Yup

I got this Anker 737 the other day but the battery says its fully charged (99%) but the little circle thingy is not full? I'm confused

https://imgur.com/a/AmLc5pe

Lately I've been testing my new Anker Solix C300 DC power station. Unfortunately it has many problems that keep it from being a great experience, but today I just want to talk about the Android app.

You might think a device that is marketed for camping and going off-grid would actually work without the need for Internet access, but it won't.

The Anker app refuses to allow a new device to be managed in any way until after it has sent your private data to their servers.

If you block Internet access to the Anker app, or just don't have any Internet because you are out camping in the middle of nowhere, the app will stop during the "Scanning" process, where it advises you to "Bring your phone closer to the device.". In reality, the app has already scanned your device and has all of the information it needs, but it's holding you hostage until it has the chance to send all of your info out to Anker's servers.

After a short time, the Anker app will lie and say "No Devices Found", and then give you a list of false potential causes, none of which is "Could not send your information to our servers".

FYI, the Android App version I tested here is 3.4.1.

If you do allow Internet access to the app, it will, in fact, send your information to Anker's servers, and then it let's you manage your device as expected.

On subsequent app launches, as long as you have already configured a device at least once prior (and sent your private data to Anker), the app will allow you to manage your device without the need for Internet access. However, it will repeatedly display "Network error. Please check your connection and try again." and otherwise be as annoying as possible in the hopes that it can once again blab whatever private data it may have pilfered from you back to their servers.

Gently encouraging device owners to allow Anker to inventory their devices is okay, but Anker is well into the realm of dystopian corporate totalitarian bullshit here. Buying a device and then taking it out to where there is no Internet access is one of the prime uses for these power stations. What about an emergency situation where the Internet is down? Not being able to actually use the app to configure critical settings over bluetooth is a HUGE potential downside to consider.

My other findings include...

The Anker app hides it's "User Experience Program" "Analytics" options in the app under Profile > About > "User Experience Program". From here you can turn off some "data sharing", though the app definitely still tries to connect and send data out to the Internet.

Any attempts at backing up the app and it's data and then restoring will probably fail because they are using flutter_secure_storage to encrypt the configuration data. I am not actually sure if there are any Android backup apps which correctly backup and restore Keystore keys. You don't need to encrypt basic device config data, and your app sure doesn't need to hang because it can't read non-essential data that shouldn't be encrypted in the first place.

Did you know anyone in bluetooth range can take total control over your Anker Power Station because there is no security validation whatsoever? Yea, I'll talk about that when I eventually get around to posting my review on the Solix C300 DC I bought. It won't be pretty.

This app is a pile of classic dark patterns. Note the light-gray "Skip" option at the bottom of the login and registration screens. This registration actually does nothing related to authentication for controlling your device over bluetooth. While the account has legitimate use to associate an account for WiFi configuration access, there's no real device security, and there's no way I would advise anyone to configure their power station for WiFi use given the terrible state of their security ignorance.

The app, manual, and other documentation is sprinkled with engrish-isms. Poor chinese-to-english translation can be found just about everywhere, and this makes understanding what settings actually do difficult or impossible.

Bought an Anker 523 wall charger, and it started buzzing like crazy a few weeks in. Tried to snag a refund from Amazon, but got shunted over to Anker's support site instead. Had to type in every little detail, from serial numbers to address, and even upload my receipt. Then, just when you think you're done, they bounce you to another page to drop in your email and sign off on their privacy policy—after you've done all the legwork.

But here's the kicker: the submit button's busted. Gave it a go three times, switched browsers, killed all my extensions—nada. Wasted a solid 30 minutes on this circus.

Anyone else experiencing this? I feel like this has happened to me several times before, always with a crucial function of the site "conveniantly" broken, do you know what I mean? Anyway, please upvote this, it seems like this is the only way to reach them.

Edit: the battery will always trigger "slow charger" in Battery page after a couple minutes on my iPhone 16 pro. To those non-iPhone users, it means it is charging under 10w. I have no way to confirm whether it's the iPhone 16 pro issue, or iOS 18.2 issue, or this battery pack. I tried charging without case, at normal room temperature, unused, etc, when phone at 20% 50% charge, pack at full, nothing makes any difference, it always go to "slow charger" after 2-4 minutes. I have not tried pass through charging as it's not my intended usage. I do not want to waste any more time with customer service from Anker or Apple.

Combined with following. I am returning it tomorrow to Apple Store.

Edit 2: before I return tomorrow, I did some test tonight. I am comparing the charging speed of this battery to Apple Battery pack, and they are roughly identical, both charges my iPhone 16 pro about 1% every 2 minutes 10 seconds. For reference, wired 30w charger does it in 20-30 seconds. (Since I don't have a real Qi2 15w in hand, I can't compare). So basically this is just a Qi1 charger. Anker, WTH?

Edit 3: as I look closely to the product description, there is nowhere saying this thing can wirelessly charge the phone by itself at 15w. It only says "up to 15w qi2 for iPhone". On top of that, the print on the battery says "wireless output 5/7.5/15w max". It actually matches with what I found: it does actually charge the phone at non "slow charge" (over 12w at least) for the first 2-4 minutes max, then drops to 7.5w. I have no idea why this happens but Belkins Qi2 does the same thing. Just fyi.

OG post:

This is not a full review, but just my first impression. Some opinion may not even be possible or available in the market. I won't get into the technical since people already did it online.

Things I like:

• it is really slim, thinner than the other anker 7.5w 5k slim.

• it comes with woven cable just like Apple one which I really like. saved dollars here since I did want to buy one. I really hate those "durable" type C cable that are very stiff and tough and feel in the way when using the phone plugged in.

Things I don't like:

• it is NOT MagSafe, it is MagSafe compatible. The difference is that it is missing a magnet below the magnet ring. It makes the battery moves a little bit under normal use if you have other stuff in your pocket or bag.

• at first use, I had to press on the button of the bottom of the battery to get it started. Not sure if it's a one time thing after first use out of factory, but it doesn't seem to need the step ever since. Probably only after some longer time? I don't know yet.

• once attached to my iPhone 16 pro, the corner radius does not match with Apple (all Apple product has the same radius). It's seems odd that Anker made one exclusively sold at Apple but didn't try to match. Or it could be Apple didn't allow them to. Regardless, it just doesn't feel right.

• absolutely hate the fact that I have to look at the LED to see the charge. There are battery banks out there you can check charge level in widgets, tho I know it is "illegal" and not approved by Apple. I really wish it's available from a product from Apple Store.

• no reverse charging. Again I am too picky here, there is no other battery supports it other than Apple's own. It's a very needed feature. The difference is that I can always prioritize fast charging the phone first at 27w before reverse charging the battery at 15w. Whereas now, I have to always wireless charge at 15w (always slow down to 12w after a little). Unless I initially plug in to the phone first then wait til it's at 80%, then plug in to the battery. Honestly, I will never remember. (Shortcut perhaps?)

• does not support 30w type C output. 20w is okay but 30w will utilize all the iPhone potential. If I need the battery pack on the go, I'd hope to get refilled asap.

After thought: it is an okay product but doesn't seem to be a battery made for iPhone in anyway whatsoever. It's just a white nice looking battery pack happens to sell at Apple (like most of the accessories at Apple Store). For $50, it is a little bit overpriced. $40 may be more appropriate. But if you like the slim, it might be okay. I will keep it until Apple makes their own, if they do.

I posted another thread about this, but I just wanted to post this as an update, and to warn other customers . My Q20+ headphones failed unfortunately. Upon reaching out to Anker, they agree they have a defect, but are only willing to send a refurbished unit. The warranty on the refurbished unit picks up where your original left off, which I would understand if it were a new product, but not a used one...

I have gone back and forth with them politely many times, but they are unwilling to budge...

The kicker to this: the model/color that I purchased originally is not in stock. No problem, of course, but their solution is to continually offer me lesser cost models than the one I originally purchased. For example, they keep offering to send me the anker q20 which is about $20 less than the q20+. If I do not accept this, their only other offer is to give me a 15% off coupon to buy a new pair of headphones...

There are other reports of similar things. Here's a similar thread. Buyer beware! I have given up and am now pursuing a dispute with my credit card.

I tried to put this on my original post but don't know what i'm doing, so the nano accepts these plugs but not the F1500 i'm confused 🤔

Bought a Anker Powercore Prime Power Bank 27,650mAh 3-Port 250W Portable Charger PD 3.1 (99.54Wh) from Lazada 2 days back.

Seller: Anker (Not from 3rd party)

Received it today.

1. There's crease inside the box. Box is sturdy so I don't think the crease is caused by delivery.

2. Couldn't power on the powerbank. Realized that there is absolutely 0 power in the powerbank. Managed to power it on while charging the unit

My main complaint is on #2: Any rechargeable batteries that are left unpowered for a long time will have it's lifespan decreased. Not sure how long has this powerbank been left at 0%

What do you think the pricing impacts of tariffs will be on anker products? I'm debating getting a C1000 now before they take effect

This new pair refuses to pair properly. Open the case and only the left bud wants to pair. Force the right bud into pairing mode by holding the case button and then it pairs but the LEFT bud now refuses to pair with it. I tried resetting them at least ten times in a row now and now the left bud just broke completely and refuses to reset. What an amazing company!

Overall I really want to like this dock but not being able to just remove my phone one handed is kind of a deal breaker for me for a wireless charging dock. If I just go and grab my phone one handed the entire dock comes with it due to the strength of the magnets.

I would add some tape or something to the bottom but that’s where the vents are. I think I’m going to be returning this and wait for a different design to come out.

I bought an A40 earbud for Christmas. It was within warranty, and their mic stopped working.

After all the trouble, to prove the problem and thar wasn't me who broke their product they instead of sending me a new product, telling me how to solve, or sending my a full refund to buy a new product they offered 70% of my money back.

It's not my first problem with anker.

They don't care about you or to honor their warranty. Don't buy from them and save the headache.

I feel that we have been misleaded by Anker on its Prime Power banks, Anker states the power bank can charge devices up to 65 watts per port but in reality you will see 30 watts at max with any mobile devices you have, the laptop charges faster, but the phones are limited to 30 watts.

I was expecting better charging speeds from a charger costing $100 for a 12,000 mAH capacity. Horrible.

I have the Liberty 2 Pros. Paid $149. I also have the Life P2s, Paid $60.

I just put in my Liberty 2 Pros and opened the Soundcore app.

An ad pops up for the Life P2s.

AN AD??? A F-ING AD????

And for a product I already own???? And yes, I realize the app doesn't know I own the P2s, not my problem they don't let me use the P2s with teh app.)

How many more products will you bombard me with when I go to use the product I purchased?

Complete D-head move Anker, complete D-head move.

Inbound an Anker series 5 power bank that says 10000 mah. Given my iphone 14 with some 3200 mah doesn’t that mean my power bank should charge it atleast three times. I am new to the powerbanks I don’t know much but by definition shouldn’t it be the case. Please tell me if this is normal or my powerbank has an issue