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Smartphones have made our lives easier. We are now able read on the bus, take photos, listen to music and check our email on the go. We depend on our smartphones for a lot of things. This comes at a price however, in terms of battery life. Modern smartphones with their big and bright screens, do not keep charge for long, especially if they are constantly in use. To further illustrate this, one smartphone owner recently quipped on Twitter that “The battery on the iPhone5 disappears quicker than an unmarked Toyota Noah side mirror on Globe Cinema Roundabout.” 🙂

Smartphone power users have been forced to seek alternative ways of keeping their phones charged. Some carry a charger everywhere they go and charge their smartphone whenever they can. Others carry a spare phone battery.

Another way of ensuring a smartphone always has juice is to carry a portable charger. A portable charger simply acts like a spare battery and is able to charge your smartphone on the go. The portable charger itself must be charged prior to use and it can usually charged most smartphones fully. Some chargers can only be used with specific devices while others can be used with a variety of devices. This is an important thing to consider when buying one.

Below are some of the portable chargers that are available in the Kenyan market:

1. Sony Portable Charger CP-ELSB

Sony portable charger

The CP-ELSB is the entry-level model of Sony’s portable chargers range. It is compatible with most smartphones and has a battery capacity of 2,000 mAh.

It’s available at any Anisuma showroom (Kimathi Street, Junction mall, Sarit Center) for Kshs. 2,495.

Specs

  • Dimension:28 x 125 x 26.5Weight:87g
  • Battery Capacity:2,000 mAh
  • Charging TimeApprox. 6 hours
  • Battery Cycle life:500+ cycles
  • Charging interface: micro-USB (in/out) and standard USB-a (out)

2. Nokia Portable Charger DC-16

nokia-dc-16 charger

The DC-16 charger was clearly designed to complement the Lumia range of phones as it comes in the Lumia’s distinctive colours. It however works with any device that can plug in to its USB output port. It’s capacity is rated at 2200mAh.

It is available at Jumia for Kshs. 2,499.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 120 x 23.3 x 23.3 mm
  • Weight: 75g
  • Battery capacity: 2200 mAh
  • Output current: 950 mA
  • Charging time: 5 hours maximum
  • Charging interface: micro-USB (in/out) and standard USB-a (out)
  • Battery cycle life: 500+ cycles