There are already Qi-based wireless chargers on the market that include a built-in battery pack for wire-free charging on the go, but the upcoming WiBa Power Bank from accessory maker Avido goes one step further by offering wireless iPhone charging and wireless charging for the power bank itself.
The WiBa Power Bank features a 5,000mAh battery that can be used to charge an iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, or other Qi-compatible smartphone or device. It uses Qi wireless charging, so you don't need to connect it to your iPhone with a Lightning cable.
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Two slim metal plates attach to the back or the case of the iPhone to make sure that it stays magnetically attached to the Power Bank when charging, and there's a built-in USB port if you need to charge non-wireless devices.
To charge the WiBa Power Bank, there's an included Charging Dock that looks identical to the Power Bank. Place the Power Bank on the Charging Dock and it too will charge up wirelessly with no need for a micro-USB cable. The Charging Dock itself will need to be plugged in to the wall, though. Conveniently, the Charging Dock can charge the Power Bank or any other Qi-enabled device, so it can be used for direct iPhone charging, too.
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You can put an iPhone on the Power Bank and the Power Bank on its Charging Dock to charge everything all at once, with the charged up Power Bank then available for use when outside the home. When traveling, if you don't want to bring the Charging Dock, a USB-C cable can also be used to charge the Power Bank directly.
Avido says the WiBa Charging Dock is "Fast Charge compatible," but it's not clear if that means it works with the faster 7.5W charging in the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, and there's no explicit mention of these devices, so it may only charge at the standard 5 watts.
The WiBa Wireless Power Bank will cost $99.95 when it launches later this year.
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