Hidden among the more glamorous products on show at CES 2015 was a very interesting twist on the humble battery pack.
The ‘ASAP Charger’ is a external battery pack which manufacturer ibattz claims is capable of fully recharging an iPhone 6 in just 15 minutes, thanks in part to its 20 volt 2 amp output. For comparison, a standard charger has a 5V 1A output, and Apple’s high-powered iPad charger has a 5V 2A output.
The charger also takes advantage of the quick charge ability of the latest iPhone, which is not accessible with a standard iPhone charger.
Technical details of the iPhone 6 charger
Some critics are reserving judgment on the viability of such a battery pack given that technical details are sparse. Manufacturer ibattz is keeping its cards close to its chest because the battery pack won’t be released for another few months, and it presumably wants to maintain its edge over the competition, or maybe even file some patents.
The company did however inform CES attendees that two sizes of the ASAP Charger will be made available, 5,600 mAh and 11,200 mAh. Prices have not yet been confirmed. Both versions will be able to charge an iPhone 6 battery various times before needing to be recharged.
No claims were made as to the fast charging time of an iPhone 6 Plus, but the larger model already boasts longer battery life than its smaller sibling.
A potentially revolutionary product
Although ibattz is a reputable company with a strong track record in its field, Gordon Kelly of Forbes advises consumers to wait for reviews and test results before making their purchase. He also points out that early adopters run the risk of reducing their battery life if they consistently use intensive fast charging packs.
Despite fears over the long-term effects, quick charging is becoming increasingly common. The Qualcomm QCOM -0.68% Snapdragon chipsets contain built-in ‘Quick Charge’ technology, and electric vehicles can now be recharged at rapid charge points developed by Tesla and BMW.
Cynicism of the ASAP Charger may arise from the fact that a smaller company such as ibattz has seemingly beaten industry giants like Apple and Samsung in the race to develop fast chargers for smartphones. If tests show that their claims are true then the company could be looking at a hugely profitable product.
