Safer, faster, smarter: How charging technology is evolving to meet your needs

Chargers used to be an afterthought – a simple tool to power up our devices. Today, with earbuds, smartwatches and laptops all competing for a charge, they have become more essential than ever.

The way a charger is designed and built can shape the way we work, travel and stay connected.

Tech-savvy consumers are demanding more from their charging solutions. How fast can it charge up today’s larger phone batteries? Can it do so safely, while keeping us updated on the charging status? Plus, can a single charger charge up a plethora of devices at the same time?

To meet these evolving demands, manufacturers like Anker have been motivated to develop better, more user-centric chargers in recent years.

Anker’s philosophy is guided by its interpretation of innovation – one that prioritises addressing the fundamental needs of users rather than focusing solely on incremental improvements or short-term market competition.

Says Leon Wu, general manager of Anker Innovations South-east Asia: “We aim to lead the industry not just in technological innovation but in creating meaningful, user-centric experiences that go beyond basic functionality.

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“By staying committed to first principles thinking and listening to consumer feedback, we ensure that every Anker product empowers users with greater efficiency, reliability, and emotional connection to their tech.”

User-centric charger designs

In South-east Asia, consumers’ power needs are driven by the region’s rapid digital transformation, says Wu. Consumers here now juggle an average of four devices daily, from laptops to even drones. This is especially so in dynamic markets like Vietnam, where tourism and content creation are fuelling a 37-per-cent annual growth in equipment rentals like GoPro cameras and drones, he notes.

Understanding unspoken frustrations with charging is key to designing more user-responsive products. For instance, 83 per cent of professionals in Bangkok and Jakarta’s co-working spaces struggle with limited charging outlets. This creates an acute demand for compact, multi-port chargers that can efficiently power multiple gadgets simultaneously.

Portability also ranks high in user preferences – especially among frequent travellers. Insights from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport reveal that travellers prefer chargers no larger than a lipstick case – critical for South-east Asia’s motorcycle commuters and travellers using regional budget airlines with strict baggage limits.

Design choices are also being influenced by environmental factors. Corrosion-resistant coatings help ward off monsoon humidity, which have boosted customer satisfaction by 28 per cent during rainy seasons.

A safer charging experience

Even safety concerns are reshaping preferences. In Kuala Lumpur’s technology districts, chargers with visible power distribution indicators now outsell traditional models nearly two-to-one.

The Anker 140W 3C1A charger, meanwhile, comes with an interactive display that gives users instant visibility to the charging status. This, according to Anker, helps overcome charging anxiety among users, who are eager for their devices to be charged up, yet do not know the remaining charge time or power status.

The decision by phone makers to leave out chargers from top-end smartphones has undoubtedly fueled the boom in Gallium Nitride (GaN) chargers. But users are also seeking new features that better meet their evolving needs.

Innovation in this space is also being driven by user feedback. Wu explains: “Our Voice of the Consumer (VOC) mechanism plays a major role in our innovations. Our team’s objective is to consistently achieve a 4.5-star rating for each product by meticulously incorporating user feedback. If a product falls short, we take immediate action to identify and address gaps.”

A clear example of this innovation in practice is the Anker Prime Charger 250W multi 6-port GaN charging station, which charges up to six devices. It uses GaN technology, which means it charges more devices faster without heating up.

For Anker, user experience may be important, but nothing comes before safety. For example, the company’s 250W desktop charger uses an ActiveShield3.0 system, monitoring temperature 80 times per second, six million times per day. It also dynamically adjusts charging power based on temperature to ensure safety without bulk.

In other words, reliability is a standard feature for Anker chargers. Every Anker product undergoes many reliability tests, such as surge resistance and port durability under more than 10,000 plug cycles, to align with the company’s global certifications.

For Anker, innovation is its key differentiator in a crowded marketplace. This means tapping on research and development to offer users a better experience.

“We want to deliver meaningful innovation, which means not just visually appealing or “cool” products but also ones that resonate deeply with ever-changing consumer needs,” says Wu.

Learn more about Anker’s charging products here.