Mobile audio has become a lot more portable of late, thanks to the affordability and availability of wireless devices to the consumer. While they may not all be equal, their Bluetooth connectivity and built-in batteries are the most common among your choices. The frustrating aspect of owning a pair of wireless earphones is the untimely depletion of its battery, right when you’re in your comfort zone, often times at the gym or on a run. Even if you had your charger nearby, you’re still in the awkward position of not being able to find an outlet. That’s where the Mophie Power Capsule comes in.
Build and Design
Mophie is well-known for delivering high-quality, stylish looking products since its launch in 2006. The Power Capsule is a different take on the portable charger, as it provides both charging capabilities as well as storage for smaller devices such as your earphones, and the cables for other, much larger, wireless devices. What’s great about the device is that your earphones can charge while in transit. It may not be very large, but it won’t quite fit in your pocket either. It will, however, fit very neatly into any bag.
The case is beautifully soft feel about it, while still being sturdy enough to protect your devices where need be. The smooth matte finish also adds to the premium feel of the device. The unit has the shape of a bar of soap, with a zipper that runs across the middle. The matte feel continues to the inside of the device. There’s a notable protrusion on the inside of the device, which houses the battery, as well as the USB port to connect your cables. The unit includes a short micro USB to USB cable, which is convenient, since the longer cables may take up too much space.
The timing of the review opportunity was near perfect, as I was able to test it while being away from home and on the road for over three weeks. During this time, I realised their capsule’s true potential, allowing me to take my wireless devices and cables with me, which includes a pair of earphones, USB cables, as well as chargers for my fitness trackers.
Flipping the Power Capsule over to reveal the underside, you’ll notice a small button in the centre. Pressing this button lights up the 4 white LED indicator lights depending on the amount of charger remaining on the battery. I would want to suggest that the LEDs turn on when a device is being charged, but I also realise that it would deplete the battery slightly quicker than usual.
Performance and Battery
Despite its great quality in terms of the design and storage capabilities, the main aspect of the device is its battery capacity. Packed compactly inside the Power Capsule is a 1,400mAh battery. It may not be enough to fully charge any modern smartphone, about half of the Galaxy S8 (if you don’t account for the loss of charge as a result of heat discharge during transfer). It is, however, more than sufficient for most portable earphones, which often have a capacity of around 200-300mAh. This allowed me to charge my wireless earphones going on 5 times before I needed to recharge the capsule itself.
The Mophie doesn’t provide fast-charging though. However, it won’t take too long with a 300mAh battery. The performance here is negligible, as you’re still able to fully charge your device within the hour before you’re able to listen to your favourite jams in no time at all.
Conclusion
Not only is the Mophie Power Capsule a convenient portable charger, but also keeps your earphones neatly stored and protected, always at full charge and always at your side. This makes it a great accessory to have in your bag while on the go, as you’re able to charge almost any portable device you may have, whether it be your fitness tracker, smartwatch, or earphones. The device is a great companion to have for anyone who carries any of the above devices.
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