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I used to be a seller of various phone accessories and among the ones that people buy are powerbanks, chargers and cables. So many types of these products I have tested and understood about their pros and cons. It's just that lately I haven't been keeping up with the latest trends in accessories on the market, especially power banks.
This is because I rarely use a powerbank after using more than two devices. Every time my iPhone runs out of battery I will charge it with the charger and use Nothing anyway, then if it runs out of battery again I will turn on the OnePlus because each of these devices already has WhatsApp with the linked device to make it easier for me. But I started to change this habit after using Shargeek 100, a powerful powerbank worth RM1099.
SPECIFICATION AND DESIGN
Shargeek 100 (Storm²)
Battery Capacity 25,600mAh
93.5Wh
2x USB-C Connection Ports
1x USB-A
1x DC
USB-C1 Charging Standards: PD, PPS, QC4
USB-C2: PD, PPS, Apple 2.4A, QC2.0/3.0/4+, AFC, FCP, SCP, MTK-PE
USB-A: Apple 2.4A, QC2.0/3.0, AFC, FCP, SCP, MTK-PE
USB-C1 Input Power: 5V/9V/12V/15V⎓3A, 20V⎓5A
DC：5~24V⎓3A
USB-C1 Output Power: 5V/9V/12V/15V⎓3A; 20V ⎓5A; 3~21V⎓5A
USB-C2：5V/9V⎓3A, 12V⎓2.5A, 15V⎓2A, 3.3~11V⎓3A, 3.3~16V⎓2A
USB-A: 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓2A, 12V⎓1.5A
USB-C2+USB-A: Max 30W
USB-C1/DC+USB-C2+USB-A: Max 65W+30W / Max 75.6W+30W
DC (adjustable)：3.3~25.2V⎓3A
Screen Available
Features Temperature check system, charging status display, timer
Transparent design
Airplane Friendly Yes
Selling Price RM 1,099
Shargeek 100 or the previous name is Storm² is a powerbank with a transparent design that is mostly made of plastic. It features internal components including all chips and Li-ion batteries neatly arranged, neat solder and smudge-free glues. It's what I imagine if Nothing came with its own powerbank after Power (1) was cancelled, just no Glyph lighting system.
Even so, the Shargeek 100 has a small color IPS screen that can display not only the battery status but the charging process, power coming in and out, powerbank temperature, as well as a setting system to control the DC power and screen time. The 25,600mAh battery capacity used is also aircraft-friendly. According to the guidelines the powerbank size limit allowed at this time is 100 Wh/ 27,000 mAh.
Making this powerbank my favorite accessory is the support of various fast charging standards such as Power Delivery PPS, Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging, MediaTek Pump Express, Huawei SuperCharging Protocol and Qualcomm Quick Charge up to version 4.0+.
USAGE EXPERIENCE
During the SXSW event in Australia last October, I brought this powerbank and it made it easy for me to charge my iPhone 13 Pro, Tecno Phantom V Flip, Apple Watch Ultra and was also able to charge my Huawei Matebook 14s laptop easily and quickly. This powerbank is equipped with 1x DC port, 1x USB-A port and 2x USB-C ports that each have different charging standards giving me the flexibility to charge different types of devices simultaneously.
I really like this color IPS screen because it is able to display information that I have never paid attention to but now benefits me. Each displayed information is a new knowledge that I learned such as the charging power coming in and out, proving the charging power that the device manufacturer claims is supported on their device or even the battery temperature when charging a device.
This screen is also not just a screen because it can be controlled by me to change the format of temperature, DC power or the time the screen is on and at the same time can also see the battery status in more detail. I feel this is the most advanced powerbank I have ever used with the most interesting design and most importantly looks cool.
My main issue with this powerbank is firstly that it does not support the SuperVOOC charging standard for OnePlus or Oppo devices. Then the irregular arrangement of connection ports makes my eyes sore and makes it difficult to connect to thick cables. Usually powerbanks or chargers have horizontal or vertical port layouts to make it easy to connect many cables at once.
I also experienced another serious problem, which is the weight of this powerbank which reaches more than half a kilogram, which is 591.3 grams. Despite having used a comfortable bag, when the Shargeek 100 was in the bag I could feel its heavy weight. The heaviest powerbank I have used before is the Xiaomi 10000 mAh Mi Wireless Power Bank which costs around 10 times cheaper.
Lastly is the same problem I experienced on Nothing Ear (1), (stick) and (2) where this transparent plastic easily scratches and catches fingerprints. Although Shargeek has provided a fabric storage bag with every purchase, scratches still occur due to rubbing with cables.
WHAT ELSE CHARGE IS THERE?
If you are wondering whether or not there are other powerbank alternatives that have more or less the same features but at a more affordable price? The answer is, yes! Sharge Capsule Gravity which costs RM299. It is not just a normal powerbank with a transparent design but can also be a digital hourglass with a gravity sensor, can be a timer, pomodoro and compact size.
Already using this brand's powerbank, I also replaced the UGREEN 100W GaN charger that I tested before to the Sharge 100W Pro GaN which is also priced at RM299. It uses a thin, not so thick design, has 3x USB-C ports + 1x USB-A port and has a heating control system and supports PD PPS fast charging.
I use this charger together with the UGREEN cable as well as Sharge's own cable which each supports 100W charging. What I like about it is the flat two-pin power plug that can be folded up for easy storage and easily connects to other countries' plug adapters.
Last but not least is the Retro 35W GaN Charger which is cute and looks like an old Mac. This smiley "screen" is a sticker that can be changed with various other themes and the color that lights up changes according to the rate of charging such as slow red, normal yellow, green and fast blue. This charger costs RM199 and it's a unique accessory that just beautifies my desk.
CONCLUSION
After checking for my bank, I realized this was not a powerbank I could own. I'm very lucky that my job allows me to test various interesting gadgets like this. After years of trading various types of powerbanks and not using them for a long time, I realized that this Shargeek 100 is a charming powerbank specifically for the aristocracy only.
If you don't care about battery temperature information, charging power out and in or charging status this powerbank is not for you. This is because RM1,099 is not a small value and there are other powerbanks that can perform the same charging function with the same battery capacity at a price maybe 50% cheaper.
PRO
Unique and charming design.
A screen that helps tech enthusiasts.
Supports many fast charging standards.
Easy to use with one click on a tactile button.
CONS
The transparent plastic construction material scratches easily and catches fingerprints.
Quite heavy, more than 500 grams per unit.
Fibrous charging port layout.
The price is too expensive for a powerbank.