Infinix NOTE 40 phones blend sleek urban aesthetic with super-fast charging

Of the many things that smartphone buyers look for, cameras and battery life probably rank the highest, even over display quality. Capturing memories is a very important part of what people use smartphones for, but an extremely short battery life can ruin even the most powerful smartphone. In fact, the more powerful a device is, the faster it will drain its battery. While batteries themselves haven’t evolved as fast as smartphones, charging technologies have been growing in leaps and bounds. In the past, super-fast charging speeds have been exclusive to high-end, premium phones, but the new Infinix NOTE 40 smartphones are bringing that technology and convenience to a wider and younger audience that also cares just as much about style as they do the rest of the phone’s specs.

Designer: Infinix

Although there are research and innovations that attempt to improve the quality of smartphone batteries, they’re pretty much still the same packs that we’ve been using for years. Manufacturers have poured their efforts into improving charging speeds instead, making sure that people spend as little time as possible when they do need to plug the phone in. That’s what Infinix’s new All-Round FastCharge 2.0 technology is trying to accomplish, bringing speed and versatility to users’ charging experience.

Infinix NOTE 40

Infinix NOTE 40

This technology supports rapid charging at 70W for the new Infinix NOTE 40 and NOTE 40 Pro (4G), as well as blazing fast 100W speeds for the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro (5G) and NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G. Thanks to Infinix’s self-developed Cheetah X1 chip, these phones can boast reaching 50% in just minutes (8 minutes for the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G, to be precise) while still providing safety and longevity. Additional charging highlights include Bypass Charging 2.0 to minimize heat generation when playing games while the phone is plugged in, 20W wireless charging, and, perhaps most interesting, Infinix’s own brand of magnetic wireless charging technology, MagCharge.

Infinix NOTE 40 Pro (4G)

Infinix NOTE 40 Pro (4G)

Infinix NOTE 40 Pro (5G)

The Infinix NOTE 40 series is designed to cater to a younger audience that appreciates a more distinctive and livelier aesthetic than most gray, black, or even white phones in the market. That’s why Infinix adopted an urban theme for the phone’s designs, creating a sleek and modern appearance through smooth curves, colors, and materials. The Vintage Green, for example, tries to evoke a sense of charm for retro styles and uses vegan leather to add a bit of luxury to the finish. Titan Gold’s mix of blue and yellow tries to capture the image of the sun setting over the city’s horizon.

Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ (5G)

Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ (5G)

In terms of hardware, the Infinix NOTE 40 runs on MediaTek’s mid-range chips, paired with 8 or 12GB of RAM. All four models in this series get a 108MP main camera, though only the Pro variants put optical image stabilization (OIS) on it. The brand also introduces an AI-powered Active Halo lighting feature for dynamic notifications and accents to give a little life to your smartphone usage. The Infinix NOTE 40 series launches globally this month, available in Vintage Green, Obsidian Black, and Titan Gold colorways. A special BMW DesignWorks Racing Edition will be coming later this year to truly drive home the phone’s super-fast charging speed.

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Standalone AirPods Pro 2nd-Gen USB-C charging case might not be worth the price

The newest iPhones have finally jumped on the USB-C bandwagon, but there are still a few Apple products that still cling to the older Lightning technology. That includes all iPhone models before the iPhone 15, older iPads, and the majority of charging cases for the AirPods. A few months back, Apple did release a version of the 2nd-gen AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case, but you’ll have to buy the whole set to enjoy this upgrade, both earbuds and charging case. If you already have a 2nd-gen AirPods Pro that came with a Lightning charging case, however, you can now just buy the USB-C case on its own, but the price tag on this very optional accessory could have you thinking twice why you’d want to buy one in the first place.

Designer: Apple

To be fair, the USB-C charging case does have a few advantages, though the biggest one would be consistency between the most recent Apple devices. You won’t have to carry a separate Lightning cable, presuming you’ve gone all-in on USB-C already. There’s also this convenient reverse charging feature where you can charge the AirPods Pro case from an iPhone 15 using a USB-C to USB-C cable. Handy in an emergency but not exactly a ground-breaking game-changer.

Given the nearly similar features, the $99 price tag on this standalone USB-C charging case for the AirPods Pro 2nd-Gen might seem a little excessive. It also only makes sense if you already have the Lightning version of these AirPods Pro and only want to enjoy the benefits of USB-C mentioned above. Otherwise, it doesn’t offer any charging speed advantages between these two models and both support the same wireless MagSafe capability.

That said, you might want to upgrade from the 2nd generation Lightning AirPod Pro to its USB-C sibling for future-proof durability and features. The USB-C AirPods Pro 2nd-Gen has an IP54 rating, up from last year’s IPX4, which means it’s better protected against dust and small particles, though it’s still only splashproof rather than waterproof. It will, however, support lossless audio when paired with the Apple Vision Pro headset, at least if you can get your hands on one next year.

The USB-C case itself is also IP54 rated, but you won’t get the dust-proofing upgrade for the earbuds just by switching cases. That makes the standalone case less appealing for the majority of AirPods owners. Then again, there will always be someone who wants a complete and consistent set of products or may have had the misfortune of losing their original charging case. Fortunately, now you won’t have to buy a new set just to replace that.

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Realme GT5 240W Review: Insane specs, disappointing design

PROS:


  • Ultra-fast 240W charging

  • Impressive flagship specs and performance

  • Very affordable price tag

CONS:


  • Only available in China for now

  • Unremarkable design

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

With 24GB of RAM and 240W ultra-fast charging, the Realme GT5 240W looks mighty tempting if not for its limited availability and plain appearance.

Smartphones are more than just devices these days, becoming more like lifestyle choices and extensions of ourselves. That said, it’s impossible to separate the specs from the design because even the most beautiful phone will fall flat if it ends up being unusable anyway. In fact, people do buy phones primarily for their features, with aesthetics and ergonomics coming a close second, especially for those who’d slap on a protective or decorative case anyway. Realme’s newest wonder could very well satisfy this kind of user, cramming in the latest and greatest that mobile technology has to offer, so we had to give the Realme GT5 240W a good test run to see if it can truly rice to the challenge despite its rather unremarkable appearance.

Designer: Realme

Aesthetics

It’s hard to ignore a shift in the smartphone market that has made consumers more aware of how design plays an important role in the overall experience of their smartphones. They no longer just want a slab of glass and metal that seemed to be cobbled up in order to house the hardware inside. They want phones that give a positive visual impact, make them stand out, or more closely express their style and interests. Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a stylish smartphone, Realme’s latest flagship might not be to your taste.

The most distinctive part of smartphones is their backs, and here the Realme GT5 seems to take a page from different smartphones, creating a mishmash of designs that feel a little incongruous. The sandblasted metal texture looks like a blast from the past, while the large camera bump seems to be an overgrown version of the Google Pixel’s “visor” design. Even the fancy “Pulse Interface Design 2.0” LED light that strangely frames a Qualcomm Snapdragon logo is reminiscent of the Nothing Phone’s now iconic Glyph Interface gimmick.

It’s not that the Realme GT5 240W is unattractive. It is admittedly distinctive in how its camera bump spans the entire width of the phone rather than just one side, but it’s an underwhelming design nonetheless. When you consider how Realme has released many beautiful, unique, and creative designs over the past years, you come to expect a bit more from the brand, especially when it involves the flagship GT line. Fortunately, this phone has other things going for it beyond its somewhat plain looks.

Ergonomics

A phone’s design isn’t just about its appearance. Every part and every design element has an impact on both the phone’s performance as well as its usability. Put too many powerful components inside and you risk burdening the hands of your users. Arrange them in the incorrect way and it might also feel a little unbalanced.

The Realme GT5 240W is a little of both. At 205g, it is a bit on the heftier side, though not exactly by much compared to other devices on the same premium tier. It is, however, a bit top-heavy, thanks to the design of the camera bump and the components that are located there. Adding features always comes with a price, especially when they’re a bit more on the inessential and decorative side. This could result in lower confidence when holding the phone, pushing owners to slap on the opaque and unappealing case that Realme ships inside the box.

The one advantage of the phone’s wide camera design is that it will lie balanced on a flat surface like a table, unlike other phones with bumps only on a corner. The phone won’t wobble no matter how hard you tap on the phone when it’s lying on its back. Additionally, you might even be able to use that protrusion to your advantage when holding the phone, letting one of your fingers rest beneath it to prevent the phone from sliding off.

Performance

Although the Realme GT5 240W looks unremarkable at first glance, it is one of those things that definitely deserves a deeper look. That’s because, despite its modest appearance, this phone is filled to the brim with high-end features that are easily accessible, at least if you reside in a specific market. The Realme GT5 240W is, at its heart, a premium flagship smartphone and it has the guts to prove it, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is actually just the tip of the iceberg.

This particular model boasts a whopping 24GB of RAM, a feat that so far only one other smartphone has managed to pull off. It’s no surprise, then, that the phone performs smoothly without any hiccups, deftly taking anything we throw at it. CPU, GPU, and memory all work in harmony to deliver a fluid interface and flawless user experience, even considering how loaded Realme UI can be. As for data storage, there’s an equally astounding 1TB inside which makes any argument about microSD cards moot.

The Realme GT5 240W also has a gorgeous and bright 6.78-inch 2772×1240 AMOLED display capable of 244Hz refresh rates and 2,160Hz high-frequency pulse-width modulation (PWM) dimming. What these figures mean in practice is that, depending on the app or content, the visuals you’ll get will be smooth as butter. With dual speakers with Dolby Atmos, this phone becomes an entertainment powerhouse for videos, music, and especially games. The one catch is that we found the phone to get a little too warm for comfort, and that’s just when playing Fortnite with medium settings at 60Hz. Performance at that level was quite impressive, but you might want to pay more attention to the heat it generates.

This particular phone’s killer feature can be seen from its name. While the regular Realme GT5 already has super-fast 150W charging, this one nearly doubles that to 240W. In just 5 minutes, we got from 60% to 100%, which is one of if not the fastest on the market. Of course, you’ll have to use the large charging brick it comes with to reach that record speed, but it’s going to be worth it if you really need to top up quickly.

Where the Realme GT5 240W shines least is in the one aspect that a lot of smartphone buyers consider to be the next most important thing: the cameras. The trio is led by a 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor, which takes very good shots with plenty of detail when under bright light. The other two, however, are nothing to write home about, with a 112-degree 8MP ultrawide and a 2MP macro camera completing the team. They take OK photos, given the right conditions, but they’re a huge step back from the performance of other flagships in the market.

The phone runs realme UI 4.0, the company’s customized experience built on top of the current Android 13 release. It is as you would expect, given the target Chinese market, which means loads of customization options and bloatware. There is no Google Play Store, of course, but users in that region are already used to that situation anyway. The phone will most likely take a different route when or if it launches in global markets, though some aspects, like the presence of pre-installed apps, won’t be changing. The Realme GT5 also features the company’s newest “Pulse Interface Design 2.0,” which is basically a way to have colorful LED light notifications on the back of your phone.

Sustainability

Realme is one of the few smartphone brands that has a laudable stance on sustainability. It has a clear vision and target for becoming a more environmentally conscious company and has taken concrete steps towards that goal. It has even launched phones that made use of more sustainable materials, though those have been limited to a few special editions.

Unfortunately, none of those marks can be seen on the Realme GT5 240W, whether in terms of materials used or even the phone’s durability. There is no formal dust and water resistance rating, so it might not inspire confidence in using the phone everywhere. The packaging is fortunately minimal but, thanks to its ultra-fast charging tech, every box will ship with that large charger. It’s not like Realme is the biggest offender, but it definitely has a lot of opportunity to rise to the challenge and outpace other brands when it comes to establishing a Greener Tomorrow.

Value

The Realme GT5 240W is, without a doubt, a premium smartphone, even if you might have misgivings about its not-so-premium looks. It can definitely walk the talk and more, especially with 24GB of RAM and an insanely fast 240W charging. What makes the phone exceptional isn’t just the specs but the fact that it isn’t demanding for an extremely high amount of money. In fact, it only costs 3,799 RMB for all these features, which is around $520, give or take.

The phone would have almost been perfect if not for the simple fact that it isn’t available anywhere outside of China, at least not at the moment. There’s a chance it could reach some global markets, but major ones like the US are often still out of the question. You might be tempted to import one, but the total cost of ownership, plus the Google-less software, makes it a very poor investment overall.

Verdict

Smartphones have started to become as much fashion accessory as they are tech gadgets. They have started to appeal to the more design-conscious masses while rushing to compete for the next head-turning trending look. The Realme GT5 240W seems to stand out by not standing out, looking rather plain and almost forgettable if not for the features it carries underneath that “ordinary” skin.

Fortunately, the phone is worth a lot more than its looks, carrying some of the greatest hardware available to smartphones today. It’s hardly perfect, especially in the camera department, but with a powerful processor, an overly generous 24GB of RAM, and a blazing 240W charging speed, you will be getting your money’s worth, and it won’t even cost you that much. Presuming, of course, you can get your hands on one.

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The Future of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure? This Robot Charger Can Drive Up to Your EV and Charge It Anywhere

The problem with EVs is that adoption grows MUCH faster than infrastructure. It takes months or even years to set up an EV charging grid big enough to serve current needs, but tens of thousands of new people buy EVs on a daily basis. How does one solve for such a problem? Robotic Chargers, says one Seattle-based startup.

Dubbed the future of EV charging, AUTEV’s autonomous robot chargers move around, charging EVs wherever they are, rather than having the EV travel to a charging station. These autonomous chargers-on-wheels help cover areas where the charging infrastructure isn’t set up yet, given their ability to move around from car to car, charging each one. This, in turn, helps boost EV sales, allowing people who were previously hesitant to be more confident in taking up electric cars, knowing that they can rely on AUTEV’s charging services anywhere.

Designer: Autev

The AUTEV robot is a small, pod-like device on four wheels that can autonomously move around parking lots, charging EVs using the batteries that are housed inside it. Users can summon an AUTEV robot using an app, and when the robot reaches its destination, all you really need to do is plug its charging outlet into your car. You can then go about running your errands, knowing fully well that your car is being charged in the meantime.

AUTEV offers a mobile power solution that can be rapidly implemented to address the increasing demand for electric vehicles without the need for extra permanent infrastructure, resulting in greater cost-efficiency and scalability. “Our market research has shown that there is a huge gap in the market between the increase of EVs on the streets and how EV charging infrastructure is growing. Building new public charging stations or dedicated EV charging parking spaces in areas of shared parking presents logistical challenges,” says Founder and CEO of AUTEV, Osama AlSalloum. Cofounder and COO Syd Manna adds, “We have developed an autonomous charging robot that can provide on-demand charging wherever it is needed. Our technology reduces the need for a fixed charging infrastructure and makes EV charging more convenient for EV owners.”

AUTEV is aiming to make fleets of these robots available for garage operators to use commercially by the beginning of next year. These operators will be charged a monthly fee and will generate revenue from both customers who use the robot chargers, as well as advertising that runs on the robot’s displays.

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This concept smartwatch can be recharged even while it’s still on your wrist

The first smartwatches amazed many people, especially tech-savvy ones that saw science fiction becoming a reality right before their very eyes. That excitement, however, was a bit short-lived when reality did finally set in, calling into question the purpose and usability of the new type of device. It has been years since the first generation launched, but smartwatches still exhibit one particular problem that has been around from the very beginning: battery life. While there are definitely smartwatches that can run for a few days before needing to be placed on a charger, these often accomplish this feat by cutting corners in other aspects. This smartwatch concept design, in contrast, makes no compromises and solves this battery charging problem by flipping the conventional smartwatch design on its head, almost literally.

Designer: Andrea Mangone

Smartwatches are caught in an even bigger conundrum than smartphones. They set the expectations of powerful smart devices on your wrist, yet their very size severely limits the battery you can put in them. Manufacturers, designers, and eventually customers often have to decide which aspect to prioritize, and battery life is often the one that gets left out. Smartwatches that advertise days or even weeks of battery life often achieve those numbers by limiting features, using a non-color display, or running software that isn’t compatible with the majority of smartwatch apps available today.

One of the biggest problems with having to charge smartwatches is the fact that you have to take them off before you can actually charge them on some charging pad or dock. This has been the status quo ever since the first smartwatches came out, and it seems that everyone has accepted it as the only design possible. The Vessel concept design challenges that assumption and turns the charging design upside-down. Instead of the smartwatch being placed on a charging pad, Vessel has a charging module that attaches to the smartwatch, even when you’re still wearing it.

Vessel comes with a pebble-shaped battery that magnetically latches onto the face of the smartwatch. It doesn’t charge the smartwatch wirelessly, as you might assume but instead uses pogo pin contacts like those from the early days of smartwatches. You won’t notice these contact points on the smartwatch itself because they’re integrated into the watch’s face, making it look like they’re part of its design.

While you’re charging the smartwatch, you can still keep on using it, though in a limited capacity. The battery module has its own limited display, and it will only show the time and battery status. Notifications are paused in order to speed up the charging time, but activity detection and sensors will continue to work. The module only has a 500mAh capacity, so it will still take an hour to fully charge a watch. Of course, you don’t have to take it off during that period, so you won’t be missing valuable health data in the meantime.

It’s definitely an interesting angle to solving the smartwatch charging problem, though it probably comes with its own drawbacks. The most notable would be that it locks the smartwatch to a very specific design because of the data and charging contact points, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done elegantly. It’s just a matter of thinking outside the box, and Vessel has definitely pulled that off with aplomb.

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Gameboy-inspired MagSafe powerbank gives up to 10000mAh extra power

MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank 10000mAh Product Designer

MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank 10000mAh Product DesignIt looks like the MagSafe connector system is here to stay, and we believe it will be until Apple says otherwise or there is a new technology available. This MagSafe system offers easy connectivity and wireless charging for Apple gadgets, allowing many devices from the brand to be more accessible, convenient, and efficient to use. There are plenty of MagSafe-compatible products and accessories, but there are not many power banks or battery packs available. We may have seen a few already but perhaps nothing like this MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank with its 10000mAh capacity. Introduced by Neo Bie and Leigui Lui for Stylepie, this thing aims to improve the wireless charging and power bank experience of anyone who will get this portable accessory.

Designers: Leigui Li and Neo Bie

MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank 10000mAh Details

The MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank will remind you of an old Gameboy for its shape and design, featuring the usual four operation buttons: SELECT, START, A, B, and a d-pad (directional pad). The lower portion of the yellow powerbank has a cover that slides to work as the stand of the powerbank. There is also an LCD screen that we assume will show basic information like date, time, battery level, or the charging status. Unlike the Gameboy, this one has a thin body but is sturdy enough to hold a smartphone. From a different angle, we can see the accessory looking as if there are several layers of cards, and on one side, there are small LED lights that indicate the battery level. This is mainly a power bank, but unlike the old style we know, this one can stand on its own and can hold a phone at a safe and convenient angle.

 

The designers developed a new stand structure using a combination of leather, magnets, and iron for the wireless charging station that can offer up to 10000mAh of power for most of your MagSafe-compatible gadgets. The newly-designed MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank for Stylepie can be compared with the MAG.T MagSafe Phone Case for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, also from Stylepie. In addition, the brand based in Shenzhen has been offering different mobile accessories like the iMac G4 MagSafe charger + stand, and we know more related products will be introduced.

MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank 10000mAh Details

You see, the MagSafe’s return and reinvention result from the arrival of new iPhone models beginning with the iPhone 12. The MagSafe accessories suddenly became an instant hit after several years, primarily because of the magnetic mechanism. There is something novel about things sticking to your phone, and like most charging pads, this can also work with Apple gadgets like the Airpods or the Apple Watch.

There is a MagSafe accessory just for your every need, and we recently shared with you the Top 10 Apple MagSafe accessories we know. But, of course, we won’t forget that Momax Q.Mag Power 8 transparent MagSafe wireless power bank that was released on the market a few months ago. Neo Bie also previously introduced a dual-duty MagSafe power bank that has got you covered as made possible by the double capacity compared to other conventional MagSafe devices.

MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank 10000mAh Product Rating

MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank 10000mAh Designer

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Duracell Power Banks look like bigger than usual battery cells

Battery capacities of smartphones and other mobile devices may be getting bigger, but there are times when they are not enough. Many people reach low battery levels not because of long hours of usage but because of the dozens of apps running in the background. Plenty of solutions are available to optimize battery, but you can also simply just charge your phone.

Duracell is a brand known for disposable batteries. It’s now extending its product line into rechargeable power packs, aka power banks. You see, power banks are not yet obsolete but we recognize people are using them less because there is quick charging as an alternative.

Designer: Studio Volpi

Duracell Power Bank

Duracell has tapped Studio Volpi to work on design options for power packs. One of the top makers of disposable batteries is stepping into the power bank game because there is still a demand. The people at Duracell already know battery technology, but they know others can do it better when it comes to product design. So studio Volpi has been tasked to design the product so it won’t look like the usual power banks available in the market.

Duracell Power Bank

Studio Volpi was given the freedom to develop Duracell power banks and explore many possible designs. However, the final choices still define the brand’s legacy with three designs that will make you easily identify it’s from Duracell. Duracell and Studio Volpi are deviating from the usual look of power banks. Common power banks are primarily sleek and shiny, but the Duracell Powerbanks are different. There are four products available: the Duracell Powerbank 3350 mAh, Duracell Powerbank 6700 mAh, Duracell Powerbank 10050 mAh, and the Duracell Powerbank 20100 mAh.

Duracell Power Bank

The powerbanks differ in capacities and charging power. The smallest model can charge a phone once, while the 6700mAH version can charge a regular smartphone twice. You can use the 10050mAh to fully charge a smartphone up to three times. The biggest model can offer up to six times charging on average.

Their sizes differ with the smallest capacity, reminding you of a AAA Duracell battery. The next size looks like a 9V battery with a rectangular shape. The other two look almost the same but appear longer.

Duracell Power Bank

All power banks offer fast charging and universal compatibility. They are ready to use out of the box as they come pre-charged. You don’t have to worry about bringing a phone charger and finding yourself an electrical outlet because the Duracell Powerbanks are enough. Other features include Dual Charge technology so you can charge the device and power bank simultaneously. In addition, the LED lights can tell you the status or energy level of the power bank.

Duracell Power Bank

Duracell Power Banks Design

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Blond Fold wireless charger checks all the boxes of great design and sustainability

Phone makers are cutting down on chargers in boxes, but third-party chargers are rising in number instead. Blond, fortunately, has a great idea on how to fix that problem as well.

One of the biggest sources of electronic waste in garbage dumps has been discovered to be smartphone chargers. According to the European Commission, about 11,000 tonnes or 11 million kg of unused or discarded chargers pile up every year. Figures and studies like these are often cited as reasons for imposing a common charging standard or removing charging bricks from phone packaging. That only addresses one part of the problem, though, because chargers are still being made and sold en masse anyway. The other part of the solution is to make the chargers themselves long-lasting and sustainable, which is what this innovative multi-functional wireless charging concept is trying to propose.

Designer: Blond

The Fold, no relation to Samsung’s foldable phones, immediately strikes one as a handsome piece of tech. Blending minimalism and transparency, the foldable wireless charger makes no qualms about its geeky nature. In fact, it invites people to peer into its very soul, and some might even have to dig deep into it in order to repair the accessory over time.

Creative design studio Blond’s concept for this wireless charger is notable in more ways than one. More than just portable, thanks to its foldable design, the charger can be used in multiple ways as well. For example, it can juice up three devices all at once, but it can also act as a smartphone stand when folded in a certain way.

Its most ambitious feature, however, is its longevity. Unlike most consumer electronics, the Fold is designed to be easy to open up and replace broken parts, at least for someone who is used to doing repairs on their own. In theory, the materials used will also be sustainable or responsibly sourced, possibly from recycled products even. That’s not always possible with electronics, of course, so the option of repairing and sending back components for recycling helps both the owner and the environment in the long run.

The Fold’s sustainability extends to the concept of its packaging. Where most products require two layers, with the packaging itself and then the shipping box, Blond envisioned a single recycled and recyclable packaging that meets both needs. This eliminates wasted materials while still leaving room for some creative innovation inside the box, like a space for broken or suspended components for shipping back to the manufacturer for repairs or recycling.

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These Wireless Charging Mats Look Like SEGA Game Controllers

Back in the day, I was a serious SEGA fanboy. The SEGA Genesis and Dreamcast are still two of my favorite video game consoles of all time, the Japanese brand offering an outsider’s approach to gaming, releasing offbeat and edgy titles that Nintendo and Sony wouldn’t have dreamed of at the time. Sadly, SEGA isn’t in the console business anymore, but they still make some pretty cool video games for other consoles and mobile devices. If you’re a fan of classic SEGA gaming like me, check out these sweet wireless charging mats.

Numskull teamed up with SEGA to make these “Charging Matz” because any word that ends with “z” is cooler than a word that ends with “s.” They’re available in four styles, including Mega Drive and Dreamcast controllers, a Dreamcast console, and the Sonic the Hedgehog logo, complete with his wagging finger. The picture above also shows a Saturn controller, so I assume that’s on the way too. Each mat offers 10-watt fast charging for Qi-compatible wireless devices and has a non-slip rubber base. I like how the Dreamcast controller even has the VMU there in the middle. Now can I use it to play some Shenmue?

All four SEGA Charging Matz are available for order in the EU and UK via their official SEGA shops. If you want one in the US, check back here and we’ll provide an update when we know when and where you can buy them.

These Terrazzo Wireless Chargers look like artisanal decorative coasters that can charge your phone!

I guess these Terrazzo Wireless Chargers from Bentu Design put the tech in archi’tech’ture! Designed as a neat fusion of consumer tech and home-decor, Bentu Design’s W10 charger comes with an exterior made from Terrazzo, a unique composite of concrete with marble/ceramic/stone chips suspended within. The terrazzo exterior gives the W10 almost a coaster-like appearance, allowing it to wirelessly charge your phone while acting as a nifty little decorative element on your tabletop.

The W10 charger’s terrazzo exterior uses concrete mixed along with recycled ceramic particles, cement construction waste, quartz fragments, and other crushed stones, most of which are virtually useless. By binding these waste particles into concrete, China-based Bentu Design has perfected the art of repurposing trash and making well-designed products out of terrazzo. Bentu noticed that globalization, and an increased demand for ceramic pieces, had driven a wave of new factories in Chaozhou… creating jobs, but also dramatically increasing the amount of ceramic waste produced. The name ‘Bentu’ translates to ‘native’, as the studio focuses on understanding and using raw materials that are local.

The terrazzo W10 chargers come in 4 colors – white, green, blue, or orange, with ceramic and quartz particles randomly suspended in the concrete. The natural beauty of this randomness makes each X10 unique and one-of-a-kind. Under its bespoke speckled exterior, sits a Qi-compatible charging coil, available in 5, 7.5, and even 10W outputs, and the coil connects to a power source via a discreet USB-C plug located in the charger’s side. Each W10 measures 10mm in thickness, and weighs a mere 210 grams. It’s pretty enough to be mistaken for a coaster, although I’d probably ask you to caution your guests against placing any hot cups filled with coffee/tea on them. There’s no clarity on whether the X10 is waterproof, although I kind of hope it is!

Not only is the X10 made from recycled ceramic/stone scrap, it’s also designed to be repurposed/recycled too. After the wireless charger’s service life is over, the internal circuit board and electronic components can be extracted by gently breaking apart the terrazzo shell. The shell itself can be smashed into chunks and reused in another terrazzo piece, giving it a fresh life altogether. Moreover, to reinforce the X10’s sustainable approach, the wireless charger even comes in fully recycled all-paper packaging.

Designer: Bentu Design