In the test: Anker USB-C charger PowerPort III mini with PowerIQ 3.0

Photo of the Anker PowerPort III mini

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.

The PowerPort III mini from Anker is a small but powerful USB-C charger for iOS devices and MacBooks (Photos: Sir Apfelot).
The PowerPort III mini from Anker is a small but powerful USB-C charger for iOS devices and MacBooks (Photos: Sir Apfelot).

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.

On the front of the plug-in power supply, there is a ring-shaped LED next to the USB Type-C socket, which indicates whether the device is being supplied with power.
On the front of the plug-in power supply, there is a ring-shaped LED next to the USB Type-C socket, which indicates whether the device is being supplied with power.

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
The "Specs" of the Anker USB-C charger can be found printed on the bottom.
The "Specs" of the Anker USB-C charger can be found printed on the bottom.

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.

I supplied my iPhone XS with power with the Anker USB-C to Lightning charging cable.
I supplied my iPhone XS with power with the Anker USB-C to Lightning charging cable. Most of the time it was charged with 1,6 amps, but briefly higher currents also flowed - sometimes up to over 2 amps.

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.

The iPad Pro charges more than twice as fast with the Anker USB-C power supply (compared to the Apple power supply with only 10 watts).
The iPad Pro charges more than twice as fast with the Anker USB-C power supply (compared to the Apple power supply with only 10 watts).

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.

The PowerPort III mini is actually made for the 12-inch MacBook. With 30 watts, it covers exactly the power that the Apple power supply unit delivers.
The PowerPort III mini is actually made for the 12-inch MacBook. With 30 watts, it covers exactly the power that the Apple power supply unit delivers.

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.

The Anker PowerPort III mini does not provide enough power to charge a MacBook Pro 15 inch while working. However, if you send the MacBook Pro to sleep, you gain around 20 percentage points of battery in 30 minutes, which is enough to refill your MBP in between during work breaks or overnight.
The Anker PowerPort III mini does not provide enough power to charge a MacBook Pro 15 inch while working. However, if you send the MacBook Pro to sleep, you gain around 20 percentage points of battery in 30 minutes, which is enough to refill your MBP in between during work breaks or overnight.

 

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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.

In a direct comparison you can see that the Anker PowerPower III mini is only slightly larger than the Apple iPad power supply. Still, it offers three times the power to charge devices.
In a direct comparison you can see that the Anker PowerPower III mini is only slightly larger than the Apple iPad power supply. Still, it offers three times the power to charge devices.

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.

Anker USB C charger PowerPort III Mini 30W Power IQ 3.0 compact Power Delivery Type-C charger ...
  • 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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The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de

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In the Sir Apfelot Blog you will find advice, instructions and reviews on Apple products such as the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, iMac, Mac Pro, Mac Mini and Mac Studio.