A smarter, safer power bank? This 25W magnetic iPhone charger is worth a closer look

At first glance, the brand new Kuxiu S4 magnetic power bank might seem attractive because of its bright orange color. If not that, then it's Qi2.2 25W charging power, color display, or its integrated kickstand. But one of its most interesting features is the semi-solid-state cell technology hidden inside, which makes this battery much safer than traditional lithium-ion ones.

The S4 power bank’s 10,000mAh capacity means it should be good to keep one or more phones topped off throughout a full-day outing. I’ve been testing iPhone accessories, power banks, and other tech gadgets for over a decade. For me, the S4 power bank hits a sweet spot with a simple design but extended functionality. In my tests, it’s been a great backup battery.

Safety is one of the highlights

It’s hard to get excited about safety when it comes to consumer electronics. In this case, it is worth highlighting that the S4 is a semi-solid-state battery. That means that it’s less susceptible to fire and other safety risks from punctures or drops.

I’ve seen demos of full solid-state batteries continue to keep working after a nail is driven through the middle of it. The S4 should be safer than more traditional lithium-ion power banks. If you’re in a high-risk job or worry about safety with batteries, then this one has a slight advantage.

The smart display and kickstand make this power bank a winner

The flashiest part of the S4 power bank is its color display on the back. And, for better or worse, that smart display has a mind of its own. There are three circle icons on screen at any one time to show off any combination of information for wireless charging power, battery health, temperature, wired charging power, and battery alerts.

But since there are more bits of information than there is viewing space, that means not all are shown at once. The battery will cycle through the various ones and show them when they’re relevant.

The nice thing is that you don’t need to manage this aspect. But you’ll also need to wait to see certain things if they aren’t currently shown. I (almost) never care about seeing the temperature stat, especially because it’s listed in Celsius. Still, the power draw and battery level are very handy to see in number form, as well as with a visual line.

The sleek, integrated kickstand is also worth celebrating. It takes up almost no space, so it doesn’t compromise anything about using the power bank. It also makes sense to have a stand on a battery because you might be watching videos while charging.

If you have a newer iPhone, the S4 will wirelessly charge it with up to 25 watts of power. The USB-C port on the bottom can also be used to charge a device with a wire at up to 30 watts. In a pinch, it could easily add power to headphones, an iPad, or even a Mac.

Is the Kuxiu S4 10K power bank worth buying?

The Kuxiu S4 Qi2.2 25W 10K power bank is a very complete and compelling product. It has sufficient battery capacity to get through a long day. It has the convenience of an integrated kickstand for watching movies. Even though it isn’t petite, coming in at 214 grams, the S4 is relatively thin and lightweight compared to other 10K magnetic power banks.

One of the reasons I like the Kuxiu S4 compared to some other power banks is its minimal design. Even with the kickstand and display, it’s a simple product without a lot of complications. It has just enough functionality to be extra useful while traveling.

The $90 retail price is higher than some competing options, but the added safety aspect is one of the reasons for a higher price. The S4 is available now in black or orange colors.