Anker Nano Charger Review: Screen Gimmick or Smart Upgrade?
The Anker Nano 45W charger with a built-in color screen promises to show your device's battery level, power draw, and even an animated character while charging. But does this display actually help users, or is it just eye candy? After hands-on testing, we found the screen offers occasional utility for Apple device owners—but the charger's genuinely useful innovations lie elsewhere, particularly in its space-saving rotating prongs and battery-friendly charging technology.
Credit: Google
What Makes the Anker Nano 45W Stand Out?
Anker has built its reputation on creating compact, powerful chargers that travelers and daily commuters rely on. The new Nano 45W continues that tradition with one eye-catching twist: a one-inch color display embedded in its glossy front panel. At just $30, it remains one of the smallest 45-watt chargers available while adding features rarely seen in this category.
The display activates the moment you plug in a compatible device, briefly showing the product name—like "iPhone 16 Pro"—before switching to real-time metrics including current wattage delivery and approximate battery percentage. A cheerful animated character cycles through the screen during charging sessions, giving the accessory a playful personality uncommon in utilitarian tech accessories.
Despite the visual flair, Anker maintains the Nano's pocketable footprint. It fits comfortably in travel bags without adding bulk, making it a practical option for those juggling multiple devices on the go. The charger supports USB-C Power Delivery with a maximum 45W output—enough to quickly power up iPhones, iPads, and even many ultraportable laptops.
The Screen: Helpful Feature or Marketing Theater?
Let's address the elephant in the room. That screen dominates half the charger's front face, but its practical value remains limited. During testing, the display accurately reported power draw between 5W and 45W depending on the connected device's needs. Seeing your iPhone pull 27W during fast charging provided momentary satisfaction, but this information rarely impacts real-world usage decisions.
More importantly, device recognition works only with select Apple products. The charger identifies iPhone 15 models and newer alongside iPads released since 2020. Android users won't see their device names—just generic power metrics. This Apple-centric approach narrows the charger's universal appeal in an increasingly cross-platform world.
The animated character cycling through the display adds charm but serves no functional purpose. Unlike screens on Anker's larger power stations that show remaining battery capacity or estimated runtime, this miniature display lacks depth. You can't customize the animation, adjust brightness, or access additional settings through it. It's essentially a digital ornament that occasionally shares useful data.
Still, there's a psychological benefit worth acknowledging. The visual feedback creates a sense of connection between user and device. Watching your phone's battery percentage climb on the charger's screen feels more engaging than staring at a blank wall adapter. For some users—particularly those who enjoy tech aesthetics—this subtle interaction enhances the charging experience.
Where the Nano Truly Shines: Rotating Prongs and Smart Charging
While the screen grabs headlines, the Nano's most practical innovations operate quietly in the background. Its foldable prongs rotate nearly 180 degrees, solving a persistent travel pain point. In crowded hotel outlets or tight power strips, neighboring plugs often block access. The Nano's swiveling design slides neatly beside adjacent adapters, maximizing outlet real estate without requiring extension cords.
This mechanical solution proves far more valuable than any digital display. During testing across multiple hotel rooms and airport charging stations, the rotating prongs consistently found space where rigid competitors failed. It's a simple yet thoughtful engineering choice reflecting Anker's decade-plus experience solving real-world charging challenges.
Beneath the surface, the Nano employs a three-stage charging system designed to extend battery longevity. It begins with fast charging up to 80%, then gradually reduces power delivery during the final 20% to minimize heat buildup and electrochemical stress on lithium-ion cells. This approach aligns with Apple's own Optimized Battery Charging recommendations, potentially adding months to your device's usable lifespan.
The charger also intelligently negotiates power delivery based on connected devices. Plug in an iPhone alone, and it receives the full 45W. Connect both an iPhone and iPad via a splitter cable, and the Nano dynamically splits power between them based on each device's requirements—prioritizing the hungrier device without manual intervention.
Who Should Actually Buy This Charger?
The Nano 45W with screen makes the most sense for specific user profiles. Apple ecosystem devotees who own recent iPhones or iPads will appreciate the device recognition feature and battery percentage display. Travelers who value compactness and outlet flexibility will benefit from the rotating prongs regardless of their device brand. And tech enthusiasts who enjoy gadgets with personality might simply enjoy the animated character's presence.
However, budget-conscious shoppers should consider alternatives. Anker sells an identical 45W Nano model without the screen for $5 less. If you never glance at your charger while devices power up—and most people don't—those savings make practical sense. The core charging performance, size, and rotating prong design remain identical between models.
Families sharing chargers across Android and Apple devices should also think twice. Without universal device recognition, the screen's primary selling point loses relevance. In mixed-device households, the non-screen Nano or competitors with multiple ports may deliver better value.
When Displays Belong on Chargers
This Nano model raises an important question about feature bloat in consumer electronics. Screens make sense on power stations where users need to monitor remaining capacity during extended off-grid use. They add value on EV chargers displaying session duration and energy costs. But on a simple wall adapter used for 30-minute top-ups? The utility diminishes significantly.
Anker isn't alone in exploring this territory. Several manufacturers have experimented with displays on charging accessories over the past two years. The successful implementations share one trait: they solve actual user problems rather than creating artificial ones. The Nano's screen doesn't hinder performance or reliability—it simply doesn't transform the charging experience enough to justify its presence for most buyers.
That said, innovation requires experimentation. Today's gimmick sometimes evolves into tomorrow's standard feature. If future iterations add genuinely useful functions—like customizable alerts for fully charged devices or integration with smart home systems—the display could earn its place. For now, it remains an interesting footnote in charger evolution rather than a breakthrough.
A Solid Charger Wearing Unnecessary Jewelry
The Anker Nano 45W with screen delivers exactly what its specifications promise: fast, compact, intelligent charging in a travel-friendly package. Its rotating prongs solve real spatial challenges, and its three-stage charging system supports long-term battery health. These features alone make it a competitive option in the crowded charger market.
The screen, however, functions more as decorative flair than essential utility. It provides occasional glances at useful data but lacks depth, customization, or cross-platform compatibility needed to become indispensable. For $30, the charger remains reasonably priced—especially during frequent promotions—but most users would be equally satisfied with the $25 screenless version.
If you appreciate tech accessories with personality and enjoy the subtle delight of an animated character cheering your phone's battery upward, the screen adds charm without compromising performance. Just understand you're paying a small premium for aesthetics rather than functionality. In an era of increasingly utilitarian gadgets, that touch of whimsy holds value for some—even if it doesn't change how quickly your phone powers up.
Ultimately, the Nano succeeds not because of its display, but despite it. Anker's engineering strengths—compact design, intelligent power management, and thoughtful mechanical solutions—shine through regardless of the screen's presence. That's the real story here: a well-executed charger that happens to wear a bit of unnecessary jewelry. And sometimes, a little jewelry makes the everyday feel slightly more delightful.
