Wearable tech – like accessories that charge your phone – seem to be popping up everywhere these days. In 2017, fashion is officially colliding with technology, meaning household labels and startups alike are scrambling to create the most stylish, high-tech accessories.

Here are our top picks for the best phone charging backpacks and wallets you can snag online today:

TYLT Energi Backpack

The Energi backpack by TYLT comes in two models. The standard model is a combination between a briefcase, backpack and a mobile charging station. It comes equipped with a charging system that allows you to route the cables to any one of the 5 external pockets or 2 internal pockets. The Pro Power backpack is the upgraded model which TYLT touts as the only bag that can provide a full charge to your cell phone, tablet and your USB-C laptop. It includes a 20,800 mAh battery and 12 internal pockets to store all your daily gear.

BirkSun Solar Backpacks

Designed in California, the rugged BirkSun backpacks rely entirely on solar panels that can store a 150% charge from its internal battery. Short on direct sunlight? You can also recharge from any wall outlet. Ideal for the beach, the hike or the daily commute, the BirkSun waterproof backpacks keep you dry and powered up!

HP Powerup Backpack

Billed as a “revolutionary backpack,” the HP Powerup features a high capacity 22,500 mAh battery that can charge your phone, tablet and your laptop. The backpack works with most HP laptops and USB-charged devices including iPhones and iPads, GPS devices and wireless headsets. HP claims their backpack provides a full charge to most of their laptops, charges a tablet up to 3 times, a smartphone up to 10 times.

Sure, you might be a Sudoku whiz or Queen of the Crosswords, but just how mentally fit are you?

Studies have shown that participating in varied mental activities can help improve memory and even make you more efficient in your everyday tasks. While puzzles can certainly be a great way to work the most complex organ we’ve got, you might not always have a newspaper in hand. Here are 4 smartphone apps that offer fun and motivating exercises that will help get your brain moving.

Lumosity

In almost every list we found, Lumosity made the cut—for good reason, too! This app was developed by a team of experts, from neuroscientists to visual artists. It offers over 50 different games that focus on memory, attention span, flexibility, and problem solving. The games even aim to help improve your processing speed.

From finding the odd one out to serving up coffees in a video cafe, these games are fun and simple exercises that, with daily practice, may have a positive impact on your cognitive skills. Lumosity tracks your progress and even shows you how you stack up against others. You can purchase a monthly subscription to unlock all of the games and benefits, or you can sign up for a free basic membership which gives you access to several different activities each day.

Headspace

When it comes to active brain training, meditation has been proven time and time again to produce measurable changes, both physically and psychologically. Even practicing meditation just a few days a week can help improve your concentration and attention span, allowing you to increase focus and remember information better. It’s also a great way to help reduce stress and anxiety. For those with depression and addiction, maintaining a regular meditation practice has been shown to reduce the symptoms associated with these issues and improve one’s personal perception and feelings.

While it may seem contradictory to pick up your phone when beginning your meditation practice, Headspace is trying to make it worth your while. This app is designed to help you learn and develop a healthy and mindful practice that will benefit your health in many ways. Headspace breaks meditation down into ten minute sessions for each day. You can start with ten free sessions chosen from a variety of topics. Pick the ones that fit with your current lifestyle, your current mood, or try something new. Headspace will track your daily progress and even offers a “buddy system” that lets you connect with others who are also practicing mindfulness, as well as rewards for your progress.

Happify

It’s not surprising that our happiness is a topic studied by scientists and psychologists. What makes us happy is a question as old as time. Through fun and inspiring games and activities, Happify is trying to help its users build healthier habits and feel better.

Created by a team of positive psychology experts, authors, meditation teachers, and researchers, this app focuses on bringing fundamental elements from positive psychology to its users so that they can live a more happy and meaningful life. By focusing on each person’s strengths, the activities on Happify can help eliminate negative thoughts, stress, and anxiety. Happify aims to teach users how to change their habits so that they focus on the positive things in life. This app offers fun quizzes, polls, and even a gratitude journal for you to record your thoughts. With the support of a positive community behind you, you can connect with others and elevate your personal well-being by overcoming the emotional and physical stresses that can often hold you back in life.

Cognito

If you’re looking to get some brain exercises in without feeling like you’re studying for an exam, Cognito is the app for you. Cognito advertises itself as a “secret agent game that trains your brain,” and compared to apps like Lumosity, it has a more cohesive and adventurous aspect to it.

Each day, you’ll complete personalized missions that focus on five core elements of your brain: memory, focus, speed, adaptability, and reasoning. Cognito also lets you play and compete with friends, offering a bit of friendly competition and encouragement. If you’re looking to see how other aspects of your life affect your mental agility, this app will give you information about how your physical activity and even your sleeping schedule can have an impact on your brain’s functioning by pulling out data from the Apple Health app on your phone.

Ever since the portable external phone battery became widely available, far less people have found themselves stressed about their phone battery running out of juice.

The convenience of having a whole extra battery is quite amazing. But at the end of the day, every cell phone user still has to find an electrical outlet to get a charge. On top of that, they also have to charge two different batteries and keep track of how much charge each has.

So it’s no wonder that the concept of a kinetic energy phone charger has been picking up steam. That being said, let’s take a look at the top 4 kinetic energy chargers out there right now and how well they perform.

OUR TOP PICK: A 10,200 mAh Power Bank 

• Rugged high capacity 10,200mAh power bank (2.1A Power Output) that is perfect for smartphones, tablets and portable electronic devices
• Tough and sturdy: Designed to be snow proof, dirt proof, drop proof and water proof.
• Built-in short-circuit, over-charge, and over-heat protection. Comes with LED flashlight, compass, and a Carabiner
• IP67 certified: dust and water resistance for up to 3ft/1m for 30 minutes under water.
• Storage temperature: 32F to 113F, Input: 5V / 2A; Output: 5V / 2.1A; Dimension: 3.98 x 2.54 x 1.06in, Weight: 7.76oz.

FosPower PowerActive 10200 mAh Power Bank – 2.1A USB Output [Water/Shock/Dust Proof] Rugged Heavy Duty Portable Battery Charger for iPhone/iPad, Android Smartphones, Tablets & MP3

AMPY Move

This is probably the most well-known of all the kinetic energy phone chargers currently on the market. It has received quite a bit of attention since it promises that a fully-charged AMPY can provide the user with up to 24 hours of extra battery life. Not only that, the manufacturer also claims that this unit can become charged by the energy generated from your everyday movements such as walking and running.  However, it seems that the reality may not match up so well to the promises made.

As a battery, this unit has rave reviews. But as for its electrical generating ability, the unit comes up way short. Many reviews from professionals and consumers alike suggest that it requires an unrealistic amount of movement in order to generate enough charge to fill itself. One reviewer ever made the claim that “You’d have to shake the Ampy nonstop, for days on end, to fill up the battery cells.” This doesn’t inspire much hope, but they also have a wonderful and free app for monitoring your smart phone battery in detail. You can check out the manufacturer’s website and decide for yourself.

nPower PEG

This device is roughly the same concept as the AMPY except this unit seems to be geared more towards the outdoorsy crowd. The manufacturer states that this device can hold a charge for up three months and will keep itself continually topped off by using the kinetic energy from your motion. But, much like the AMPY, this charger also falls short. Users have complained that the energy generation mechanism is quite weak and it only seems to work when the unit is completely upright.  In practice, most activity will not generate the energy required. It seems that many of the larger retailers such as Amazon have chosen not to keep these in stock, though this device may make a reappearance after some of the issues are worked out. For more info, WIRED magazine has a hilarious review here.

American Red Cross FR1

Yes, you read that correctly. The American Red Cross has a kinetic charger. Although, this one isn’t a kinetic charger in the same way that the last two entries on our list are. The last two promised a charged phone or device simply by utilizing your everyday movements and, sadly, neither one could really deliver on these promises. This unit, however, makes no such promises and gives you a classic hand crank with which to provide power to your device. Sometimes old trick really are the best tricks. For more info, you can check out the unit’s Amazon listing here

It seems as though the world of kinetic charging devices still has a way to go especially since the emergence of commercial charging solutions such as phone charging kiosks with lockers that are seen at bars, restaurants, hotels, casinos, events, and more.

If you’re like most people, chances are you use your phone a lot and the battery probably dies quite often. If so, you should consider buying an external and portable power packs for your smartphone so you can charge wherever you go. There’s thousands of them on the market from hundred of manufacturers, so which ones are a good buy? Here’s the five best we found (not counting our own Power Pax):

1. Mophie Powerstation Series

This is by far one of the best portable batteries on the market right now. It is incredibly slim and will easily fit in any pocket without feeling cumbersome. It comes in several different capacity sizes that are labeled 1X, 2X, 3X, and so on. The price varies with the capacity chosen so check out their website for a look at their full line of batteries and related accessories.

2. Insignia NS-MB200B

This is definitely one for the budget conscious. This little battery boasts a 5200 mAh for a bargain price of only $9. Yes, it is the Best Buy generic brand. But don’t let that deter you, many of Best Buy’s in-house products fare quite well if you’re not expecting them to be fancy. You can get one directly from their website or walk in to your local store.

3. Energizer XP Series

This series of batteries comes from one of the most instantly recognizable names in batteries. These batteries can power a netbook or tablet for an extra 4-6 hours after the internal battery has died depending on which model you choose. All of the XP series batteries come with a solid 3 year warranty  and start around $90. The price is not for the budget buyer, but the unheard of warranty more than makes it worth it. You can get the specs on all of the XP series on Energizer’s website.

4. HyperJuice Plug

This battery has what is probably one of the most innovative designs in the world of portable battery packs. Instead of using a cable or adapter to charge itself, it plugs directly into the wall and looks remarkably similar to the original iPhone charger blocks (remember those bulky things?). It comes in a variety of capacities and playful colors starting around $70. You can check out all of their other batteries here.

5. Goal Zero Flip10 Recharger

The good people at Goal Zero set out to make great portable battery packs that were capable of being charged purely by the power of the sun. With the Flip10, they have made a rugged battery pack that can withstand the elements and be charged by solar power for only $25. The Flip10 only holds enough juice for one charge but the company boasts a huge product line that includes many other charging options. Check out the Flip10 here.

If you are looking to buy or rent external power packs for your business or event, check out the Power Pax (portable charging system).

Veloxity discerningly uncorks just some of the best international wine festivals.

All over the world, winemakers and wine experts celebrate new vintages and older favorites with wine festivals.  There are tons and tons of wine festivals everywhere.  Just look at LocalWineEvents.com and you are bound to find a tasty event in your area.

With so many wine festivals happening everywhere, people are decidedly hard-pressed to select just the right fest.

Fret not, wine-lovers. We’ve uncorked the most sip-friendly fests for you.  The Veloxity wine festival list is chock full of regional wine tastings, vintage-specific food pairings and educational wine-themed seminars that make glasses and heads and swirl.  Remember to bring your cellphones and have them charged using a commercial Veloxity device charging solution to take pics, take notes on which wine is your favorite, or umm, call for a ride home.

Veloxity top choices for wine festivals

Have wine glasses, taste buds and cell phones fully at the ready. Expect grand tastings with opportunities to sip dozens of wines, wine-geek seminars, winemaker dinners, and chefs’ cooking demos. Many of these festivals bring locally grown grapes into the spotlight too.  And you might even spot celebrity guests.

1. The Boston Wine Expo offers over 1,800 different alcoholic beverages produced by 300 highly acclaimed wineries all around the world. Taking place across a three month span at the Boston Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, the festival goes beyond just want tasting. Related seminars, winemaker hosted dinners and receptions with renowned winemakers make the nation’s longest-running wine festival a must-see for wine lovers everywhere. Veloxity provided device charging solutions for this tasty festival.  The phone charging kiosks with lockers were sponsored by Infiniti.
2.  Pinot Noir is growing in popularity in the state of Oregon, which is quickly growing prestige in the US wine-making scene. Oregon’s International Pinot Noir Celebration brings wine-tasting to the valley that is home to some of the nation’s best Pinot Noirs. This three day festival is located in the 160 mile stretch of vineyards known as the Willamette Valley, and provides attendees with tastings of great wines, guided tours of where their favorite Oregon Pinots were created and food options to pair them with.
3. Texas is not only famous for its tasty red meat barbecue but its wide variety of wines. Every September the Lone Star State hosts GrapeFest, the biggest wine event in the southwest. Wines range from crisp Chardonnays to deep red Merlots, and the International Wine Garden event offers participants a taste of both local and international offerings side by side. Before you leave with as many vintages as you can carry, be sure to participate in the grape-stomping contest and the culinary exhibits to learn how to mix cooking with your favorite new wines.
4. If you have plans to visit the Big Apple this year, consider attending the New York Wine and Food Festival. Every October this weekend festival offers over 100 events and over 500 unique wines, spirits and cuisines to 55,000 food and wine aficionados. Live the true New York experience in the grand tasting on a pier in the Hudson River, or see some of your favorite food celebrities in person at one of the many food-and-wine-centric events. From hands-on classes and wine tastings to late night parties, the largest food and wine festival in New York City is sure to have something for everyone.
5. The Charleston Wine and Food Festival is the best choice if you want a taste of Southern hospitality. The four day event occurs every March in Charleston, South Carolina, and 80-plus events showcase hundreds of wine and local Lowcountry cooking. Learn to pair wines with southern meals, hear from expert sommeliers over formal dinners and tour historic Charleston as you taste regional and international wines you’ll be sure to love.
6. If you love sunny Miami beaches, then VeritageMiami is the wine event for you. Previously known as the United Way Miami Wine and Food Festival, this event brings together over 3,000 wine, beer and food lovers to hear from and taste offerings from their favorite chefs, winemakers and brewers. Occurring twice a year in the fall and spring, this four day event not only only supplies good wine and food, but benefits for a good cause as well with proceeds going to the United Way in Miami-Dade County. Be sure to check out the “Best in Glass” event to see top wineries showcase their top award winning vintages.
7. Anyone with a love for both wine and live music has a place at the Austin Food and Wine Festival. Spanning over 25,000 square feet and offering over 50 beverage options, the Austin Food and Wine Festival is sure to have something for everyone. Artisanal food demos provide participants with not only new wines to try, but new meals to pair them with, and a top-notch lineup of musical acts promises to keep every moment upbeat. The three-day festival brings together wine, food and music lovers every April for a chance to experience all three in the “music capital of the world,” which is subsequently located in the fifth largest wine producing state in the country.
8. The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is a great chance to taste wine and foods in the land down under. With over 250 tastings and 200 wine education programs, this two week festival has been bringing wine lovers together for over 20 years. Festival activities range from wine education classes like the Langham Melbourne MasterClass to a chance to eat and drink with 900 of your closest friends on a single table during the World’s Longest Lunch.

When at any festival, event or even a retail store, don’t be caught with a dead device battery. Mention that you heard about Veloxity device charging solutions that are available for rent and purchase.

Frequent travelers know that at some US airports it sometimes still requires finding a sweet spot or leaning against a window to make a phone call, check email, send a text, use social media and charge your cell phone, or any mobile device.

Cell phone connectivity and charging options at some US airports can be a hassle.

Options for cell phone connectivity and charging at US airports these days can be pretty spotty. Does your airport charge for wireless Internet, or will it let you connect (albeit sometimes at painstakingly slow speeds) for free? For some travelers wishing to log on, choices are limited or costly. For others, the in-air connection will do the trick. And what about that ever-present threat of the dead battery?

If you’re one of the hundreds of millions of passengers who travel through US airports every year, whether you’re a frequent flier or not, you’ve probably had better experiences in some airports than in others. And since airports aren’t just hubs for travel, good cell phone connectivity is a necessity rather than a luxury.

Cell phone connectivity, speed and reliability vary by airport and carrier.

Veloxity wanted to find out what the best airports were for connectivity. Luckily for us, twice every year the awesome people at RootMetrics conduct surveys on the quality of cell phone data speeds and connections at 50 of the busiest airports in the United States.  They put AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon in to the test.

The RootMetrics survey ranked all 50 airports from best to worst to show cell phone connectivity highs and lows.

1. Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International

Atlanta’s airport tops the charts and clouds for cell phone services.

AT&T ranked the highest in this airport, scoring an incredible composite score of 99.7. Verizon closely followed with a rating of 99.1 with T-Mobile still scoring a decent 98.4. Sprint came in last with a disappointing 91.5.

2. Cleveland Hopkins International

The second best ranked cell phone service in the US had a slightly different rank of service providers, all still ranking highly.

T-Mobile came in at the top with a score of 99.1, closely followed by Verizon with 97.8. At third was AT&T with 96.7 and Sprint followed closely with 96.3.

In the October 2014 test, Verizon and T-Mobile actually tied for first place.

3. Southwest Florida International

In at third was Southwest Florida in Fort Myers, FL.

Another few differences as far as service provider scores came in. Verizon was the survey in this case with a score of 99.7 closely followed by AT&T with 99.0. Sprint scored 95.6 and T-Mobile with a poor performance of 89.6.

Fact: AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobiles download scores increased from the previous results while Sprint’s score decreased.

4. San Jose International

Just missing out on a top three position was San Jose International. The service provider with the highest score was T-Mobile coming in with a score of 99.3, Verizon coming in second with 99.0 and AT&T in third with 96.4.

Sprint came in last with a 92.4.

5. Dallas Love Field

Coming in at fifth place overall was the Dallas Love Field Airport.

Back in April 2015, both Verizon and AT&T came in very close with a 98.8 to 98.5. Sprint came in third ranking a 96.0 score and T-Mobile, for the second time, came dead last at 90.9.

Conclusion

Many of these airports ranked pretty close together and high showing us that cell connectivity can be excellent in some airports around the U.S. – generally, Verizon and AT&T scored highly across the board. You may want to look out if your on T-Mobile or Sprint in some cases. Even if your not planning any trips to these airports in the near future it is important to know that because of the bad service in most airports your device will die at a fast rate because it is working over time to connect to a server.

So what about device charging options at airports?

That’s where companies like Veloxity always make connections.  Veloxity rents and sells device charging solutions to airports, organizations, events, corporations and venues nationwide.

Manufacturers are now producing budget friendly smartphones that tout the best battery life.

Since the debut of smartphones, the technology used in displays and processors has constantly been evolving, but one thing has lagged: battery life. Users don’t have to feel powerless anymore because here’s a list of 5 smartphones that offer the best battery life without breaking the bank.

1.Lenovo K3 Note

The K3 Note is being touted as one of Lenovo’s best phone’s right now. It has a 5.5 inch screen and Full HD resolution, which is amazing considering it only costs $150. This smartphone isn’t only reasonably priced, it’s also pretty powerful with a 1.7GHz Octa Core Processor and 2GB of RAM. Plus, it’ll stay powered up with a 2900 mAh battery that can replaced, so you switch it out as the phone gets older.

2.Meizu M2 Note

The name isn’t the only similarity between Meizu’s M2 Note and Lenovo’s version: they both retail for $150 and have 5.5 inch displays with Full HD resolution. This smartphone features a 1.3GHz Octa Core Processor with 2GB of RAM, but the memory can be upgraded since it’s MicroSD compatible. The best feature is clearly the 3100 mAh non-removable battery, which will hold a charge for a full day.

3.Huawei Honor 4X

Here’s another $150 phone with a 5.5 inch display, and the resolution comes in at 1280×720 pixels. The Honor 4X has a 1.2GHz Quad Core Processor with 2GB of RAM, so the 3000mAh battery lasts longer than some of the other phones on this list. It can last a full day without being charged, and will go even longer on light usage.

4.Micromax Canvas Juice 2

The Juice 2 lives up to its name with a 3000mAh non-removeable battery that will last a whole day. While it only costs $112, this phone is similar to a lot of others on this list. It has a 5 inch display with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels. The 1.3GHz Quad Core processor will help conserve battery, but is still powerful enough for the phone to function normally. The biggest con is the camera which only checks in at 8 megapixels for the back and 2 megapixels for the front facing camera.

5.Gionee Marathon M3

We saved the best battery for last. The Marathon M3 has a 5000mAh battery that will last 2 or even 3 days without a charge. While that’s very impressive, it’s also largely due to its weaker 1.3GHz Quad Core Processor that has 1GM of RAM. The smartphone also only has an 8 megapixel camera on the back and 2 megapixel front facing camera. For $155, it’s clear that the battery life is the star of the show.

Not everyone is lucky enough to get their hands on one of these 5 smartphones that sport super batteries, so chargers are still very necessary. With 41.9% of smartphone users owning iPhones they still need a reliable place to charge their phone on the go.  Samsung users represent 27.8% of the smartphone market. You can buy or rent a Veloxity charging kiosk for your business to keep customer’s phones fully charged.

Veloxity’s comparison of the top android tablets by specs, battery life, performance, and price.

If you are in the market for a new tablet, same as with smartphones, you have a choice between 2 major operating systems: Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. For those already committed to the Apple ecosystem, the IPad will be their choice of tablet. But what about those of us who prefer the other side of the spectrum i.e. Android?

Unlike Apple’s closed software and hardware system, Google’s Android operating system offers an open-source experience which encourages many hardware manufacturers to take a crack at making an Android-based tablet. The following are reviews on Veloxity’s best picks for the top 3 Android tablets of 2014:

Google Nexus 9 Review ($399 USD)

The Nexus 9 was by far our favorite all-around tablet of 2014. Its 8.9” quad-HD display is stunning to say the least, the best among the tablets tested. One of the biggest selling points of the Nexus 9 is its software. Android 5.0 Lollipop, Google’s latest update to the Android OS, comes bone-stock on this device. The Nexus 9 is the first to house the new 64-bit version of the Nvidia Tegra K-1 chipset. With a 2.3GHz dual-core Denver CPU and a 192-core Kepler DX1 GPU, the Tegra K-1 is fitting for this high-end tablet, performing multitasking operations with ease and offering a buttery-smooth experience paired with Android 5.0 Lollipop. Few downsides of the Nexus 9 include less-than-acceptable build quality from HTC, the manufacturer of the device. But one of the biggest flaws of the Nexus 9 is its small storage capacity. The tablet is currently offered in only 16gb & 32gb variants, without the possibility for microSD card expansion. Battery life is where the Nexus 9 strives. Although its 6700mAh battery is average as compared to other tablets in the market, the Nexus 9’s improved efficiency allows for 11 hours 25 minutes of moderate use.

Nvidia Shield Tablet Review ($299 USD)

If gaming on your tablet is of importance, the Nvidia Shield Tablet is the best tablet for you. The Nvidia Shield Tablet is the first tablet to show off the Tegra K1, a far more powerful graphics processor than that of last year’s Tegra 4. The Tegra K1 processor has a 192-core Kepler GPU plus a 2.2GHz quad-core A15 processor and 2GB of RAM. These specifications enable the Shield Tablet and it’s 8” 1080p display to deliver graphics worthy of the PS3 and Xbox 360. The tablet also comes with controller integration and Nvidia Gamestream connectivity. The Shield Tablet flaunts a 19.75 Wh battery which is good for 10 hours of moderate use and up to 6 hours under heavy gaming, quite impressive for a device of its size and porice. Despite its cheap build quality, the Nvidia Shield Tablet is all around a better tablet for those who want a small, affordable, and portable gaming station.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 Review ($370 USD)

If you are familiar with the latest Samsung Galaxy flagship smartphones, you will feel right at home with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S. The soft, dotted design on the back resembles that of the Galaxy S5 as does its operating system and TouchWiz interface. This tablet sports a handsome design, above average specifications, and a low price. Its 8.4” 1080p super high resolution display is vibrant and its Exynos 5 octa-core processor (yes, 8 cores) keeps tasks running smoothly. Unlike other tablets, the Tab S offers a physical home button. The Tab S’s battery life averaged 12 hours of moderate use using its 4900mAh non removable battery. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S offers a compact yet powerful tablet experience with legendary Samsung reliability and at a relatively low cost.

All these tablets have one thing in common, they need to be charged. There’s no better way to charge your tablet than with Veloxity’s secure charging stations. Fast and safe charging for tablets of all shapes and sizes.

Have you noticed the rise of the Chinese smartphones in the US market? Here’s a brief review.

If you want to buy a new smartphone device in the United States, you are currently limited to American, South Korean, and Japanese phones. Chinese manufacturers, except for HTC, have yet to infiltrate the US market. This trend is changing as Chinese manufacturers are starting to produce competitive phones that are becoming more and more popular with American buyers. Manufacturers such as OnePlus, Oppo, Huawei and Xiaomi are quickly claiming lost ground in the smartphone marketplace.

In the past, Chinese mobile phone manufacturers produced inexpensive, mid-to-low tier phones which, although cheap, were not up to par with competitor phones. The problem with low-to-mid tier phones is the lack of demand in the US. Since the Chinese made phones were so inexpensive, they used to lack the technology needed to connect to the US carrier networks. China has the ability to produce high end smart phones as most technology is made in China and shipped out. The problem they face is that they do not have brand recognition that Apple and Samsung have.

Within the past few years, demand for Chinese made mobile devices has risen dramatically for a variety of reasons. The main reason is specifications. New Chinese smartphones such as the OnePlus One and Oppo Find7 come with Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 & 805 processors respectively. These are the same processors used by flagship phones currently available in the US such as the Samsung Galaxy S5. Both phones also have outstanding battery life, enough to last a user a full day with medium to heavy usage.

Price is another major selling point for the Chinese phones. While comparable Apple and Samsung flagship devices cost an upwards of $600, you can pick up a Chinese made phone for a fraction of that. For example, the OnePlus One is currently on sale in the US for $299 which is not a bad deal considering the flagship specifications you receive, even though it is invite only.

These phones come unlocked and are compatible with most US carriers. The Chinese invasion into the US mobile phone market has begun.

Regardless if the phones are made in China, they can still charge fast with Veloxity’s Universal Charging Station. With individual lockers, venues and events can offer customers an intuitive charging solution. On average, phones will charge 1% of battery life every 1 minute while using Veloxity’s Universal Charging Station.

National surveys suggest that phone battery life is one of the biggest pain points for consumer and the most important feature that needs improvement in smartphones. Other features such as screen size and processing speed seem to have reached a pretty satisfactory level on modern phones but having to charge your battery multiple times daily is still required for the vast majority of them. Now that they all have quad-core processors it takes more and more power to keep one going. To effectively gauge battery performance, three different variables were measured for a total of 7 popular smartphones on the market today.

Talk time

The first variable measured was what is known as talk time. Talk time refers to “normal usage” including simple tasks like calling, texting, and occasionally checking email or playing a game. The Samsung Galaxy S4 came out on top for the longest battery life of a little over 17 hours (1051 minutes) for this type of use. It has a 2,600 mAh battery which is considerably large and allows for this long life. The S4 also offers two power saving options: Power Saving mode, and an Ultra Power Saving Mode. Power saving mode saves battery by blocking background data. Ultra Power Saving Mode saves battery by applying a simplified grayscale interface and only letting you use the most essential functions for when you really need to save the juice whatever your situation may be.

Coming in close behind the S4 for talk time is the Sony Xperia Z smartphone. This phone carries a 2330 mAh battery. The Xperia Z can hold up for 16 hours (985 minutes) of normal usage and also offers one power saving mode for a longer lasting life.

On the opposite end of the scale, the poorest battery life in terms of talk time is the Nokia Lumia 920. This phone can only rack up around 7 hours of normal usage. Though the battery spec is 2,000 mAh, this phone has had a documented history of battery draining issues and so it is not recommended for people who always have their phone on them and in use during the day.

Internet Time

The second variable that was studied is browsing time or internet time. This is also known as “advanced usage” (a step up from normal usage mentioned above). In this day and age most smartphones are used this way by advanced users because of how necessary staying connected really is. We can see that the Samsung Galaxy S4 has come out on top again for this type of use with an average of 6.75 hours (or 408 minutes).

Again in last place we see the Nokia Lumia 920, only offering between 3 and 4 hours of browsing time. Keep in mind internet use will be considerably less because of the Wi-Fi connection it requires, but 3-4 hours nowadays is considered almost useless.

Charging Time

The amount of time our phones take to charge is important to look at as well. The iPhone 5 and Nokia Lumia 920 have a fast charging advantage, however, they are the 2 phones with the shortest length of battery life with regards to both normal usage and advanced usage. So, to boast that it has a quick charging time, belies the fact that its battery is one of the fastest to drain. The phone with the 3rd shortest charging time is the Samsung Galaxy S4 which has blown away all of the other phones in the other categories. It has the lowest ratio of charging minutes to usage minutes meaning only .15 minutes of charging allows for 1 minute of use.

Conclusion

We can see that battery life is heavily dependent on the type of use it gets, however, some phones just are much more durable with respects to staying charged when necessary. It is important to keep in mind that the Samsung Galaxy S5 has just come out last week and is expected to blow away the already winning S4. It will also be very interesting to see whether the iPhone 6 can match up to the Samsung phones this upcoming fall! Remember to keep these things in mind while choosing your new phone. Before purchasing a phone you should research how strong the battery life is for what you will be using the phone for. For example if you are someone that rarely talks on the phone it might not matter how much talk time the phone battery offers. If you are someone that is always on the go you might opt for the phone that has the fastest recharge. With this information, it makes it easy for consumers to be satisfied with their smartphone.

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