The new USB Type-C power supply from Anker has just come on the market and has been launched today here at Amazon available. The manufacturer had provided me with a sample for testing in advance. I have taken it with all of my Apple devices and can give you a small review of the PowerPort III mini with the new PowerIQ 3.0 charging technology at the market launch.
Chapter in this post:
- 1 form factor: small and fine
- 2 Technical data of the PowerPort III mini
- 3 My charging tests
- 4 Charging the iPhone XS
- 5 Charging the iPad Pro 10,5 inch (2017)
- 6 Charging the MacBook (12 inch)
- 7 Charging the 15-inch MacBook Pro (2017)
- 8 My conclusion: small, versatile and powerful
- 9 purchase option
- 10 Similar posts
Form factor: small and fine
The Anker PowerPort III mini is - as you can easily see from the photos - a plug-in power supply that is equipped with a USB-C port. This makes it suitable as a charger for all iOS devices and MacBooks that have such a charging port.
In terms of size, it is roughly the same as the power adapter that Apple has included with the iPad for years, but the corners are a bit more rounded and the surface is matte, which doesn't detract from the look. It actually looks pretty good from my point of view.
On the front, above the USB-C socket, there is a ring-shaped LED display that uses a blue light to indicate when the USB-C power supply is being supplied with power. The LED does not provide any information about the charging status of the connected device.
Technical data of the PowerPort III mini
- Model: A2615
- Type: USB plug-in power supply (with USB-C socket)
- Dimensions: 51 x 44 x 28 mm
- Charging technology: PowerIQ 3.0
- USB Power Delivery compatible: yes
- Input: 100 - 240 V / 1,2 A (50-60 Hz)
- Maximum power: 30 watts
- Output Power:
- 5 volts / 2,4 Ampere
- 9 volts / 3,0 amps
- 15 volts / 2,0 amps
- 20 volts / 1,5 amps
- 18 months manufacturer warranty
- RRP: EUR 29,99
My charging tests
In order to put the Anker USB-C power supply unit to the test, I tried it out with several devices and measured the amount of power that goes through the cable. For the measurements I have one Satechi USB-C multimeter used and partly also the values in the CoconutBattery app watched.
Both my iPad Pro and iPhone XS support charging with USB Power Delivery. This enables charging with a higher voltage, which results in a shorter charging time. The values that I mention below for the iPad and iPhone will probably not be achieved with older iPhones or iPads that do not support USB-PD.
Charging the iPhone XS
I ran my iPhone XS down to below 20% battery level for the test. Then it was about 30 minutes Anker USB-C to Lightning cable loaded. During this time it was charged with approx. 8,9 volts and 1,6 amps for most of the time, which corresponds to an output of approx. 14 watts. In the 30 minutes the battery level rose by a good 50 percentage points from 16% to 66%. This is a normal value that I also achieve when charging with more powerful USB-C power supplies.
Charging the iPad Pro 10,5 inch (2017)
If you charge the iPad Pro with USB-PD, the Anker power supply unit already selects a charging voltage of 14,8 volts and supplies the iPad with approx. 1,3 amps. The amperage changes constantly - depending on the charge level, the temperature and other factors - but the rough average output with the PowerPort III mini was around 19 watts.
As a test, I (that's an unfair comparison - I know) also charged with the Apple iPad charger (only 10 watts!) That came with it and got values of 5,2 volts and 1,9 amps, which is roughly 9,9 Corresponds to watts. As you can see: with the same size Anker power supply unit, the iPad charges about twice as fast - just because it supports USB-PD.
Charging the MacBook (12 inch)
With the small 12 inch MacBook, the USB-C power supply from Anker is already at its performance limit, but it fulfills exactly the specifications that the MacBook expects, because the original Apple power supply also offers 30 watts of power.
Charging the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2017)
With the 15-inch MacBook Pro, Apple includes an 84-watt power adapter. It is clear that the Anker PowerPort III mini cannot keep up here with 30 watts of power. Nevertheless, I tried out what happens when I connect the power supply. Of course, it ramps up to maximum power and charges the MacBook Pro at 30 watts (19,8 V and 1,43 A). In practice, this is not enough for me to charge the battery during operation. The display in the menu bar also indicates “Battery is not being charged”.
For comparison: The original charger from Apple (with 84 watts) charges my MacBook Pro while working with 19,4 volts and approx. 2,6 amps (approx. 50 watts). The Anker device is not intended for this performance.
Nevertheless, I did the test and plugged the MacBook Pro into the Anker PowerPort III mini while it was idle (not switched off!). After 30 minutes of charging, the Anker charger actually managed to increase the battery level from 38% to 57%. That is a value that I honestly did not expect. But it shows that you can also use the Anker PowerPort III mini to temporarily supply your MacBook Pro with power.
Other interesting blog posts:
- Nintendo Switch battery empty: battery cases and power banks
- Mac App Fermata suspends MacBook sleep when it is closed
- My favorite photos that I took with the iPhone XS - #shotoniphonexs
- Cheap USB-C hubs cause Bluetooth and WiFi problems on the MacBook Pro
My conclusion: small, versatile and powerful
The new USB-C charger from Anker is particularly impressive due to its small design and versatility. Do you have a USB-C toUSB-C cable and a USB-C-to-Lightning cable in your luggage, you can use the small PowerPort III mini to charge practically everything from iPhones and iPads to all MacBook models. With the pack size, it deserves a place in the emergency bag, in which I put everything that I need on the go - if I have to go at short notice.
With an output of 30 watts, it is the better alternative to the iPad and MacBook (12 inch) charger from Apple. If you are looking for a replacement that covers both devices, the Anker PowerPort III mini is the best choice.
Only the owners of a MacBook Pro should perhaps wait until Anker brings the next larger USB-C charger onto the market. According to the marketing department, this should only take a few weeks. I will then receive a test device again and will write my opinion on the device to you as soon as possible.
Purchase option
As always, you can find the device either via this link here or via the product box displayed here on Amazon.
- HIGH-SPEED UNIVERSAL: From iPhone to Samsung to USB-C laptops and more. Anker's world famous PowerIQ 3.0 ...
- ONE FOR ALL: Compatible with all your USB devices! Rely on 30W Performance with PowerIQ 3.0!
- EXTREMELY COMPACT: 30% smaller than ordinary MacBook chargers - great for on the go!
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Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He acts as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with technical problems. In his spare time he rides electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with the iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions to current bugs.
The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de
I'll buy it, thanks! Can you recommend a cable for it?
Hello Irina! I think I would go with the white Anker USB-C to Lightning charging cable: Anchor PowerLine II with 1,8m. I think you want the charging cable for an iPad or iPhone, right?