GoKawiilNext-generation battery technology is much like fusion power: a major breakthrough is always a year or two away. We keep being promised things like laptop batteries that can last for a month, and true wireless charging throughout a room. None of it ever materializes.
However, one modest but still worthwhile breakthrough in battery tech is real and available today: solid-state powerbanks – including a new MagSafe model from Zens …
My colleague Fernando Silva tested one solid-state MagSafe battery last month and I’ve been testing another. Technically, the Zens Semi-Solid-State Powerbank is, as the name suggests, a hybrid battery tech.
Zens made that choice because solid-state batteries have the greatest energy density, but don’t offer the best performance and lifespan. Combining the two battery techs aims to deliver the best of both worlds.
Specs
The 5000mAh version measures just 8mm thick and is otherwise fairly typical in size for a MagSafe battery at 10.2x7cm. There’s also a 10,000mAh variant with the same dimensions but a thickness of 1.4cm.
It’s Qi 2.2 compatible, meaning that it offers up to 25W of charging with the iPhone 16 series and up, or 15W with earlier models. In addition to powering an iPhone, it’s also compatible with any AirPods model with wireless charging support.
Look & feel
The powerbank is a very dark gray, with close to a black appearance. It has squircle-like rounded corners, a matte finish on the outside and a rubberized one on the inside to protect the iPhone from scratches.
There is a relatively discreet Zens branding above five extremely small charge-state LEDs, and a USB-C charging socket at the bottom.
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