after 2.5 hours of charging at 7.5W. Conversely, the Pixel 11 Pro experienced much slower charging rates, peaking at just 5W, resulting in a charge of 55% after three hours.
Wired charging tests yielded better results, with the Pixel charging to 61% in under an hour. Although the wired speeds are commendable, many users may prioritize wireless charging, which may not perform well unless paired with specific devices.
Conclusion: A Trade-Off in Performance
Overall, the Xiaomi UltraThin Magnetic Power Bank 5000 15W stands out for its compact and stylish design. It offers reliable wired charging speeds and reasonable wireless capability for Xiaomi 17 series devices. However, charging speeds for iPhones and other Android models fall short, making it less appealing for users of those platforms.
For those who value portability and ease of use over rapid charging speeds, this power bank is an excellent choice. Nevertheless, potential buyers might want to consider their specific charging needs before investing in this model. A future iteration that supports universal fast charging could enhance its appeal significantly.
Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_ultrathin_magnetic_power_bank_5000_15w_review-news-74788.php
