With Qi2.2 adoption become more widespread, expect to see more devices arrive in 2026 in the retail space. At CES 2026, Baseus launches the PicoGo AM52 Qi2.2 Magnetic Power Bank.
Living up to the brand name, “Based on User“, Baseus designed a minimalist Qi2.2 magnetic power bank charging experience.
First Impressions: Credit Card Sized Powerhouse
The AM52 is a pretty compact unit, only about 15 x 12mm bigger than your standard credit card.
There are no sharp edges, just curved edges and corners, with a slight taper towards the back of the unit so it fits naturally into your hand when in use.
The business end with the Qi2.2 charger is entirely covered in soft silicone. No fingerprint magnet here. It is scratch resistant and grippy.
On the back is an aluminium alloy enclosure in a matte black finish, aside from the printed Baseus logo.
Down the bottom is a row of five LEDs to show charge level, a power button on the side and a USB-C port on the bottom for both input and output.
Just on it’s own, it feels quite nice to hold.
Performance: 25W Qi2.2 Wireless vs. 45W USB-C Wired Charging
The Baseus Pico AM52 is a 10,000 mAh power bank, well under the in-cabin limits of airlines at time of publishing. Here in Australia there are tweaks to the rule where you cannot use the power bank in flight, or recharge the power bank in flight.
Let’s face it though, with a Qi2.2 slim line power bank such as the AM52, it would be a shame to only use it when you are travelling.
In the short time I have had it for review, it’s saved my bacon plenty. Phone battery is low and I need to use it for payments at grocery shopping? Having the AM52 magnetically attached to my Pixel 8 Pro means I am not juggling a bulky power bank and a cable on the run.
The AM52 is smaller than the footprint of my daily driver, the Pixel 8 Pro, which makes it still viable to hold in one hand and use. It almost reaches the bottom of the phone so it feels natural to rest it against my finger, much like I would with just the phone itself.
And that is a key to the AM52, the form factor does not require me to change how I grip my phone in natural use.
With Qi2.2, wireless charging speed can reach 25W if you have a compatible phone. In my case I can only get 12W maximum.
If you do want to push the envelop, the USB-C port is rated for 45W output. This is enough to drive an Ultrabook or MacBook Air, and give enough to give some life to a standard laptop.
Recharging the AM52 is capped at 30W input.
Advanced Safety: Graphene Cooling & NTC Monitoring
You can have both the Qi2.2 and USB-C ports working concurrently to charge two devices. Don’t get over excited though because you only have 10,000 mAh to work with.
Baseus claims there is a NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) smart temperature control chip for real-time heat monitoring. It is a first line of defence against overcharging and short-circuit fires. It also helps extend battery life by keeping them in the thermal “Goldilocks” zone.
The aluminium alloy back shell is paired with a graphene inner layer to facilitate efficient heat dissipation.
In my use, often slapping it on when the phone is heading south at around 30%, the AM52 never felt particularly warm to touch. This is a great thing considering how often the whole shebang is just shoved in my pocket whilst I run around doing things. That said, as mentioned before, at best I am getting 12W wireless charging on my phone.
Advanced Safety: Graphene Cooling & NTC Monitoring
Baseus uses sixteen N52 magnets for the Qi2.2 alignment. That’s a neodymium magnet at a strength considered as industry standard for this task. For some high end gear you might find N54s.
For readers who are screaming inside and calling me out on the Pixel 8 Pro and that it only supports Qi 1.2.4 – that is, a standard that does not have a ring of magnet, relax! I use a Mous MagSafe Compatible super slim case (in Steel Blue if you are curious) that adds the MagSafe compatibility.
Between the case and the AM52, both uses the N52 magnets and it provides about 11 Newtons of magnetic force – enough for the two components to snap together securely and not just slide off one another.
However, if you are pushing at the bottom end of the AM52 whilst using your phone, you will find that you can quite easily rotate the phone although generally not enough to kick it out of alignment.
Thermal Efficiency: Passive Cooling & Charging Limits
The last point to cover is thermal. Charging at 25W generates a lot of heat. To sustain that charging speed requires some kind of active cooling – no ifs or buts. It’s the laws of physics at play.
The slim line profile of the AM52 leaves no room for an active cooling fan. By their own admission, Baseus has stated (not in these words) that there is only passive cooling available. That means sooner or later after your device negotiates 25W slurping of juice, the NTC chip will throttle the charging speed for safety.
Conclusion: The Ultimate EDC Power Bank for 2026?
Truthfully speaking, the Qi2.2 25W charging speed on the Baseus PicoGo AM52 is a part timer. For sustained faster charging, you can go with the USB-C port. But for the convenience of a magnetically docked slim line power bank that you can run about with? It is a pretty decent choice.
All this convenience comes with a weight penalty of just 197 grams and pricing is TBC. This one’s gone into my EDC bag for the daily emergencies.
DRN would like to thank Baseus for providing the review unit, particularly ahead of the formal launch.
