Kuxiu’s ‘world first’ solid-state power bank costs more but lasts much longer

The Verge - Apr 26th, 2025

Kuxiu has launched what it claims to be the world's first power bank using a semi-solid state battery, the Kuxiu S2. Priced at $79.99, the power bank offers a capacity of 5,000mAh and features Qi2 wireless charging at 15W. While marketed as a "solid-state" device, Kuxiu clarifies that it employs a semi-solid state battery, which includes a solid-liquid mixed electrolyte. This innovation offers advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries, such as improved safety and longevity, with the S2 promising up to 1,000 charging cycles before significant capacity loss, compared to 300-500 cycles for traditional power banks.

The Kuxiu S2 represents a significant step towards the mass production of solid-state batteries, which are known for their potential to offer greater safety and higher energy densities. However, the industry remains divided over the definitions and classifications of solid-state batteries, with terms like all-solid state, semi-solid state, and quasi-solid state being used. Despite these uncertainties, Kuxiu's product is positioned as a safer and more cost-effective alternative, leveraging existing manufacturing processes to keep costs manageable. The S2's semi-solid state technology is a promising evolution in portable power solutions, setting a benchmark for future innovations in the battery industry.

Power Bank Technology Innovation Kuxiu Solid State Battery Battery Safety Wireless Charging Qi2 Standard

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RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a detailed overview of the Kuxiu S2 power bank, focusing on its use of semi-solid state battery technology. It effectively explains complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner, making it suitable for a general audience. However, the article relies heavily on information from Kuxiu, limiting its source quality and balance. While it highlights the potential benefits of the technology, it lacks independent verification and perspectives from industry experts, which affects its overall credibility. The article's timeliness is enhanced by its focus on current trends in battery technology, but its public interest and impact are limited by a narrow focus on a specific product. Overall, the article serves as a useful introduction to the Kuxiu S2 power bank but would benefit from a more balanced and comprehensive exploration of the topic.

Accuracy

The article provides a detailed overview of the Kuxiu S2 power bank, emphasizing its use of semi-solid state battery technology. It accurately describes the differences between semi-solid state and all-solid state batteries, noting that the S2 uses a solid-liquid mixed electrolyte. However, the claim that the S2 is the "world's safest" or "first" power bank using this technology requires further verification. Additionally, while the article mentions the potential for longer lifespan and improved safety, these assertions need independent testing to confirm. The energy density improvement claim also requires validation to ensure accuracy.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the benefits of the Kuxiu S2 power bank, potentially leading to a biased representation. It highlights the advantages of semi-solid state batteries but does not equally explore potential drawbacks or challenges. For instance, the higher cost is mentioned but not discussed in depth. Additionally, the perspective of competitors or industry experts on the technology's viability and market impact is absent, which could have provided a more balanced view.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow of information. It effectively explains complex concepts like semi-solid state batteries in a way that is accessible to a general audience. The language is straightforward, and technical terms are defined, aiding comprehension. However, some sections could benefit from more precise language, particularly when discussing the distinctions between different types of solid-state batteries.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on information provided by Kuxiu, which may introduce bias. There is a lack of independent sources or expert opinions to corroborate the claims made. While the product's features and benefits are detailed, the absence of third-party verification or reviews limits the credibility of the information presented. Including insights from industry analysts or independent testers would enhance the article's reliability.

Transparency

The article provides some context about the technology and the company's claims, but there is limited disclosure about the methodology used to assess the product's performance. The author's personal experience with the power bank is mentioned, but the lack of specific testing conditions or comparisons with other products reduces transparency. Additionally, any potential conflicts of interest, such as a relationship with Kuxiu, are not disclosed.