Wireless charging news update 2018: WiBa power bank offers fully wireless charging

WiBa wireless power bank available for US99.95 in late 2018Avido website

Accessory maker Avido releases a fully wireless power bank that could charge not just iPhones but also itself, without the help of any wire.

Called WiBa, the Qi-based charger features 5,000mAh battery, which does not need a Lightning cable to be connected to the iPhone. It can be used to charge iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus units, as well as various Qi-compatible smartphones and devices.

The WiBa set comes with two slim metal plates, which have to be magnetically attached to the back of the iPhone to charge. It can still charge when the iPhone is on its case, as long as it is slim and supports wireless charging passthrough. The set also comes with a USB cable, in case the user owns other devices that are not Qi-compatible.

To charge the power bank itself, the set also comes with a charging dock. Placing the WiBa power bank on the charging dock will enable it to charge wirelessly, without the need for any cable. However, the dock needs to be plugged for it to work.

Conveniently though, the dock can be used to charge not just the power bank but the iPhone itself, as well as other Qi-compatible devices.

Users can even charge both equipment together, by putting the phone on the power bank and the power bank on the charging dock at the same time. This way, users can go out with a fully charged phone and power bank for emergency use.

Those who do not like the extra bulk of the charging dock when going on trips can opt for a USB-C cable, which can also be used to directly charge the WiBa power bank.

While the upcoming power bank would be very convenient for many users, Avido notes that some devices, like LG G6 & Droid 2 Turbo, lock their screens when they detect magnets. This means, these gadgets' screens will be unusable when charging in WiBa.

The WiBa wireless power bank is scheduled to launch later this year at $99.95.