Can damage your smartphone: Typical signs your power bank is fake

Check authenticity using security code

Companies like Xiaomi, Anker, and Baseus add security codes to their accessories so that buyers can verify the authenticity of the product. Often, it's a QR code hidden under a scratch-off layer.

However, be cautious - some counterfeit devices have fake QR codes that lead to fake websites that look identical to the official ones but with a different address.

Also, keep in mind that not all products have such codes. For instance, Anker clarifies that these are used only for products intended for sale in physical stores.

Check authenticity using a security code (photo: Android Police)

Low-quality packaging and materials

If you buy an external battery and it comes in a clear plastic bag - it's most likely not an original product. This often happens when ordering from Chinese marketplaces like AliExpress.

Some fakes try to copy the branded packaging and design, but more often than not, they're far from the original: poor print quality, blurry images, no instructions or included accessories - all these are red flags.

Fake appearance

Fake power banks can closely resemble the original, and it may take an experienced eye to tell the difference. A few years ago, Xiaomi released a video warning about this issue. You can spot a fake by the logo placement, the quality of the inscriptions, and the specifications on the casing. Even the power button and LEDs on a fake can look different.

Exaggerated specifications and misleading features

Scammers often exaggerate power ratings. For example, a 20-watt power bank may be advertised as a 120-watt device. They might also put Fast Charging logos without indicating which standards are supported.

High-power power banks with an output over 100 watts do exist, but they're usually expensive, big, and made by well-known brands. If you see a "portable battery" rated at 120 watts for $18 - it's almost certainly a scam.

It's hard to accurately determine the power capabilities even if you have the device. If your phone charges more slowly than from a regular wall adapter, that's a red flag. A more precise way is to use a USB tester or a cable with a built-in power meter.

Beware of inflated numbers (photo: Android Police)

Exaggerated capacity

Battery capacity is a key characteristic. The higher the number, the more energy it can store. Most modern power banks use lithium-ion tech, and the capacity is directly linked to the size of the device.

A power bank the size of a smartphone typically holds about 10,000 mAh. If someone offers you a 500,000 mAh model that fits in your palm - that's 100% fake. Also pay attention to the weight: real batteries contain metal (such as aluminum and copper) and are quite heavy. If the device feels light and seems hollow inside - something fishy could be going on.

Exaggerated capacity (photo: Android Police)

Power banks don't deliver 100% of their energy

Even branded devices don't deliver all the stated energy. For example, a 10,000 mAh power bank won't be able to fully charge a 5,000 mAh smartphone twice. At most - one and a half times.

That doesn't mean the device is bad - there are losses during voltage conversion: first, the power bank converts its internal 3.7V to 5-20V, then the phone lowers this voltage for its battery. Energy losses happen at every stage, and this applies to absolutely all models, regardless of the brand.

Read also about the 'power bank killer' that can charge your phone in seconds.