In the age of the growth of modern technology, being left without communication means wasting a day. And this day may not just be lost, but even quite spoiled for those whose work depends on the Internet or mobile phone.

Prudent people try to purchase additional mobile devices in case the battery runs out on one, so that they can use a backup one.

Xiaomi offers an excellent option to save active users of modern technology. Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400 mAh is a backup battery from which you can charge any mobile device and even a laptop. By carrying an external battery, you won't have to look for an outlet to charge your phone. You can charge your device within an hour (this is the maximum) until the battery is full. Many who use the seven achievements of science have noted significant advantages in this device.

Firstly, the feeling of anxiety at the sight of a flashing mobile charge indicator will disappear. Experiences alone bring many problems, not to mention the consequences of a really dead battery. Secondly, self-confidence and a feeling of some security appear. Who doesn’t agree with security, look at those people who are feverishly running around with exercises. And if they haven't found a power source, what do their thoughts become? They are desperate. The situation may force you to ask passers-by to call, and if you don’t remember the number by heart and it is stored in the phone’s memory...

It would take a very long time to describe the inconvenience caused by a dead battery. Everyone understands that this is very bad. It is worth considering the benefits of having a backup battery, its pros, characteristics and disadvantages.

Characteristics

The functions declared by the manufacturer are insignificant. Since the Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400 mAh device is very simple, it does not offer many additional functions. Xiaomi describes the presence of the following parameters:

Battery capacity is 10,400 mAh, which is 3.5 V;
Li-ion battery type with input power of 5 V and output power of 5.1 V;
there is protection against overheating, the device automatically turns off;
battery weight 250 grams;
battery size 21.5 * 77 * 90.4 mm;
the maximum number of charges is five thousand.

That's all. The list is not long. I am very pleased with the power output when charging. With these options, you can charge your phone in less than an hour. If we take into account extreme conditions in which 20 percent of the mobile charge will be enough, then 15 minutes will be quite enough for this. Just 15 minutes and you are in touch until the end of the day. The Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400 itself takes longer to charge. Therefore, it is wise to put it on at night, and not immediately before leaving the house.

Equipment Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400

By ordering batteries from Xiaomi, you will receive the battery itself and a cord for charging the necessary devices. The cable is very short. This length makes it easy to use and store. This kit is packaged in a plastic box with a lid secured with tape. This use is not very convenient. Few people will enjoy constantly peeling and reapplying tape. If you remove it, the lid simply won’t close and will constantly stick up. This problem is not so great and can be eliminated with the help of a hair tie or a silicone bracelet. It just needs to be placed over the plastic box once the device is inside.

Storing Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400 in this form is convenient. You won’t have to look for where the cable went, since everything will be in one place. Losing cords is a universal problem that affects almost everyone.

Design Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400

The appearance of the backup battery is in the shape of a parallelepiped. At the end there are four indicators that show the percentage of charge of the device. Each individual indicator indicates 25% charge, which adds up to 100%. Next to them is the power button. It does not turn off the device. This button is needed to turn off the charging of the device or the transfer of energy from it. Further on the same panel there are two inputs, or two ports. One for standard USB, the second for mini.

The body of Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400 is aluminum, the edges are rounded. Externally, the backup battery looks like a box and fits easily and comfortably in your hand. When carrying the device near a mobile phone, friction may be created and scratches may occur on both the battery and the gadget. To preserve the appearance of your devices, you can simply place the Power Bank with your smartphone in different places so that they do not come into contact with each other. Or use special covers. For Xiaomi Mi Power Bank, manufacturers have produced a silicone case that protects the device from scratches. Its price is half the cost of the backup battery itself. If the type of battery is not very important to you, and you don’t want to spend extra money on cases, you can simply put children’s multi-colored silicone bracelets on the case, which are now sold in almost every store.

Conclusion

What can we say about Xiaomi Mi Power Bank, considering all the pros and cons? There are plenty of advantages and even more than that. And the disadvantages, even if there are any, seem so insignificant that no one pays attention to them.

Among the advantages can be noted:

Low cost of the goods;
practicality in use;
in some moments necessity and indispensability;
long service life of the device;
no additional costs required.

By purchasing a backup battery, the user will save himself from unnecessary worries associated with a dead phone and will be able to have constant access to the Internet and cellular communications. Your outdoor holiday won't be ruined because of a low-powered camera, and you'll always be able to capture joyful moments. Xiaomi Mi Power Bank is an indispensable companion for a modern person.

This is one of the most popular and in demand portable batteries on the Russian market. And in general in the world. Xiaomi managed to create an incredibly successful model for minimal money. Here's why you might like it too.

History of Xiaomi

Just a couple of years ago, only a few of us had heard of the Chinese company Xiaomi. In this short period of time, a hare in a hat with earflaps with a red star and a tie (the company’s symbol) burst into the mobile electronics market, coming close to such giants as Apple and Samsung.

The dizzying success story of the Asian Cinderella began with the release of MIUI firmware based on Android. The three postulates on which this firmware and its popularity were based were an intuitive interface, stability and visual appeal. During development, the Chinese did not reinvent the wheel, but simply borrowed some of the solutions from iOS. Success came instantly, and the company's management adopted successful tactics. By 2014, Xiaomi had earned the title of “Chinese Apple,” and its CEO Lei Jun was nothing less than the new Jobs.

You can read more about Xiaomi on the website. Currently, the company produces a wide range of devices, from smartphones, tablets, TV set-top boxes to headphones, sports cameras, fitness trackers and external batteries. It is the latter category of gadgets that will be discussed in this review.

Xiaomi offers us to choose one of three external batteries, the main differences of which are in battery capacity and dimensions; there are 3 options in total: 16,000 mAh, 10,400 mAh and 5,000 mAh. Today we will look at the middle version - Mi Power Bank 10 400.

Minimal design and maximum impact

The first thing that catches your eye is the presence protective mark with a unique 20-digit code. Quite a rare feature these days. The only company that comes to mind is SGP, which is also faced with a large number of counterfeits of its products. To verify the authenticity of the device, you must go to the website Chaxun.mi.com and enter the code located under the protective layer on the stamp.

Xiaomi did not become one of the market leaders for good reason. This company really makes very high quality things using in their products first-class components. For example, our “bank” uses battery cells manufactured by Samsung or LG. Both are recognized leaders in this field. Thanks to this choice, the purely theoretical efficiency of these batteries reaches 93%, that is, about 9,500 ampere-hours of actual capacity are available to the user.

Of course, in reality the result is a little more realistic. The indicator may vary slightly, as it also depends on the energy efficiency of the device being charged. Charging an iPhone requires less energy than a Chinese noname smartphone with a battery of similar capacity, since Apple's phone has a more advanced power consumption design. So, in the case of Apple technology, 10400 mAh from Xiaomi is approximately equal:

3.5 full iPhone 6 charges;
2 full charges iPhone 6+;
1.5 iPad mini charges.

The appearance of the device itself deserves special mention, because it is almost Apple style - no joke.

The body is made of polished aluminum, and the ends are covered with high-quality white plastic. True monolithic and pleasant to the touch unibody-a block, absolutely nothing extra. The first associations that appear in your head after meeting it in person are MacBook Pro. Similar tactile sensations and visual associations are complemented by LEDs, which, like in an Apple laptop, show the current battery charge when you press the power button.

Mi Powebank is pleasantly cold and weighs down the palm. The weight of the device is about 250 grams. Dimensions – 77 x 90.5 x 21.6 mm.

In addition to the power button and 4 LEDs, the device has 2 more connectors - a standard USB, through which other devices are charged, and a micro-USB, designed to charge the built-in batteries. The output current is 2.1 amperes. This value is sufficient for fast charging the absolute majority of representatives of the market of modern portable electronics.

Every day we need it more and more

Of all the variety presented on the external battery market, this particular model can be considered optimal choice. When choosing a portable battery, we often look for a leading device based on one of three parameters: price, size or capacity. And here the solution from Xiaomi is one of the best, if not the best.

At a low cost - just over 2,000 rubles - we have a compact device with sufficient capacity for the modern user who constantly carries several gadgets with him. We get a bonus beautiful appearance. Every time I pick up this device, I think that if Jony Ive made an external battery, it would look something like this. Only its capacity would be 10 times smaller for the sake of the thickness of the case;)

Finally coming out soon. With active use, they clearly won’t last even until the evening - and this fact does not seem to bother the target audience. This means that portable batteries are about to become even more in demand. We will charge our watches from them. We made it.

Returning to Mi Power Bank. The only disadvantage of this model is the presence of only one USB port. You won't be able to charge your iPhone and your brand new Apple watch at the same time. And the time to fully charge the battery, which is about 12 hours, could be shorter. And if the second problem is solved by using a more powerful charger, then the first problem can only be solved by purchasing a model with 16,000 ampere-hours. But this is a completely different, not the most compact story.

Today we received an external battery for charging phones and other gadgets produced by a popular Chinese brand today. Xiaomi PowerBank 10400 mAh. This model is the middle one in the line of their power banks - there is also a lightweight version for 5200 and 16000. If the younger brother is thinner in appearance, but longer, then the older one is slightly narrower, but much longer and heavier. Therefore, I purchased the 10400 model for personal use as the optimal ratio of price, size and capacity for everyday wear.

Equipment of the original Xiaomi Power Bank 10400 mAh

By the way, about gravity. We are accustomed to the fact that cheap Chinese batteries have a significantly lower capacity than indicated on the label. And the main signal for this is their light weight. For those who don’t remember, I already once ordered an extra battery for a Samsung phone and just fell for this trick.

The same story is possible with PowerBank from Xiaomi - of course, this is a serious brand and the original charger fully corresponds to the quality expected of it. However, there are many fakes on the market that can leave a less pleasant impression. Let's unpack and look at the original device and note those elements by which it can be distinguished from a fake.

In the official delivery we have the following equipment^

the battery itself
small flat micro USB cable
and instructions.

There is no power adapter, so you can use any 5V/2A adapter - the option from the same mobile phone will do.

How to distinguish an original Xiaomi Power Bank from a fake?

First of all, let's look at the packaging - on the side of the branded box there is a sticker with a hologram and a protective layer, under which there is a 16-digit verification code.

Using it on the website http://chaxun.mi.com you can check whether this device is original and how many times a check using this code was requested on the website.

Our copy turned out to be original.

The second accessory worth looking at is the charging cable. In the branded kit it is longer - 22 cm. Also, the fake often has an embossed image of the Xiaomi logo - it is not on the original.

Externally, the powerbank is a solid-body box made of durable gray anodized aluminum. The coating is rough and does not try to slip out of your hands, although the security of the battery is also high - according to the manufacturer, it can withstand weight up to 50 kg.

Overall it creates a very pleasant impression of a high-quality, reliable device. This can be said about all Xiaomi brand devices, which, despite their relatively low cost, have an imprint of “glamor” on them - with all the technical advantages, they are simply pleasant to look at or hold in your hands.

Hidden inside are 4 18650 capacitive batteries manufactured by LG.

At the same time, in the original device, the assembly of all parts is made so well that the side plastic edges do not play and nothing rattles inside. On the main side panel we have all the indicators and controls. This:

power button
4 LEDs - battery full indicators
micro USB connector - for replenishing energy reserves on the most portable charger
and regular USB for charging devices.

Here you can notice another difference with the fake - on the latter, all the elements are made less carefully.

The power button is only needed to check the remaining capacity of the power bank - it is signaled by LEDs. When you connect your phone to charge, the device turns on automatically.

Another way to check for lice is to connect the battery to itself - from micro USB to large USB. The fake will begin to charge itself, but the original will not.

And finally, let's look at the opposite side, where technical information about the PowerBank is printed - on the fake one the print is brighter.

How long does the charge last?

We could check how many times this portable charger can be used on two devices - Apple iPhone 5S and iPad Mini. On an iPhone with less than 20% discharge, it lasted 6 times, with the average time ranging from 50 minutes to an hour. The iPad can be charged 2 times - both in just over an hour.

It is also worth noting an interesting thing here - despite the fact that the battery capacity is stated in large print as 10400 mAh, this value refers to the case if the output voltage was 3.6 Volts. But the standard voltage on the USB connector is 5 Volts, resulting in

the actual volume is almost halved to 6650 mAh.

Moreover, all this is absolutely honest, but unobtrusively indicated by the manufacturer in small print on the sticker. Can you imagine how small the volume of a 5200mAh charger really is?..?

As an additional accessory for the Xiaomi external battery, you can purchase a silicone case, which is produced in several colors. It will not only give a bright appearance, but also protect the phone and other objects from scratches that can be caused by the sharp edges of the PowerBank.

That's all - buy, the main thing is to carefully inspect the battery before purchasing and read reviews about the seller. Good luck!

Just as a full breakfast allows us to start a new energetic day, the Xiaomi Power Bank will help charge your smartphone with energy. The same 10400 mAh, but the charging speed has noticeably increased. From commuting to work to long trips, the Xiaomi Power Bank external battery can become your constant companion.
The one-piece metal body, made using anodizing technology, not only has a more durable structure, but also becomes more wear-resistant; In addition, it also has anti-corrosion and anti-fog properties. Sandblasting and rounded edges of the case make it more ergonomic and pleasant to the touch than the first generation Xiaomi Mi Power Bank.

The Xiaomi Power Bank uses an original lithium polymer battery from ATL. The advanced chipset not only makes the charger safer, but also, complemented by high-precision RC sensors, significantly improves efficiency and stability.

By double tapping the power button, you can turn on a two-hour charging mode at a minimum current, with which you can charge wireless Bluetooth headphones or a Xiaomi bracelet. You no longer have to worry about how to charge small gadgets with minimal current.

In manufacturing, electrical battery charging/discharging microcircuits from Texas Instruments and Zimi are used, which are not only provided with nine types of short circuit protection, but also, in general, significantly increase the performance of the charger.

Specifications

Capacity: 10400mAh/3.6V
Input power: 5.0V/2.0A
Output power: 5.1V/2.1A
Battery type: Li-ion
Dimensions: 77 x 90.5 x 21.6 mm
Weight: 250 g

As a general rule, when purchasing a portable battery for your mobile device, experts advise avoiding cheap models, especially those whose specifications seem too good to match the price they sell for. But from time to time, products appear that disprove this rule. An example of this is the 10400 Power Bank.

Inexpensive and powerful

Like smartphones from Xiaomi (and not only), the price of the device is much cheaper than similar offerings from competitors. In comparison, a branded 10,000mAh battery typically costs around $100. How much will a Xiaomi Power Bank with 10400 mAh cost? Only $13.99.

Of course, there are other available and powerful energy banks. Taobao regulars will confirm that inexpensive external batteries abound in the Chinese online market (for example, Romoss), but their delivery and warranty can be problematic.

So, is the Xiaomi Mi 10400 Power Bank worth the money?

Design overview

The following can be said about the design of the energy bank, in addition to the fact that the $14 product looks and is put together very well. The main body is CNC-cut from a single piece of aluminum and anodized to give it a slightly textured surface for added grip. Xiaomi claims that the coating is not damaged by water, does not corrode, and can withstand a load weighing 50 kg (although users are not advised to check this). The surface has also passed the 300-time abrasion test. The metal case allows you to quickly get rid of excess heat, which extends the battery life.

The only plastic parts of the Xiaomi Mi 10400 Power Bank are the top and bottom ends of the device. At one end there is a standard USB port for output, a Micro-USB connector for input, 4 LEDs and a round capacitance test button. Specifications and regulatory symbols are printed on the other end. Xiaomi representatives are confident that the buttons and ports are self-explanatory, so they didn’t even bother to label them.

There is no need for a power switch as the battery activates automatically and charges the device when it is connected using a USB cable. The purpose of the capacity check button is to turn on LED indicators that will tell you how much charge is left. In short, each indicator corresponds to 25% charge. When the battery is fully charged, all LEDs light up and do not blink. The brightness of the indicators is sufficient - not too bright to be blinding at night, and not too dark to be invisible in bright light.

Contents of delivery

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400 Silver is sold together with a white Micro-USB flat cable 16 cm long and a user manual. Considering that the device being charged shouldn't be too far away, this is one of the few cases where such a short length makes sense. Users like the flat cable because the shape prevents it from getting tangled easily. not included.

Reliability and durability

Some more technical data. According to Xiaomi, the device's Micro-USB port can withstand 5,000 cycles of use, and the larger USB connector is designed for 1,500. Xiaomi even presented electrostatic discharge test results: 8 kV for contact and 12 kV for air. It is obvious that the manufacturer is trying to do everything possible to assure potential buyers that the Xiaomi Mi 10400 Power Bank is a quality product, despite its low cost. In fact, the above data is not all. The device has been tested in conditions of low and high temperatures, high humidity, temperature fluctuations and in a salt chamber.

The company claims that the portable battery comes with 9 levels of protection. These include a mechanism for controlling heating temperature, input and output voltage and current, preventing short circuits, overcharging or discharging, and the ability to reboot in unstable external conditions.

Performance

The model comes with a lithium-ion battery manufactured by LG or Samsung with a capacity of 10.4 Ah, which at a voltage of 3.6 V corresponds to 37.44 Wh. As follows from the experts' explanations, due to the loss of power during voltage conversion and circuit resistance, the number of recharges that the energy bank provides is not determined by simply dividing 10,400 mAh by the battery capacity of the device being charged. According to Xiaomi, the Mi Power Bank 10400 mAh allows you to charge the iPhone 5s 4.5 times, Mi 3 2.5 times, and the iPad Mini tablet 1.5 times. According to user reviews, these numbers seem to be quite accurate, as they were able to charge the iPhone 5s, which has a 1560 mAh battery, four times and still had some charge left.

Thus, the efficiency of the device is about 93%, which gives a net 7000 mAh. This is much more than what most power banks sold in the market offer.

Charging speed

Additionally, owners are very pleased with the power bank's input and output current strength. To be precise, the device is capable of outputting up to 2.1A, which is great for tablets and smartphones that can take more than the standard 1A. Even the charging input port is rated for currents up to 2A. This is surprising for such a cheap power bank. because there are many expensive batteries on the market that are not capable of taking more than one and a half amperes. In other words, Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400 mAh charges quite quickly. According to the manufacturer, this takes about 5.5 hours using a two-amp adapter or about 10 hours with a 1 A adapter.

The device is capable of charging and charging at the same time. Few power banks offer this feature, and it is necessary when the number of available outlets is limited - for example, when traveling.

What is inside?

Users who could not come to terms with the fact that a high-quality external battery could cost so little were able to verify this by looking at what was inside it. The device consists of four batteries manufactured by LG, each of which has a capacity of 2600 mAh, for a total of 10400 mAh. According to the manufacturing company, the energy bank uses Texas Instruments controllers. Indeed, the external battery is controlled by a TI BQ24195 chip. The circuit also uses an 8-bit microcontroller from South Korea, ABOV.

Advantages and disadvantages

So is it possible to recommend the Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400 external battery? Absolutely yes. And not just because it's cheap - the energy bank is inexpensive and does its job well. For a battery with a capacity of 10.4 Ah, it is compact, provides an output current of 2.1 A, can be quickly charged at two amps, and the components used look convincing.

Does the device have any disadvantages? If we nitpick the little things, we can say that for an external battery of such a high capacity it is strange to have only one output. This means that it is not possible to charge more than one device at the same time. Again, you can always buy another portable power bank and connect it with a rubber band - you get two ports and a 20,800 mAh bank for only $28! Secondly, the package does not include a power adapter, which can be a problem if you don't have extra. Lastly, iOS users will have to find their own Lightning cable.

Finally, if for some reason 10400 mAh seems too much, then you can purchase an external battery from the same manufacturer with a capacity of 5200 mAh. It's smaller and appears to have similar components, except the number of batteries is reduced to two and the output can only be 1.5A.