This iPhone power bank was an essential lifeline on the bustling streets of Marrakesh

ZDNET's key takeaways

• The power bank is thin and light
• It is perfect for charging on the move
• Pass-through charging allows both the power bank and iPhone to be charged simultaneously.

I've become so used to being able to charge my iPhone when I'm out and about. Power outlets and USB charging ports are everywhere, from trains to coffee shops, taxis to airport lounges. But recently, I spent a few days in a country where this wasn't the case.

Marrakesh, a Moroccan city nestled at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, is a place like no other -- bustling, vibrant, and full of character. The main street branches off into narrow, labyrinthine side streets that are home to energetic souks (markets). Road signs, if present at all, are mostly in Arabic, and those that are bilingual feature French, which is not much help to someone who can't read Arabic and is only barely competent in French.

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I've never felt more reliant on my iPhone for everything -- from navigating to and from my riad, where I was staying, to translating menus and leaflets -- and it was one of those places where I'd have been in trouble, big trouble, if my battery had died mid-adventure.

This is where I chose to test a new power bank, the Sharge CarbonMag 5K.

Sharge CarbonMag 5K tech specs

Thin, light, and strong MagSafe connection

The first thing that struck me upon opening the Sharge CarbonMag 5K package was how thin and light this power bank is. At 120 grams and 8.8 millimeters thin, this is something that feels like it blends in with the aesthetic of the iPhone once it's snapped onto the MagSafe ring. There were plenty of times when I forgot that it was attached to my iPhone.

The CarbonMag 5K is about as thin and light as a 5,000mAh magSafe power bank can get.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

And speaking of that MagSafe snap, the connection is strong and secure. Not once did the CarbonMag 5K separate from my iPhone, and my iPhone is encased in quite a thick case. The high-strength carbon fiber is lighter than aluminum and stronger than steel, making the CarbonMag 5K a durable package. I dropped mine onto cobbled streets twice from about one meter, and the power bank was totally unscathed.

The carbon fiber on the CarbonMag 5K is both strong and offers a gorgeous finish.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Keeps my iPhone charged and ready

On the charging front, you have the option of using 15W wireless MagSafe for the iPhone and a 20W USB-C port for everything else. All you need for power on the move. There are tiny LEDs on the back of the power bank showing charge levels, charging status, and whether it is switched on, and there's a single button for switching the unit on.

Simple!

For charging at the end of the day, the CarbonMag 5K supports pass-through charging, so I could connect a charge cord to the power bank, leave the iPhone connected to it, and both would charge overnight, ready for another busy day.

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Let me tell you, this power bank has endured some tough conditions, going from near-freezing temperatures during the desert nights to baking hot during the days. Yet, it never failed to keep my iPhone charged and ready to go.

ZDNET's buying advice

I've been on the lookout for a thin and light MagSafe power bank, and the Sharge CarbonMag 5K hasn't disappointed. I'm a bit of a sucker for things made with carbon fiber, but the use of this material on this power bank goes well beyond aesthetics, adding structure and rigidity without weight.

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As a power bank, the CarbonMag 5K is as good as they get, with Sharge having put together a top-tier product here. If you want a super-lightweight 5,000mAh power bank, this is a superb choice.