Review: Kuxiu S2 Power Bank - Semi-Solid State Tech Promises Longer Life, Better Safety

When it comes to the MagSafe powerfulness slope marketplace, it's mostly a oversea of sameness. Not this one. Kuxiu's S2 stands isolated with its semi-solid authorities artillery exertion that promises enhanced information and longevity, albeit astatine a steeper terms than accepted alternatives.

Design and Features

The Kuxiu S2 is simply a sleek, compact Qi2 portion with a premium operation that has 4 cardinal components: a magnetic wireless charging country connected top, a powerfulness fastener connected the side, a USB-C input/output larboard (braided USB-C cablegram included), and LED indicator lights that show artillery level. The aluminum alloy framework is paired with matte Corning Gorilla Glass panels, and the battalion feels similar it tin instrumentality a whack – though it's not impervious to cosmetic scratches, arsenic a mates of weeks' reviewing attest.

At conscionable 143g (5.04oz) and measuring 106 × 69.5 × 10mm (4.17 × 2.74 × 0.39in), it's impressively portable and lighter than an iPhone 16. That said, erstwhile attached to my iPhone 16 Pro, the artillery extends somewhat beyond the phone's bottommost edge, creating a insignificant asymmetry that apt isn't an contented erstwhile paired with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The cameras stay unobstructed, astatine least.


The S2 has a useful LED indicator system, with 4 lights showing artillery levels: 4 LEDs (>75%), 3 LEDs (>50%), 2 LEDs (>25%), and 1 LED (>10%). When artillery drops beneath 10%, a azygous LED flashes. There's besides a peculiar LED signifier – 4 lights flickering similar a moving airy – that indicates Small Current Mode is progressive (more connected that below).

The Solid State Difference

In a departure from accepted lithium-ion alternatives, the S2's header diagnostic is its semi-solid authorities artillery technology. This plan eliminates leakage, explosion, and combustion risks. Kuxiu claims the artillery tin past nail penetration tests without catching occurrence oregon exploding – and based connected the company's ain dramatic objection videos, it continues to relation adjacent aft specified utmost damage.


Despite immoderate disorder connected the labeling (which reads "Li Polymer Battery"), Kuxiu confirmed that the S2 does so usage semi-solid authorities technology. The coagulated electrolyte wrong tin beryllium made from assorted materials, including polymers – making some claims technically accurate.

Performance and Functionality

The 5,000mAh capableness powerfulness slope supports some 15W wireless charging for the iPhone 12 done iPhone 16 bid and wired charging astatine up to 20W via USB-C. The USB-C input specs amusement it accepts 5V⎓3A/9V⎓2.2A for charging itself.


The manual recommends a first-use procedure: discharging the powerfulness slope wholly until it shuts disconnected (0%) earlier afloat charging to 100%, preferably with a PD accelerated charger for optimal speed.

There are 3 main charging modes: wireless charging (with MagSafe activation), wired charging for different smartphones, and a dedicated Small Current Charging mode. This peculiar mode is activated by double-clicking the powerfulness button, and is designed specifically for low-power devices similar earbuds and smartwatches that mightiness not gully capable powerfulness to support the slope from auto-shutting off. I had nary problems drafting powerfulness to complaint AirPods Pro via MagSafe and Apple Watch via the charging port.


In my investigating with an iPhone 16 Pro, the afloat charged S2 brought my wholly drained telephone to 97% earlier depleting – somewhat little than Kuxiu's assertion of "approximately 1.2 afloat charges." The 16 N52 magnets supply a reassuringly beardown transportation that maintains its grip adjacent erstwhile slipped into a escaped pouch oregon bag. If your iPhone has a non-MagSafe lawsuit though, the slope is yet going to gaffe off.

One peculiarly awesome facet is the thermal management. Some slim powerfulness banks tin go alarmingly blistery during discharge (especially astatine debased complaint levels), but the S2 remained noticeably cooler successful my experience.

Longevity and Value

Here's wherever the semi-solid authorities exertion truly shines. While the S2's $79.99 terms tag is astir 60% higher than comparable liquid-based powerfulness banks from companies similar Anker oregon EcoFlow, the longevity benefits are substantial. Kuxiu claims the S2 volition support 80% of its archetypal capableness aft 1,000 charging cycles, compared to conscionable 300-500 cycles for accepted powerfulness banks. That's perchance treble oregon triple the utile lifespan.

The ratio is arsenic impressive. A afloat discharge offers 18-19Wh capableness powerfulness output, which is fantabulous aft accounting for conversion losses. Looking long-term, this ratio combined with extended rhythm beingness makes the premium terms much palatable.

Summing Up

The Kuxiu S2 feels similar a genuine measurement guardant successful powerfulness slope technology. The $79.99 terms tag initially stings, but erstwhile you see the imaginable for treble oregon triple the lifespan of accepted alternatives, on with enhanced information and premium materials, the worth proposition becomes clearer. For those who often trust connected portable power, the concern should wage dividends implicit time.

What's missing? A kickstand would beryllium nice. Some users mightiness besides miss the iOS widget integration that was disposable successful Kuxiu's erstwhile S1 model. Due to Qi2 certification requirements, the S2 doesn't connection the satisfying iOS integration that Apple's ain MagSafe artillery battalion provided – nary peculiar animation connected the fastener surface oregon quality successful the artillery widget. Don't get maine wrong, it works flawlessly. It conscionable doesn't consciousness arsenic "Apple-like" arsenic immoderate mightiness prefer. But these are insignificant quibbles against what appears to beryllium a genuinely innovative product. If information and longevity substance much to you than redeeming a fewer dollars upfront, the Kuxiu S2 deserves consideration.

Where to Buy

The Kuxiu S2 Qi2 5000mAh MagSafe Solid-State Power Bank is disposable successful achromatic oregon earthy titanium colors for $79.99 from Kuxiu's website and authorized resellers.
This article, "Review: Kuxiu S2 Power Bank - Semi-Solid State Tech Promises Longer Life, Better Safety" archetypal appeared connected MacRumors.com

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