Forget the robots next-gen phone-charging tech was the coolest stuff I saw
at IFA, with Belkin, UGreen and ESR all offering something new

Date:
Mon, 07 Sep 2026 09:56:52 +0000

Description:
I saw a lot of cool gadgets at IFA Berlin 2026, but charging tech from the likes of UGreen, Belkin, and ESR ended up being a real highlight for me.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter We saw a lot of incredible technology at IFA Berlin 2026, be that cutting-edge headphones, futuristic robot vacuums, or game-changing AIoT systems. But one area that arguably went under the radar, but impressed me an lot, was new charging technology.

I saw some incredible gadgets that could change the way that I, and many of you, juice up our phones, tablets, and laptops, so I thought Id round up some of the most amazing technology I saw at IFA this year. Ill run through three of my favorite innovations (alongside a bonus entry), and reveal my favorite chargers, why they impressed me, and all the details you need to know about them. Here's some of the most exciting charging tech coming down the (power) line Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: 1. UGreens liquid cooling wireless chargers Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) Image 1 of 4 View Original Image 2 of 4 View Original Image 3 of 4 View Original Image 4 of 4 View Original It only seems right to kick things off with the most exciting new products of them all: UGreens new liquid cooling wireless chargers.

UGreens MagFlow lineup which consists of a magnetic power bank, 3-in-1 wireless charging stand, and a 2-in-1 foldable model could be a genuine game changer. Why? Well the a key issue for high-speed wireless chargers is heat, and Ive seen it myself when testing. You can be juicing up your phone at
great pace, but past a certain point, the build-up of heat can trigger throttling, which slows speeds in the interest of safety. You may like I've tested more than 20 chargers, but these are the 4 that I can always count on UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh Qi2 25W review: a pocket-sized charging marvel The best travel charging gadgets to avoid low-battery stress on vacation

But UGreens new model combat this with active cooling, as well as passive heat-dissipation and intelligent temperature regulation, enabling improved performance.

I had the chance to see all of the new Qi2 25W chargers, but my favorite was the MagFlow Pro Magnetic Power Bank, which UGreen claims is the first power bank to include micro-pump liquid cooling. It has a transparent window, enabling you to view coolant circulation in real time, and according to UGreen, its peak temperature during testing was 18F / 10C lower than the 118F / 48C industry reference. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from
us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. 2. Belkins slim semi-solid-state power banks Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: TechRadar) (Image credit: TechRadar) (Image credit: TechRadar) Image 1 of 3 View Original Image 2 of 3 View Original Image 3 of 3 View Original Another titan of the charging world, Belkin, had a few new drops to show me too. And the most interesting were its new semi-solid-state power banks, which impressed me for two key reasons.

The first, and perhaps most obvious, is the fact that they make use of semi-solid-state batteries rather than the more typical lithium-ion alternative. Semi-solid-state batteries are denser than lithium-ion ones, enabling them to offer higher maximum capacity in an even slimmer form, and they also degrade at a slower rate.

The other thing that impressed me was the build quality of the two power banks. They both look and feel excellent, with a sleek Black or Sand finish available, and their phenomenally slim construction makes them highly practical for using your phone while charging. What to read next Belkin announces two ultra-slim semi-solid-state power banks IFA 2026 'Best in Show' awards: our 25 favorite reveals at the Berlin tech expo The best iPhone chargers 2026

There are two models available: the Belkin UltraCharge Pro Slim Magnetic
Power Bank, a 15W wireless power bank with a 5,000mAh capacity thats just 8.8mm thick (which is about the same length and width as a standard credit card); and the Belkin 10,000mAh UltraCharge Pro, which offers a 60W maximum power output, dual USB-C ports for juicing up multiple devices at once, and a display for viewing charging and temperature information. 3. ESRs dual-retractable cable chargers Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) Image 1 of 2 View Original Image 2 of 2 View Original I personally use a bunch of chargers with retractable cables the convenience
is unmatched. And so, ESR has a new set of products that truly calls to me in its Xtend chargers.

The 100W version of the Xtend wall charger comes with not one, but two built-in cables which can fully retract. This means it's incredibly easy to charge two devices at once, be that a phone and a laptop, or a tablet and
some wireless headphones. The built-in cables are also able to extend up to 95cm (3.1ft), which is considerably further than some models Ive tested.

A second model, the ESR Xtend 45W has just one built-in cable, but its more compact, and has an additional USB-C outlet if you want to charge two devices simultaneously. Bonus: UGreens cat chargers Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) Image 1 of 3 View Original Image 2 of 3 View Original Image 3 of 3 View Original Okay, these might not be the most advanced chargers I saw at IFA, but UGreens new cat chargers really caught my eye.

They look a bit like cats wearing a hoodie, and even come with detachable
feet if you want to avoid damaging the charger when it's in a bag, or
scraping yourself when carrying it in a pocket. They have a pleasant rubbery feel, a compact build, and offer charging speeds up to 45W from their USB-C port. A purr-fect option for feline fans. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/phone-accessories/forget-the-robots-next-gen- phone-charging-tech-was-the-coolest-stuff-i-saw-at-ifa-with-belkin-ugreen-and- esr-all-offering-something-new


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