Is TECNO TPB-P201X the best power bank for Android in 2024?

In 2021, I reviewed the TECNO TPB-P101X power bank. While it didn’t charge very fast, it turned out to be one of the best power banks that I had owned or tested at the time. So, when I saw the TECNO TPB-P201X, you can imagine how excited I got.

The TPB-P201X is the successor to the TPB-P101X and brings twice the battery capacity. That is 20000mAh battery capacity. That is a good thing. But that appears to be the only improvement that it comes with. Is the design as good and does it perform as good? Come with me as I explore it.

TECNO TPB-P201X 20000mAh Power Bank: Specs in Summary

Here is a quick look at the specs of the TECNO TPB-P201X portable battery.

• Dimensions: mm
• Weight: g
• Power indicator: 4 white LED lights
• Ports: USB-A x1. USB-C x1. Micro-USB x1.
• Power Input: 10W
• Power Output: 10W
• Battery Capacity: 20000mAh
• Input charging time: 6 hours
• Accessories: data cable (USB to micro & type-C)
• Simultaneous Charging: Twin USB ports allow you to charge two devices at the same time.

6-hour input charging time?!

The specs sheet lists charging time as 6 hours. Why? Why does it take all of six hours to fully charge the 20000mAh battery of the TECNO TPB-P201X, especially as this is 2024?

We have seen great progress in charging technology over the last years. Surely, TECNO should have incorporated some of that into this model to cut down on the number of hours, say down to 3 hours. And that is not to say that even a 3-hour charging time doesn’t sound painful to the ear.

For example, raising the input charging speed to 18W would have made a whole lot of a difference from the same 10W that its predecessor had. The input charging time would have dropped significantly.

Design

The product images I have seen suggest that TECNO has maintained the same design language of the older model, but I will confirm this as soon as I get my hands on it.

Performance

The official marketing channels say that the TECNO TPB-P201X will deliver up to 77 hours of usage to your smartphone. As all marketing pitches go, we have to find out for ourselves. Again, I will confirm this and update this article. But in theory, if your smartphone has a 5000mAh battery, this power bank should be able to top it up at least four times (all other things being equal).

But some of you have coconut head and will keep using your phone while charging it, meaning that there is continuous power drain as the power bank is charging it. Sometimes, just put the phone down and let it charge properly.

Meanwhile, as the specs sheet already pointed out, TECNO TPB-P201X is able to charge two devices at the same time. Exactly as seen with the predecessor.

Availability & Price

TECNO TPB-P201X comes in only one colour – black/grey. There is some serious disparity in the prices we are seeing across different stores as outlets, but depending on where you look, it is available for ₦11,000 to ₦16,000. I also saw it listed for ₦28,000 on one online store. Don’t ask me, abeg.

Meanwhile, if you are looking for an affordable power bank, stay away from those ones with 20000mAh or 40000mAh capacity for ₦7,000. Learn from the experience of those who have tried it before you. Don’t let a trial convince you.

Conclusions

I love the design and bigger capacity of the TECNO TPB-P201X, but I daresay that it missed the mark with its long charging time. For example, both the Anker PowerCore 10000 PD+ power bank and the Anker PowerCore II Slim 10,000 mAh high-capacity power bank have 18W input and 18W output, making them faster charging alternatives.

In 2024, there is no practical reason for anyone to need to keep a power bank plugged for six hours to get a full charge. Or I am just overreacting; after all, those 18W charging devices cost more. Much more. So, cost is a factor too and country is hard. If you are on a budget and need a high-capacity power bank, do consider TECNO TPB-P201X portable battery. It just might be what you need. It just might be the best power bank for budget shoppers.

Author: Mister Mobility

Master storyteller and founder of Mobility Nigeria, Mister Mobility, has used and reviewed hundreds of mobile phones since 2001.