Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. AUKEY provided the product in this review.

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Model: PB-Y25

Tech Specs:

• Ports: USB-C, USB-A x2, micro-USB
• USB-C Output:
  • 18W USB-C Power Delivery 2.0 (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A)
• USB-A Output – Orange Port:
  • 18W Quick Charge 3.0
  • Huawei FCP
  • Apple 2.4A
• USB-A Output – Black Port
  • 12W USB (5V/2.4A)
  • Apple 2.4A
• Wireless:
  • 5W Qi
• Input: 18W USB-C PD (5V/3A, 9V/2A)
• Capacity: 8,000mAh | 29.6Wh
• Size: 5.8 x 3 x 0.6 inches | 147 x 75 x 14 mm
• Weight: 7 oz | 198 grams

Included In Box:

• AUKEY PB-Y25 Sprint Wireless
• USB-C to USB-C 2.0 cable, 18 inches

Good For:

• Commute
• Travel
• iPhone
• Android
• Nintendo Switch (handheld)
• iPad Pro (pre-2018)

Estimated Number of Charges:

• iPhone 6/7/8: 3 charges
• iPhone Plus/X/XR: 2 charges
• Samsung Galaxy S8/S9: 2 charges
• iPhone 11, Samsung Galaxy S10: 1.8 charges
• Nintendo Switch (2017): 3.5 hours of play
• Nintendo Switch (2019): 5.25 hours of play
• Nintendo Switch Lite: 5 hours of play

First Impression

The AUKEY PB-Y25 Sprint Wireless is a lithium polymer power bank. With a similar design to the AUKEY PB-Y13 10000 USB-C. The two look alike at first glance. But the PB-Y25 is a bit heavier. And it gives up 2,000mAh in capacity to allow for wireless charging coils. The flat design makes it easy to hold your phone and power bank together. And with the addition of wireless charging means no dangling cable.

The USB-C and two USB-A ports are on the “front” side of the power bank. The Quick Charge supporting USB-A port is orange and easy to identify. A micro-USB port (input only) is around the corner. And around the other corner is the button and LED indicators. The button comes into play with this power bank more than others.

 

Compared To Similar Power Banks

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2024-04-26.

 

You can see more USB-C power banks here.

Device Testing

Check with your device’s manufacturer to verify which charging standards it supports.

USB Power Delivery & Quick Charge 4+ Phones

• Apple iPhone 8/X/XR/XS/11
• Essential Phone
• Google Pixel
• LG ThinQ/V30
• Razer
• Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/S10
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8/9
• Xiaomi Mi 8/9
• ZTE Axon Pro 9/10

 

Using an iPhone 8 for testing we find USB PD phones will fast charge over the USB-C port. iPhones will need to use a USB-C to Lightning cable, not included. And Android phones will need a USB-C to USB-C cable, which is included.

For iPhones both of the USB-A port supports Apple 2.4A. An older, but still functional fast charging standard. Older iPhones (4-7) can fast charge using USB-A. Newer iPhones will charge ~15 minutes faster using USB-C.

Quick Charge 3.0 Phones

• HTC
• LG
• Motorola
• Nokia
• Samsung Galaxy
• Sony
• Xiaomi Mi 5/6
• ZTE

 

Using a Moto G6 for testing we see Quick Charge will fast charge over the orange USB-A port. Any QC supporting Android phone with USB-C can use the included USB-C to USB-A cable.

The black USB-A port charged the Moto G6 faster than the USB-C. But that could vary depending on your model phone. Regardless the orange USB-A port is where you want to plug in a Quick Charge enabled phone.

Nintendo Switch

 

The Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite charge near their max rates, 18W and 13W respectively. It’ll fast charge while you play. Its charge rate while sleeping is also normal. This charger can also power the Switch’s dock.

If you have any original model Nintendo Switch (before August 2019) then its power draw will be less, due to its design. But still more than enough to charge while you play the most demanding games.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

Qi Wireless Charging

To activate wireless charging you need to push the side button twice. Then place your phone or other wireless charging device on the side with the AUKEY logo. Wireless charging will work with another device plugged into a USB port. But charging two devices may slow down wireless charging further. You cannot wirelessly charge a device while charging the power bank.

I don’t have a tester to measure wireless charging rates. The specs (which are accurate in my other testing) states 5W output is supported. Which is on the low end for Qi wireless chargers. And reasonable for a power bank of this size.

A 5W wireless charge will take about an hour longer than a 7.5W wireless charger. And will charge slower than a 5W USB charger. Due to the inefficiencies involved with any wireless charging. All phones will get a faster charge using a wired option over wireless. With this power bank fast charging is available to many phone models. Provided to plug into the correct port and skip wireless.

The benefit of wireless charging is convenience. You don’t need to carry a cable. You can hold the phone and power bank together with a cable dangling. And if you only have on cable you can plug in one phone and wireless charge another. And is a must have feature for anyone with an Apple Watch or other device which only charges wirelessly.

Wireless charging is not for everyone. If you have no expectation of using it you may want to check out the AUKEY PB-Y13 10000 USB-C. It offers 20% more capacity in the same form factor.

Trickle Charge Mode

Trickle charge mode is for low power devices. Such as a Fitbit or wireless earbuds. These small accessories draw little current (<60mA). So much so a power bank thinks charging is complete, and shutdowns to save power. This means a low power draw device could get only minutes of charging.

To deal with this trickle charge mode forces a power bank to stay on for a couple of hours. Allowing small accessories time to charge.

For AUKEY’s power bank you press and hold the button for two seconds. A white LED will turn on, indicating it is in trickle charge mode is active. After two hours the power bank will switch back to regular mode. And then shutdown if no charging is detected. There’s no harm in allowing the power bank to stay in trickle charge mode for the full duration.

No Fast Charging With Two or More Devices

If you connect two or more devices to the power bank it will disable all fast charging tech. That includes the wireless charging pad. When you connect the second device you’ll notice the charging resets on the first. This is the power bank stepping down to a 5V output level. If you disconnect the second device you’ll want to unplug and replug the first. To make sure fast charging turns back on.

This limitation is typical of most power banks. The few I’ve seen which allow for two fast charging devices are unusually large. There is a limit to how much current can cross its circuits without extra hardware. Which adds size, weight, and cost.

Most smaller devices will revert to their normal charging rate. Which will continue to charge the battery while they are in use. Total charge time for two devices is about the same. Whether you fast charge them one at a time. Or charged them at a slower rate together.

Summary

The AUKEY PB-Y25 Sprint Wireless is a small and slim power bank, fitting wherever your phone fits. It offers a unique combination of fast charging, wireless charging, and trickle charging. A combination not found for only 7 ounces of weight. It has plenty of ports (plus the wireless coils). But it works best charging only one device at a time.

The USB-C port is best for iPhone 8/X/XR/XS/11, newer Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and Nintendo Switch. Any smaller device that supports USB Power Delivery.

The orange USB-A port supports Quick Charge 3.0 Best for LG, Motorola, and other Android phones with QC support. It also works well for older iPhones and iPads as it supports Apple 2.4A, too.

Qi wireless charging under performs wired charging. But it is convenient. And a few devices only charge via wireless. Just don’t forget to double push the button to enable wireless charging.

Trickle charge mode works best with Fitbit, wireless earbuds, and similar small accessories. Their low power draw prevents some power banks from staying on long enough to charge them. In trickle charge mode the power bank stays on for two hours to ensure charging completes.

This is the first AUKEY power bank I’ve tested which does not support pass through charging. That’s where you can charge the power bank, and have it charge (slowly) a device. This isn’t a big loss. I don’t recommend doing pass through charging on a regular basis as it isn’t good for the power bank’s long term health.

This may become my new grab-n-go power bank for my iPhone. I don’t have to worry about also carrying a cable if fast charging isn’t important. And it’ll fit in my bag or jacket pocket.

About AUKEY

AUKEY has U.S. based support (web and email) and a 24 month warranty. You must have purchased the product either from them or through Amazon for support.

Bottom Line

The AUKEY PB-Y25 Sprint Wireless is a wired and wireless power bank. Designed to keep your handheld devices charged on the go. What is loses in capacity it gains in charging options and convenience.

Buy if you:

• Have been looking for a wireless charging power bank that doesn’t weigh a ton
• Need a widely compatible power bank for all day outings
• Want to charge your Fitbit or Apple Watch along with your phone

Don’t buy if you:

• Have no intention of using wireless charging
• Need to also charge a laptop
• Want pass through charging as an option

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You’ll want a USB-C wall charger to quickly recharge this USB-C power bank. I recommend the AUKEY PA-Y18 18W PD. It’ll support the same type of devices, as well as the power bank.

Be sure to check the Deals page to see if this or a similar charger is on sale.

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