Power Bank mAh Explained — How Many Charges Do You Actually Get?
Short answer: Due to energy conversion loss, a power bank only delivers about 60-70% of its rated mAh to your phone. A 10000mAh power bank realistically gives 2-2.5 iPhone charges, not 3-4 as the number might suggest.
Why You Don't Get the Full Rated Capacity
Power banks lose energy converting from their internal voltage (usually 3.7V) to your phone's charging voltage (5V or higher for fast charging), plus additional loss through the cable and charging circuitry. This is normal and applies to every power bank, not a defect.
Realistic Charges by Capacity
| Power Bank Capacity | Approx. iPhone Charges | Approx. Android Charges |
|---|---|---|
| 5000mAh | 1-1.5 | 1-1.5 |
| 10000mAh | 2-2.5 | 2-3 |
| 20000mAh | 4-5 | 4-5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't my 10000mAh power bank give exactly 3 full charges? Energy conversion loss during charging means you typically get about 60-70% of the rated capacity in usable charge.
Does fast charging reduce the number of charges? Fast charging is slightly less efficient than slow charging, so it can modestly reduce total charges compared to trickle charging.
Is a lower-than-expected charge count a sign of a fake power bank? Not necessarily — conversion loss is normal for genuine power banks too, though counterfeit units often overstate capacity even further.
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