(Last Updated On: January 10, 2019)

One of fast charging technology that is growing rapidly is Power Delivery charging as it’s used with the USB-C standard. Which is a port that many portable devices are now using, such as nearly all new Android smartphones, and even the new iPad Pro 11 that was released in 2018 is using a USB-C port.

Could this mean that the next iPhone could be using a USB-C port? Maybe, guess what? Even though the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and onwards still use a lightning port, they’re all Power Delivery compatible.

In this review, we’re going to be covering two Mophie Power Delivery portable chargers. One is called the Powerstation PD and the other is the Powerstation PD XL.

Power

Power Capacity:

One of the surprising parts of the Powerstation PD is that it has a 6,700mAh power capacity. When it comes to Power Delivery portable chargers in general, most of them have a 10,000mAh power capacity and beyond.

For the Powerstation PD to have an even lower capacity is actually quite cool, but alas, you’ll fair about one full charge for a smartphone with a 3,000mah battery. With maybe a little bit more to spare with modern smartphones these days.

The Powerstation PD XL has a 10,050mAh power capacity, and so it’s more with the standard with what Power Delivery would start with. With 10,050mAh you’re able to charge most smartphones to full power about two times.

Output Charging:

Charging from both the Powerstation PD and Powerstation PD XL are exactly the same.

Both of the power banks have a USB-C port and a USB-A port.

The USB-C port on either of the power banks has an 18W charging speed, while the USB-A port has a 12W (5V/2.4A) charging speed.

An 18W Power Delivery charging speed is mostly meant for fast charging Power Delivery compatible smartphones. Such as Andriod phones like the Galaxy S8, Note 9, other Samsung Galaxy phones, the Google Pixel 2, and Pixel 3, and also the iPhone X and XS Max.

In order to fast charge the iPhones with a USB-C port, you have to use a USB-C to Lightning cable.

The unfortunate, thing when it comes to Apple is that they don’t include a Lightning to USB-C cable with the iPhone, so you have to purchase it separately, even though you already spent near $1,000 on your device.

However, both the Powerstation PD and the PD XL come with a USB-C to USB-C cable to charge USB-C Android smartphones and other USB-C chargeable devices, too.

Input Charging:

To recharge the power bank you have to use the USB-C port, and you can use either use a regular USB-A wall charger or a USB-C wall charger to recharge it.

Using a USB-C wall charger with 15W (5V/3.0A) of power or higher is going to result in the fastest recharging speed for this power bank.

Design

Size and Weight:

 

Of course, the size of the 6,700mAh Power station PD is going to be smaller with its use of lower power capacity. As it has a length of 3.7 inches, a width of 2.1 inches and a thickness of 0.8 inches.

The weight of the model is 5.2 Ounces. You can take it anywhere without any problems.

While the Powerstation PD XL has an item that infers that it’s bigger, it’s barely any larger than the regular one.

As the PD XL has a length of 4.2 inches, the width of 2.3 inches and a thickness of 0.8 inches. The weight of the XL model is 7.2 Ounces. It’s going to feel practically the same in terms of portability.

Functional Components:

Just like any other standard power bank, these chargers have two of its ports on the same side. On the long length side, the power bank has a power button and four White power indicators.

Build

Structure and Material:

The build quality of the two models is nothing special as they’re both made of plastic. However, each of the power banks has a dotted pattern on each side and that makes for a better grip for when you’re holding onto them.

Tech:

On the tech side, either of the two ports power banks doesn’t really overheat. If you’re fast charging with the USB-C port and using the USB-A port at the same time, then the power banks might get a little warm, though.

Reliability

Okay, so this is probably the most important part, the even though the Mophie Powerstation PD and PD XL are great Power Delivery portable chargers for smartphones, the truth is that they’re way too overpriced.

Just check out the price for the Powerstation PD and the also for the PD XL Model.

You can get the same priced power banks that have high power capacities and even more Power Delivery charging power that’s within the 30W range or higher.

Summary:

Power:

The power capacity for either of the two models, are similar and made for smartphones. The USB-C Power Delivery charging is also made for phones as its 18W.

Design:

Both of the power banks are small enough to place into a pocket.

Build:

The build quality of the charger is okay, but they’re made of plastic, but they have a dotted texture that makes gripping them easy.

Reliability:

Even though these Mophie power banks feature Power Delivery, there’s really no sense in pricing them the way they are. It’s ridiculous as you can get high capacity and more powerful Power Delivery charging power banks from other brands.

That are just as reliable.

Specs of the Mophie Powerstation PD XL 10,000mAh:

• Power Capacity:

Initial Capacity: 6,700mAh | 10,000mAh

Output Capacity: 4,000mAh | 6,000mAh

• Output:

USB-C Power Delivery Port: 18W

• Input: 15W
• LED Power Indicator: Four Power Indicators
• Size:

Powerstation PD: 3.7 x 2.1 x 0.8 inches

Powerstation PD XL:  4.2 x 2.3 x 0.8 inches

• Weight: 7.2 Ounces

Conclusion:

Mophie is going in the right direction of creating Power Delivery power banks, but the price point needs some major tinkering to match the value that’s being delivered.

Powerstation PD

Powerstation PD XL