Samsung 25W Travel Adapter (TA800) Review: The Only Charger You Should Buy for Galaxy? By The Tech Guru If you just bought a Samsung Galaxy phone—whether it's a budget M-series, a mid-range A55, or a flagship S24—you likely faced a rude shock when you opened the box. No charger. Just a cable. Samsung says this is for the "environment." We know it's to save costs. So now you have a choice: buy a random cheap charger from the market, or buy the official Samsung 25W Travel Adapter (TA800) . Is the official one actually worth ₹1,000? Or is it just an overpriced brick? I bought one for my Galaxy M34 to find out. The Secret Sauce: What is PPS? Most students make a mistake here. They buy a "33W Fast Charger" from brands like Mi or Realme, plug it into their Samsung, and wonder why it charges slowly. The reason is PPS (Programmable Power Supply) . Samsung phones use this specific technology to unlock "Super Fast Charging." Standard Charger: Charges a...
Mi Power Bank 3i (20000mAh) Review: Is the 'National Power Bank' Still the King?
By The Tech Guru
If you walk into any college classroom, library, or train compartment in India, you will see one gadget everywhere. It’s not an iPhone. It’s not a specific laptop. It is the Mi Power Bank 3i.
It is the "Maruti 800" of power banks—reliable, affordable, and seemingly indestructible. For years, it has been the default recommendation for any student who needs battery backup.
But this is 2025. Competitors like Ambrane and URBN are now offering 22.5W and even 33W fast charging for the same price. The Mi 3i is stuck at 18W. So, the big question is: Is the "National Power Bank" of India finally too slow, or does its reliability still make it the king of the hill?
I put my trusty (and heavy) Mi 3i through a week of torture testing to find out.
Design & Build (The Brick Factor)
Let's address the elephant in the room first: this thing is a brick.
Weight: At roughly 434g, it is heavy. You will definitely feel it in your backpack. It's not something you can slip into your jeans pocket comfortably.
Build: However, that weight comes with a feeling of invincibility. The hard plastic shell with a sandstone-like textured finish is fantastic. It resists scratches, provides a great grip, and doesn't attract fingerprints. I’ve dropped mine multiple times (accidentally, I promise), and it just shrugs it off.
If you want ultra-portable, look at the URBN Nano. But if you want something that feels like it could survive a zombie apocalypse, the Mi 3i is it.
Charging Speed (18W vs. The World)
This is the most controversial part. The Mi 3i supports 18W Fast Charging (via USB-A and Type-C).
The Reality: 18W is... okay. It’s not "slow" like the old 10W chargers, but it’s not "blazing fast" like the 33W SuperVOOC or Dash Charge adapters you might have for your phone.
Real-World Test: Charging a 5000mAh phone from 0% to 50% takes about 45–50 minutes. A 22.5W competitor might do it in 35-40 minutes.
Is it a Dealbreaker? For a student, probably not. Unless you are in a massive rush every single morning, 18W is fast enough to top up your phone during a lecture or a lunch break.
Crucially, it supports Dual Input (Type-C and Micro-USB), so you can charge the power bank itself with whatever cable you have lying around.
Capacity & Real-World Usage (How many charges?)
This is where the Mi 3i truly shines and why people still buy it. The 20,000mAh capacity is massive.
Efficiency: Power banks never give 100% of their capacity due to energy loss. The Mi 3i has excellent efficiency.
The Numbers: In my testing, I could charge a standard 5000mAh Android phone (like the iQOO Z9 or Realme) roughly 3 to 3.5 times from 0 to 100%.
Triple Output: You can charge three devices at once (two via USB-A, one via Type-C). This makes you the most popular person in the hostel room during a power cut.
Safety (12-Layer Protection)
Why do students trust Mi over cheaper, random brands? Safety. The Mi 3i comes with 12-Layer Advanced Chip Protection. This protects against overheating, short circuits, over-voltage, and over-charging.
Why this matters: In a hostel with fluctuating voltage or cheap extension cords, this protection is critical. You don't want a cheap battery swelling up or damaging your expensive phone. It also has a Low Power Mode (double-press the power button) to safely charge delicate gadgets like your TWS earbuds or smartwatch.
Pros & Cons List
Pros:
Legendary Reliability: It just works, and keeps working for years.
Massive Capacity: Real-world capacity is excellent (3+ full phone charges).
Triple Output: Charge three devices simultaneously.
12-Layer Safety: Peace of mind for your gadgets.
Pass-Through Charging: Charge the power bank and your phone at the same time.
Cons:
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy It?
The Mi Power Bank 3i is no longer the fastest horse in the race. If you need the absolute fastest charging speed, check out the Ambrane Stylo 20K.
But the Mi 3i is still the most reliable.
You SHOULD BUY the Mi Power Bank 3i if:
You value safety and longevity over raw speed.
You need a power bank that can charge multiple devices (phone + buds + friend's phone) reliably.
You want a device that can survive rough hostel handling.
You should probably AVOID this if:
You have a phone with 65W+ charging and want a power bank that can keep up (it won't).
You want something lightweight for your pocket (get the URBN Nano).
It might be aging, but the King hasn't lost its crown yet. It’s still the safest, most dependable brick you can buy for ₹2,000.
Need faster charging? See how it compares to the competition in our [Mi 3i vs Ambrane Stylo 20K Battle].
Saved by this review? Bookmark StudentTechIndia for more survival gadget guides.
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